Directed Studies.
"Shut it Malfoy." Harry snapped.
"No need to be rude Potty I was just wondering if more Death Eaters had finished what they started last night."
"Ignore him Harry, he's too stupid to see whats really going on." Hermione sniffed.
"You Gryffindor's think you're so smart and so brave. You're just a bunch of fools."
"Just a bunch of fools in love I guess." Ron laughed as he slid into his seat taking Hermione's hand and kissing it.
"Thank you for saving me some breakfast Hermione."
"Don't tell me you are going out with the mudblood Weasley. I know your family is poor but for Merlin's sake man you come from almost as pure a bloodline as I do. Surely you can do better than that." Malfoy snarled.
Both Harry and Hermione tensed. Every other time Malfoy had called her a mudblood they ended up having to hold Ron back from breaking his neck.
Ron smiled at Malfoy for a second then turned to face Hermione. Putting his hand under her chin he lifted her face and kissed her. It was a long soft kiss and as it continued voices in the hall got quieter and quieter.
Finally Ron leaned back looking at Draco.
"No Malfoy I don't think I can do better than that, though if it's ok with Hermione I think we are going to try."
Hermione blushed and nodded her head slightly.
Malfoy turned to walk away until Ron called out to him as he stood in the middle of the Hall.
"Hey Malfoy your dad has pretty long blond hair just like you do doesn't he."
"Yes mudblood lover he does though I don't see what that has to do with you unless you are jealous."
"No Malfoy not jealous. I was just thinking that long pretty blond hair must make him awfully popular in prison."
The great hall erupted in laughter. Lee Jordan seemed to be choking on pumpkin juice.
Malfoy's face was contorted in rage. "Very soon Weasley it will be just you and me and we will finish this."
"I'm counting on it Malfoy. I haven't killed a Death Eater in days."
Malfoy's face lost all of it's color and he stalked out of the hall.
"Ronald Weasley I can't believe you just said that." Herminone said rounding on him.
"He's evil Ron and ruthless even if he is not very clever. I don't want you getting hurt."
"Herminone dearest as long as Malfoy is focused on me then Harry can get on with the things he is supposed to do. You are just going to have to trust that I can handle Malfoy."
Harry looked at Ron and sighed. "He's right Hermione it will help me not having to deal with Malfoy. Be careful mate he is dangerous."
"No worries mate, when am I ever not careful." he said flashing a grin at both of them.
Harry looked at Hermione and they both rolled their eyes.
At that moment their schedules arrive on the table.
"Hey I wonder what I have today. I never got to see my O.W.L.S." Ron laughed again.
Hermione looked at Harry and Harry spoke up.
"Ron you did pretty well on your O.W.L.S. but you didn't get a O in potions though."
"Well I guess I won't be an Auror then. Bloody Hell I have Double Divination first thing. How did I get an O.W.L. in that? We made everything up."
Harry laughed "I know mate I was making it up with you but I got a P in Divination and you got an O."
Lavender spoke up from a bit down the table. "So you're the Divination boy. Congratulations."
Ron frowned "The Divination boy? What are you talking about?"
"Parvati and I talked to Professor Trelanwey last night and she said that only one boy had done well enough in Divination to continue so that has to be you."
Ron just looked at Harry and Hermione.
"I don't think this is going to be a good day." he sighed.
"At least you don't have double Potions like Hermione and I do." Harry smirked.
"Well what do you have after lunch?" Hermione asked hoping to cheer him up.
"I have double Directed studies. What the bloody hell is Directed studies?"
Hermione looked at him and put a hand on his arm.
"Language right?" he smiled.
She nodded.
"Sorry about that."
"Hey Ron I have Directed studies this afternoon as well."
Ron looked up to see Neville talking to him.
"Well Neville it looks like you and me mate. Anybody else got Directed studies?"
Everyone else shook their heads no.
Ron looked over at Harry and Hermione "Well I guess this is the first day we don't have any classes' together." not looking them in the eyes.
"Oh Harry I forgot to tell you last night McGonagall wants to talk to us today after class about Quidditch."
"Good I was wondering when we would find out who the captain is."
"Harry it's got to be you. You've been playing since our first year."
"Well we'll see Ron."
Lavender walked up to Ron "We are leaving for class now. Would you like to walk with us?"
"Yeah that would be great Lavender, thanks."
Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione on the top of the head. "Have a wonderful day cutie."
"Good luck in Potions mate. Hex Snape for me."
Hermione frowned and Harry laughed.
Ron joined Lavender and Parvati. "Ok ladies lead the way. Oh wait I'm having a vision. I foresee four hours of boredom."
Both Lavender and Parvati laughed and Lavender swatted him playfully on the arm.
"I don't like this at all, Harry."
"Are you jealous Hermione?" Harry asked incredulously.
Hermione looked at him "I guess maybe a little."
"You know Ron is crazy about you right?"
"Yeah I do now." she smiled.
"Then stop worrying. We need to get to Potions before we get there late and Snape takes two hundred points form Gryffindor."