Disclaimer: No, Harry Potter isn't mine.

A/N: Peace my peoples. Hey, thanks to all my wonderful reviewers, I really love ya'll, you're so great. Well, I didn't update yesterday cause it was my step-nephew's birthday, and last night my step-niece spent the night, and all day today I was out on my step-brother's boat with a bunch of peoples. So, that's my excuse. But hey, I'm updating now!

Chapter Nine

Hermione's eyes widened and she began to panic. Fred's eyes were roaming over the place, and she knew it was only a moment before he saw them. So, she dove under the table, despite the curses and confuson from her friends, and somehow managed to crawl away unnoticed before she saw Fred's shoes near the table. She slipped out the door, pausing to glance back and make sure she wasn't seen, and locked eyes with Ginny. Fred had his back turned to her, talking to Ron, and the others didn't even see her. Ginny shook her head very gently, pleading with her eyes, but Hermione turned anyway, and continued into the street.

After a few mintues of making her way through the crowds of Hogsmeade, Hermione arrived at a secluded area, where she sat herself on a patch of grass and thought.

'No, no matter what Ginny says, there is just no way! Fred doesn't really like me. He couldn't! I'm Hermione the bookworm! The stuck-up Head Girl at Hogwarts! And he's Fred Weasley...a prankster.'

She still stood firmly in the belief that, despite all the evidence, and all the things she should know, Fred had been playing with her. Why she just couldn't accept the truth, or what it looked like the truth was, there really wasn't an explanation...besides maybe fear.

Hermione drew her knees up to her chest and laid her head on them. She sat there like that, convincing herself of Fred's intentions, until she felt a soft tap on her shoulder.

Yes, very predictable. Who else would it be?

"Hermione-" Hermione stood up quickly. "What's wrong?"

She just glared at him. "Stay away from me Fred, I am not in the mood for you right now."

Fred smirked. "So, does that mean that you ever are? Oh wait...of course..."

"You jackass!" Hermione pushed past him and he chuckled.

"Oh, Hermione." He reached out and grabbed her arm. She spun around and faced him, her eyes almost flaming. "What kind of man do you think I am?"

"A really, very pathetic one." Hermione wrenched her arm free. "I told you the night I left, and I am telling you now. I am a family friend, and I am not going to be some kind of toy for you. I am not that kind of girl! So, go find another girl. Shouldn't you be getting married now too? Find a girl you really like, and I am sure she will be willing to..." Hermione just shook her head in disgust and turned.

"But Hermione-"

She just kept walking. "I was hoping I had..." He sad quietly to himself. "Why did I start out like that, acting like a jerk...I should have just told her." He hit his forehead with his hand and sighed.

Hermione managed to find Ginny and, despite Ginny's persistence on knowing what had happened, Hermione was silent. Until she finally had her own question.

"Was that you?"

"Huh?" They were on their way to go back to the castle, and Ginny was suddenly confused.

"Was it you who got Fred to come? Did you tell him to meet us or something? What did you do Ginny?"

"What? Hermione, I didn't do anything. I mean, he had said he might be coming to Hogsmeade sometime, because of work, but I didn't think anything of it..."

"Wait, what do you mean because of work?"

"Oh..." Ginny cringed. "Yeah, didn't tell ya...They, George and Fred, want to open another joke shop around here...since business is so great..."

That's when Hermione's world fell...or rather, rose up.

"Granger. Granger? Come on woman, wake up!" Hermione's eyes fluttered open and she was looking into the deep blue eyes of Blaise Zabini, who was bending over next to her, and poking her in the arm. "You alive?"

"No, that's why I just opened my eyes. Cause, ya know, I'm dead."

"Aww...So you're a zombie? Well, that sucks, better inform Dumbledore."

"Zabini, what do you want?"

"It's time for class."

"And you care that I might be late...why? How did you even know I was still sleeping?"

"Cause your door was still open. Obviously you didn't care last night. And I thought I'd be nice."

"Oh." Hermione climebed out of bed and dragged herself to where her robes sat, waiting for her.

"Try to wake up next time." Zabini said, leaving the room.

"Thanks man." She called after him.

It was just another day. Another boring day that dragged on and on, while Hermione listened to her teachers drone and did simple things that she had been doing for years. All that really weaved through her mind were thoughts of why a certain somebody just had to do certain things to her. After one kiss, one taste of what could happen, Hermione was aching for more. And the worst part was...'He doesn't even care...'

Maybe it was that Fred had to say it himself. Maybe it was that, no matter what anyone told her, she just couldn't believe it, cause it would be too good to be true. It would be too perfect. But when was that the case? When did Hermione end up caring about Fred Weasley? When did she end up liking him? Wanting him? And somewhere in there, though she would never admit, and didn't even realize...Needing him?

A/N: Not much. But when I do get some inspiration, (Where are my plot bunnies!) I will be sure to hurry up and post! Thanks again reviewers!