"Like father like son." came the icy drawl of Draco Malfoy, flanked by his henchmen Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron and Hermione jumped apart, completely caught off guard. "Both of you love things that are muggle made." Draco stared directly at Hermione before adding, "Disgusting."

Ron advanced on Draco. "You shut your mouth Malfoy!"

"You going to make me Weasley?" Draco also stepped forward. It was getting toward the end of their 6th year at Hogwarts and ron stood nearly a foot taller than Draco, but he refused to back down.

"Ron." Hermione's hand was on Ron's arm. "He's not worth it, he never has been and never will be."

Reluctantly Ron looked away from Draco and met Hermione's eyes. "Maybe he's not, but you are. you shouldn't have to listen to his idiotic insults."

"How touching." Draco pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.

Ron reached for his wand, but before anyone knew it Hermione's was already out. "Back away Malfoy or I'll tear your ears off!"

"You wouldn't dare Granger."

Hermione lightly pushed Ron aside to step in front of him. Eye to eye with Draco she said, "Try me." The way she held herself proved beyond a doubt that she was serious and her voice even sent chill down Ron's spine. "I'm tired of your games, I've faced real dangers at this school and your pathetic threats rank next to moaning Myrtle on the scale of things that should worry me. Now I'll say it once more; back away Draco."

His eyes flashed with anger at the sound of her using his first name. "How dare you address me so personally, Mudblood." Draco sneered. He looked at his companions quickly. "Boys. We have more important things to be doing." He leaned in close and said in a tone only Hermione could hear, "I'd watch my step if I were you little girl. We'll see if you still hold that opinion of me by the end of the school year." Draco pulled away quickly, turned on his heel and walked away, Crabbe and Goyle right behind him.

Hermione turned to Ron whose mouth was hung open in awe. "That was bloody brilliant." He ran his hands through his hair, his wide eyes starring at Hermione. "You were positively scarry. I'm glad you're on our side."

"Oh hush Ron." She said smiling at him shyly. He pulled her toward him wrapped his arms around her so their bodies were touching but he could still look into her face.

"No, seriously. What was that? I knew you meant business and apparently even Malfoy got it trough that thick skull of his. He didn't really look it, but he must have been terrified to just walk away like that."

Hermione skoffed. "Ron you know I wouldn't have attacked him."

"Either way, I can't wait to tell Harry."

"Tell Harry what? That Draco snuck up on us while we were snogging? I'm supposed to be in the library and you're supposed to be in your room." Hermione said sternly.

"Oh yeah... we can change some of the details to make it sound reasonable."

"Right, and what was your excuse for being late for quidditch practice, oh master story teller? You get held up folding socks?"

Ron turned slightly red from embarrassment as well as the memory of what really made him late. "We could always tell Harry the truth I guess."

"Of course we could. I'll hold my breath until you do."

"Ok ok, I'll forget it for now." To show he concieded her gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "What did Malfoy say to you? Right before he left?"

They had already begun walking back to the common room, hands still entwined. "Something about me thinking he's pathetic. I think it was meant as a threat actually, but you know him, empty promises."

"Have I told you how amazing you are?" Hermione looked up at him confused. "Draco Malfoy, son of a convicted Deatheater comes up and bothers you, to which you respond by threatening him, he then threatens you back, undoubtetly more severely than you threatened him, and you simply let it roll off your back. Had it been Harry or me, we'd be fuming about it for weeks."

"He's just a fatherless little boy who wants attention. That's all." Hermione shrugged. ron smiled and kissed her again. Their hands fell apart as Hermione said the password and the fat lady swung open. Hermione heard Ron mumbling something about her being brilliant as they stepped through the portrait hole.