Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters

A/N: AH! ...I'm calm now..Just got over fighting with Veronica...lol

Chapter 12: Back to The Way

Friday, oh miserable Friday. The Quiddich game was fun yesterday, but it would've been better if I had completely understood it. Rolling out of bed, I decided I would try and help Hermione get the whole Draco thing straight. True, my knowledge of the situation was slim, but at least trying might help.

"Ok.." Hermione gathered her thoughts after we chatted, "THat's the plan then. We go down to breakfast and I lure him into the corridor. You hide somewhere, close enough to hear everything, and I'll talk to him rationally. If anything awry happens, you jump in with plan B. Got it?"

Nodding, my short answer was, "Yes, Ma'am."

Walking casually to breakfast, Hermione entered the Great Hall as I hid behind a concrete pole. Hogwarts has a lot of these I've noticed. Draco and Hermione came out of the hall within a couple of minutes. She must've convinced him into talking about the problem. Staying close, I listened in closely to the conversation.

"What is it, Granger?" Draco impatiently asked.

She stayed cool and calm, "You know exactly what it is, Ferret. You were whispering into Veronica's ear sweet nothings. I know it's not the first time you've been alone with her. Gwenneth confessed to have seen you holding hands with Veronica after the game last night."

"So?" snapped Draco, "Veronica was upset that my team lost, so I held onto her hand for comfort. That's all. She was only upset."

"Yeah, and Maranda will be upset too once she finds out how horrible and unloyal you have been to her." Hermione wasn't making sense to me. What was she talking about?

Draco bit fiercely with his words, "Who cares? I have done nothing wrong to deserve this crap from you. Veronica was upset, so I conforted her. That's all."

"You," Hermione now held an attitude, "already said that. If I were you I would be a little more careful with who I hang out with."

"HA!" He chuckled, "I have been telling you that since we arrived at the school our first year. Then you go and find this orphan girl and become her best friend. Now, if you hadn't been her friend then you wouldn't have gotten in trouble yesterday, and we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"We wouldn't have any conversation, ferret boy." Hermione frowned.

Draco stated, "Maybe that's how it should be. Farewell, Ganger." With that said, Draco went back into the Great Hall.

I slumped my head as Hermione and I walked in silence to the dorms. If only I knew what had gone on with me before I woke up in that hospital bed. Was my life good, bad, or what? Thinking about it made my head hurt, but I wasn't in the mood to get medicine. I wasn't in the mood to be here.

Hermione walked to her class as I stayed in bed. My eyes closed, but I didn't fall asleep. My brain was trying so hard to remember anything from the past...Anything at all.

According to Hermione and Ron, Harry the Scar-boy is breaking up with Veronica for all the crap that's been going on between them. I guess Veronica has been cheating on Harry with a bunch of guys, including Draco. Word is she has been trying to hit on Draco, but he has been too tough to get to, physical wise. He won't kiss her or anything, but he'll sure as hell hold her hand and whisper stuff in her ears. Thinking about it makes me sick, even though I don't know the full effect of it all.

0o0o0o0o

Bed is comfy...comfy bed...Too comfy to move..

"Maranda!" Hermione practically screamed in my ears, "Get up.. It's important."

"uhnn..." I wiped my sleepy eyes and saw the clock. It was only 6 p.m.

'Mione pulled my arms, making me sit up straight, "You have to listen to me. Are you listening?"

"Yes...go on.." My attention was stolen by Hermione.

"Alright," She began, "You know how this morning I was talking to Draco and stuff?"

"No.." I answered half-asleep.

"Well," She went on, "I heard from Gwen that he's going to be in the library waiting to talk to you. I think I finally got through to him! So get dressed-oh you already are.. Get up and hurry before he changes his mind. I cannot believe I got through to him!"

I didn't want to question Hermione's joy, for I wanted to know what Draco had to say to me. My speedy actions of running out of the Gryffindor Common Room was probably questioned by everyone in there. I didn't care. Tiredness began to crawl up my legs, so I slowed down to a jog on the way to the library.

Thud

Oh, Merlin...Bumping into Snape was not my idea of a good thing.

"Sorry, Professor Snape." My appology meant nothing because he looked very irritated with either me smashing into him, or the fact that I was jogging.

He rolled his eyes, "Will you please watch where you are going and remember, try to remember not to jog or run in this school."

No punishment? "Ok...Sorry again.." I walked out of sight before he decided to punish me after all.

Hoping that Draco didn't leave, I entered the library and searched for him. Around almost every bookcase, every corner, and every section, I couldn't find him. At last, I heard his voice near the sci-fi section of the library and I peeked around the corner, smiling. I saw draco talking Veronica Watson, whom I don't get along with very well.

About to pop out and say hello, my world slowed down to a mere nothing. Time almost combusted in my face as Draco's lips moved onto Veronica's. My face, body, and heart went numb. My stomach quivered with hatred and confusion. Draco deepened their kiss, and I watched with hurt eyes.

"Mmmph.." Veronica's eyes viewed me as they parted their kiss.

I felt completely cold, chilled to the bone. Draco came up to me and said something to his defense. I could not register what he was saying.

Veronica ran out of the library quicker than a heartbeat and Draco acted though nothing bad happened, "So..you came down. Good, I need to talk to you. You see-"

"Wait.." My voice was meek, "You kissed Veronica...and act though nothing happened. You kissed a girl, Veronica, deeply too, and act as if nothing happened. Draco, my world stops as I see you cheating on me, and yet you don't care?"

Draco stated his defense after gasping, "I thought you were still ...oh no... I didn't mean to. You mean, you remember that we're going out together?"

"Why the hell wouldn't I, Draco? You're my bloody boyfriend!" my voice cracked, and yelled.

"Oh shit...I honestly didn't mean to..Honest."

My eyes were burning, wanting, yearning to cry..but I couldn't, "How can you not mean to cheat on me? That's it... We're done.." I shook my head furiously as though it were about to rip off of my neck.

As Draco was about to say something, I sped out of the library as fast as I could. The tears were ripping the seal in my eyes, creating an open gateway to come out of their hiding place at last. My directions were on automatic as I ran into the fourth floor bathroom. My feet led the way into a stall. I locked the stall and sat against one of the walls and bawled my eyes out.

I find it so funny how the first time I bawl my eyes out is over a guy...a guy...a damned male.

My first heartbreak and I had to actually witness the cause. Why is my life so shitty. Shitty shitty shitty.

The tears finally stop, and I view the bathroom clock through a crack in the stall door. I've been crying for four hours. Ten o'clock doesn't even phase me. It's past cerfew, but I don't care. Nothing matters right now. have to wash my face or something to get the tear stains off my face. My ugly face.

After I freshened up in the bathroom, I initiated my cautious walk to the Gryffindor Common room. What I wouldn't want is to bum into Snape or Lockhart the Poptart right now. That would suck beyond suck. What's with my sudden cussing? I better stop it. My heart is dead...My dreams are dead.. Sheesh, I'm back to the way I used to be last year. At least then I didn't have to worry about a stupid little thing like a relationship.

What will Hermione say? What will she do?

I snuck into the dorm rooms quietly and changed into a nightgown before slithering into my bed. I feel like a snake now, sneaking everywhere. Maybe snakes slither to hide their feelings too. Maybe they're so sneaky and stubborn so no one sees the tear stains on their rugged faces. Too bad I'm not an animagus; Then I could be a snake.

Aww well, let's just hope to Merlin I can sleep.

"Maranda, you awake? Well, of course you are, you just got here." Hermione's voice called to me and I sighed.

I admitted quietly, "I'm awake. but don't want to be.."

"What happened with Draco?" She had to ask...

I coughed, "Nothing.." Then I spilled my guts to her..