Chapter XV

Hermione's Homework is Halted

"Harry?!" Hermione, thank Merlin, it's Hermione…even in the early hours of the morning you're sure to find her in the inviting calm of the library. Thank heavens for homework…

"Morning..." I whimper, and collapse into a chair beside her. I've ran all the way from the room of requirement so I'm pretty short of breath, which only adds to the problem of me hyperventilating. I let my head fall to the desk with a thud, because I'm tired of things spinning.

"Is it-?"

"Draco, yes." I gasp. Why can I only see spots? I'm completely calm!

Aside from the fact that Draco Malfoy fancies me and I'm a girl but I'm a boy and I've had a manicure and I've just slept with him and I should really be worrying about silly, trivial things like homework and Voldemort!

"…I see." No, she really doesn't, "He seems to be the route of your problems lately…this whole plan thing was fun at first, but I shudder to thing how it's affecting your schoolwork…" Trust her to lose sight of all things fun and turn back to the academic side of the spectrum…!

"I think seducing Draco grabs hold of my attention with slightly more vigor than ten foot long essays on Transfiguring Knitting Needles!" I spit. Hermione simply sighs, muttering something about 'PM..D?' Well whatever that means, she still can't help prying.

"What's the problem?"

Ah, sweet Hermione…if the problem was something completely innocent then she'd know what it was before I'd collapsed through the door. But anything on the darker side of the watershed and she's lost.

"Doesn't he like you?" She asks timidly. I snort in reply. Oh, the irony! That's what people say when utterly bitter, right?

"Oh he likes me," I assure her.

"…Then I don't understand." This obviously frustrates her.

"Well…" Oh, how the hell do I tell her? We were all under the impression that the whole scheme would be quick and clean- not drawn out and incredibly messy. I was supposed to flirt with him, get him interested, really interested and then crush him- not jump into bed with him…how the hell is everyone going to react?

"Harry, you realize that your blouse is inside out, backwards and torn? Oh and you're not wearing shoes?"

I freeze, and keep my head on the table so I don't have to look at her.

"…Yes."

"I'm not an imbecile, Harry," She sighs, "Even when it comes to sex. In fact, I'm pretty experie-" But I'm already up on my feet.

"I HAD SEX WITH DRACO MALFOY!" I scream, to get it out (which feels great!) and to stop ourselves from going down the route of talking about Hermione's sex life. I'd love to stay under the impression that it's non-existent, thanks.

She stares at me with wide eyes.

"Oh dear." She sighs, "I knew this would happen…"

"Well at least you lived up to my expectations, know-it-all!" I say snippily, having no patience for patience, "It's no big deal-"

"-It is if you actually fancy him." She contradicts. I can't move. I can't breathe.

"I…don't…" I splutter, shaking from head to toe.

"Oh, don't be an idiot." She scolds, "Sit down."

I oblige.

"Now." She says briskly, and I'm instantly reminded of McGonagoll, "What has possessed you?!"

I stare at her. "Nothing…oh, Hermione, I don't know what's happened! It was only meant to be a bit of fun, but then I found myself actually drawn to him! It's like I have a fever every time I see him…" Just thinking about him makes me want to hyperventilate again, or maybe get up and dance.

She just shakes her head. "I can't believe it…you're gay?"

I fidget uncomfortably, "I...I guess so?" It's strange to admit it, but it feels as if the doors have finally opened and fresh air is flooding in, "It gets worse…so is Malfoy."

It's her turn to jump up out of her seat. "NO WAY!" She screams, clutching her hair, glancing around her, because she's broken the silence rule of the blessed Library, but old Madame Pince or whatever is probably still tucked up in bed with Filch.

"Yes way…" I say grimly. I watch her calculate everything, which is quite amusing.

"Oh my-" She stammers, "He…knew you were…going-to-do-it-all-along! The plan, I mean.. He liked you…probably why he kept making jokes about to, to cover it up…then he couldn't wait any longer, he wanted you-"

"All right, all right, keep it clean." I interrupt hastily.

"And he knew you had a temper…so if he changed you into a girl, there's only one thing you could do, make him hot for you!"

"I'm not really used to you using such phrases-"

"Please, I'm hanging out with Ginny on a regular basis…anyway be quiet." She orders, and I sit back meekly in my seat.

"This was all a plan to make you fall for him, too!" And she collapses back into her chair with a look of awe on her face, "He's good…"

"Mhm." I agree grimly, "So what do I do?"

"You're not going to stay a girl forever are you?" She asks in horror. I shake my head.

"Why the hell would I do that? It's been a month and I'm exhausted!"

"Well I'm sure he'd prefer your original form anyway…" She snickers. I stare at her for a while.

"Actually, Hermione, I know you can work out a lot of things in a second, but how did you know I liked him?"

She smiles at me for a while, half mocking half pity.

"Well, Harry, since when did you call him Draco?"

It's a short one, I know, but it has the effect I wanted! I promise a long one next time! ;D Although it may possibly be the last chapter...SOB!

Love you guys as always! x