Chapter 3

It was very hard for Hermione to change her clothes in the morning. She was almost late for class when she was finished, but she also smirked. She pulled out her wand and muttered, "Shockulus," and it was only a few minutes until Malfoy came alone.

"What the hell! Stop doing that bloody shocking thing whenever you want me to do your stupid bloody work, mudblood." Malfoy nearly yelled as he rubbed his arm in pain. She really knew how to cast a shocking spell. "Carry my books, will you, Malfoy?" smiled Hermione sweetly as she attempted to roll her wheelchair down the stairs. Malfoy had barely picked up all her heavy books when her wheelchair got caught on a step and tripped, and so did Hermione.

Draco laughed cruelly. "Stupid Mudblood, can't you go anywhere without making a fool of yourself?" he smirked. Hermione growled, "What the hell, Draco. Just leave me alone!"

"As you wish." He made his way out of the room. Suddenly Hermione realized was she was doing. "Wait!" she called. He turned. Damn, he thought. Thiiiiis close to freedom and then she pulls me back. What is it now?

"Malfoy," Hermione smiled evilly. "You're supposed to be following me to class, carrying my books every day until I'm out of my casts. Capische?"

"What the hell does 'Capische' mean?" asked Draco, aware that it was a muggle term.

"It means 'Get it?'"

"Nope."

"Nope, what?"

"I don't get it, so therefore I can't do it."

Hermione sighed in frustration. "Just do it, PLEASE!"

"Alright…MUDBLOOD. At least I have some dignity."

"You…you stupid ferret!" Hermione nearly screamed at him.

Malfoy , however, remained calm and said, "Just do whatever you're going to do now."

Hermione stormed out of the Gryffindor Common Room and out into the corridors, Draco unwillingly behind her, following her every movement.

"Is Malfoy really with Granger?" a student whispered to her friend.

"Yeah, Malfoy's carrying her books and everything. I never thought he'd be girlfriends with a Mudblood, never. But…." She sighed. "It leaves hope for us."

"Yes," smiled the student. "I guess it does."

Rumors had been spreading like wildfire, many different ones. One scenario was, obviously: Malfoy and Granger are sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! (boyfriends and girlfriends). Another one was that Malfoy went broke and had to serve Hermione, which was partly true. Another one was that Draco and Hermione were "bed buddies", and he was so pleased that he did everything she wanted him to do. That rumor was entirely false.

No one guessed the truth. It made the rumors more dramatic. Those who knew never spoke of it, either.

Including Harry and Ron. And…you'd never guess, Pansy, a pureblood Slytherin female.

Pansy was Draco's clinging girlfriend. And she was NOT happy with the rumors, or him hanging out with any female. She had heard other rumors that he had cheated on her, with MUDBLOODS! A certain one, in fact. Hermione Granger. She scowled when she heard the mudblood's name and wished imminent death on her. How dare Drakie stay with this…mudblood! She was a pureblood, she deserved better than Granger. Draco never carried her books.

So she showed signs of her ever-growing jealousy. She spilled pumpkin juice (on purpose) on Hermione during dinnertime, which Draco had to clean up. She noticed that he did everything Hermione ordered him without complaining. Yet, she noticed before that he did everything he was supposed to do with a scowl. Now he did it with a smile. Yes, my readers, a genuine smile. And what was this? He was laughing with Hermione, while Harry and Ron were staring him down, and partly at Hermione. Draco, however, didn't seem to notice.

"Really, Hermione? Harry and Ron tripped on each other's robes and kissed each other once?"

Hermione was shocked. Draco had called her by her first name, but she didn't mention it. It seemed so strange the way he said it, but it calmed her too. She giggled, but blushed at the same time. She looked apologetic at Harry and Ron. "I'm sorry…it just slipped out."

Ron stood up and dug his index finger into Draco's chest. "You'd BETTER not tell anyone about this, Malfoy, otherwise we'll hunt you down."

"Sure, Weasley…sure…"

Ron clenched both his fists and teeth, ready to punch Malfoy, until Hermione stopped him. "Ron…don't hurt Malfoy. Sure, he's an annoying prat, but you don't want to get in trouble, do you?"

"Yeah," agreed Malfoy, drawling. "Listen to the mudblood."

Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. Did Malfoy have to compliment her AND insult her at the same time? i I guess so… /i she thought. He would never respect her.