Hermione felt as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her. A film had been removed from her eyes as if waking up from a dream. She blinked and looked around… around at… McLaggen?!
"OH MY GOD"
"What's wrong sweetheart, you don't feel like being in the common room… you know we could always go up to my dormitory."
Hermione leapt away, "do not touch me" she pointed at him. Shock passed over Cormac's face before a smirk took place.
"Oh I see, you want to play hard to get." He took a step forward.
"Oh I am going to kill that ferret!" Hermione took off through the door and down to the great hall. However the hall was empty. 'What on earth? Where is everybody?' She glanced around in confusion and her gaze fell on Harry walking towards her.
"I don't believe this."
"I swear it wasn't me!"
"Hermione, I know that, just because I'm not as intelligent as you doesn't mean I'm stupid."
"Sorry, I know that, I just wanted to make sure you knew."
Harry nodded and guided Hermione out into the courtyard. "Ron knows too you know"
"Good, but you do know we are definitely just friends Harry." Hermione's eyes lit up "and you know" she whispered and stepped closer to Harry "I think Ron has taken a fancy to Isabel Tempest. You know tall blond haired girl, 'Lizzy' in Ravenclaw"
"Really? Always thought he might have still like Katie Bell."
"Pfft, no way, anyway you know she's going out with Oliver."
"WHAT!"
Hermione took a step away "she's going out with Oliver Wood"
"You think you know someone."
"Come on, it's sweet. I saw them the other day down in Hogsmeade laughing with each other."
"Well, I guess I can see it" Harry shrugged "There always was something that I couldn't put my finger on when we played Quidditch."
Hermione laughed, they were now walking down by the lake and passed where Dumbledore had been buried. They both stopped.
"I still can't believe everything that's happened." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"I know me neither."
"At least it's over. After we leave Hogwarts I can't wait to be an auror. Keep this from happening again, or at least preparing for it."
"You're going to be great Harry, I know you are" Hermione sighed and started walking back up to the castle.
As they reached the castle entranced Hermione saw Malfoy strutting around the courtyard.
"Ohhh, I'm gonna get him"
"Hermione, no!"
Too late, Hermione's eyes saw red as she strode towards Malfoy a scowl on her face.
Blaise whispered something and backed away when he saw Hermione coming and Malfoy turned around, his eyebrow raised and wearing a full on smirk.
"How. Dare. You."
"Not sure I know what you are referring to Granger…"
"You bloody well know what I am talking about."
"Whoah, language Granger, don't lose your temper"
"I'm not….hmph… McLaggen… Really?"
"Well you didn't seem to mind an hour ago"
Hermione's cheeks flushed "I'm going to ignore that" she took a step closer "so are you going to reveal your masterful plan, I'm guessing that I did feel your presence this morning at breakfast?"
"Oh, quite perceptive Granger, yes you are quite right. You're not the only one who knows their way around a wand" He stepped closer until they were lined up toe to toe.
Hermione's breath caught "well…" she stuttered "don't, don't think this is the end, I'm going to get you back for this."
"Oh I'm counting on it" Draco said. He backed away and Hermione immediately felt the loss. Hermione watched him and Blaise walk away until the door closed behind them.
Harry came up behind her, "what was that?"
Hermione turned around her cheeks still slightly red but her eyes glinting "that Harry, was the start of a war."
.
"So what happened between you and Granger back there?" Blaise questioned Draco once they were back in the Dungeons.
"Don't know what you mean"
"Oh please, did you see how close you were to each other?"
"That was merely… merely…"
"Merely…?" Blaise questioned, a smirk on his face.
"Oh sod off. All I'm interested in is getting back at Granger"
"Right… what's your plan then?"
"Let's say, we're going to take Granger on a little trip."
"I'm sorry, we? What makes you think I'm going to help out with your little scheme?"
"Oh come on Blaise, you my best mate, who else is going to help me torment Granger?"
"Nobody, surely you see the fault in this plan?"
"No."
"Granger's going to give as good as she gets."
"That's what makes it all the more fun."
.
"Hey Ginny!"
"Oh, hey Mione! How are you?" Ginny shifted to the side of the settee in the Gryffindor common room to create room.
"Okay, considering"
"I can't believe Malfoy did that"
"Are you going to get back at him?"
"That's what I came to speak to you for."
Ginny grinned "I'm listening"
"What I need is for you to distract Blaise"
Ginny's face fell and she glanced around, checking for eavesdroppers "are you joking?"
"Oh come on Gin! There's no way I'm going to be able to catch Malfoy off guard with Blaise always around!"
"Can't you recruit someone else?"
"Is he really that bad?"
"Quite the opposite," Ginny muttered
"What?"
"Nothing," Ginny blushed and looked around again. "Fine, I'll help. What do you want me to do?"
Hmmm, I smell a plan cooking…