Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me. Shoot, this computer doesn't even belong to me, it's my mom's.
Author's Note: Next chapter. I figure Draco deserves some friends, so some of this chapter will involve his friends. Or friend. Thanks and kisses to all my wonderful reviewers. Please keep reading!!
Chapter Four
Draco entered the Great Hall that day for lunch, and walked over to the Slytherin table. He slid in next to Blaise Zabini, who could possibly be considered Draco's best friend if the two boys weren't so distant.
"How's your first day been so far?" Draco asked Blaise, filling his plate with food.
"Fine, Mom," Blaise teased. "And how is Dad?"
"Shut up, idiot," Draco said, playfully hitting the boy. "Hey, you should come over tonight. I don't want to be stuck alone with the mudblood."
"Really," Blaise said, looking over at the Gryffindor table. "Considering how she looks, I'm surprised you wouldn't want to be alone with her. Even if she is a mudblood. She's still hot." Draco laughed at his friend's joke, but he was a little distracted; he was staring at Hermione, who was laughing with the female Weasely. He wanted to be the person to make Hermione laugh.
What are you talking about?! You hate her!!
Draco tried to wipe all thoughts of Hermione from his brain, but it was hard. Lately, she had been showing up repeatedly.
The rest of the day went by quickly. Hermione noticed that she had every single class with Draco, but she tried to not let it bother her; he had surprisingly left her alone after Potions.
After dinner, Hermione retired to the library. Because her classes were so advanced, she had a lot more homework. About twenty minutes into her studies, Harry entered the library and sat across from Hermione. They began talking, mostly about their first day.
"So, Hermione," Harry said, once there was a lull, "I heard from McGonagall that our first trip to Hogsmeade is this Saturday."
"Great," Hermione said, relieved. "I need to pick up some new quills, and I think I'll be able to wait two days."
"That's great," Harry said. He cleared his throat. "Um, I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?"
"Harry, we go together every time," Hermione said, laughing. "Why should this weekend be any different?"
"I meant, as a, um, well…" Harry stuttered along.
Realization dawned on Hermione. "You meant as a…date."
"Yeah," Harry nodded, blushing.
"Um," Hermione wasn't sure how to respond. She had wanted for months for Harry to ask her out, yet she hesitated. It seemed the Head Boy had stuck himself in her brain. Mentally shaking her head, to clear her thoughts, Hermione responded, "I would love to go with you, Harry. As a date."
Harry's face broke out in a smile. "Really? Meet me at the Gryffindor Tower Saturday morning?" When Hermione nodded, he stood. "I gotta get back, I promised Ron I'd help him with his homework."
"You. Help Ron with his homework. Has he met you?"
Harry's smile widened. "Yeah, he's desperate. See you later." With a wave, Harry left the library, a slight hop in his step. At least, Hermione thought there was a slight hop in his step.
Hermione tried to get back to work, but it was hard. Harry's proposal had distracted her. Sighing, she shoved her books into her knapsack, swung it over her shoulder, and left the library. Walking down the corridor, she tried to think of someplace to continue her homework. The only two available places would be the Gryffindor common room, and her common room. She didn't want to get tricked into helping Ron with his homework, as he was a lost cause, but she didn't want to risk running into Draco.
After some thought, Hermione decided it would be easier to go to her common room, mostly because she wouldn't have to walk back to her dorm from the Gryffindor Tower. Giving Allegra the password, Hermione entered the common room.
And instantly regretted it. Sitting on one of the couches was Blaise Zabini, who would be the prince of Slytherin if it weren't for Draco.
"Hello, Granger," Blaise said, not looking up from the magazine he was reading. "I was wondering if it would be at all possible for you to give me a repeat performance of the bathroom show from this morning?" He looked up. "Or should we get to know each other better?"
Hermione glared at Blaise and looked up when Draco entered the common room from his bedroom. He looked from Hermione to Blaise, then back to Hermione, and smirked. "I see you two have met."
"You told him about this morning?!" she asked as he sat next to his friend.
"I didn't know I wasn't allowed to," Draco said. "Maybe next time we should set up an agreement? Besides, it's not like you didn't tell anyone."
"But that's different," Hermione said. "I'm the victim, here."
"The experience was just as traumatic for me," Draco said, feigning pain.
"Yeah, right, dude," Blaise said. "You totally enjoyed it." He turned to Hermione. "I don't think you realize what an amazing body you have. Last night, in the Slytherin common room, it was all anyone could talk. You've really stirred things up."
Hermione blushed. She walked over to her bedroom door, but was stopped by Blaise's voice. "Where are you going?" he asked.
"My bedroom. I've got some homework to do."
"Come hang with us. I've never found a Gryffindor so…appealing."
Hermione smiled. "Let me change first. I need to get out of these clothes."
"Let us watch?" Blaise asked as Hermione entered her room. Without answering, she shut the door. Sighing, Blaise turned to Draco. "She'll come around.
Ten minutes later, Hermione entered the common room wearing jeans and a red sweater. She had pulled her hair back into a ponytail, but a few wisps of hair had escaped. Carrying a few books and some parchment, she sat at the table, and began her homework.
"I did not actually think you had homework," Blaise said.
"You thought I was lying?"
"Well, no, but--"
Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the portrait door. Hermione stood and opened the door to Ginny, her cheeks stained with tears.
"Ginny, what's wrong?" The redhead grabbed Hermione into a hug, almost knocking her over.
"Justin broke up with me!" she cried, sniffling. "He said we weren't compatible." Ginny pulled away from Hermione. "I'm compatible with everyone." She noticed Draco and Blaise. "Harboring Slytherin sex slaves?"
"Shut up, Ginny, Zabini is visiting Malfoy. Be nice to me, or else I spread a rumor around that you drove Justin away."
"Do you think we should go to your room?"
"Probably a good idea." Hermione turned to Draco and Blaise. "We're going to have a girl talk now. Please don't interrupt, as we are going to change into our skivvies and have a pillow fight. We like our privacy." With that, Hermione grabbed Ginny's hand, and led the girl into her room. It was obvious that Blaise and Draco were trying to decide if Hermione was serious or not.
In Hermione's room, the two girls were seated on Hermione's bed. Ginny was explaining what had happened with Justin.
"…And all of a sudden, he's like, 'I just don't think we fit together. Nothing personal, but we don't work together.' How is that not personal? Of course, I had to get my revenge. I put a spell on all his clothes that makes it not able for him to change for a week. I know, I know, nothing major, or anything, but once he starts smelling, I'll know it is worth it."
Hermione smiled. "You have a bizarre sense of humor, Gin."
Ginny smiled modestly. "I try. So, any progress on the Harry crush?"
"Shush, Ginny." With the wave of her wand, Hermione put a soundproof spell on the room. "Harry asked me to Hogsmeade this weekend!"
"Oh my god, are you serious?!" Ginny asked. "I'm so happy for you!" Ginny pulled the older girl into a hug. "But, wait," she said, pulling away. "What am I suppose to do at Hogsmeade? Hang out with Ron?"
"Get a date," Hermione laughed. "Shouldn't be that hard. I mean, come on, you're hot. And a lot of the seventh years aren't afraid of Ron. At least, I think."
After about twenty minutes later, Ginny stood to leave. Hermione gave her a final hug.
"Don't worry, this Justin thing will blow over," Hermione assured her. Hermione walked Ginny to the portrait door.
Blaise was still in the common room. "Shouldn't you be gone?" Hermione asked him after Ginny left.
Blaise stood. "I'm leaving, I'm leaving. Don't get your knickers in a twist." He stopped by Hermione. "Unless, of course, that makes you take them off."
Hermione smirked and shoved Blaise out the door. Making sure the portrait door was all the way closed, she turned to Draco. "I'm going to rest for a little while. Wake me up for patrolling." Without waiting for a reply, she walked to her bedroom and shut the door.