1SHARN - It will be draco/hermione in the end!

MALFOY572 - I'm glad!

ZARROC - I guess you'll just have to wait and see...:-D.

Story time!

Chapter 9: Impressions

The next morning, Hermione woke up to a dull throbbing in her left arm. Her arm felt as though it was simmering ever-so-slightly in a heat a little too high. Groaning, she tried to go back to sleep, not even caring whose bed she was in. Suddenly, though, she heard a deep voice.

"Granger?" Hermione groaned again. She'd recognize that voice anywhere.

"Malfoy." She mumbled.

"Morning to you too, sunshine." He sneered. " How's your arm?"

"Hurts like hell, but it's not like you care."

"I see becoming a Death Eater did nothing to change your attitude towards me."

"It hasn't changed my attitude toward anybody. I still think you're all stuck-up. Except perhaps Blaise." She stated, finally trying to get up.

"Ha! Zabini? He's worse than any of us."

"Well, he's the only one who treats me like I'm human. Except Voldemort, but he killed any chance I had of a good life, so he hardly counts."

"You'll see, Granger." He smirked, "You'll see." He left the room at the exact same moment that Blaise entered. They nodded towards each other, and Malfoy left the room.

"Mornin', Hermione."

"Hello, Blaise!" Hermione said, feeling suddenly cheerful at the sight of her new friend.

"Fancy a walk?" Blaise questioned.

"Oh...yes, that would be nice." Hermione looked down. She was still wearing last night's dress. "But perhaps I should change, first. Meet you out in the hallway."

"Ok." Blaise said, and sauntered from the room. Hermione went over to her closet and pulled out some light brown corduroy pants and a deep purple sweater. Pulling them on, she noticed that as her stomach grew larger with pregnancy, her clothes magically adjusted to it. She walked out in the hallway and saw Blaise. They walked outside into a courtyard, talking about meaningless things. Suddenly, when they were in front of a willow tree, Blaise turned around.

"Hermione," He ran a hand through his hair. "I have to tell you something. I think you're really attractive and...well..."He tilted Hermione's face up to his, "I was wondering if I could kiss you."

"Blaise...I thought you only wanted to be friends. I don't think that kissing would be...a good idea." She finished somewhat lamely.

"Why not?" Blaise started to get impatient.

"Because I still love Harry."

"But he's dead!" His words rang in the air. Hermione felt as though she had been slapped across the face. "Look, I know that sounded harsh, but it's true. And you need to get over him. Who better to do that with than me?"

"At this moment...anyone BUT you. I thought you were my first true friend in awhile, Zabini. But you're no better than Malfoy." She turned on her heel and ran as fast as her legs would carry her.

'So, I really do have no one. Well, fine. Who needs them, anyway? I only need Harry's baby. I don't need anyone else...I don't.' She repeated this over and over to herself as she ran back to her room.

-x-

Draco looked out of his room as he heard Granger slam her door.

'What's going on?' Suddenly, he saw Zabini sprinting up to her door.

"HERMIONE! Come on, just open the door." He screamed. She did just that. The door burst open and out strode a livid Hermione. She was pointing her wand right at Zabini.

"Do NOT talk to me, Blaise Zabini. You are a pig." She went back into her room, slamming the door once more.

"Women troubles, Zabini?" Draco smirked. "Come on in." Zabini followed Draco into his room and spilled the beans.

"I just got the impression that she would give somebody she liked anything they wanted. That maybe if I got her to like me, she let me do what I want to her."

"Stupid move, Zabini. Granger wouldn't let anyone who's not Saint Potter touch her." 'I should know' He thought as an afterthought, 'I tried.' What was it with this Mudblood? It seemed that everyone wanted her. Voldemort want her in his ranks, Zabini wanted her body, and Draco...well, Draco wanted the same thing as Zabini. Or did he want more?

"But why?" Zabini whined.

"Stop sounding like a 5-year-old who got his candy taken away, Zabini," Draco sneered. "She still loves him." He said the word "loves" the same way he would say Potter's name. "Now get out of my sight, you woman-less jerk," He joked. "I've got company coming over."

"Man, why take Pansy who looks like a dog when you could try seducing Granger?"

"Because, why turn down sex in exchange for having to work for it?" Draco laughed. "Now get out of here."

Soon after Zabini left, Pansy waltzed in through the door.

"Didja miss me, baby?" She purred in his ear.

"More than you know." He outwardly smirked while inwardly shuddering. Easy as she was, having Pansy in bed was no longer thrilling. He needed adventure. He needed a challenge. He needed...the Mudblood.

-x-

Unaware of the plan hatching next door involving her, Hermione went to the library. Books were her only solace these days. Settling down to read, she heard a loud pop sound to her left.

"Let me tell you some of the rules around here." A snakelike voice hissed. "Don't ever threaten a fellow Death Eater, such as Mr. Zabini."

"My apologies, master. I was merely telling Zabini what I thought of his advances on me."

"Refreshing as this attitude is, I find it quite worrisome. Do not harm him and he will be forced to not harm you, understood?"

"Fine. Sir." She saluted and went back to her book, leaving Voldemort to feel oddly proud of her. She would go far.