You know, I almost cried when I checked my email! 35 new messages! Not all from you wonderful people, but there sure as hell was a good percentage!
Thankyou to all who emailed and reviewed with ideas!
Future Movie Maker, to answer your question about Aj, yes, I ma like her when im angry. But, I want to make it clear, that I didn't put her in because that's my nickname and we have things in common. Ohhh no! I put her in because I thought Aj is a nice name. Yes, when I am angry, I do look like a tiger/lion/bear. And my hair does also fall into my face so it makes me look like the devils wife! But I think every author of these stories puts a bit of themselves in the characters, and that was a bit of me in Aj. Hogwartsstollaway, I'll try and get those cookies to you right away, but last I heard, there were some spiders in your corner:P:P jks!
ok next chap.
Both groups of boys met the girls at the charms classroom, though they stood a fair distance apart.
Hermione smiled at Aj before heading over to Harry and Ron, while Aj walked over to Malfoy, Jamie and Blaize.
'Where's pansy?' Aj asked when she was within earshot.
'I dunno, and frankly, I don't care.' Malfoy responded. Jamie and Blaize had much the same opinion.
Aj shook her head and smiled. 'You three don't really like her do you?' she asked.
'Are you mad? How can you like that thing…it looks worse than a pig that's just being playing in a mud puddle.' Blaize smirked.
But all of them hadn't noticed pansy who had come up behind them, intending to hug Malfoy from behind. But her ears caught what Blaize had said, and she was filled with pain.
'And what about you Aj? Do you like her?' Malfoy asked.
pansy caught her breath, of course Aj was going to like pansy, pansy took Aj in, made her semi popular with the Slytherins- she cant afford not to repay pansy for her given kindness.
'She can be annoying, and she is 24/7, but honestly, I don't know her that well to have an opinion that counts.'
'Oh yes you do.' Jamie smirked and pu his arm around her shoulders. 'Just say you hate her, and that's good enough for us.'
Aj laughed. 'Well…'
But professor Flitwick had just opened his door, and had beckoned them inside.
The Slytherins pushed past the Gryffindors at the doorway, making sure they had prime choice for seats.
The Gryffindors sighed, and entered the classroom after the Slytherins, taking up the spare seats.
Hermione, Ron and Harry had managed to get their normal seats at the back of the room, able to hear, but also able to talk in privacy.
Malfoy, Jamie, Blaize and Aj had got seats in the middle of the room, surrounded by other Slytherins.
While professor Flitwick talked to the class, Ron and Harry whispered about something. Hermione on the other hand, paid attention to the professor.
She was desperately trying to ignore the whispers coming from them, but snapped after a minute.
'Will you be quiet?' she whispered this, but half the class heard, including the Slytherins, and turned around to see what was happening.
Harry and Ron had stopped talking, but Ron was a light shade of red.
The onlookers turned back to the front when they saw nothing interesting, and Hermione could return to listening to Professor Flitwick, who hadn't noticed anything was amiss.
'How can you pay attention like that?' Ron asked, staring at Hermione, who was looking dead ahead.
'I have learned to master it.' Hermione snapped, then turned to face him. 'And it wouldn't do you any harm to try it. Go on Ron, try listening, it might make a difference.'
Neither boys said a word for the rest of the time Flitwick talked, but talked like a motor that had been wound and let loose when he stopped and had set them a task.
Like normal, both boys couldn't do the set task- levitate the small pieces of furniture in front of them, on the desk. The furniture was Barbie doll size, and it was a box, which sat in font of each student. The task was to cast the charm, and redecorate the room. Some tried to cheat by levitating the furniture, but when they tried, the furniture would multiply by about three times its normal size, attracting the attention of Flitwick. He then had a go at them for trying to cheat.
Hermione had rearranged her little room in three minutes. Harry was getting there, but Ron had no clue what he was doing.
Ron's little room looked more like a bomb had just hit it.
Hermione concealed a smile when she saw Ron's, as it was nothing like what it was meant to be.
Harry wasn't so nice as Hermione, because when he looked over at Ron, he started laughing.
After a minute, Ron realized Harry was laughing at him, and went red.
Hermione had thought Ron was going to yell at Harry, but to her amazement, he laughed with Harry.
The class ended with everyone but Hermione, Malfoy, Aj and Jamie having homework.
next, they had Potions, which wasn't good for Ron. He again, hadn't done the homework, or the essay.
Hermione fumed when Ron told her. She had helped Harry the other day, and she could have helped him!
Ron hung his head in shame as Hermione started ramping on about being prepared and so on.
Harry reached into his bag and checked that he had his essay. It was there, and he smiled, but felt bad for Ron.
'Herms, please, just let me copy yours!' Ron whimpered.
'NO Ron. Professor Snape will know. Its your fault.' She stopped talking when the dungeon door opened, and Snape's sneering face appeared.
The class walked in, none in the least bit happy about being stuck in a dungeon under the school, with the most hated Professor of the entire school.
Hermione groaned as Malfoy made his way to wards her, having to still sit next to her.
She had managed to keep up the back, as far away from Snape as is humanly possible- well, without having to leave the room.
Snape started the class off with a dreading speech about what would happen to anyone who hadn't done the homework or essay.
Hermione looked quickly at Ron, and saw he was very upset. She felt sorry for him, but she had offered to help him, and he had declined. She looked down at her lap, and then back up at Snape.
Malfoy was watching Snape with an amused smirk on his face.
When Snape drew over to their area, after having given Neville, Seamus, Dean and Lavender detention for having their homework out to early. All the Gryffindors glared at Snape when he had said that. But reluctantly, he had to give Pansy, Crabbe and Goyle detention to for not having the homework and essay at all.
He drew closer and closer to Ron, whose palms where beginning to sweat.
'Potter.' Snape sneered. 'Homework? Essay?'
Harry was very close to smirking at the Professor when he handed over both pieces of parchment.
Snape looked put out, but moved quickly onto Ron.
'Weasley?'
'No sir.' Ron said, looking any where but Snape.
Snape shook his head, but was smirking . 'Two weeks detention.'
The professor reached Hermione and Malfoy.
'homework Draco? Or the essay?'
'Sir, I have both.' Malfoy said, digging into his bag, and pulling out the two pieces of parchment.
'Excellent Draco.' Snape glared at Hermione. 'Well Granger? Do you have it or not?'
Hermione jumped and gave him his homework and essay.
Snape looked put out again that he couldn't give her detention, but perked up as he headed back to the front of the classroom. He put the pile of sheets on his desk, and told the class what they would be doing.
'If you fail to make this potion correctly, it will have dramatic effect on your end of term and year report.'
At this, Hermione sat up straighter and paid very close attention to what Snape was rambling on about.
When Snape turned around and put the instructions up on the board, the class moved around to collect the necessary things.
Malfoy sat on his royal butt while Hermione set up the caldron and got the ingredients.
But once Hermione had set everything up, Malfoy jumped up, and started helping- well what he thought was helping.
He started chopping things and putting them in at the right time, while Hermione simmered the caldron, stirred it when needed, and applied some powders.
Ron looked at them jealously.
What bothered him was that they worked well together, and they looked like a good couple.
Malfoy smirked when Hermione had touched his hand once, and Ron could feel the heat burning in his cheeks.
What had actually happened, was that Malfoy had handed Hermione something to add to the caldron, as it was her job, and Hermione had accidentally touched Malfoy's hand while he gave her the chopped up ingredient.
He had smirked only because Hermione's face had gone red.
But to Ron, it had seamed much worse.
He had thought they where getting too close for his liking. So a plan slowly formed in his head.
Harry was having fun making his potion, but he wasn't enjoying the company he had. And neither was Ron.
Malfoy and Hermione, however, weren't have that much of a bad time.
Ron could have sworn that once, when he had looked over, that they had been smiling at each other!
After a minute, everyone in the room, had gone quiet.
Someone was playing music.
It wasn't heavy metal, but it came pretty close.
Snape raged, trying to find out who was playing it. All the class knew, but Snape could find it out. It was Jamie.
But the funny thing was, that everyone in room lightened up when the music was playing, all smiling, not caring who their partners. Snape was utterly shocked when he saw some people very close to dancing.
He kept glaring at the Gryffindors, convinced they had the music coming from their wands.
But when the lesson ended, all finished their potions, and the culprit wasn't caught.
What surprised Snape the most was that all the students had finished their potions on time and correctly. Even Neville.
The class all left the room when the bell went, happier than they would have thought possible.
All knew it had been Jamie, so they all thanked him, even the Gryffindors, who in the first place didn't mind him.
'That was really smooth' Malfoy said to Jamie once they where out in the corridor.
'Thanks man' Jamie smiled.
All the students headed up the stairs and back into the entrance hall, all eager to eat.
When Hermione and Harry and Ron where in the hall, Ron pulled Harry aside.
'We'll catch up to you herms.' Harry said, giving Ron a questioning look.
Ron lead Harry back out into the entrance hall, while Hermione continued into the hall, to sit next to Ginny.
When Ron was sure they where alone, he spoke.
'Do you know why Hermione dumped me?' he asked.
'No.' Harry raised an eye brow,
'I think she dumped me because she's going out with Malfoy.'
Harry laughed.
'Ron, you cant be serious!'
'No Harry, I am dead serious.'
Harry stopped laughing, and looked at Ron. 'You are.'
Ron nodded.
'Ron I don't think Hermione dumped you so she could go out with Malfoy.' Harry looked at him more. 'Even if she did, what makes you think she likes Malfoy? It could have been someone else.'
'Because, didn't you see them in potions just now?' Ron asked.
'Yeah, Ron, they are partners! She had no choice.' Harry laughed again.
'I know that!' Ron snapped. 'But they looked like a couple! Malfoy smirked, and I saw them smiling at each other!'
'Ron, I think your on to something, but its better not to get involved with a girls heart, it's a big knot of confusing things.'
'That's very wise advice Harry.' someone said from behind.
both boys turned to see Ginny staring at them curiously.
'Ginny!' Harry said.
'Ginny!' Ron said more solidly.
'Ron, you are my brother, and I love you, but take Harry's advice on this- do not get muddled up in a girls heart. That is between the girl and her girl friends.'
'Ginny, you know something. Tell me.'
Ginny came closer.
'Ron, Hermione loved you, and she broke up with you for reasons that if she wishes, she will tell you, or time will do it for her. Do not meddle in anything Ron, Hermione knows what she's doing.'
'So she did leave me for Malfoy!' Ron said angrily.
'Ron, I know Hermione probably better than you and Harry combined. Hermione wouldn't have ditched you for no good reason, but you are being a fool. Do not dig around Hermione's heart, for you will find it will come crashing down on you. If she wants, you will know, but it is not my place to say.'
'Ginny, I am your brother!'
'Really? I never would have guessed.' Ginny glared. 'I love you Ron, but it is not my place to tell what's happening to Hermione. That is hr choice, and her choice alone.'
Harry, who had remained quiet, thought Ginny was acting way beyond her age.
'Ginny's right Ron.' Harry spoke up. 'Don't get involved. Hermione's still your friend. Her love life doesn't need to concern us.'
Ginny smiled at both boys, told Ron to listen to Harry, and headed back to the hall.
Once Ginny was gone, Ron sighed.
'Your both right, but it still leaves the matter that Hermione dumped me to go out with ferret.'
'Ron, for the last time, she might not have dumped you to go out with Malfoy, and they are not going out. They might soon, but for now, ease up for Merlin's sake.' Harry glared at Ron. 'Besides, what have you been doing when you two where together?'
Ron looked down in shame.
Harry shook his head, and both headed back to the hall.
When Ginny was back next to Hermione, she told her what had happened outside,
'Oh no.' Hermione said, hitting her head on the table.
Malfoy was watching her, and smirked. He got to his feet and walked over.
'You know Granger, ever since I told you…er…what I told you, you have been constantly trying to mangle your face.' he whispered in her ear.
She smiled. 'Yes, well, I cant have anyone liking me can i?' she said.
Harry and Ron had just entered the hall, and saw Malfoy whispering in Hermione's ear.
Ron glowed red.
'Ron, calm down. It isn't that bad, remember what you did. So personally, I don't think you have a right to be mad.' Harry said, as he walked over to where the girls and Malfoy were.
Malfoy saw Harry, and stood.
'Relax Malfoy.' Harry sighed sitting down.
Malfoy looked at him before sitting back down.
Ron came up next, and glared at Malfoy.
But Blaize had been watching ever since Malfoy had left the table, and now go up to join them.
Jamie and Aj followed, pansy and her friends…all the Gryffindors where shocked that half of the Slytherin table had come to sit at their table.
The teachers looked on curiously, wondering why the Slytherins had moved.
Malfoy was in between Harry and Hermione, while Ron was on the other side of Harry.
Blaize, Jamie and Aj where across the table, being nice to Gryffindor, which almost made the Gryffindors have a heart attack.
They all started talking, like this was normal.
The teachers started whispering.
'You know, I think the Slytherin prince is falling for a Gryffindor.' Professor Sprout told McGonagall.
'Yes, I think you are right.' Minerva said. She turned to Dumbledore. 'You know, Albus, if those two work out their differences and get together, it could mean house unity.'
'Yes. That would make a lovely change.'
Nearly everyone in the hall started watching the two enemy houses talk to each other.
There was no doubt it their minds that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger were becoming closer than they ever though possible. And they where glad.
The two looked like a couple, and they loved watching the Prince of darkness, who had long offended Muggleborns, fall for one.
'You know, everyone is staring at us.' Malfoy mumbled to Hermione.
She smiled.
'Well, I don't know why, we're not giving them anything to stare at.' she said, smiling.
Malfoy smirked. 'We could.'
'We could.' Hermione agreed, 'But we won't.'
Malfoy pouted, pretending to be sad.
Hermione laughed at what he looked like. 'I don't think Ron would warm to that all too well.' she said seriously.
Malfoy looked at her, before looking up and seeing Ron glaring at them.
Malfoy smirked, and pretended to move in to kiss Hermione.
Ron's eyes widened.
Malfoy pulled back at the last minute, and smirked wider at Ron.
'Aww, come on you two.' Aj called. 'Everyone knows you too go together.'
'Kiss!' Blaize started a chant.
All the kids around them started chanting "Kiss kiss kiss!"
Hermione was red with embarrassment, and Malfoy was smirking.
The whole hall, apart from the teachers, where chanting "Kiss Kiss Kiss!", thumping their hands on the table for beat.
Ron, Pansy, and the teachers where the only ones not chanting or hitting the tables.
The teachers where all hoping, except for Snape, that Malfoy would kiss Hermione, or vice versa.
Malfoy looked at Hermione, and she looked at him.
Both where smiling, and they couldn't help it. The whole hall wanted them to kiss.
And, due to pressure and for the fun of it and to shut the hall up, Draco Malfoy lent over, and kissed Hermione Granger.
HEHEHEEHEHEHEHHE what a brilliant place to leave a cliff hanger?
Im sorry, old habits die hard.
Next coming up with in a week I promise.
I think I did ok seeing as I was in a major writers block!
R&R!
Aj