Chapter 4

Hermione's POV

'Wow, talk about intruding on a private moment.' Arabella said cheerfully as she watched Malfoy help me stand up again.

'Private moment? With the mudblood?' He sneered.

'Shut up. Jeeze, would you mind not saying that?' Arabella snapped.

'Why, has the she-devil of Slytherin herself gone soft?' Crabbe demanded.

'I thought that title belonged to Pansy when she threw Theo into the wall when he insulted her Drakie-wakie. I hope I'm not as insane as her.' Arabella laughed, completely avoiding the question.

'Ugh, why do you have to dredge up all of the memories that I REALLY would like to forget? And no, you're not as insane.' Malfoy said.

Arabella's POV

I could totally tell that Draco was checking Hermione out from the corner of his eye, but I didn't mention anything.

'It's my job. And why are you hanging around outside of Madame M's shop, anyway?' I demanded.

Wrong Question.

'Well, we were hoping that you'd be alone so we could discuss something with you.' Thomas said, his eyes hard. Gulp.

'We can leave.' Hermione said quickly.

'No, we can stay.' Ginny interrupted.

'Well, looks like you've got disunity amoung your troops.' Blaise commented.

'Hey, are you saying I'm so fat that I can count as an entire troop? Thanks!' Ginny joked, trying to break the tension that was building.

Blaise laughed, and looked almost smitten. Was Blaise in love with Ginny? NOT IF I CAN HELP IT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! He turned his laugh into a cough when he saw the others glare at him.

'Besides, anything you say to me I will tell them.' I added.

'It would make the conversation easier for all of us if it was just you.' Draco said.

'Right, then, we'll meet you at, the shop.' Ginny grinned, and she and Hermione took off.

'Right then, Your Royal Barmy-ness Draco, spill.' I snapped, feeling peeved.

'Why were you hanging out with the mudblood and blood traitor?' Draco snapped.

'Because I'm staying over at Ginny's house.' The minute I said it, I regretted it.

'And why did you say that you were staying with Blaise?' Thomas demanded.

'Soz. I wanted to get a little lip time with Harry, and I doubt that Father would approve of that.' I laughed.

Noting the murderous looks in all of their eyes, I added 'Kidding. Ginny had a problem, and it couldn't wait for school, so I went to stay over her house to help her with it.'

'Right. What is the problem?' Vincent asked. Damn, he was getting smarter all the time.

'I'm not aloud to tell you. No, Blaise, she is not pregnant!' I snapped, seeing Blaise look shocked.

'I wasn't thinking that!' Blaise cried defensively.

'Yes you were. I can read you like an open book, Zambini!' I warned.

'Can you two stop flirting so I can get some answers out of my sister?' Thomas snapped.

'We weren't…' I began.

'Can't help it…' Blaise started to explain.

'Shut up.' Draco snapped. 'Come on, Arabella. We can get you on the knight bus home, and…'

'I can leave Ginny to sort out her own problems? No thanks! And Hermione can't help, either!' I warned. 'She doesn't even realise that Ron is madly in love with her and damn it, I wasn't supposed to say that!' I shouted, when I saw the number of evil smirks that had sprung up around me.

'Ron's in love with Hermione? What will poor Harry do?' Gregory grinned. If the two kept this up they might be actually PASSING some of their classes, for once.

'Shut up.' I said, then muttered 'How many times has that been said in the last five minutes?'

'Fine. We'll continue this later, but we'd best change the subject because Potter and Weasley are coming over.' Theo warned.

'What's going on here?' Harry demanded.

'Just some house bonding. I was trying to convince them that I should get my belly-button pierced!' I said cheerfully.

'Which she will not do.' Thomas added, just in case.

'No piercings, no tattoos, what ever shall I do? And that rhymes.' I whined.

'Doesn't the Dark Mark count as a Tattoo?' Ron said nastily. Good thing we were in an alley.

I noticed the expressions of the Slytherins go cold and them reaching for their wands. Harry and Ron quickly drew theirs.

'What, don't you think I wouldn't know that all of you would be following in your parent's footsteps? I hope you all end up in Azkaban, like your dear father, Malfoy!' Ron snapped.

'My parents are neutral, so check your facts, Weasel. And at least our parents don't live in a hovel, unlike yours.' Thomas snapped.

Ron made a move forward, but Harry grabbed his arm. 'Well, at least Ron's parents don't owe allegiance to a mass murder!' Harry added.

Draco opened his mouth and began 'Cru…'

Doing the only thing that came into my mind, I grabbed him and kissed him, silencing the curse. 'Don't want you using any Unforgivables, now, do we?' I admonished.

'Please do not do that ever again, or I will throw up.' Thomas gagged.

'Hey, do I have to curse someone or can I get a kiss too?' Blaise joked.

Thank you Blaise for your annoying remarks, at least they cut the tension.

'No, sorry, I've got to run. Ginny and Hermione are waiting for me at the lingerie store.' I smirked.

'Ginny's at a lingerie store? WHY?' Ron snapped.

Even Vincent and Gregory guffawed at that one. 'My guess is that she's buying something.' Draco pointed out.

Ron looked furious, and he stomped towards the store. Harry rolled his eyes and followed, muttering something about how he hoped Ron wasn't going to get strangled when he confronts Ginny.

'Now,' Draco began.

'No, I hop from drama to drama, and I have to see the Weasley battle. Tootles!' I waved, and walked quickly off. Thank goodness they didn't follow me.

A/N so what did you think? No flames please? I think I'll incorporate a little of HBP into the story. (I still can't believe what happened! Does anyone else feel a little confused about RAB and Snape and ect?)