Chapter 26

Liang- Ya... she should… but she's too scared of what Blaise will do if she does. TY

Zarroc-Good idea… thanks!

NothingIsTrivial-Draco is a bit dense here I guess… I also want to beat him… but I think I would lose. XD

FiccieBoy-haha… thanks for pointing out the error.. My spelling's not the best… I know…

SexyDraco04-He did. Just to clarify that. Here's the update! (:

sUpErAgENtSpYgUrL -wow...long review...Thanks... I'm also lazy to check my mail...haha...

Once again.. THANKS for your reviews! So many! Well… to me...It was like a early birthday present to me... haha...okay….this was written a long time ago…I was writing a fic for an exchange…so sorry for the long wait!(:

Hermione whipped around for the third time. She had a creepy feeling that someone was following her again. But one was there. She reached for her wand nervously. Thankfully, there was no sign of him… yet. She hated feeling this way. Hermione had always felt safe in Hogwarts, even safer than in her own home. But this incident had made her think otherwise. She hurried to her next lesson before the bell rang.

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Blaise was indeed nearby. He smirked as he watched her movements. Hermione was easier to scare than that he had expected. All was going well. The Dark Lord would reward him greatly. Now onto the next part of his plan: Breaking Draco's heart.

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Draco met Ginny in the hallway and dragger her into an empty classroom.

"What happened to Her-Granger?" he demanded "She's been acting different. She seems terrified of something."

"She won't tell us," Ginny stated.

"But you're her friend," he impressed on the last word.

"I know," Ginny said impatiently "And I will find out," she walked out of the classroom and headed for Charms.

Draco stood in the classroom. What could Hermione be hiding so badly? He knew the answer almost immediately. Blaise. Draco's blood boiled at the thought of him. He strode determinedly to the next class, which he coincidentally had with Blaise. The lesson had not started and Blaise was sitting in the back. He glared at Blaise, who simply smirked in response. He scowled and sat down, waiting for the lesson to start.

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It was dinner time. Hermione was late in getting to the Great Hall. She had stayed back in Arithmancy to discuss a question with Professor Vector. Someone stepped in front of her. Hermione stumbled back. It was him. The masked person drew closer. Hermione whimpered. He grinned at her response to him. Hermione's face held a look of pure fear. Blaise drew close and whispered into her ear. "Follow me." He dragged her near the Slytherin dormitories. "I want you to look as if you enjoy at or there would be hell to pay." He pressed his lips against hers forcefully without letting Hermione say anything. Hermione silently obeyed without thinking of the consequences.

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Draco was tired. Quidditch practice had just ended. He was hungry too. He dragged his weary feet towards the Slytherin dormitories to put his books before going to the Great Hall. All he was thinking was about dinner and his bed. Draco could barely keep his eyes open until he caught sight of a familiar bushy-haired girl. Who she was with? And what she looked like she was doing. With a masked person, nevertheless. But Hermione, here? He couldn't believe that she was snogging another person. She liked him.

Or so, he thought. His sadness turned to rage.

He was Draco Malfoy, a pureblood. The way he was acting was pathetic. Like some common lovesick Muggle. Malfoys do not act like Muggles. All she was-a Mudblood; filthy and lower than him in every aspect. He felt disgusted at himself. He had disappointed the Dark Lord. He had strayed from the mission.

Draco looked back once before stalking off.

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Blaise grinned. The Dark Lord would be pleased. He would be honoured before everyone.

"Good night, Granger." Blaise was practically glowing behind the black mask. He swaggered into the dormitory cockily.

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Hermione stood there, tears falling freely. She dragged herself to a hidden corridor and sunk down onto the cold floor, feeling a sense of hopelessness. The hours passed by, she still sat there. Finally, exhausted, she fell asleep hugging her knees to herself. The hope she felt a few days earlier disappeared as fast as it had come.

The chatter of students woke her from her sleep. Her eyes were red. Her hair matted and uniform crumpled. She took out her wand and within seconds, there was not a reminder of what had happened the night before, except a mere memory. It would not go away though no one could see it. Hermione picked up her schoolbag and stumbled to class.