A/N: Wow, it is weird typing again. I haven't had access to a computer all summer and I think I've lost my typing skill. To all my readers, I am so sorry for the huge delay in updates. I've been disgustingly busy this summer with working and moving and visiting relatives and all that. And now school is starting very soon. I think that's the most depressing thing I've ever heard. The only good thing about it is that now my computer and I have been reunited, so let there be updates!

Chapter 10: Discovered Culprit

"Listen, I'm sure everything is fine. Can I please just leave? I need to finish my charms essay."

"For the last time, Miss Granger, no, you may not leave. I need to check up on you to make sure that everything is healing properly. You had a concussion, remember?"

"Just listen to her, love. The faster she finishes, the faster we can get some dinner."

I sighed. Damn Draco. I thought that, as my boyfriend, it was his job to be on my side. All the time.

"Alright, alright," I sighed. "I'm sorry, Madam Pomfrey."

She made a sound of approval and continued her check up, which didn't take long to finish up. I was promptly given the good news that everything was healing accordingly and that I could leave. As I walked with Draco, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to me. Even now, no one knew and it was irritating me.

"You okay?" Draco murmured.

"I'm fine," I sighed. "Just can't figure out what the concussion's a result of."

"I'll find out for you," he said. I smiled gratefully at him, not doubting his promise. Draco had contacts all over the school and could find out anything about anyone at any time.

We reached the Great Hall and Draco entered first as I lingered outside for a few minutes. The previous week, when we had decided to give dating a try, we had also decided to keep it a secret, for the time being anyway. Draco and I both knew that it would be rather catastrophic if the news got out – we were meant to be arch enemies, after all. Our friends, and the rest of our respective houses, for that matter, would never accept it. A Slytherin and a Gryffindor… it wasn't meant to happen. The whole way of living, with certain houses hating each other, would be thrown completely off and we didn't want to cause a disaster if we could avoid it. We wanted to be certain that we were really serious about each other first.

I was just about to enter the hall when a heard it – a voice. It was calling to me. I was hesitant to follow the sound, but as it continued to speak my name, I couldn't resist. I weaved my way through several twists and turns before I reached it – a dark, narrow hallway with a figure outlined in darkness leaning against the wall. They chuckled as I approached.

"So, Granger," the voice said. It was a girl's voice. "Couldn't stay away, I see."

"Who are you?" I asked, frowning.

The figure chuckled again before stepping out of the shadows. Pansy Parkinson.

"Pansy?" I gasped. "What are you doing?"

"Waiting for you, obviously," she snapped. "I just wanted to tell you something."

"What?"

"If you don't stay away from Draco, I'll destroy you for good," she said. My heart skipped a beat.

"What did you say?" I whispered.

"You heard me," Pansy said smoothly. I observed her for a moment. She had changed. She was much taller, her hair longer. Her eyes were darker and held a glint reserved for Slytherins. And then something occurred to me.

"Did you give me-"

"-the concussion?" She cut me off. "Yes, that was me. Or, well, my spell. It's quite a wonderful spell. A way to hit someone without ever touching them, but with the force and feel of a bludger bat. It's genius, really."

"But why?" I cried.

"Because you and Draco are much too close," said Pansy, chuckling at my shocked expression. "Oh yes, I've noticed, Mudblood. Every since you knocked him down the stairs like a clumsy fool, something's been different. Draco's been different. It was little things – I would visit him in the hospital wing early in the morning and wake him up to say hello. He would wake up with a smile on his face, but as soon as he saw me, it would vanish, like he was expecting someone else. And after you two were released, he disappeared a few times. No one knew where he was, or when he was coming back. He always returned eventually but wouldn't say a word about where he was. Then, there's the fact that he stares at you at every meal."

I was speechless. Had we been that obvious? Or had Pansy really smartened up?

"Pansy," I said hoarsely. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because he's my boyfriend!" cried Pansy. "We've been dating a long time and I've always known that he goes off and screws other girls. That's how he is, he'll never change. But I draw the line when he starts fucking a Mudblood."

I couldn't say anything at all. It was too much information. Dating? Leaving to see other girls?

"Just stay clear of him," said Pansy quietly. "It's best for everyone."

I nodded without thinking as Pansy slid past me and disappeared. Eventually, the shock wore off and I made my way to the Great Hall. I was already fifteen minutes late for dinner, and nowhere close to being as stealthy as Pansy, so everyone noticed my entrance. I kept my head down as I approached and sat down at the Gryffindor table.

"Hermione? You okay?" asked Harry the second I sat down. I nodded numbly.

"Where have you been?" asked Ginny.

"I was just out walking around," I told her.

They dropped it when they noticed that I wasn't up for talking. I could feel Draco's worried eyes on me. I looked up briefly and met them. His brow furrowed, I knew that my hurt was radiating through my eyes. I looked at Pansy, who was sitting beside Draco, desperately trying to capture his attention. She caught my eye and sent me a death glare. My gaze flickered back to Draco before dropping down.

I scanned the Gryffindor table, determined to look anywhere but at him. As I took in all the content faces, I caught the eyes of a not-so-content person. Jason. He was still furious at me. He had slapped me something fierce when I told him that I was leaving him. I hadn't mentioned who I was leaving him for, but Jason knew and he was not happy about it.

Great. One more thing to think about.

I didn't eat much at dinner, and slipped out, hopefully unnoticed, as soon as it finished.

"Hermione!"

So much for unnoticed.

"Hermione, wait!"

I hurried along the corridor, desperately trying to reach the Head dormitories before he caught up to me. No such luck. He was much faster.

"Hermione," he said, grabbing my wrist. I kept my head down. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, Draco," I said in a weak voice.

"Don't lie to me," he said. "What is it? Tell me."

As he continued to press me, my anger began to bubble up. At last, it exploded.

"You're dating someone else, that's what it fucking is, Draco Malfoy!" I screamed. He looked completely stunned and I took that time to hurry up to the portrait entrance Shawn and I shared. By that time, Draco had recovered and was running to catch up.

"Hermione, wait!" He called.

I slammed the portrait door just as he reached it. I sighed as he started pounding on the door. The lady in the picture was most outraged and began shooing him away. This began a terrible argument between the picture and Draco, which I would have found comical, if I hadn't been feeling so awful. I shook my head and went to my room, sinking down on the bed and falling asleep instantly. I hoped that I would never wake up.

A/N: Review!