Hello, Happy Holidays (belated that is, for some) to all! Sorry about the delay, I was doing some family stuff and couldn't get away to my computer to update. I apologize, and shall make an effort to be more prompt in the future. Anyway, here's the next chapter, and enjoy!


Chapter Three: Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Why don't you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!

You come on with a come on, you don't fight fair
But that's o.k., see if I care!
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I'll get right back on my feet again!

-"Hit me With Your Best Shot": Pat Benatar

"A self-defense class?"

Hermione stopped and looked over at Ginny.

"What?" she asked, gazing at the flyer Ginny was looking at. It read:

Hogwarts Self-Defense Class

Learn to defend yourself when you are wandless!

For 6th and 7th years

During the last free period

Taught by Nymphadora Tonks

"Oh! Tonks will be teaching it!" said Hermione excitedly. Ginny let out a squeal of anticipation.

"Oh yes, we are totally taking that! Come on, let's go tell Harry and Ron!" she yelped, grabbing Hermione's arm and pulling her towards the Great Hall. They rushed in and made their way over to the youngest male Weasley and his companion.

"Harry, Harry! You'll never guess what new class is being offered!" yelled Ginny, dropping down beside the bespectacled boy. Hermione sat down next to Ron, who looked at her awkwardly.

"Self-defense?" said Harry slyly. Ginny and Hermione looked at him in surprise.

"How did you know?" questioned Ginny furiously. "I know you can't read before nine a.m."

"Tonks told me the other day." He said, smiling at her. She sighed.

"Well, we're signing up, right?" she said, giving him a warning look.

"Yes yes, Ginny." said Harry obediently. The redheaded girl nodded resolutely.

"Ron, you and Hermione too." She said firmly.

"Okay okay, Gin." said Ron, sighing, "I don't know when we're going to need it though. If you don't have a wand, the other person probably will, and then you'll just be screwed."

"They will not be expecting you to fight without a wand, so you'll have the advantage." said the maroon hair colored Tonks. Ginny gave Ron a triumphant look which he purposefully ignored. There weren't many students in the classroom. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were there of course. The rest of the class consisted of mostly of the former D.A. members.

The students had been told to wear "comfortable work-out" clothes. This caused the students to wear mostly shorts and t-shirts. Though a couple had tank tops on, including Hermione and Harry. Hermione's was a pale blue spaghetti strap and Harry's was a dark green normal tank top. Ginny had a tight pink t-shirt that said "Foxy" in script and Ron just had a simple red t-shirt on.

Tonks split them into pairs of a guy and a girl. Ron and Hermione were put together, as were Harry and Ginny. A couple other groups were Neville and Luna Lovegood and Justin Finch-Fletchly and Pavarti Patil.

"Okay, we are going to focus on girls defending themselves from men right now, and eventually we'll do some other scenarios." said Tonks from the front of the class. She walked forward, stopping in front of Harry. "Okay, Harry, you get to be my demonstration partner." She turned back to speak to the rest of the class, "So let's assume that Harry has rid me of my wand. And he plans on killing me. Or hurting me." She paused a moment, a calculating look on her face before she continued more solemnly,

This is, of course, assuming he isn't planning on using an Unforgivable. Because, and I'm not going to baby you guys, if someone's going to disarm you and use an Unforgivable, no physical self-defense is going to save you." She turned back to Harry, ignoring the disturbed looks of her students. "Now Harry, if you would. Don't worry; I'll go easy on you." He smiled weakly, taking a step forward before she attacked.

Within a moment, he was on the floor.

A couple snickers flitted throughout the room and Tonks grinned slightly before helping Harry up.

"From birth women are taught that if a man grabs them to kick them "where it hurts" to get away. This has always meant to give a good solid knee strike to the testicles and according to our mothers and cheesy movies, the man will grab himself, roll up his eyes and drop like a stone." said Tonks wryly. Everyone's eyes fell to Harry in sympathy, though he was looking at Tonks in confusion.

"Fortunately, for Harry, this is not the technique I demonstrated on him." Some more chuckles and Harry managed a weak smile to cover his fear. "I used something called the 'sleeve grab'. This is for when someone grabs your arm, or sleeve." She said, stepping back and demonstrating again very slowly with Harry. "Now, try this carefully with your partner. If anyone gets hurt, please let me know immediately so I can fix it or inform the Healer we have on hand."

Ron stepped closer to Hermione warily. She gave him a sweet smile.

"Don't worry Ron. I won't hurt you. And if I do, there are Healers." She said, offering her arm to him. He reached for it slowly, his hand closing around her forearm. She moved quickly, and Ron hit the ground with a thump. She looked down at him smugly.

"So? Still think this class is worthless?" She asked, leaning over to help him up.

"Not if you keep leaning over in that outfit." said Ron, bravely and with a playful smile. Hermione stared at him for a moment, before remembering that they were going out. She smiled slightly.

"Oh really? I think I'll just leave you on the ground then." She shoved him roughly, and since he didn't expect it, he went tumbling back down to the floor. Tonks glanced over and smiled.

"Hermione, I don't think that was the sleeve grab."

"No, sorry…er…Prof-"

"Just Tonks…" said the woman with some embarrassment.

"Tonks. Ron just needed to be sent back to the floor. He was being rude."

"Oh really…" she looked down at Ron, who looked back up meekly. "You shouldn't treat your girlfriend like that…or I'll teach her the groin kick next." Ron blinked, turning green slightly as Hermione looked at Tonks in surprise.

"You know that Ron and I…"

"Harry told me." She said, smiling, "I think it's cute." It was Hermione's turn to blush, as Ron was still thinking of the pain his girlfriend could be taught to perform.

"Uh…well…thanks Tonks." She muttered awkwardly. Helping Ron up again, they practiced a couple more times before Tonks taught them another technique. After practicing that one, they were done for the day.

Ginny caught up to Hermione as they left the classroom.

"That was fun. I went easy on Harry…though I don't think Tonks did."

"Tonks doesn't have a crush on Harry." said Hermione wickedly. Ginny frowned for a second, then grinned.

"Oh. Forgot to tell you, I told Harry last night. How I feel I mean. We're…I'm not sure really. I mean, he said he liked me too and all but…we aren't officially going out or whatever. I don't think. Oh." Ginny paused, "And Ron doesn't know. He was…saying goodnight to you, I believe." Hermione had the grace to blush lightly, for the second time in an hour.

"You and Harry? Ron won't care. In fact, he'll probably encourage it." said Hermione, shrugging, "Anyway; I have to go take a shower…" she wrinkled her nose at Ginny, who smirked. "Then I'll most likely take a nap before dinner."

"Ugh. Lucky. I have time to take a quick shower and change, but I have one more class before dinner."

"What is it?"

"Potions…" grumbled the younger girl and Hermione made a sympathetic sound, before she waved and split off towards the Heads' dormitory.

Draco glanced up as the painting swung open, surprised to have not heard any comments from the god. Especially once he saw Hermione.

"So, thank goodness Apollo wasn't there. Though Artemis gave me a strange look. I think maybe you were right about her bei- Um…Malfoy?"

The blonde was staring at her, slack jawed.

Sure the night before she had been wearing shorts and a t-shirt. But now she was wearing a smaller shirt, and she was a bit sweaty. Which caused her hair to cling to her neck and gave her skin a translucent sheen. Draco was trying very hard to tear his eyes away. Hermione smiled slightly.

"Good lord, Malfoy. You'd think I was completely naked." She said smugly, throwing his own words at him. He slowly raised his eyes to her face and she blinked slightly, surprised at the glazed look that met her own. "Um…"

"Granger…what have you been doing?" He asked slowly. "I mean it looks like you just got back from…" He didn't finish and Hermione resisted the urge to roll her eyes, guessing what he was thinking.

"Self-defense class, perv. Jeez. Anyway, I'm going to take a shower, so you can put your eyeballs back into your head." She strode purposefully to the bathroom door and went inside, and a complicated locking charm could be heard. Draco shook his head slowly and suddenly realized what he had been doing for the past minute. Staring at Hermione Granger. The filthy muggle-born. He frowned slightly.

"Mudblood!" he yelled towards the bathroom. It was half-hearted though. And Hermione heard that in his tone. She stopped in front of the shower, blinking slowly. Now she was confused. It just sounded like Malfoy hadn't really wanted to insult her. But that wasn't Malfoy…

"Oh right…the groin thinking." She muttered in annoyance, stripping off her clothes and stepping into the shower.

Artemis smiled faintly as Apollo appeared back in the painting.

"So, my darling sister, you just missed the most fantastic party. I believe that English King's woman named…Guinevere was th-"

"Apollo, hush for a moment. It's too bad really, that you missed our Head Girl's return."

"Why's that?"

"Well, besides the condition she appeared in, I managed to overhear her conversation with Mr. Malfoy in their common room." She explained patiently. Apollo looked disgruntled.

"Oh. You sound happy. I must be losing." He muttered.

"I would guess that you are most certainly on the losing side at the moment. But don't feel too bad yet, they are no were near close enough."

"Good."

"I said yet."

"I'm ignoring that word right now."

"You are hopeless."

Hermione had changed into her robes and made her way back out into the common room. Malfoy was working on something at one of the desks. She pulled a book from a bookshelf near the fireplace, and sat on a chair.

"So…" she murmured, though her eyes were on the pages of her book. Draco looked up at her incredulously.

"I'm working Granger. Don't bother me." He stated, before looking back down at the parchment and scratching something.

"I was just going to ask why you didn't take the self-defense class. After all, it is a chance for you to beat people up."

"I don't need it. No one's ever going to disarm me. And I can defend myself just fine without a stupid class." He grumbled. Hermione smirked.

"Okay, Mr. Awesome Strong Malfoy."

"That's right." He murmured, writing something else. The brunette finally took a glance at him. She smiled somewhat.

He had his tongue out slightly, like her dad did when he was concentrating. It was a bit cute. Just a bit though. If that. After all, this was Malfoy.

He looked up at her and raised an eyebrow. The tongue quickly returned to the depths of his mouth.

"See something you like?" he asked snobbishly. Hermione resisted the urge to go over and punch him.

"No…just imagining using something I learned in self-defense class on you." She replied coyly. Malfoy smiled.

"Anytime, anywhere. I'll win and you know it."

"Fine Malfoy, I'll be nice and let you think that."

"Oh come on, Granger, you beat me? You couldn't even slam the painting in my face."

"At least I know I'm smarter than you."

"As I said on the train, you just suck up. I get real grades. By hard work. Like I was doing before you interrupted me with your disgusting staring."

"Ugh!" Hermione growled, standing up and storming to her room. "Ferret!" she shouted over her shoulder before slamming the door shut. Malfoy smirked. Her insult was now the half-hearted one. He liked that. Though he was slightly worried that it was for a different reason than it should be. Voices floated into the room from outside in the hallway

"What are you doing here?"

"Um…I'm here to meet Hermione…"

"The beautiful Miss Granger? You are not worthy to escort her! Plus, there are matters you do not understand!"

"Are you the prat of a painting she's been complaining about? You better leave her alone!"

"Oh? And who are you to tell me what to do. Huh? What are you going to do? Rip me to shreds?"

"Apollo, please…I am trying to rest."

"Sorry, dear sister. This boy is being ridiculous. He is quite rude. He seems to be after the affections of our darling Head Girl."

"Leave him alone, Apollo…"

"But Artemis, darling, I thought that you said that Miss Granger and Mr. Ma-"

Draco had crossed the room and pushed open the painting abruptly.

"Ow!" yelled the male voice and Ronald Weasley stepped into view. Malfoy frowned.

"What are you doing here Weasel?" he stipulated

"I'm here to meet Hermione."

"Where's Potter? You three are usually glued together."

"He…uh…I went on my own to get 'Mione, since we're together- Wait. Why am I telling you this? Where's Hermione?" asked Ron angrily.

"In her room. You two are together?" questioned Draco innocently, stepping aside and generously letting Ron inside.

"Yes. So if you do anything to her-"

"Oh shut up Weasel. She isn't worth my time." He turned towards the door marked 'HG' "Granger! Your boyfriend's here!" Hermione appeared almost instantly, looking from Ron to Draco quickly.

"Uh…thanks, Malfoy." She mumbled, brushing past him. He smirked, forgetting that she had technically said the last insult.

"No problem. Any chance to insult your weasely boyfriend. Did you purposefully pick someone who was dirt poor, or is that a turn on?"

"Malfoy. I seem to recall, from third year, that I don't need a self-defense class to make your nose bleed." replied Hermione heatedly, dragging Ron out the entrance. Draco stood dumbfounded. Wow. She was good.

Ron sat down hard.

"'Mione…" he whined slightly. She rolled her eyes and sat next to him regretfully. Harry and Ginny gave them a questioning glance.

"No Ron. I am not asking for a different painting. He can't actually carry out his threats, if that's what you're worried about."

On the couple's way out, Apollo had gotten one last jab by threatening Ron's ability to reproduce. The young wizard was not pleased. Artemis, on the other hand, had actually seemed to be fine with the threatened violence, and was giving Hermione very significant looks and looking very wise. Not that Ron saw of course.

"I don't think it's natural for a painting to be so possessive of the Head Girl." replied Ron, still whining slightly. Hermione sighed heavily.

"I'm sure he's like that with all the Head Girls. It just because he's a…"

"Oh Hermione. Player. Man-whore. Just say it." said Ginny. "Anyway, Harry and I get to talk now. Well. I get to talk. Harry, you just sit there and look deliciously fanciable."

Hermione had a feeling as to where this was going, but Ron was beginning to look worried.

"Well, Hermione, you already sort of know what's going on. Ron, my dearest brother, on the other hand, has no idea." Ron stared at her. She smiled at him. Harry looked very uncomfortable, and like he was regretting something. Though not enough to say anything. Or maybe he knew better than to interrupt Ginny. "Harry and I are together. Officially now, I mean." She beamed at Hermione and Ron. Hermione grinned back, but Ron looked back hollowly. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times. Ginny sighed as Harry was beginning to look nervous now. Hermione was the one to break the ice though.

"Ron…" she whispered, leaning back so her mouth was near his ear. He shuddered and looked at her wide-eyed. "Please say something nice to your sister and your best friend. Or would you rather she was with Dean?"

"That, er, great you…two." Ron forced out, paling at Hermione's statement. "You guys are…uh…good together…I guess." Hermione elbowed him in the side. "Right. I'll shut up now. But uh…no snogging in front of me, okay?"

It was Hermione's turn to sigh as Ginny frowned. Harry looked slightly relieved. His expression changed to one of delight when Ginny moved so she was virtually on his lap. Ron, since his girlfriend was staring him down, wisely made no comment, choosing instead to focus on his eggs intently.