Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise, although if I did, I would not have to be going to school right now. Bugger. I only own the plot. Poor me.

A/N: Wow! It's been forever since I've updated. I'm sorry to admit I forgot that I was this far into my story. Life happened and I got busy. If any of my original readers read this, I'M SO SORRY!! I fully intend to update more often, but it's going to be finals week in a few weeks so updates still might take a few days. Anywho, I hope I remember where I was going with this story line. If it sucks, please tell me. Or if you like it, please tell me that too. Enjoy!

Chapter Eight

Draco's POV

"It's 'cause of Malfoy, isn't it? I knew it. Fine, if that's what you want. Fine."

Draco kept repeating Weasley's parting words over and over in his head as he lay on his bed, still fully clothed, and smiling. Am I getting to her? This thought lifted his spirit, ever so slightly. Draco knew it was too soon for any real progress with Granger, but at least he was the reason they weren't spending the night together. One brick at a time, Draco thought.

Still smiling, he got out of bed and changed into a pair of black sweatpants, readying himself for bed. He didn't bother putting on a shirt; the Head's dorm was kept very warm all year round. Grabbing a toothbrush and toothpaste, he made him way to the bathroom.

Inside was Granger, at the double sink bathroom vanity, already brushing her teeth. Her cheeks still had a tint of red from her argument with Weasley. She hadn't noticed his entrance. He briskly walked up right next to her, startling her a bit, and prepared to brush his own teeth. Granger glared at him for a second, then went back to staring at herself in the mirror. Draco casually loaded his toothbrush with toothpaste, peppermint, and proceeded to clean his pearly whites. He stared at himself in the mirror, but only because he couldn't stare at Granger now and not be caught. He did however steal glances at her every now and then. Sometimes he even thought he caught her looking at him, but before he could process it in his head, she was back staring straight ahead.

Hermione's POV

Hermione had been trying to force herself to not look at Malfoy's body again, but she kept failing. Why doesn't he just put a shirt on! That way I wouldn't be distracted by his six pack or his sexy pecs, or his, oh no, I'm staring again. With a "hrmph," she forced her face forward. It would not do good to be caught staring at Malfoy's body, especially after what just happened with Ron. What does Ron even think happened between me and Malfoy? I mean, it's Malfoy for Merlin's sake!

Hermione was confused at Ron's outburst, but felt justified in sending him away. The whole incident made Hermione regret telling Ron the password to the Head's dorm. I wonder if we could change the passwo -what the hell? Malfoy was waving a hand in her face.

"What?" Hermione asked, annoyance showing in her tone.

"I was just asking if everything was OK, but you didn't answer. Sorry for bringing you back down to Earth," Malfoy added, slightly indignant.

"Sorry, it's just this fight I had with Ron is still on my mind." Along with your chest. Stop it! Hermione chided herself. Besides, why was she spilling her heart out to Malfoy, as if he cared?

"Oh, yeah, I heard some yelling after I went into my room. Was he really that upset that we were talking?" Malfoy asked, a face void of emotion looking straight ahead, still slowly brushing his teeth.

Hermione wasn't sure how much to spill. On one hand, it's nice to be able to talk to someone about her trouble with Ron, usually it's Ginny or Hannah. But on the other hand, it's Malfoy. She decided that only the information necessary to keep the civility of the conversation present was to be divulged.

"I guess it really upset him. I'm not even sure why. I mean, what was he thinking?"

"Oh, I suppose I can see where he's coming from," Malfoy said before spitting in his sink and rinsing his mouth out.

"You do?" Hermione asked. This was not making any sense to her. "You agree with Ron's reaction? He kicked you out of the room for no reason!" She was beginning to get angry again. Calm down, Hermione. Malfoy's just trying to get a rise out of you.

"I didn't say I agreed with it, I just said I understood it. If I had a girlfriend that looked like you, I don't think I would want any bloke talking to her either."

Hermione stared at Malfoy. Does he realize what he just said? He must not, considering he just went back to brushing his teeth. Or he's toying with you,Hermione added to herself. Her head was beginning to split with all of her thoughts. First, Malfoy was nice to her, apologizing on the train and now calling her…attractive? Not ugly? Just OK? She wasn't sure. Then he's mean to her, calling her mudblood and saying he can't stand to be in the same room as her. This boy is more confusing than Einstein's theory of relativity!

She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

"I don't know what you mean by that, Malfoy, but if you could just mind your own business, I'd appreciate it," Hermione told him, then spit in her own sink and rinsed her own mouth out.

"What do you mean you don't know what I mean by that? I would think as smart as you are, Granger, you'd be able to figure out that I was complimenting you," Malfoy said to her departing back. Hermione turned around.

"Well, I got that. What I don't get is why you are saying it. You hate me. You and all of your friends and family hate me and my kind. I know you're just baiting me for something bigger, but just so you know, I'm not biting. Like you said, I'm pretty smart, so any of your jokes or tricks aren't going to fool me. You're just wasting your time," and with that, Hermione whipped her hair about and stormed out of the bathroom.

Draco's POV

Well, that was not how I wanted her to react to my compliment, Draco thought. He could feel anger and hurt rising in him. She still thought of him as evil, as a Death eater's son, as the old Malfoy. This is going to take longer than I expected. But he was willing to wait. He would do anything to get Granger to change her mind about him.

The next few days were pretty much uneventful. People still avoided Draco, still whispered about him. Now Blaise and Pansy were giving him his space. Alone at last, Draco thought bitterly.

Sitting by himself at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, he had a clear view of the Gryffindor table. He noticed Granger sitting with Potter and the little Weasley, Ginny? Draco thought that was her name anyway. Her brother was sitting a few people down from Granger, talking to Lavender Brown. Lavender kept flipping her hair over her shoulders while talking to the annoying redhead. He moves on fast, Draco thought. He also noticed Granger glancing over at the pair every few seconds. He felt sympathy for her, being treated by Weasley like that. He also felt unadulterated hatred towards Weasley. How dare he treat Granger like she's some bimbo he can toss after one little fight! He just doesn't realize how lucky he is to even be in the same presence as her. A privilege you don't have, Draco reminded himself.

Looking down at his plate, Draco decided he wasn't hungry anymore and got up to leave. With his bag on his shoulder and on his way out the doors, Draco heard his name being called.

"Mr. Malfoy! Please, before you depart!" Dumbledore was practically yelling down the aisle.

Draco abruptly stopped where he was and waited for the old man to catch up.

"I need to have a word with you and Ms. Granger. Follow me."

Feigning irritation, Draco sighed but nonetheless followed the headmaster to the Gryffindor table.

Hermione's POV

Seriously, it's been two days. Why won't he talk to me? And why does he insist on chatting with that dumb airhead Lavender?!

Hermione was thoroughly pissed at Ron, who still refused to talk or listen to her since she kicked him out of her dorm. She tried to apologize to him, but he simply looked at her with a look of boredom on his face and walked away, ignoring her screams down the hall. That was last night, and the last time she tried to talk to him.

Well fine, if he doesn't need to talk to me, then I don't need to talk to him! Hermione thought bitterly, preparing to leave from the table.

Just then, Dumbledore came up behind her and said he needed to speak with her right away.

"What is it, Professor?"

"I've just been informed of our approval to host a Christmas ball for Hogwarts!" Dumbledore exclaimed, obviously delighted by the news.

"Why are we having a Christmas ball?" Malfoy asked from behind Dumbledore. Hermione hadn't even noticed he was there. At the sight of him, she blushed slightly but turned her attention to the headmaster.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, we are having a Christmas ball in order to promote inter-house unity in Hogwarts. Need I keep saying that even though the threat of Voldemort is gone, inter-house relationships are still as important as ever. You know, the real world isn't broken up into different houses." Dumbledore looked ever so stern at Malfoy, and then proceeded to smile.

"So, as Head Boy and Head Girl it is now your duty to plan and organize the execution of this ball. All students are to be allowed entrance, and the budget is in this packet, along with invitations to be sent out already addressed to every student in Hogwarts. Obviously, you will need the Prefects' help, so assign them jobs as you see fit. That is all!" and with that Dumbledore all but disapparated.

"You know, for an old crock, Dumbledore sure moves fast," Malfoy commented.

"Whatever, Malfoy. I'm going to be late for Potions." Hermione put the packet into her bag and left the Great Hall, not daring to look behind her at Malfoy, watching her intently.

A/N: So, that's the next chapter. Hope you liked it. I really like reviews, even constructive criticizing ones. D I promise to not take forever with the next chapter.