Thank you all for the great reviews and recommendations that I should continue with this story. I hope you all enjoy the chapters soon to come. Any comments and/or suggestions are always welcome...just please don't bash.

Chapter 2:

Hermione awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. She could not wait to start the new year. Quickly, she dressed in her school uniform and made her way down to the Great Hall to eat her breakfast before her first class of the day. Walking through the doors, she seen that both Harry and Ron were sitting at the Gryffindor table already eating. She walked up to where they were sitting and sat down on the bench next to Ron, kissing him on the cheek.

"Hey, guys," Hermione greeted.

"Hey, Hermione," they both replied.

"I see that Malfoy hasn't changed over the break," she stated.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, picking at his eggs with his fork.

"Well, last night after the Sorting ceremony feast, he followed me into the Entrance Hall after I left." Trying to find a way to not tell them the real reason why she had left, she told them what Malfoy had said to her during their encounter.

"He said he would shag you in the broom closet?" Ron asked, his face reddening with anger.

"Yes, but after I told him to bugger off I left. Just don't worry about it, I pretty much handled it," Hermione replied.

"Don't worry about it? Draco Malfoy, saying he wants to bang my girlfriend! Bloody bastard!

Hermione, not moved by Ron's attempts at threatening Malfoy, was anxious to leave the Great Hall and this conversation altogether.

"Why don't we go on our way to class now, guys?" she asked.

Harry and Ron, both picking apart their food in thought, agreed.

Gathering up their books, they left the Great Hall and began to make their way towards the Entrance Hall, when Harry felt someone pull him by the back of his robes into a corner.

"Harry, I'm telling you this in confidence so I expect you not to tell Ron, okay?"

"Okay, Hermione, I won't tell Ron. Now what is it?" Harry asked.

"Harry, it's just that...I don't think I'm really all that in love with Ron. I don't really know how to explain it, really. I love him as a friend and all, but I don't think I can love him as a lover is supposed to. I've been trying to stick it out, really, but I just don't think I can do this anymore," Hermione confessed.

Harry was shocked. He could not believe that she was telling him this.

"Hermione, I think you have to tell Ron this before it's too late."

"I know, I know. It's just that I don't want to ruin our friendship. I don't know...I guess I'll just have to tell him."

"Yeah, you are. But right now we have to go to Potions class before we're late." Harry stated.

With that, the two set off towards the dungeons, hoping that they weren't going to be late for class on the first day. Lurking in the shadows, unnoticeable, Draco Malfoy heard the entire conversation that Granger had with Potter.

So, she doesn't love him eh? Draco thought to himself.

He began to descend the stairs into the dungeons, a wide mischievious grin plastered on his face.

After Potions class had eventually finished, Hermione asked Ron if he would like to join her on a walk around the Grounds, to be alone so they could spend some time with each other. They walked over to the lake, looking at the reflection of the sun beaming down on the rippling surface of the water, and sat down enjoying the peace and quiet of the tranquil scene before them. Ron leaned over to kiss Hermione, wanting to taste those lips against his, but soon found that Hermione was staring at him with her hands on his chest holding him back. Ron looked at her confused, fearing he had done something wrong.

"I'm sorry Ron, I can't do this."

"What are you talking about Hermione?"

"I don't think we can do this anymore. Honestly, I don't feel any real connection with you. I don't really love you as a lover should, but only love you as a friend. I'm sorry I'm hurting you, really I am, but I think this is best." After confessing how she felt, Hermione could not brave looking up into his eyes, but instead kept her eyes diverted to the ground.

Ron, speechless and hurt, and feeling embarrassed and vulnerable, gathered up his books and left, walking towards the entrance to the castle leaving Hermione sitting on the grass by herself. She began to softly cry, fearing that she had destroyed the friendship they had once had.

Quidditch practice had just let out and the Slytherin team was leaving the pitch. Coming through the doors, Malfoy caught a glimpse of a girl sitting by a copse of trees near the lake. Walking by, he realized it was Granger herself. He also realized that she was not studying either, but instead looked very upset.

Guess her and Weaslebee aren't together anymore. Guess she told him to sod off.

Draco laughed quietly to himself, thinking that his plan to get with Granger can now get underway.

Yes, I know you're all wondering, "Where's the smut?" But don't you worry, it'll be coming very very soon. I just thought that I needed to take care of the relationship between Ron and Hermione before I can pursue any others...So I hope you enjoyed, and tell me what you think.