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Flashback

Hermione raised a suspicious eyebrow, but agreed. "If you want to. But on one condition." At Parvati and Lavender's concurring faces, Hermione continued. "You let me in on absolutely everything you are doing, and don't leave anything out."

They approved her request, and started planning their next mental attack on the legendary Slytherins.

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"There is no way I am doing that!" Hermione screeched at her friends' suggestion.

"Aww, come on Hermione! You can resist being the annoying bookworm for a few minutes, can't you?" Lavender pleaded.

"NO! I can't!" Hermione yelled again. "I am not going to look like a fool and an idiot in front of everyone!"

"You want Malfoy to pay for what he did to you, don't you?" Parvati reminded.

"Well, of course, I do, Parvati! But not in this way!" Hermione defended.

"What do you suggest then?" Lavender asked.

"I—well—I don't know—I suppose—well…" Hermione stuttered. Lavender and Parvati looked at each other, smirking insanely. Hermione closed her eyes and sighed. "Fine. What was it you wanted again?"

Her two friends squealed shrilly in delight at Hermione's agreement. They exchanged a look again, and Lavender raised an eyebrow at Hermione. "C'mon, Herm—ione," she corrected, "there are rules that go along with this."

"What! Rules!" Hermione shrieked. "What rules?"

"One, no mention of books." Parvati started, holding up a hand at Hermione's protest. "Two, no mumbling of words then running away. Three, forget the old Hermione, and let the new one embrace you."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief at the feat they were asking of her. "Guys, I can't do this! You know I can't!"

"Hermione." Lavender said, with such a sincere note in her voice that Hermione looked up. "You can do this. We—" she motioned to Parvati, who nodded, "—know you can."

Hermione nodded in accepted resignation, and stood up. "Fine. When do you want to do this?"

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Draco Malfoy walked to the Common Room, completely ignoring an unconscious Blaise behind him, even though Blaise was sporting a huge gash on his head, blood trickling out. Reluctantly, Malfoy turned around and muttered, "Subsisto." The blood ceased immediately, though Malfoy could still tell he would have a killer headache in the morning. Smirking, he headed off again.

Mumbling, Draco said the password (Manically pure), and stared at the flickering fire. Though it was enchanted magnificently, it did little to brighten or warm up the icy room. Draco could even see his breath in the air, which did nothing but immensely worsen his mood. He felt like a failure. He was a failure. She did absolutely nothing to deserve his attitude and rudeness, yet there he was insulting her. Completely denying the Malfoy tradition, he actually felt compassion and sympathy for her.

"Unbelievable." He said to himself, shaking his head. "The moment I screw everything up, I actually have feelings. The irony kills me."

"Hey! Malfoy! Come here! I need to show you something!" Marcus Flint called from the staircase.

"Shove it, Flint." Malfoy retorted, still glaring at the flames.

To Draco's displeasure, Marcus laughed. "Yeah, funny. Come on, Draco!"

Malfoy now tore his eyes from the fire, though one was still burning in his icy blue eyes. "I said," he bit slowly, grinding his teeth, "Shove. It. Up. Your. Ass."

Marcus looked taken aback at Malfoy's bluntness, but still raised an eyebrow in impressiveness at him. "Yeah, whatever, mate." Malfoy, however, could distinctly hear an "Egotistical bastard."

Malfoy shrugged it off, once again taking up his latest interest of staring into the staggering, orange-yellow flames. Strange as it was, the fire reminded him of himself. One minute, flaring up like there's no tomorrow, but the next, spastic and wavering, unsure of whether they will start up again. When he was around both Hermione and his father, he was the former, but for different reasons. In the presence of his father, he had a biting, seething fury, wanting him to suffer; by Hermione, it was all passion and lust and wittiness. Contrarily, when he was by himself, he was the latter. Broken down and honestly wary of whether he could survive more emotional blows in his life.

With one thought, he knew what he wanted. He wanted that passion and intrigue back in his life; he wanted the ability to retort and banter incessantly. He didn't want to live out the rest of his existence wallowing in self-pity and rudeness, making other people suffer at his own pleasure. Right now, he didn't care whether his reputation would be forever wounded, or if his father had to torture him so he was one inch from death. All he wanted…was her.

So, completely unaware of the burning fire licking at his robes, he stood up abruptly, a rush of wind threatening to forever stagger the flames. His cobalt eyes blazing with obsessive salacity, he strode out of the common room, the painting of a stuck-up witch calling swear words after him. Gazing around the desolate castle, and with a look of determination on his pale face, he started up the marble staircase.

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Hermione strode out of the Gryffindor common room, Lavender and Parvati in her wake. She cast a nervous glance back, her two friends smiling encouragingly back at her; Lavender gave her a casual but reassuring wave. With set determination on her face, Hermione walked down the stairs, speech in mind, along with exactly what she was going to do…

"G—Granger!" Malfoy said, just about running into her. He ran a semi-nervous hand through his platinum hair.

"Why, hello, Draco." Hermione said seductively.

He gave a look of genuine perplexity, and scrunched up his face. "Uh…right…hey. So, I was, uh, I was looking for you." he said apprehensively.

Hermione took a step forward. "And why were you looking for me?" she said, her face but a mere six inches from his.

"Well, you see…" Malfoy started. "This is getting ridiculous. I am a Malfoy for god sake. Pull it together!" he chided himself. "I want you, Hermione."

For a second, Hermione forgot her act, but put it on right away again, hoping he didn't catch her change. He didn't. "What a coincidence, Draco. I want you, too." She said, stroking her hand lightly over his jawbone, stopping at his lips.

He again looked at her strangely. "You see, I've been pining for you for many weeks now." She continued, walking in a slow circle around him. "You complete me, Draco, and I need that."

She raised an eyebrow, smiling lustfully. "But I have one question, my love." Hermione said with accent on her last words.

"Um…okay…" Malfoy said uncomfortably. He cleared his throat as his eyes searched hers for some sign of deceit or maliciousness.

She stepped closer so she was right next to his ear. "How does it feel…to be…played?"

His eyes widened, as she stepped back and smiled. She wore a look of amusement on her face. "Wha—What?" he stuttered.

"Oh yes, Draco, you see, you didn't really think I would let you get by with what you did, did you?" Hermione said sweetly.

"I—uh—I—" he stammered.

"Ludius Petrificus!" Hermione said, pointing her wand at his face. Immediately he glowed acid-green, then returned to normal. "Now everyone will know the player…got played. By a Mudblood no less, correct?" Hermione said vindictively.

Draco looked down at himself, confused, for he didn't see anything different. "What the hell did you do, Granger!" he yelled.

"Oh, just a little charm I found the other day. It will force you to tell everyone you see exactly what you said, felt, and did for the previous 48 hours. Good luck!" she smiled again, sauntering off. She could feel his furious but frightened glare on her retreating back, but was pleased with herself just the same.

I think this was a bit longer for you guys. Well, I hope it is anyway, and I hope you like it. I just wanted to update faster for you all. You know what to do if you want to, so I won't keep you. love you all!