Man…haven't listened to Papa Roach in a while. Okay…some people have asked if this story is almost over. No. It's not. It's about halfway over. The Eagle's have a song called Life in the Fast Lane. It's very good. I recommend listening to it. If you listen to the song, you can sort of follow the story seeing as this story follows the basic plot of the song. So, if you want to know how much longer this story has to go…I'm about up to the line "she pretended not to notice she was caught up in the race." But I still have to get to "life in the fast lane, surely make you lose your mind" so basically…this chapter is going to get very, very interesting very, very quickly. Also, some of you mentioned that Draco didn't seem phased by Hermione cutting him off…why would he? I will say this once so don't anyone ask me. DRACO IS NOT IN LOVE WITH HERMIONE. Okay. Now that I have that settled…I present to you

Chapter Six

And He Held Her For Ransom

The sun shone brightly from the heavens the next day. The world outside was a white miracle. Hermione woke up with a bright smile on her face. She would free herself from her strange attraction to Draco and she had already taken the first step. She had cut herself off from the sex and she felt amazing.

Hermione woke with a start. She had been in the state between the dream world and the real world. Her eyes opened slowly. It was snowing heavily outside. The north wind that had blown last night was still raging in full force. Hermione looked around and sank back onto the pillows with a groan.

She was not happy.

She had fallen for the enemy. He was an addiction. It was going to be hell to separate herself from his hold on her. She had to do it though. She had to break free from him or else it would kill her. She could not fall for a Malfoy of all people! Yet she had fallen for him. She was ashamed of herself for letting herself get attached to a man who shagged her with no emotional attachments. He had not let himself get attached.

She was okay for the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. She had teachers trying to cram everything in before the holidays. She would be going to the Burrow for Christmas as usual. Normally she would be thrilled to go. Yet, for some reason, the prospect of her being around the happy couples, Fleur and Bill and Harry and Ginny, horrified her. She wasn't sure how she could handle it. She fancied someone who thought of her as nothing more than flesh.

What had once been her freedom was becoming her punishment.

Christmas break came and Hermione was not acting like herself at all. She was tense and cranky. She snapped at almost everyone. Going without sex was having an unexpected effect on her. She had not expected to be so…frustrated.

"Hermione, what is going on with you?" Harry asked her one evening after everyone else had gone to bed. The fire was crackling to an end as the snow fell gently outside.

"I'm fine." She snapped. Harry let out a sigh and ran his hands through his raven hair.

"No you're not. We're worried about you, 'Mione. We've never seen you act like this." Harry said softly. Hermione glared at him.

"I am fine, Harry." She said through gritted teeth. Harry looked at her curiously.

"Hermione, whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone. Just please tell me what's going on!" Harry pleaded. Hermione felt herself become filled with anger and frustration. She turned to look at Harry and looked deep into his eyes.

"Do you really want to know Harry? Do you really want to know what's been going on in my life?" She asked harshly. Harry looked at her; a fire was burning bright in her eyes. He hesitated slightly before responding.

"Yes. I want to know what is going on." Harry said softly. Hermione took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to tell him.

"Over the past month or so, I have been having the most incredible shags you could possibly imagine and I have recently had to quit having sex cold turkey. It's made me a bit frustrated. Is that what you wanted to hear, Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry stared at her with wide, unblinking eyes. He resembled an eighteenth century bride who had just been educated on what was to happen on her wedding night moments before walking down the aisle. It was several long moments before he responded.

"Who?" was all he could manage to choke out. Hermione hung her head slightly before responding.

"Malfoy." She whispered. Harry was suddenly alive with anger. His blood boiled as the name rang out in his head.

"BLOODY HELL HERMIONE!!!" He shouted, standing up and pacing the room in fury. Hermione silently cast silencing charms around the living room. She didn't want anyone else to hear their conversation.

"Harry…you have to listen to me." Hermione began. Harry turned and looked at her, hate and loathing burning in his eyes. Hermione was not sure if that hate was directed at her or Malfoy.

"Fuck Hermione! You're supposed to be smarter than that!!!" He cried, pulling at his hair. Hermione stood up and gently laid her hand on his shoulder. He wrenched himself away, forcing her to release her grip.

"Harry, it's over. I was stupid. I know that now." She said softly. Harry relaxed as he heard a tint of sadness in her voice. He turned to her to see her standing with her arms folded over her chest and her head hanging slightly. He sighed heavily and walked over to her. He put one hand on her shoulder and the other he used to pull her chin up to his eye level.

"Did you fall for him?" Harry asked softly. He already knew the answer, though.

"Yes. But it's over. There were not supposed to be any attachments so I ended it. It's over, Harry." Hermione said softly. Harry wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"I thought I knew you, Hermione." He whispered.

Harry kept his promise. He did not tell anyone about his conversation with Hermione. He couldn't look at her the same way, though and when they went back to school, he urged her to be careful. He urged her to not let her emotions get the best of her and that if she ever needed to talk, to find him. He would always be there for her.

Draco barely acknowledged her existence when she returned. He did not even throw insults her way. Hermione hated it more when he ignored her as opposed to when he called her a filthy Mudblood. At least he was showing an emotion when he insulted her.

Indifference was hell.

A week went by after the start of term. Friday night, Hermione realized she couldn't take it anymore. She was going to lose her mind if she didn't let Draco shag her soon.

'To hell with emotions. Fuck the consequences. I don't give a damn anymore.' Hermione thought to herself as she knocked on Draco's bedroom door at eleven that night. He opened the door in only his boxers.

"Do you have any idea what time it is?" He sneered. Hermione had a smirk on her face as she pulled his lips to hers. If Draco was shocked, he did not let it show.

He merely wrapped a hand in her hair and led her into his bedroom for a late night romp.

Life in the fast lane, surely make you lose your mind.

I REPEAT: DRACO IS NOT IN LOVE WITH HERMIONE! He just wanted a good shag. THAT IS IT. Hermione, on the other hand, is falling for Draco, but she, too, just wanted a good shag. Review please!