A/n: Thanks for the reviews! I got a lot, so I decided to update. I'll probably update again in a couple of days. I'm having lotsa insipiration. To LikeIcareabtU, there may be some Lucius… heheh. Everyone, read, review, and enjoy. This chapter was fun to write.

Hate's Just a Word

Chapter NINE: Valentine's Day

A couple of weeks went by, and it was well into the month of Febuary. It took a Harry a long while to get used to it. He kept to his word, and didn't tell anyone. But for the first week, he couldn't do anything but give them weird stares and looks. Harry got used to it, well not entirely used to it. There would be times when he still couldn't believe it at all. They feared it would take him as long as it took them to get used to it. Perhaps, even longer. They kind of felt bad for him.

But meanwhile, Draco and Lindsay's relationship was becoming stronger. They were more comfortable around each other. They knew practically everything about each other. Both had accepted that they loved each other. They both still fought everyday, although, to keep up appearances as Draco said. They never ceased to have a good, loud argument or a physical fight. It was something that became sort of a thing linked with them. If they didn't have a fight, people would either get suspicious or know that something was wrong.

Lindsay hadn't spent much time with Ron anymore. She couldn't really bear to be around Harry anymore because he would always give her this one look no matter how normal or casual they tried to be. She really hadn't been friends with them in the first place. It only happened because of the trouble Malfoy caused. One day, Ron came to her with a problem. She was in one of the chairs of the Common Room, reading a book.

"Hey, Lindsay," He greeted her. She looked up, surprised, but happy to see Ron.

"Ron, it's been a while," She said, putting her book down.

"Yeah, sorry about that," He said.

"No problem," She said. "So, what's up?"

"I've got a problem and I was kind of looking for a girl's opinion," Ron said, avoiding eye contact as he was growing red.

"Okay," She said, and waited.

"Well, as you know, tomorrow is Valentine's Day," He said. She froze. What? Tomorrow was Valentine's Day? When did this happen? She hadn't given the thought to Valentine's Day… "…And I'm not sure whether to give…er…this girl…flowers, or chocolate…What do you think is better?"

"Ron, you should do both. It pleases a girl, if you do both. Make sure the flowers are red roses. They symbolize love," She advised.

"Er…well, the thing is, I don't have enough money," He said, looking down at the floor as he spoke. Lindsay looked at him, with sympathy.

"Oh," She said. "Well, you can borrow money from me."

"Oh, no, I couldn't," He said.

"Oh, you could. I don't need it. Your need is greater than mine," She said. She stood up.

"Thanks," Ron said, still embarrassed. She went upstairs to the dorms, and grabbed a few of galleons. She came back down and handed them to Ron.

"Here," Lindsay said to him. "You should get a special box of chocolates or something that will spell out her name… or something romantic."

"Thanks," Ron said, once again. "I really can't thank you enough."

"It really is no problem," She said, as she sat back down. "Hermione will love them…"

Ron looked at her, taken aback. Lindsay quickly spoke. "I mean, whoever…"

Ron grinned, thanked her once more, and went off to order things. She was left to think. Valentine's Day… Draco was sure to try something that he considered romantic and he was definitely going to be public. She might have to give him some bruises if he did such a thing. What a troubling holiday. She was afraid of what he was going to do that day, but there was nothing she could do about it. She would just have to wait and see. She picked up her book, and started reading it.

A little later, she had fallen asleep reading.

The next day, she was being poked by someone's wand.

"'ey, Caldwell, you awake?" She heard a familiar Irish accent. She rubbed her eyes and looked around. Seamus and Dean were standing over her. She seemed to be the same chair she was yesterday. She must have dozed off.

"Yeah," She mumbled, sleepily.

"Well, you better hurry and get ready," Dean said.

"Ready?" She asked, with a yawn.

"It's already breakfast," Seamus said. Her eyes widened.

"Lovely," She muttered sarcastically. She got up, pushed past them, and hurried to get ready. She quickly took a shower, got dressed, and had to skip breakfast. On her way toHistory of Magic, she realized that today was that day. There had to be some way to avoid a scene with Malfoy. Well, playing sick would be one way, but that wouldn't be successful. History of Magic was boring as usual. For once in forever, she paid attention instead of sleeping. She wasn't tired. She slept the whole night in the chair. The class went on for what seemed like a long time. Then it ended…

Lindsay walked to her next class with caution. Who knew when Malfoy was going to jump out and do something odd? Luckily, he didn't appear and she had her next class in peace. Lunch came. She was quite nervous, but she damn hungry. She went to lunch, and sat in the midst of people who were much taller than her. Lunch was the first exposure she had to Valentine's Day. She saw people from other houses, walking to other tables and exchanging chocolates and flowers. It was a light feeling around, but Lindsay was still in vigilance mode.

Harry came and sat next to her. She was taken by surprise.

"Having fun?" He asked her, sounding a bit unhappy.

"Not really," She replied. "You?"

"Well, I've received a bunch of valentines from a lot of people I don't know…" Harry said. It happened every year. He was the boy-who-lived and people fancied that. "And…I've given Ron and Hermione some time alone."

"Oh, was Ron successful?" Lindsay asked, curiously.

"Quite," Harry said. He narrowed his eyes. "You knew?"

"He just asked for some advice, is all," She said. "Oh, but you shouldn't be down. I'm sure you'll get together with someone."

"I don't really care…" Harry said. He then looked at Lindsay straight in the eyes. "So, has you-know-who…"

"Nope, and hopefully he won't," Lindsay said, quietly. Harry raised an eyebrow. "You see, Harry, the thing with secret relationships is the part that is secret. You know that Malfoy loves to annoy me, so he'll pull some stunt. It's in his nature…"

Harry looked around. "He isn't here right now."

Lindsay looked over at the Slytherin table. Harry was right. He wasn't around. She was safe for a little while more. Lunch ended, and Lindsay blended in with the crowd. She realized her next class contained Malfoy in it. This was very, very bad. She blended with a group of Gryffindors. Yet, it was no use. She heard the very voice she had been dreading all day.

"Oy, Caldwell!"

She stopped suddenly, and fear began to rise in her. 'Okay, stay calm.' Unfortunately, all of the Gryffindors just had to stop because they were curious. She held her wand in hand and turned around to face him. He walked up to her. He was a bit taller than her, but it didn't matter. She looked up at him, and stared at him straight in the eye.

"Hello there, Caldwell," He said looking straight at her. By now, the Slytherins and Gryffindors were all watching.

"Get away from me," Lindsay hissed, raising her wand.

"Ooh, not very friendly," He said with a smirk. "Relax, I'm just…"

"I know, and now is not the time," She said, glaring. "Now, go away, or I'll have to curse you."

"Crabbe," Draco called. Crabbe walked over to him, carrying his book bag. He held it out for Draco. Draco reached in and pulled exactly what she feared he would. A single rose, attached to a card that happened to be flashing brightly with annoying messages. She stared at it. Everyone stared at it. Lavender and Pavarti were giggling from behind her. Pansy put her hand on her hip, and muttered a sound of jealousy and anger. Draco was smirking, or maybe grinning. Lindsay couldn't tell. Her stare was fixed on the rose and the annoying glowing messages. Caldwell, be mine. I love you. Draco is sexy and you know it. She looked from him and then to the rose, and then back to him, and then back to the rose. The bell rang, and no one moved. It was silent. Lindsay had to do something. She didn't want to get everyone in trouble. 'Maybe, I should have a heart attack. Or maybe tackle him to the ground…and punch him, of course.' Instead, she put her wand away, extended her hand, grabbed the rose, stuffed it into her bag, and proceeded to class. It was Defense of the Dark Arts. The only people in there were Ron, Harry, and Hermione. She sat down in her seat, and buried her head in her hands.

"It happened, didn't it?" Harry asked her. She moved her hand to signify 'yes'. A minute later, the rest of the class came into the room. She could feel them staring at her. She raised her hand and waited for the professor to call on her. He was kind of weirded out by the whole class's lateness.

"Yes, Ms. Caldwell?" He asked her.

"I'm not feeling too well. May I go to the hospital wing?" She asked him. He studied her for a second. It was true that she looked perfectly healthy.

"Did your boyfriend break up with you? I got that excuse last class," He said to her. She stared.

"What? No. What does that have to do with anything? I don't feel well," She said to him.

"Nice try," He said. She muttered some curses under her breath as he proceeded to teach. Everyone was staring at her and it was absolutely unbearable. Draco picked the perfect moment to torture her. There was only one thing to do. She took out a piece of paper and started to write a note.

Remember that discussion we had a while ago involving a four-letter word with letter L at the beginning of it. Yeah? Well, I take back everything I said.

She folded it and sent it over, with a wave of her wand. He received it, unfolded it and read it. He gave her a look, and then proceeded to write back. Everyone was watching the two. A second later, she received his response.

Overreacting, much?

She stared at the note, and then took out another piece of paper to write back.

What part of secret do you not understand?

She sent it back, and he immediately read it and responded.

A lot of it. Why don't you explain it to me in person, perhaps?

She stared at the note and back at Malfoy, who was smirking. Suddenly, a perfect idea popped into her head. It was priceless. She got out a new piece of paper and wrote down a message. She folded it up and prepared to send it. She had to wait for the right moment.

"So…what was it's purpose?" The professor asked, turning around. She sent it at that instant to Malfoy. The Professor, of course, saw it. He looked at Lindsay.

"Note passing, Ms. Caldwell?" He asked. She just smirked, and gave a shrug. He walked over to Malfoy and snatched the note from his hand. He opened it and read it aloud.

"Sorry, I don't date virgins," The Professor read. He casted a strange look at Lindsay. The whole class burst out laughing. Malfoy turned red with anger and embarrassment. He shot a glare at Lindsay, who felt quite satisfied. "That's…er…lovely to know, Ms. Caldwell. Anyway, five points from Gryffindor," He said, but nobody cared. They were quite amused with the note. Lindsay got her revenge. After class, they had another showdown. This one proved to be amusing. Lindsay walked out of class and started to her next class. Yet she heard his voice from behind.

"You think you're funny Caldwell?" Draco asked, angrily. He was probably really pissed off at her. She didn't care. It never lasted. She turned around. Draco was rushing up with his group of Slytherins.

"Yes, I think I'm quite amusing, actually," She replied, crossing her arms. He was glaring. He moved closer and bent down, so only she could hear his words.

"I bet you wouldn't say that if I accidentally let it slip that we've been, well, you know," He whispered. She looked at him, his face was inches away.

"Go ahead, Malfoy. I know dozens of things about you that I can accidentally let slip," She said. "Or better yet, would you rather have the president of your club resign?"

"You're serious, aren't you?" He asked, coolly.

"Not a game, anymore. You made it that way," Lindsay said, just as bitter. Everyone was watching, waiting for something to happen.

"It's your fault for being such a—why can't you just act like a Gryffindor for once? You are a good guy, right?" He said, quietly. She stared for a good amount of time.

"Fine, you want a good guy?" She muttered. This was going to be self-destruction, but it might be worth it. She stepped back from Draco, and took a deep breath. "You're right, Draco. Thank you for the rose. I'm flattered that you would choose me to be your Valentine."

Everyone's jaws dropped, even Draco himself. She said the statement loudly for everyone to hear. She was doomed already, she might as well go a little further. She stepped closer, and hugged him. She could hear everyone gasping, and Ron having a heart attack. 'Oh, this is too much.' She thought to herself. She quickly let go and stepped back. She prepared to raise her voice.

"But, my answer still holds true, Malfoy," She said, loudly. Everyone watched closely. "I don't date…well, you know."

He didn't frown, glare, or lash out at her. Instead, he chuckled to himself. She gave him a quick smile before walking away. That was surely the most memorable moment on Valentine's Day for everyone. Even people who didn't see it thought it to be memorable. Seamus later congratulated her for 'getting him good'. Harry, who was nearby, laughed at that. Only he knew the truth, and for him, it was extra amusing.

Lindsay and Draco officially had their first real fight and it was resolved within the moment it started. That night, they celebrated. They met in that classroom. Lindsay was there first, and when Draco entered she was surprised. Not because he showed, but because he had things with him. He put his things down, and sat down across from her. She stared. With a wave of his wand, things began setting themselves up. There were two glasses, and pitcher of something pouring some beverage into the classes. Draco picked up his glass.

"Congratulations," He said. She gave her a weird look. "We had our first fight, and I think that's worth celebrating."

Once again, she gave him a look. He looked at her, waiting for her to pick up her glass. She did so, slightly apprehensive. He tapped his glass against hers and began to drink. She watched him, sighed, and then did so herself. She didn't exactly know what she was drinking, but it had a new taste. It wasn't that bad, actually. She drank her whole glass, and poured some more. She continued drinking it. After her ninth glass, she stopped to actually think. 'Wait a second. This drink is from Malfoy, who was quite angry with me earlier… I shouldn't be drinking this.'

"Okay, nice try, Draco," She said, putting her glass down. "What did you do to this? What's going to happen to me? It's not poison, is it?"

He laughed. "I didn't do anything. It's just wine."

"Wine, eh?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "Trying to get me drunk so you can…I don't know…seduce me or something?"

"I think you already are," He said, laughing, finding this quite amusing. "You haven't ever had wine before, have you?"

"No," She said.

"Oops," He said, still with a laugh. "Should have asked you beforehand. Oh well. How many glasses have you had?"

"Dunno. Nine, maybe," She mumbled.

"Oh. Okay, yes, drunk," He said, slightly alarmed. He took her glass away and bewitched the rest of the wine away.

"So, are you going to seduce me or what?" She asked, tiredly.

"No, I don't think so," Draco said, smiling.

"Why not?" She asked, sounding disappointed.

"Because this is much more fun," He replied. She was mostly aware, and wasn't entirely drunk, but then she would have moments when she would say something that would make him burst out laughing. After a while, she grew tired and rested her head on his lap. As soon as she put her head down, she was out. It had been terribly amusing, but now she was asleep. She looked peaceful. It was one of the only times he saw her without anger or frustration. She was at peace. He knew that would change when she woke up. She would know what had happened and get angry at him. For now, he would cherish her peacefulness.

He dozed off a couple of times, himself. Eventually, it was dawn, and time to wake her up, although she needed more sleep. He shook her a little.

"Hey, wake up," He whispered. She stirred, and opened her eyes. With a yawn, she rubbed her eyes to see Draco's face above hers. A look of confusion spread across her face. She realized that she had used him as a pillow, and sat up straight. Then the pain came to her head. She put her hand to head.

"Jeez, what a headache," She mumbled. She then tried to recall the night before. She then looked at Draco, glaring. "You! What did you do to me? The last thing I remember is you saying I was…" She paused and then avada-kedavra glared him. "You bastard!"

"I didn't mean to," He said. "How was I supposed to know you've never had wine before?"

"Maybe that was on purpose, Malfoy," She said. "Jeez, I only had a few glasses. What kind of wine is that?"

"My dad's wine," He replied. "Oh, and not a few. Nine."

"Nine? Dear god, I'm going to die," She said, with a troubled look.

"No, you won't die. My dad drinks it bottles at a time. You'll survive," He said. She just shot him a glare.

"I don't remember anything," She mumbled, unhappily. "And my head kills… To top it all off, I had a strange dream…" She stopped and looked at Malfoy. "I asked you 'Do you remember third year, the first Care of Magical Creatures class?' Then you said, 'Yeah, that stupid bird hurt me.' Then I said, 'It wouldn't have if you actually had listened to Hagrid, but you had to be a loser because you jealous of Harry.' Then you kind of frowned or something and said, 'What about it?' Then I laughed, and said, 'I remembered the way you whimpered and screamed...'" She paused for a second, and chuckled a bit. " '…I wonder, do you do that during sex?' And then you said, 'I guess we'll have to find out sometime.' It's actually quite hilarious." She looked at Draco's face and sighed. "Yeah, hilarious, except for the part that it actually happened. You're a stupid bastard."

He couldn't help but smirk. She just rolled her eyes, and hit him on his arm.

"God, my head hurts. I need to lay down," She mumbled. "I don't think I'll be going to first class. What is it today? Oh, Care of Magical Creatures…"

She stood up, still clutching her head. "I'll see you later then…"

"Goodbye, love. Oh, and I'll be sure to tell Hagrid that you're sick," He said, with a smirk on his face.

"Like I'd let you say anything to him. You'd say, nice and loudly, 'She was quite busy last night' with that stupid smirk on your face," She muttered. "No, I'll tell Harry or someone."

She left the room and headed back to the Gryffindor Tower. She entered the Common Room, but there was someone there. 'Great,' She thought. As she walked in, she could see it was just Harry. Harry looked surprised to see her there.

"What have you been doing all night?" Harry asked her, narrowing his eyes. She just rolled her eyes.

"Not that," She said. "Just sleeping…no, not together. I'm feeling kind of ill. Please tell Hagrid that I'm sick."

"What did you do?" He asked.

"Ask Malfoy," She said. "I'm going to lay down, and maybe, sleep…"

She went upstairs without another word, and passed out on her bed.