Author Note-

Sorry for how long it took me to update guys, I've been actually pretty busy lately and I wasn't sure where I was going with the next chapter but then I found inspiration.

Don't forget to favorite, follow and review. Love you guys all so much and hope this chapter was worth the wait.

-Madi

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter nor do I own the lyrics in each chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Friction

"Your heart is beating,
Cause you know that you gotta,
Get out of the middle,
And rise to the top now,

You can't fight the friction,
So ease it off,
Can't take the pressure,
So ease it off…"

Friction by Imagine Dragons

Saturday October 19th, 1996

Gryffindor Common rooms, in front of the fireplace- Just before lunch

'You can do this Hermione,' she thought to herself as she eyed her two friends across the room as they neared the end of their game. 'Apologizing for unintentionally getting partially involved in the affairs of a Slytherin is the least I could do. I need to, as muggles would say, mend fences.'

Pulling the sleeve of her shirt into the palm of her hand, she tried to quickly push away thoughts of what Malfoy said to her last night near the end of patrols. It wasn't that she so hurt she would break down if she thought about it, but it also had to do with the fact she was so angry that she was still unsure if she would hex the arse the next time she saw him.

Hermione was now under the impression that Draco Malfoy was the most foul, bigoted, narrow minded arse to walk amongst her year. Then to have a whole house dedicated to students like him made her feel almost sick. With a sharp intake of air, she cursed to herself for thinking about him yet again. What confused her even more was the fact that she had cried over his words- it was Malfoy for godric's sake, and he was a git, nothing more.

With a huff, she sauntered slowly towards the two causing Ron to look upwards while Harry stared at the chess board. Giving him a weak smile she awkwardly tucked some of the loose curls behind her ear. She then felt a slimmer of happiness as he gave her a terse singular wave.

"I still think wizards' chess is barbaric," she stated evenly, her voice puncturing the silence causing Harry to look up at her as she continued to her point. "Look, I wanted to apologize. The both of you have every right to be cross with me, and I understand why you are. I just wanted you guys to know that I've decided to talk to professor Slughorn on Monday about changing partners."

"Honestly," Ron spoke awkwardly as he then looked back to the game and moved his knight without a second thought knocking over another one of Harry's pieces, before shrugging, "I'm still not sure I understand why you put up with the ferret as long as you did."

"I thought that maybe if I could get Malfoy to see what muggleborn wizards and witches are actually like," Hermione paused looking away from the two for a second, "he would gain some sort of perspective, form an opinion of his own, something. I also admit I wanted to prove that Harry's theory about Draco being a death eater wrong."

She gave a short laugh, thinking of the idea and how preposterous it sounded, trying to change Malfoy's thoughts about her was rather farfetched. Then she looked at Harry, who nodded pushing his glasses upwards. Hermione could tell that he wasn't buy that as the whole truth, which it wasn't entirely, but she wasn't about to say that she was intrigued by Malfoy in more than a few ways.

"And did you," Harry asked as he moved a piece on the board and huffed, "Prove my theory wrong, that is."

The thought that he was a death eater had not crossed her mind in a while, she was almost sure that he wasn't. What would Voldemort have a sixteen year old doing for him anyways? Sighing she shook her head while Ron took a final move before he took Harry's last piece causing Harry to groan while Ron smirked.

"No, I did not get a chance to see his left forearm Harry," she couldn't help but wonder if that was a silent jab at her from the photo he saw. "I still find it hard to believe though- That being beside the point, are we all good?" she asked and Ron looked towards Harry with a shrug then followed with a nod of his head.

"Well I know I am," Ron turned to give Hermione his familiar lopsided grin that made him look goof which made her laugh as smiled back. She then turned towards Harry who shrugged halfheartedly, adding a quick feeble 'Sure, yeah, great'. Silently, she noted to herself to talk to Harry when he was alone.

"Brilliant -hang on, shouldn't the both of you be getting ready for the Quidditch match later today?" she added as they stretched looked at time noting that it was lunch.

From that statement, it was Ron's turn to groan loudly while Harry put away the game using his wand. With her brows scrunched together in slight confusion, Hermione looked towards Harry for some sort of explanation.

"As a matter of fact, yes," Harry said as he stood up before he too looked at the time, "Ron, you know you're going to do great. We even had an extra week to practice for the match, you'll do better than great- you'll do brilliant. It's only Slytherin."

"Only Slytherin," Ron almost squeaked, "Bloody 'ell Harry, you sure know how to pep talk someone against their biggest competitor. On their first game might I add."

Even with Harry's words of encouragement, Hermione could tell that Ron was far from convinced that he would do well. The two got up and headed out of the common room past the paintings, and Hermione followed close behind as they headed to lunch.

When she saw Dean Thomas across the hallway, she thought about Ginny and how long it had been since they talked, and decided she would ask him where she was. After telling Ron and Harry that she would catch up in a second, she walked quickly over to Dean.

"Dean," she called out as she stopped in front of him, and he seemed almost confused as to why she was talking to him, "I was wondering if you knew were Ginny was at, I wanted to talk to her about something, and it seems you've been hogging her all time lately."

"Uh," Dean looked around; his features were all scrunched and almost muddled, "Ginny hasn't told you?"

"Told me what?" she question quickly while he pursed his lips before rubbing the back of his neck.

"Ginny and I broke up a few days ago," he said without looking at her causing her eyes to go wide and mouth to drop open. She couldn't believe Ginny wouldn't say something to her. "I haven't spoken or seen her since that day. I don't know who she's been spending her time with, but it isn't me."

Nodding she gave a brief goodbye before walking into the Great hall trying to see if Ginny was anywhere to be seen, but she wasn't. Hermione knew she would see her at the Quidditch match so she decided she would have a short talk with her then, which was right after getting a bite to eat.

"It's getting hard to listen,
When the clock is ticking,
Counting down the days gone by,
Praying for an answer to another question,
That will only leave you dry,

You won't understand,
With your head in the sand,
No you won't…"

Blood on Your Hands by Royal Blood

Still Saturday October 19th, 1996

Near the Quidditch Field –Twenty minutes before game starts

The drizzling rain touched the flushed skin of Ginny's cheek, nipped by the cool air as she made her way alone towards the field. The past five days she spent trying to talk to Blaise Zabini, as he tried to ask questions about what was going on. She hinted at things the best she could while under the stupid curse, but it had been a rather unsuccessful endeavor. Keeping up with her school work, acting normal, it would have been impossible had she not been told to act as such by Nott.

Sighing she gripped tighter upon the handle of her bag, while carrying her broom in the other hand as she made her way into the Gryffindor tent. It was practically empty aside from one lone younger student that was known as Jimmy Peakes who looked scared to death as he played as a new beater for the team.

Looking away from the younger boy, Ginny walked over to a bench that was close to the exit but far enough out of the way she wouldn't be bothered by anyone too much, hopefully. Swallowing thickly, Ginny slid her hand over her robes over top of her left pocket, feeling the lump from the outside. Moving her hand sluggishly, even though it was rather pointless, she felt like she had to be discreet about still having the liquid luck even though it had been days since Theo had told her to get it.

Feeling the smooth glass of the bottle under her fingertips, Ginny knew that she did not have much more time for leniency granted to her, but she wanted to see if there was a way around the cruse. Tonight was most likely one of the last chances before Theo got his grubby hands upon the potion, which made Ginny uneasy, to say the least.

'I do hope Zabini has a plan,' she thought in a short fit of resentment before taking her gloves out of her bag to put them on for the game. Sudden shouting and laughter filled the biting chilled air, walking slowly to peak outside the doorway, Ginny saw thick clusters of students making their way right past her some bumping into her towards the stairs leading to the stands. There is where she saw him about ten feet away, causally walking solo, hands tucked in pocket with a small smirk and his usual poof of obscure coffee brown hair styled perfectly. Theodore Nott.

It was almost a habit now, whenever she saw him, all she could think about were those two people that died before her. Looking away from him and towards the muddy puddled covered ground, she sucked in a mouthful of air before turning back towards him.

"Good luck today Ginny," a sudden voice spoke sweetly as she looked up to see Neville with his gold and red striped scarf draped over his shoulders as he smiled widely. "I just know you'll do excellent. Oh, have you seen Hermione or even Luna per chance?"

Ginny smiled softly, mumbling a small thanks and shaking her head no in order to get inside the tent and away from Theo. The second she turned to leave she felt a hand slide into the bend of her arm, stopping her from leaving. Looking around she saw Theo had already beaten her, to whisper bitingly in her ear.

"My patience is wearing thin," he exhaled hotly against the side of her ear, "You'd either better have it now, or you have until midnight too get it- or else."

With her eyes wide, she watched him take two steps backwards away from her with a nod that was followed by a sickeningly sweet smile. Shaking her head slowly trying to think about what to do, she decided it was best to buy herself a few more hours with Zabini.

"I'll get it tonight, I don't have it yet…" she said before turning towards the tent and was stopped once more, even more harshly than the last time causing her to gasp slightly at the tightened grip. Looking back towards him, his smile remained unfazed by her words, before he then let her go and wiggling his brows once and walking away whistling a somewhat familiar tune. Whatever it was, she was now on a time table for finding any sort of loophole.

Two hours into the game- Last five minutes of the game- Gryffindor-90 Slytherin-40

Ginny dove in to the right past two Slytherin's to avoid getting smashed between them, while she looked towards Harry who was in the process of getting the snitch. Looking towards the stands, she saw Gryffindor house cheering wildly, causing her to swallow thickly. It was down to the last few moments in the game, and even with their lead; there was still a big chance of losing.

Drawing her attention back towards the game she spotted the Quaffle about ten feet towards her right in the arms of a Slytherin and took her chance to retrieve it. Flying just beside the student, Ginny snuck up quietly, and then intentionally ran her shoulder into the Slytherin in order to knock the ball out her his grasp. When he tried to make hit shot at the Gryffindor hoops, Ron managed to almost effortlessly block it causing her houses' stands to roar with pride.

Ginny then dove immediately for the ball, grabbing it midair and then turned towards the Slytherin's hoops. As she headed down the field, to her right, a Slytherin rammed into her harshly, but she only held the Quaffle tighter. Then to her left, was another tapping her in between them. She then went to dip her broom forward, and dive out in order to cause them to run into one another. Looking at the Slytherin stands, she then saw Theodore Nott staring right at her, almost as if he was saying something.

Shaking it off, not letting him interrupt her few moments where she could pretend there was nothing wrong. With a small smirk, she started to close in, knowing they were down to the last moments of the game. She then started moving forward, throwing the ball just in time, right into the hoop scoring another ten points causing her house. She turned around to see Harry going head to head with the other seeker, fighting for the snitch. Harry knocked into the other player reaching out, she saw him and within seconds, the whole Gryffindor house erupted into rumble of cheer. Harry got the snitch.

Grinning, knowing that they won the game, Ginny turned towards the field and in slow motion, she heard someone scream her name just as she looked to her right. A bludger headed right for her managed to hit the tip of her broom spot on causing wood to explode, splintering into the air. She started to spin out of control, reaching for the handle in front of her with both hands in order to grip her broom tightly.

Then she was hit right in the arm, what felt like was twice the force by a second bludger, the sharp pain flooded her upper arm quickly, causing her to cry out. Ginny knew immediately that her arm was broken as she continued to fall, tumbling down to the damp grass front first and hitting her head. With her arm throbbing, she slowly rolled onto her left side using her left arm. Noticing that there was no longer cheering, Ginny then moved to lie flat on her back, looking at the stormy sky above her while feeling the soft rain against her face, before everything started to fade.

"About time for anyone telling you off for all your deeds,
No sign the roaring thunder stopped in cold to read,
No time,
Get mine and make no excuses waste of precious breath,

Life isn't always what you think it'd be,
Turn your head for one second and the tables turn,
And I know, I know that I did you wrong…"

I'm So Sorry by Imagine Dragons

Still Saturday October 19th, 1996

Hallway leading back towards the Gryffindor Common Room- Just after dinner

The only sound Hermione could hear was of her feet, gently pattering against the stone flooring as she made her way from the hospital wing. She was still rightfully confused about what had happened seconds after they had won the game. Ginny being attacked by those bludgers was anything but an accident. She knew that by the way they went after her, someone was using magic, so she stayed wanted to talk with her. The professor told Hermione that Ginny needed to get some sleep, and would be able to talk with her friends tomorrow. She then only agreed to leave because the youngest Weasley still had yet to wake up.

Huffing, she made her way back to the Gryffindor rooms knowing full well there would be a small celebration of victory against the Slytherin house. Hermione had also yet to find time to speak to Harry alone about the photo, which was on her growing to do list.

Trudging up to the last set of stairs leading towards the Gryffindor rooms, Hermione made her way inside the painting to find everyone crowding the front area. She spotted Harry who was standing near the couches, and as she made her way towards him, she then saw Ron being cheered in the middle of the crowd.

Smiling softly, she watched Seamus grab Ron's hand and raise it above causing her to chuckle while she looked at the person who was standing right next to them. Hermione then watched as Lavender Brown proceeded to grab Ron by the front of his shirt and snog him which caused most of the room to howl with praise and laughter. For some reason, Hermione felt like she couldn't breathe while her eyes began to burn and she spun right around needing some air.

Once she was out in the hallway, she made her way just up a round set of stairs into a secluded and empty part of the school where no one would see her. With a shaky sigh, she sat down upon the last set of steps, looking out at the rather clear sky, she felt a tear roll down her cheek. It didn't make sense to her, seeing Ron and Lavender shouldn't have any sort of affect upon her.

'Stupid. What's the matter with you," she thought to herself as she reached up and wiped way the tear with the back of her hand while she sniffled softly. 'It's Ronald, and he is allowed to kiss whomever he would like. It's not like it matters to me either way…'

Pulling out her wand she decided it would be best to distract herself from whatever she was feeling or better yet, whatever she was thinking about. It wasn't like this was currently her biggest problem, it was a close second to-

"What in Salazar's name are you doing Granger," Hermione spun to see none other than Malfoy, in a neatly pressed custom suit with his brows frowned and pinched together in what she assumed was confusion.

"If you're looking to be hexed, Malfoy, all you need to do is say one more word," She spat, her grip on her wand tightened considerably while he just tensed his jaw and raised one brow. He took two steps towards her, and in return she jumped to her feet.

"Relax Granger," he drawled monotonously while fixing his left sleeve before looking at her once more, and she quickly reached upwards to wipe the tears from her cheeks before he could see them, but knew it was already too late. While she did, she hadn't realized that he moved even closer towards her, within arm's length away, hands in his pockets looking down at her in what almost looked like guilt.

"Whatever it is Malfoy, you can save it," she said evenly, looking right into his eyes, "After what you said last night, I have come to the conclusion you are and will be nothing but a despicable and entirely biased pureblood. You are just a younger version of your father, just like I said, and I want nothing to do with-"

"Come off it Granger," he barked a sharp laugh that bit the air, "You cannot sit there and tell me that what you just said to me was anything but hypocrisy at its finest. You pretend to be better than me Granger, in some ways, you are, but when it comes to name calling and labeling, you are equal in the blame there."

Hermione gaped at him, as he took another step towards her, and normally she would have backed away, not allowing him close, but she couldn't move. Her head spun on cue, he reached for her right wrist, pulling her forward into him causing her to inhale sharply at the sudden movement.

"I- no, I wasn't," she stumbled to try and find words, as he just looked down at her, she could see how grey his eyes were tonight, and she couldn't finish her thought let alone her sentence.

"Don't go feigning some sort of guilt Granger," he spoke softly as his fingers reached for her chin, "We both know that we meant what we said." His voice was almost unsympathetic, stating what's what while she just stood there, lips slightly parted. There were so many things going through her mind all at once, but the only thing that stood out to her, was to feel his lips once more- just once. Leaning forward, Hermione felt his warm breath dance across her damp lightly parted lips.

'What in merlin's name are you thinking,' she thought as she ripped her chin from his gentle grasp and glared at him while he just dropped his hand. Hermione then cleared her throat looking away from him for a second.

"That is beside the point, Malfoy," she growled straightening her posture before she looked back towards him, "I'm not feeling guilty about the things I said to you, nor do I care to play this game of cat and mouse with you any longer. But, I'm planning on speaking to professor Slughorn about a partner change on Monday, and after that Snape about Patrols. There will be nothing tying us together, so just stay away from me."

"If that's the way you want it, then fine," he said, his expression was almost too stoic for Hermione, "But this game, as you put it, isn't over. You and I know that you and that curiosity of yours will get to you, as always, and you won't be able to stay away from me too long."

It was Hermione's turn to frown her brows in confusion while she watched him grab her chin once more, quickly leaning towards her and placing a quick kiss upon her left cheek. Her cheeks burned violently, while her eyes widened and he lifted it brows up and down once more. Watching him walk in the opposite direction he came, she stood there trying to figure out what the bloody hell just happened.