A/n: I know this may not be his real name, but I'm making up Warrington's first name. I don't recall it ever being said in the books, so don't sue me.

Also, to clear things up:

Draco + Hermione are both in their seventh year.

Cole Warrington is a year older than both but he is also in his seventh year.

Chapter 7: Fight the Good Fight

Hogsmeade—next day

"Hey Malfoy, I've heard rumors about you. Any of them true?"

Draco looked at his chaser, Warrington. He raised his eyebrows as the two continued walking down the cool streets.

"What kind of rumors have you been hearing?"

Cole Warrington looked at Draco curiously, with his ocean blue eyes, almost icily. Cole stood a couple inches taller than Draco, but they both had respect for each other; no matter how tall or how old they were.

"Well, rumor has it that you and that Granger girl are hooked up," Warrington replied.

Draco scowled at the ground and looked back at him as casual as he could muster.

"There is no way that could ever happen, Cole. That Mudblood and I aren't even acquaintances."

Warrington shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded. "It better stay that way, Draco. We stay within our house; we never mingle with half bloods or mudbloods."

The younger Slytherin nodded and looked at him. "I know, Warrington. Come on, mudbloods are filth. There's no way I would ever even think of befriending them, nonetheless half bloods. What do you take me for?"

Whoever said, 'don't deny your love' has never been in the Slytherin house. Befriending anyone outside the house was considered the dirtiest thing you could do besides sleeping with a Mudblood.

The two walked into the Three Broomsticks and quickly found a table. Draco sat down first, then Warrington.

"I know it's a long way off still, but what are your plans for Christmas break, Draco?"

Christmas break? That was about three months off still. He really must be desperate in not seeing me in so long.

Christmas was the last thing on Draco's mind, but he decided to humor his friend.

"I don't know, I may go back home for awhile," Draco said uncertainly. "Did you hear any other rumors?"

He saw the wheels turning in Cole's head and patiently waited for an answer. As he waited, he quickly glanced behind Warrington and saw Hermione Granger sitting at a table with Potter. For some reason, Draco felt his blood boil with anger as he watched Potter give her a hard time. He couldn't make out all the words, but one thing was for sure: Hermione didn't want him at the table.

I can't just get up and go over there unless I start trashing them; Cole will think I've betrayed the House. What the hell do I care if he's giving her a hard time?

Wait, another voice interrupted. You do care about what happens to her. You stood up for all the women, probably all Gryffindors, that's hurt. You only had Hermione in mind though at the time.

"I heard that," He leaned in and dropped his voice to a whisper. "that Lucius beat you..."

Draco sighed and brushed a hand through his hair. If he knew, God only knows who else knew. "We've just had our differences, that's all."

He looked past Cole again and saw Harry stand up and start yelling at the Gryffindor girl. Warrington spun around and smirked at the sight.

"Look at them, man. They're fighting like a married couple. That Mudblood really needs some sense knocked into her, talking back to a guy like that..."

Draco tried his best not to sneer at Cole and his comments. He knew that Warrington had his own opinions about how women should be treated: rough and tough. His friend had absolutely no regard for women and treated them as objects instead of human beings. That was the main reason why Draco regretted befriending him in the first place. He was the total opposite of him, and sought revenge on the guys that treated their girls like garbage; of course he would never let Cole or any other Slytherin know this.

Draco faked a chuckle and shook his head. "Why don't you go get us some butterbeers, alright?"

Cole nodded. "Sure thing, mate."

Once he was out of plain view, Draco stood up and walked towards Harry and Hermione.

"Potter, didn't you learn your lesson at Diagon Alley?"

Harry turned around, his eyes filled with rage. "Shove off, Malfoy. What I do with Hermione is none of your business. Besides, since when did you take a sudden interest in her?"

Draco simply smirked, trying to keep his anger under control. "Since when take you take a sudden interest in beating her?"

"If you won't get out of our business, I'll make you stay out!"

With that, Harry's fist slammed into Draco's mouth, causing small droplets of blood to escape his lips. Potter went to punch him again but this time, Draco ducked and then punched Harry's stomach.

"Stop! Stop it, Malfoy!"

Draco ignored her commands as the two rivals continued to fight in the tavern, all eyes on them. As they threw punches, Draco waited for one of the teachers to break up the fight, but they never came.

"How do you like it, Potter?"

Hermione went to punch Draco again, but this time, Hermione stepped in but was brutally attacked by Harry. He hit her with his hand with so much force that she flew back and landed on the carpeted floor, her head hitting the floorboards underneath hard.

Draco ducked again under the muscular Gryffindor's punch, and jabbed him in his side. Harry took a quick glance at the figure that lay on the floor that lied still, unmoving.

With false sympathy, he went over to her and saw that she was still conscious but had blacked out.

"Get a teacher! She's not moving!"

Suddenly, there was a bunch of commotion, students scrambling around frantically in and out, looking for a professor.

Harry looked at Draco with slit eyes. "I hope you're happy, Malfoy!"

Draco opened his arms in defense. "Me? That was all you, Potter! You're the one that fucking hit her!"

Before Harry could retaliate, Professor McGonagall stepped in between. Draco watched as McGonagall scooped up the girl in her arms, giving a nasty look to both Harry and Draco.

"You three are coming back to the castle with us, and you two," Minerva McGonagall shot a look at Draco and Harry, "can explain to Professor Snape exactly what happened in your detention!"

Draco Malfoy sneered at Harry, who gave the same look right back. This was what he got for trying to defend her; a detention and a lecture from Snape. This was the last thing he needed on top of everything else.

Professor McGonagall lead Draco and Harry back to the Hogwarts castle, Hermione still passed out in her arms as blood trickled down the side of her face. Draco walked right next to her, whispering silent words of sorrow and sympathy as the cold wind blew through her caramel colored locks.