King of Hearts

Chapter Three: What?

Hermione's POV

"Ooh! That little ferret! How could he do that? And then, to…to have the nerve—ooh!" Hermione was pacing the floor furiously. Harry and Ron were sitting at a table nearby, playing chess. Or trying to, at least. With all the racket that Hermione was making, it was impossible.

"Mione, would you please sit down? Look, you got your card back alright? Now how about playing some solitaire with it or something? Please?"

Hermione glared at Ron. "You don't understand. He was disgusting. Calling me darling and acting all sexy but being a total jerk at the same time!"

Ron's eyes were humongous, and growing wider by the second. His face was draining itself of all color. "Did y-you just….call that…that GIT…SEXY?!?!?" He spluttered disbelievingly.

Hermione realized her mistake too late and blushed, trying to cover for herself. "Erm…no, what I meant was—well, he was trying to act all sexy."

Ron looked at her like she was crazy. "Yeah. I'm sure that's what you meant."

Why did I say that? Hermione frantically asked herself. He's Malfoy. He isn't—and never could be—sexy! It's not possible." Before she could stop it, though, her mind blurted, He did look like he was working out, though. Kind of 'on the verge of sexy,' which I suppose is the closest he can get.

Hermione's eyes bulged as she realized what her thoughts had contained, and she dashed out of the room, hoping none of that had been accidentally said out loud.

Harry's POV

Hermione had been acting strange for the past couple of days, but today topped it all off. She had told Ron and Harry that Malfoy had been "acting all sexy," then freaked out. Harry himself wasn't surprised. In fact, he had been wondering when it would happen. Malfoy had been acting differently towards Hermione lately, and, through Harry wished they were directed at him, Hermione's affections were obviously drifting to the blonde-haired Slytherin boy.

Lucky git! Harry found himself thinking. However, Ron's reaction to Hermione's outburst was completely different. He was nearly having a heart attack.

"Harry, didn't you hear her? She called him sexy! Him! Draco Malfoy, that disgusting, foul, Slytherin git! I think I'm going to throw up!"

Harry glanced at his best friend calmly. "Yes, Ron. I did hear her. And I think it's normal. She likes him. So what?"

Ron couldn't take it. He scrambled to the boy's restrooms, where he stayed for at least twenty minutes, Harry laughing the whole time. He couldn't help but patronize the boy sometimes.

Hermione's POV

Hermione found herself in a predicament. She needed to go somewhere to find herself. Anywhere would do, but then again, maybe it wouldn't. Hermione needed a place where she could be completely alone, yet she needed a distraction. Where could she seek solitude yet stop her mind from drifting to that ferret boy she couldn't stop thinking about?

His muscles were so toned. And that smirk was so…sexy. Stop it, Hermione! Focus! He's a Slytherin…a very cute Slytherin…NO! You're a Gryffindor. You hate him, and that's that!

Her mind seemed to obey her. For a few minutes, at least. But that was enough to gain control and find the perfect sanctuary…

Draco's POV

Draco needed a new plan. And he needed it fast. Something to both gain her forgiveness and capture her attention.

But what?

Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy were helping him brainstorm, very unsuccessfully. Well, Pansy was mainly complaining to Draco and antagonizing him about changing his mind.

"You don't really like her, Draco. She's bewitched you. You like me, remember?"

"No, Pansy. I don't remember. That part of my memory seems to have been mysteriously snatched from me," Draco snapped, rolling his eyes and losing his patience with the dimwitted girl. "But anyhow, now I like Granger."

Pansy pouted, but didn't give up just yet. "But I'm so much prettier than she is!"

"NO, YOU'RE NOT, AND IF YOU DON'T SHUT UP, YOU'LL BE UGLIER THAN CRABBE!"

Pansy's eyes welled up with tears, and she ran back to her dormitory. Crabbe looked slightly offended, but Draco just glared at him and he averted his eyes.

None of Draco's cronies were getting anywhere, though, and he thought he might have to use his first idea—apologize sincerely. But then Blaise walked up.

"Well, I wanted to save this idea until later, but since it doesn't look like anyone has an idea—"

Draco's eyes flashed dangerously when he discovered that they had been racking their brains for no reason, and Blaise spat out the thought quickly.

"Make the girl jealous. It wouldn't be that hard. Plus, I could tell she liked you from our encounter earlier today." He grinned suavely, waiting for the response.

Draco pondered the thought. "It has potential. Good. Millicent, go get Pansy."

A/N: I lied. I said this would be up here soon, and it took me forever (partly because I went to camp). But please, take the time to review it anyways…Thanks for reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of hearts and pie are locked away in a safe for my reviewers! (Strawberry and Rhubarb pie, it's the best!)He'He'sHe