The weeks progressed; he acted the same, never failing to exasperate me. Harry and Ron were as resigned to him stalking me as I was, tired of telling him off.

Ginny and I were sitting by the rocky part of the lake, tossing pebbles while idly chatting.

"So.. how are you and Loverboy?" That horrible word had become their name for the git. I rolled my eyes.

"As usual- it's a good thing he hadn't been able to follow me here. I thought I would never get away from him."

"I remember that Christmas when he saw you and McLaggen- he was fuming," she said reminiscently.

Wait- she was there?

"Ginny," I asked, "You were there when it happened?"

"Well.. I told him that you and McLaggen were talking.. in an empty classroom and that he was giving you a gift," she said, smirking.

I looked at her in surprise.

"Well, what did you do that for! It's probably because of that incident that he won't stop pestering me! He keeps asking if McLaggen is better than him, which is bollocks!" I said, wringing my hands in distress.

"Well I bet he would finally stop if you let him have his wicked way with you in a certain room of the house," Ginny said jokingly.

I dropped my pebble.

"Excuse me- but what, Ginny?" I asked in a blank tone.

Ginny blanched.

"I'm so sorry Hermione- it was just a joke, and even then a very bad one! I didn't mean to offend you," she said, her face creased in worry.

For a while I couldn't speak. Then-

"There was something more to it, I can feel it." I said calmly, but inside I was trembling. "Are you hiding something from me?"

She tossed a few more pebbles before I relented.

"Alright, just tell me when you're ready," I said, getting ready to leave.

"Wait!" she cried out. I sat back down again.

"There's more," she said quietly.

--

As soon as I got up to my dormitory, I crawled under the bed and hid under the blankets and started crying.

I felt so dirty, even though he had never touched me.

FLASHBACK

"I was walking down this hallway when I heard him talking to someone- and I hid behind a tapestry to find out just what they were talking about."

"I wonder how her skin would feel.. it just looks so soft to the touch. Hm, I suppose she'd be wild in bed- it's always the quiet ones you know. You just think they're really nice and sweet.. but inside, Hermione Granger is this tease just waiting for someone to be worthy enough to take her.." he smirked.

"I ran away as fast as I could, until I ran out of breath. Harry asked me what happened, and I couldn't tell him. I just couldn't- I was so horrified by what I just heard. I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as possible." She said quietly.

I had a suspicion that was all he wanted, but the reality of it was frightening.

I stayed there all night, awake and pondering it.

How could he think that way of me! I don't even dress revealing, or act all flirty- how could he have thought that I.. I..

I suppose he thought you were a challenge- and that maybe you weren't who you are right now.

That's ridiculous..

But that's what Ginny said.

I hate him.

Not to make you cry even more, but I really thought he had changed.

He never did.

From, you know, evil Slytherin to.. this sweet man.

That's a joke.

I thought that he even loved you- you know?

Please stop.

But-

Please. You're not making things easier or better..

--

The next morning I took a shower and felt a bit better about yesterday's news.

I walked down to the Heads' Common Room, and who do I find?

The two boys I despise.

Actually, I thought they could have been tolerable somewhat- but now I see they'll never change. Who was I kidding?

I walked past them without acknowledging them, picking up the flower doily thing I was crocheting the Muggle way for my mother. I worked steadily on it, not noticing nor caring if they looked my way.

After a while I set it down, this time, working on my Defense Against the Dark Arts essay. While the Head Boy ran up to his room, he sat down opposite me.

I was so scared I couldn't do anything except ignore him as best as I could.

"Why are you doing those two at the same time?"

"Because this doily is my break from my studies," I said a bit shakily.

He looked at me strangely and said, "But you're working your hands too hard."

I shrugged and said, "Well I want to," in an 'I-am-done-with-this-conversation' tone of voice.

He shrugged and got up to move back to their side of the room.

--

Two days before the ball, we had our last dueling lesson. I sat down, looking around at everyone- Harry and Ron were practicing, and I had already practiced with Neville.

"Hi," Draco said, plopping down next to me.

I must have been inebriated, because after a while I just thought, fine- just give him what he wants today, and never again.

He laid his head on my lap and started flirting with me. I felt so worn from running away and the stress of the news I got that I just gave up.

After a while, he got pulled out of my lap. And he was being cursed by his best friend, Blaise.

I should have stopped it, I know. But the thought that he was beating up his best friend for me?

Draco didn't stop him; he just took the spells.

When he stopped, Blaise looked at me as if to say, are you happy now?

I could see the hurt, anger, and jealousy in his eyes.

I felt another twinge of regret, but kept a strong face, thinking all the while that there could not have been a better way for him to know I didn't like him. Okay, didn't want to date him.

He left us there walking over to his other friends.

Harry and Ron looked at me with worry in their eyes. I didn't know what to do; I was so overwhelmed. They went over to me, enveloping me in a huge hug.

--

At the end of the duel lesson, they had a contest of sorts to see who was the best. They forfeited Harry out of it because they said we needed him alive and well. At this, Harry laughed and said he would cheer us on in those silly Muggle cheer outfits. Harry a cheerleader? That would keep our competition laughing so hard, they wouldn't be able to utter a single hex. Well, maybe Ron and I would fall over laughing too.

They decided to award the best duelers of every House- for Gryffindor, I won! It was slightly bizarre but I didn't mind. For Hufflepuff, Susan Bones won. Terry Boot was awarded for Ravenclaw, and as for Slytherin, it went to him.

Blaise walked over to me after receiving the award (just a ribbon and a gift certificate for 3 free butterbeers at the Three Broomsticks), saying viciously, "I won that for you, but you've been so much in love with him to care." He stalked away, fists clenched.

Would I ever talk to him again?

--

Hi guys! Just got back from taekwondo class, and I feel like a bloody lightweight.. WahahahaXD Oh well.. it isn't like you aren't pooped from work eh? Aren't I sarcastic.. Anyways, on to the REVIEWS:D

Queen of Serpents: Yeah I know:P Actually, this is where the angst part kicks in.. Haha, two dates at once? How are you going to pay attention to both:P

IsInGcAuZeIlUv2: Yeah, he likes someone else..T,T Sad sad..

Un Petit Diable: He is so confused that I want to whack him on the head- hahaha:P

Padfoot's Sidekick: In a weird vague sort of way, I think so too. Hehe:D Yes, and maybe a little fairy wand and streamers, and him going up to Snape like a little kid and following him aroundXD Wahahaha!

Please don't forget to review after reading, and I'll see you guys next chapter:)