No reviews yet, guys. :( I couldn't wait to post this chapter! Thanks for my new followers! I get some of the spells off of the internet, on sites that list hexes and spells found on Pottermore and in the books and movies. Either way - I don't own the Characters, or the Spells, or anything, in fact, except the words and the plot. Enjoy and please review. Even if you just say "well done".

Chapter 11: Seeing Red

'Hey, 'Mione.' Ron replied with a goofy grin.

Storming up to him, Hermione punched him square on the nose.

'What is wrong with you?!' She yelled.

Grasping his nose, and muttering 'Episkey', he said 'What was that for?!'

'First you fight with Draco, then you curse me, ignore me for months, yet hang out with everybody else, including but not limited to weekend trips with Lavender to Hogsmeade, and then you have the nerve to show up here, AND call me 'Mione!'

'Hermione, the curse wasn't aimed at yo-'

'Oh save it Ronald. I've had enough of your childish games! Even if you aimed the curse at Draco - which by the way is concerning, since your aim is in other words pathetic, yet you're an auror - who gave you the right to go around cursing people?'

'Should I remind you he cursed me, first?'

'Only because you provoked him! Get OUT, Ronald! Before I call McGonagall! Or worse.'

Laughing, he said 'You really think you can hurt me?'

Draco chose that moment to enter the common room.

'Am I interrupting something?'

'Yes, ferret, leave!' Was Ron's reply.

At the same time, Hermione answered him with 'No, Draco, you can stay right here'. Normally she wouldn't be so nice to him, especially not after yesterday evening. She didn't know what to make of it, and frankly she didn't know if she wanted to make anything of it. But currently, she was a bit scared for Ron's temper, and she wouldn't want to be the one to curse him.

Wait... Do I feel SAFER with Malfoy, an ex-Death Eater around? Since when do I feel this way? Is it perhaps because he's an ex-Death Eater? Since he knows how to duel? Or since he's intelligent enough to not take immediate action? Oh wait, he's saying something! Focus, Hermione!

'Sorry, what?'

'I said, is there a problem with Weaselbee, 'Mione?' Draco said, emphasising her nickname, just to tick him off further.

'No-'

'SINCE WHEN DO YOU CALL HERMIONE "'MIONE"?! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? GETTING ALL LOVEY DOVEY? TRYING TO MAKE ME JEALOUS OR SOMETHING?'

Draco simply marched up to Ron - now red as a tomato - and, pointing his wand at his heart, calmly muttered 'Entomorphis'.

Ron, shrieking like a little girl, starting sprouting... Feelers? And before long, an oversized INSECT-like version of Ron was standing before them.

'I suggest you leave now.' Draco simply stated.

And with a last glance at Hermione, Ron practically sprinted out the common room door.

Hermione was so mad, she started crying.

How dare he come here and say those things! And how dare Draco curse him! Although I'm sort of thankful for the last part...

'Are you okay?' Draco asked, surprising himself by actually caring.

What is wrong with Weaselbee?! First he provokes me, then curses Hermione, in the process of attempting to curse me... He doesn't show up for weeks, and now I get here and they're fighting? I mean, Granger's probably still really pissed at me... But I don't think HE should be showing up uninvited like that.

'Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Goodnight.'

'Goodnight, Granger.'

And later that evening, Draco would find himself wondering why he had the urge to protect Granger and hex Weaselbee.

And simultaneously, Hermione would find herself, again, pondering why she felt safer with Malfoy, nearby.