Chapter 8 – Detention

Hermione took a seat at one of the stools and picked up a big filled with letters, dumping it out on the long table and beginning to sort them.

Draco looked at her and smirked. "So that's how you want to play it? Like nothing happened?"

"Yes. That's the general idea."

"Alright. But you and I both know that the only reason you are trying to forget about it is because you liked it and you want it again so damn bad."

"Your tricks are not going to work on me this time, Malfoy." She replied, never looking up at him once.

He had moved closer to her now and was right next to her. His hands moved to her neck, stroking it with two fingers softly. "Are you sure?"

Her eyelids slowly shut and she took a deep breath. 'no.' she told herself. 'Don't let him do this to you again!' her eyes flew open and she smacked his hands down. "Positive." She spat.

He smirked. It was clear he had an effect on her when he wanted to. "Have it your way." He said, moving to his side of the table, and for the rest of the night they sorted their letters in silence.

XXX

The next day was a weekend day, and since it was so sunny outside Hermione, Jessica, Ben, Pammy, and Chance had plans to hang out by the lake and maybe even take a swim. Hermione had been becoming closer and closer with them, with the exception of Chance who still hadn't said a word to her except for the occasional 'Hello'. Now, she sat by the lake playing cards with Ben, Chance reading a book quietly, Jessica standing on the dock, and Pammy floating atop a plastic, inflatable beach chair in the water.

"Got any aces?" Ben asked her, eyeing his cards.

"Nope, go fish."

Hermione looked over at the dock when she heard the gleeful shout of "CANNONBALL!" And looked over just in time to see Jessica jump into the lake creating a splash that could rival a tidal wave. The water Arched up then came splashing down, overturning Pammy's chair and splashing hard against the rocks of the water. Seconds later Pammy resurfaced, pushing a sopping load of red hair out of her eyes to reveal a menacing glare.

"Jessica!" She cried in annoyance. "I was trying to tan for once in my life!"

"Well I'm sorry if some of us would rather have a good time." She retorted. "Plus, you know your never going to get a tan anyway!"

"Hey, I can hope." She said, looking down at her pale skin.

"She's right Pammy." Hermione agreed. "You have about as much of a chance to get a tan as I do."

"Great friends you lot are!" Said Pammy heading out of the water and grabbing the sack of food they had brought.

"You know we love you!" Said Jessica, climbing back onto the dock. "Hey Herms?"

"Don't call me that!"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Anyway… come for a swim! Why is everyone being dull and sitting on the beach!"

"Okay." Hermione replied as she hopped up and stripped of her clothes, revealing a subtle white bikini.

"I…LOVE… that swimsuit!" Ben yelled out to her. She loved having such a flamboyant friend.

"Thanks!" She chuckled, joining Jessica on top of the dock.

Pulling her blonde hair back into a slick ponytail, Jessica promptly dived into the sparkling water, beckoning for Hermione to join her. Just as Hermione was about to join her friend in the water, she heard a familiar voice.

"Nice swimsuit, Granger. White really does you well."

She snapped her head around, and at seeing Draco, was so startled that she fell into the lake, emerging the next second coughing and spluttering. She could see Malfoy clutching his sides laughing, next to him was a boy she did not recognize. "Very nice!" He shouted, mockingly.

"Well if you hadn't snuck up on me like that perhaps I wouldn't have fallen!" She retorted angrily. "Can you please just LEAVE?"

He smirked at her. "Apparently the lake is open for everyone… I mean look, you're here." He said looking at her evilly. "I'm surprised they let filthy little mudbloods at the lake, infecting the waters."

Her cheeks glowed red. She refused to be humiliated in front of her friends. She rose out of the water, grabbing her clothes along the way, and stormed back towards her dorm room.

"You know, when Hermione first told me about you, I actually defended you." Jessica said, glaring at him. "But now I completely agree with her… you're a hopeless prick!" She said, running off to catch up with her upset friend.

XXX

"Hey, Hermione! Wait up!" Jessica yelled, running after her.

"No!" She yelled back, turning the corner to their dorm room, then entering it.

Hermione threw herself onto her bed and put a pillow over her head. Jessica sat down beside her. "Do you want to talk?" she asked, gingerly.

"No!" She repeated. "Go away!"

"You know I'm not going to leave."

"Yes, I know." Hermione huffed, sitting up and looking at Jessica with red eyes. "I just don't understand him!" She said, another wave of tears hitting her. She threw herself upon Jessica in a hug, leaning her head over her shoulder.

"What don't you understand?"

"Well… the other night… in the outhouse…"

"Yes?" Jessica urged.

"We kissed."

"I knew it!" Said Jessica, practically jumping out of the bed, then at seeing Hermione's stare, she sat back down again. "Sorry, continue."

"This is the downside of having a psychic for a roommate." Hermione replied, with a weak smile that quickly vanished. "He is just all over the place! One minute he will act civil towards me, and then the next minute he will call me all sorts of horrible names! You heard him at the beach, well that's just a TASTE of how he has treated me the past six years!"

Jessica nodded solemnly. "Love works in crazy ways."

"WHAT?" Hermione shouted at the last statement. "I don't even LIKE him, much less love him!"

"Oh… my bad."

"What would give you that impression!"

"Well first of all," Jessica began. "You two bicker like an old married couple."

"Hey, I take offense in that!"

"SECOND of all," Jessica continued, as if she had not heard the last comment Hermione had made. "The kiss. I agree, maybe love was going a bit too far… I should have said something more along the lines of 'Lust works in crazy ways.'"

"Well your wrong. I'm not in… lust with him."

"Sure, keep trying to convince yourself that."

"I'M NOT!"

"I know you hate to hear it, Herms, but you totally are."

"The only this I hate more," she fumed "Is that hideous nickname!"

"Okay, okay… I'll drop it."

"Drop what?"

"The lust thing… and the nickname." Jessica replied, holding her hands up in the air.

"No you won't."

"You know me all to well."

A/N: Another chapter down. Hope you enjoyed this one, more interesting happenings to come! Ever since I created Ben I've wanted to write him up as the whole 'flamboyantly gay best friend' that I've always wanted, but I was scared that people might get offended or something. So now that several of my friends agreed that I should make him like this, I've decided to. I hope you like it. References to my friend Nat's story… with permission from her of course! Thanks Nat! …Keep reviewing!