A/N: Thanks for reviewing! All of you. And for all of you who didn't swing fist around

Chapter 6 – Tension

(Recap)

She decided to look over the list that Professor Dumbledore had sent her over the letter. Unfolding it, she took out her bottle of ink and golden feathered pen and started writing the speech that was going to be read aloud during the Halloween Ball.

To all fellow Hogwarts students, we welcome you to the Halloween Ball. This will be the first for our first years, but rest assured it will be a memorable first.

Hermione paused for a second and realized that she had to head down to Professor Flitwick. Grabbing her books she rushed out. Before she could come out of the passageway she knocked into someone with an ump! Shaking her head she noticed that she had knocked Malfoy onto the floor.

"Granger?" he said when he lifted his head. Both had been sitting on the marble floor, staring into each other's eyes.

"Malfoy,"

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"Shouldn't you be in talking with Flitwick with the hypothesis of levitation by now?" Malfoy teased, brushing himself lightly.

"Ha, thank you for that brilliant joke but no. I was just heading out. I should ask you the same thing. Shouldn't you be talking with Snape on how to destroy the world with Voldermort?" Hermione asked, emphasizing the word 'Voldermort'.

"Don't get the Dark Lord involved with this Granger," he replied. "For your information, miss little snoopy, I was just getting my books,"

"You are so unprepared sometimes I wonder how you became Head Boy," Hermione answered.

"I have my reasons. I'm not perfect all the time,"

"Frankly I think that you're never perfect. But that's the world's opinion. Even your family thinks that probably," Hermione said. She was shocked at what she was saying. Do I mean this? I wouldn't want my family to think that I was like him all the time. Hermione thought. But it was too late, Malfoy had heard it all. The words could not be taken back.

"Oh, I see. Is this how you think about me?" Malfoy asked.

"No Draco I don't – "Hermione paused. She gasped. "Did – I – just – ju – just – say – Dr – Dra -," she couldn't continue. "I'm sorry," she said quickly, covering her mouth, she quickly walked away.

Draco was standing there alone. His face had become paler than usual. "She called me Draco," he mumbled to himself. Inside, his heart had glowed for that moment but he hadn't really listened to it for 17 years so why should he start now?

Grabbing his books he rushed to Flitwick's class.

"Nice of you to join us Mr. Malfoy. Now what made you late to your first class of the year?" Professor Flitwick asked when Malfoy entered the room.

"Um, sorry Professor. Head Boy business," Malfoy mumbled.

"Okay then, well don't let is happen again," Professor Flitwick answered and then continued back to his lesson on the spells of the elements.

"I heard ever since he became Head Boy he's been punishing his enemies," Padama whispered to Lavender.

"Then he must be punishing everyone he knows!" Lavender exclaimed and they both laughed.

Hermione had sat in the seat and laid there, barely saying a word to both Harry and Ron.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"Can I tell you in private?" Hermione replied plainly.

"Sure," Harry said.

"Okay. Meet me in my room. The knight and shining armor portrait after dinner on the third floor. I have to get this out Harry. If I don't, I think that I just might explode!" Hermione cried out and quickly walked off.

"I don't think she was kidding," Harry said to himself.

"What was all that about?" Ron asked when he joined Harry after Hermione had rushed out.

"I don't know. Look, me and 'Mione are going to go and hang and talk about you tonight. You don't mind, do you mate?" Harry asked.

"Yeah sure. But why are you going to talk about me?" Ron asked.

Patting Ron's back Harry replied, "Just joking mate. Come on now; let's go to that bloody hell Snape's class,"

Later that night both Hermione and Draco were sitting on the couch reading their Herbology books when Hermione said abruptly, "I need you to leave for tonight for about 2 hrs. Harry and I need to talk,"

Draco looked away from his book and rolled his eyes. "Why would you want alone time with Potty? It's not like you're in love with him," Draco replied.

"I have my reasons Malfoy. I'm sure you can stay with Parkinson or your other Slytherin girlfriends," Hermione replied nonchalantly.

"Are you saying Pansy Parkinson? That slutty bitch? She's probably shagged everyone in Slytherin House by now. Why would I stay with her?" Draco asked. Hermione flinched at the sound of 'bitch' but didn't say anything. "You didn't say Draco I see,"

"Well I don't know. Haven't you shagged every girl in Slytherin House as well?" Hermione added and quietly said "It was a mistake to call you that"

"They wouldn't mind would they?" Draco said his eyebrows rising. "I mean look at me! Noone could resist me!" Hermione eyed him. "Oh, come on now Granger, you know you'd want to if you saw me passing on the street,"

"No I wouldn't! Unlike the other girls at Hogwarts, I have self control!" Hermione argued.

"The only self control that you have is not shagging or fucking someone up by now," Draco said, laughing at his own joke.

"Oh shut it. Will you leave or not?" Hermione asked again, irritated.

"Alright, fine. I'll leave, but you have to leave when ever I tell you to make it even," Draco bargained.

"Okay," Hermione agreed. Looking at her watch she told Draco. "Harry's going to be coming any minute. I need you to get out!" she cried.

Draco moved away from Hermione's hand and accidentally tripped and toppled over the couch. "Hey! Watch that!" Draco cried, pointing to Hermione's hand.

Laughing, Hermione backed away and said, "Out!"

When he left, Harry had just come in. "Hey. How did you come in?" Hermione said.

"Malfoy let me in quite nicely in fact. Have you been teaching him or something?" Harry asked, smiling.

"It's nothing," Hermione answered, patting the seat next to her on the couch. Harry sat down.

"So what's it that you wanted to talk about?" Harry asked once they were settled.

Hermione had then sat up straighter.

"I don't think I like Ron anymore," Hermione stated.