Disclaimer: I don't own Harry. I don't own Hermione. I don't own Ron. I don't own Draco. (But I wish I did.)

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WE COLLIDE

#2: Preaching and Eating don't mix

"And please begin." The great hall was filled with thunderous applause Dumbledore finished his speech and the tables were now heavy laden with the feast.

Hermione watched as Ron's eyes grew as large as tennis balls and he practically threw himself at the turkey.

"Ron! Someone would think that you've been starved in a dungeon for ages!" Hermione tugged at Ron's sleeve to slow him down.

"Yesh 'Mione. I haven't eaten since lunch. That's ages." Ron sputtered at her in between mouthfuls of mash and turkey.

Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry chuckled at her exasperation.

"That's just Ron, Mione. He wouldn't be Ron if he weren't like that" Harry grinned and heaped mashed potatoes onto his own plate.

"Here you need to fatten up" and he heaped more mashed potatoes onto Hermione's plate. Ignoring her protests, he proceeded to chuck gravy and turkey onto her already-full platter.

"But but but –" Hermione was cut off as Harry shoved a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth.

"Honestly, Mione, can't you let us all feast and grow fat in peace? Preaching and eating don't mix." Harry turned to his own food and began guzzling. Hermione rolled her eyes and proceeded to tackle hers.

Lavender leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Well at least you can afford it. I heard Eloise Midgen tried to spell herself slimmer –" Lavender and Parvati dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"What?" Hermione looked positively appalled. "Even after the time she tried to spell off her acne?" Parvati nodded dizzily. Hermione looked determined now. "Why, she should be punished! She could have gotten herself injured! Or a housemate!"

"These are Slytherins, Mione. She should have been rewarded if she did injure one of them." Harry now chipped in. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Especially if she had hurt Malfoy?" Harry cocked his head and grinned at her. That earned him a smile.

"Okay fine I'll lay off. But Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"I just want you to know I'd rather hurt him myself."

With the exception of Ron who was still stuffing his face, the Gryffindors at the table all turned their heads to look at the Slytherin table, and they all burst out in uproarious laughter.

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Next was Potions for the Gryffindor Year 6s. And guess who they were paired up with again for the very–

"– one Trillionth Millionth Thousandth time! With the bloody Slytherins! I told you – "

"Ron! There is no such figure as one Trillionth Millionth Thousand. It is impossible! Unless of course you wish to use those complex arithmancy theories we haven't learned yet, however I have practiced some of them…" Hermione drifted off as Harry and Ron gaped at her.

"Geez Mione. I was just trying to make a point! You didn't have to go on about what you've read. Like we bloody care!" Ron characteristically was utterly blunt and tactless.

Harry shook his head and slunk behind both of them – he knew this would get ugly. He watched as Hermione's eyes grew wide and she took in a deep breath.

"Well at least I can read! At least I don't have to ask someone to do my essays for me! At least I get grades that I've earned! And you, Ronald Weasley –" Hermione jabbed Ron in the chest "– How dare you! You –"

"Why hello Granger. Lover's tiff?" Draco smirked as Hermione's face flushed and the ends of her frizzy hair seemed to crackle.

"Why you little prick! You – you – foul ferret!" Hermione spluttered incoherently.

"Why? Embarrassed? Aw. Poor Weasley, stuck with a lowly muggleborn like you." Draco narrowed his eyes as Hermione's face changed rapidly. It morphed from angry to confused in a wink. Draco raised an eyebrow at her and sauntered ahead of them towards the dungeons.

"Mione! Are you ok? Talk to me!" Ron shook Hermione by the shoulders but she was still standing there with a dazed look on her face.

While Ron was trying to pull Hermione out of her trance, Harry stood ahead of them glaring at Draco's retreating figure, his green eyes flashing with anger and worry.

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And that's chapter 2…is it too short? maybe I'll lengthen the next chapter then.