A/N: Thanks for the reviews.

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot, hey!

Chapter Sixteen: Back To Normal

Hermione spent the next two days avoiding Ron and Draco. She would get to the Great Hall early to eat at all meal times and go to her hiding spot in the library, the muggle books section where hardly anyone went. She mostly spoke with Harry seeing as she lived with him and would briefly chat to Pansy and Millicent until Draco would come along. As for Ginny, she knew where Hermione went in the library and would meet her their to talk.

It turned out that Harry had got onto the junior team as well. The scouts said if they had enough players they would make two junior teams. Harry was going to study to be a Hit Wizard.

Hermione glanced at her watch and saw it was ten to seven. She left the common room and headed to the Great Hall in attempt to eat breakfast before any one else arrived. She didn't want to deal with two men bickering over her. She knew, without even asking them, that Draco and Ron were both jealous of each other. Ron- because he knew Hermione still had feelings for Draco. And Draco – because he knew Hermione was close friends to Hermione and may have a chance at becoming her boyfriend should he ask. It was true; Hermione had developed a soft spot for Ron despite still having feelings for Draco.

"Hermione!"

Hermione looked behind her and looked away as Ron ran towards her. He fell into step beside her and took a few deep breaths to catch his breath. Hermione shifted her bag strap as they stepped down the staircase down to the Entrance Hall.

"So umm, they are having the Valentine's Dance next week," said Ron as though he were speaking of the weather, "Are you going?"

"I have too," replied Hermione entering the Great Hall ignoring Draco who had arrived early in a hope of seeing her, "I'm Headgirl."

"Oh, so are you going with anyone?"

Hermione grabbed some toast as Ron looked at her waiting for an answer, "I'm making an appearance then leaving. I only have to open the dance with Harry."

"Oh, I see. Well you see I was wondering if you would go with me," said Ron with a shrug.

Hermione looked at him silently hiding her surprise. She turned and left, heading directly to the library. She was heading towards the door when someone else calling her name caught her attention. She turned around and was surprised to see Draco hurrying towards her. He hadn't spoken to her since the party, then again, neither had Ron seeing as she hadn't given either a chance to find her until now.

"Hi," said Draco breathlessly, "Umm… how are you going?"

"Fine," replied Hermione, "You?"

"Good… so, I just want to apologise… about shoving Weasley at the party."

"It's fine. I haven't really given it much thought," lied Hermione smoothly.

"I heard the Weasley asking you too the dance next week."

Hermione just nodded as she heard the library door's unlock. She turned to walk in when Draco placed a hand on her arm. Hermione's stomach did a funny front flip at the touch, causing her to look at him.

"Are you going with him?"

"I'm going with no one," replied Hermione turning back to the door.

"Come to the dance with me," said Draco, "Think about it, please."

Hermione didn't nod or say anything. Instead she walked into the library and headed to her hidden table, pulling out her homework. She began working on it silently for half an hour before Ginny arrived sitting across from her.

"Ron asked you to the dance?" said Ginny instantly.

"So did Draco," replied Hermione like it wasn't a big deal as she wrote more to her essay that was longer then requested, "I don't think I will be going with either of them."

"Malfoy asked you? You two broke up and haven't spoken to each other since."

"We spoke at the party before Harry and Ron turned up."

"That's about it… you don't know who you want to go with," said Ginny suddenly, "You like both of them."

Hermione looked at Ginny before sighing, "That would be correct."

"I thought Malfoy was just a phase."

"So did I, but I seriously fell in love with him and even now, I still have strong feelings for him."

"What about Ron?"

"Ron… Ron just happened. He helped me through some of it and well I guess sisterly feelings increased into something more."

"What are you going to do?"

Hermione shrugged, "I don't know. I can't decide it all in a week."

"No… that would be impossible for any girl," said Ginny frowning, "I think we are going to need Parkinson and Bulstrode for this."

Ginny pulled some parchment from her bag and took Hermione's quill writing a quick note to Pansy and Millicent telling them to come to the muggle book section of the library. She pulled her wand out after folding it into a paper aeroplane and sent it away.

"Dad taught me how they do it at the Ministry," said Ginny, "It comes in handy."

"Saves using the owls," replied Hermione, "And house elves."

HD

Draco signed the letter and called down his owl, tying the letter and a sack of money to it. He watched the owl leave and left with a pleased smile. He headed down stairs and too the library, hoping to find Hermione. He walked in and looked up and down the obvious spots not catching sight of her. He turned to leave when he spotted Pansy and Millicent walk in heading to-

"The muggle section?" he murmured with a frown.

He quietly followed them and went up the aisle before the one they disappeared up. He came to a halt at the voices and sat on a desk listening.

"You what?" cried Millicent before being hushed by everyone.

"You like Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy," came Pansy's voice in slight awe, "And both are crazy about you. Any girl would beg to be in your situation."

"Well I don't want to be," came Hermione's annoyed tone, "Both want me to go to the dance with them, but I can't choose within a week. That's impossible."

"It is," agreed Millicent, "What about just not going with either of them. Go by your self and have a good time."

"Go to a Valentine's dance alone?"

"Pansy and I are. Best way to go – that way you don't feel obligated to dance with the same person all night."

"Exactly. Then you can dance with Weasley and Draco and… maybe that will help make your choice."

Draco frowned and stood up as Hermione agreed. She would most likely make her choice that night then.

'Fine,' thought Draco as he left the library, 'Weasley has competition. I will not loose.'

HD

Hermione looked at Ginny uncertainly. The dance would begin in an hour. All through the week Draco and Ron had been cornering her to chat. Hermione was slowly losing patience with it all and once again took to hiding from them. But if they didn't see her, it was letter's she got. Whenever an owl arrived, Harry would check who was from because Hermione felt like she was suffocating from it all.

"You can't not turn up," said Ginny dressed in a black spaghetti strapped knee length dress with a pink sash around the waist, "Look at you, you got dressed up for it."

"I can easily change into my pyjama's."

"You have to go anyway. You and Harry have to open the dance."

Hermione groaned cursing her Headgirl duties. She slipped her black heels on and checked her reflection. It wasn't a formal dance, just smart casual dress. She had on a black ¾ length skirt with white silk singlet and a short sleeved black top that tied up loosely at the front. She left her bedroom to the common room where Harry was waiting dressed in black pants and a blue button up top. He linked hands with Ginny and the three left.

The dance was for forth years and up. The younger years were having a feast in their common rooms with some music playing. The three caught up with a few other people along the way, most were in couples. Pansy and Millicent met Hermione at the foot of the stairs. Pansy was dressed in a nice pink sundress and Millicent in ¾ pants and a yellow baby doll style top.

"Hermione, we have to open the doors," said Harry as she began chatting to Pansy and Millicent.

Hermione nodded and followed Harry through the crowd, passing other couples, Ron and Draco who both smiled at Hermione.

"Kill me now, Harry," moaned Hermione quietly at the door.

"Who are you going to choose?" whispered Harry.

"At this rate – no one. Imagine how one would act if I didn't choose them," pointed out Hermione, "They stalk me as it is."

"Let's get tonight done with then," suggested Harry before him and Hermione pushed the door open revealing the hall decorated in pink, red, white and silver.

The music started instantly a love song called: "Breathless". Hermione found Pansy and Millicent and they headed to get a drink as couples moved to the dance floor. The three stood around chatting before Neville ventured over to Hermione.

"Hi Neville," smiled Hermione, "You look nice tonight!"

"So do you," smiled Neville who always felt at ease around his friend, "Do you want to dance?"

"Hermione, dance with me?" said Ron coming over.

"No, dance with me," said Draco walking over, shooting Ron a nasty look, who returned it.

"I think I will dance with Neville," replied Hermione taking Neville's hand, "He asked me first without the looks."

Hermione walked out to the dance floor as Sexy Back by a muggle singer started. Her and Neville danced a few dances together, talking and laughing, much to Ron and Draco's disgust.

"She won't choose you if you stand back," said Pansy quietly in Draco's ear, "Go make your self known."

"Where's the Weasel?" asked Draco glancing around.

"Toilet. Which is why you should go cut in now!"

Pansy shoved Draco forward. Draco tapped Neville on the shoulder as a slow song replaced the upbeat one. Neville left and Hermione placed her hand in Draco's, with one on his shoulder, as he placed his other hand on her waist.

"You look lovely tonight," said Draco looking her in the eyes.

"So do you," replied Hermione quickly looking away. She couldn't melt into those eyes. Not tonight. Not ever.

"You look like you don't want to be here."

Hermione gave a chuckle, "You got that right. I have two stalkers, Draco. Neither will let up or give me a chance to breathe – that includes you too Ron."

Ron was standing beside them, about to turn away at the start of Hermione's lecture. She let go of Draco and stepped back from him looking at the two.

"I like you both," admitted Hermione, "But you both are driving me insane with the cornering in the corridor's, arguing to sit next to me in potions and the constant stream of owls… I need space. Desperately. Just let me work out who I want to be with on my own terms – even if it takes me years."

Hermione turned and left the Great Hall heading outside. She walked down the path hearing the distant sound of an Abba song called Super Trouper playing.

"I want to give you something."

Hermione spun around looking at Draco, "I thought I made myself clear back inside."

"You did. But I brought you this before that."

He opened a case revealing a silver bracelet with the locket in the shape and design of the Gryffindor crest.

"Draco, it's lovely but you can't buy my feelings."

"I'm not trying too. I just… I want to show you in a way what you mean to me."

Hermione frowned but it dawned to her exactly where he was heading, "Don't say it."

"I love you."

"I just told you not to say it," cried Hermione turning away and taking a deep breath, "Why did you have to say it?"

"Because it is the truth and you need to know."

"But now? You should have… told be before everything got so damn confusing!"

"You weren't speaking to me!"

"Because you weren't speaking to me!" cried Hermione in frustration.

"I wanted to talk to you but you were always with your friend's! They were like hawks, making sure bad ass Draco kept away from you!"

"They were worried about me. I was still trying to sought everything out!"

"Right, right… and then ta-da! Weasley feelings arrived!"

"I can't help how I feel!" snapped Hermione, "I can't change what has happened!"

"I wish I could! I wish I could go back to Christmas and never receive that letter! Never touch those fucking drugs and alcohol!"

"We all make mistakes," said Hermione quietly shivering in the cool breeze, "Some good some bad. In the end we all have to suffer the consequences."

"Right, so I have to watch you fall for Weasley, marry him and have his children. Brilliant outcome for me."

"Not everything is about you! Who says I will marry Ron anyway?"

"Everyone knows you will! It's been on the cards for years."

Hermione shook her head, "Goodbye Draco."

She turned and headed inside tears filling her eyes. Draco watched her leave and looked down at the bracelet case he held in his hands still.

"Brilliant Draco," he muttered, "You succeeded in sending her directly into your enemies arms."

HD

But Hermione didn't run to Ron and enter a relationship with him. Hermione remained single for the months to come. She told Ron and her friend's a relationship was just something she didn't want, especially with exams arriving soon.

Draco was furious with everyone for the weeks to come. He was more mad at himself then anything else. Everyone simply thought he had converted back into the sneering Draco Malfoy he was before the war. Everything had fallen back into place, although Hermione kept her friendship with Pansy and Millicent. Ron eventually stopped trying to win over Hermione and eventually the normal, bickering friendship returned.

As May drew closer Homework loads became heavier. Hermione spent her days, eating, sleeping, going to classes, patrolling and studying whilst completing her set homework. Everything was like clockwork.

Draco was the same, without the patrolling. Whenever he would see Hermione in the library he would ignore her completely, like she ignored him. It became a natural thing and soon both were back to calling each other Malfoy and Granger.

Hermione gave a yawn and stretched. It was April the 25th. In six days the exams would begin. Glancing at her watch, Hermione saw it was 11:30pm. She packed her books up and stuck them in her bag and headed for the exit as Madam Pince went about putting candles out.

Hermione reached the exit at the same time as Draco. She stepped back and waited for him to leave first, which he did with a sharp glare at her. Hermione sighed and walked out heading along the dimly lit corridor. She turned a corner when her foot kicked something. Looking down she saw a long thin velvet case. She knelt down and picked it up and opened it, revealing the bracelet Draco had brought for her for Valentine's Day. She traced her finger over the crest and looked up seeing Draco walking a few meters away.

She sighed, knowing she had to return it, "Malfoy!"

He halted and turned to look at her. Hermione jogged over to him, frowning, she swore she saw a look of longing flicker in his eyes before they turned to that shade of cold grey.

"What?"

"You dropped this," said Hermione handing him the case before walking off quickly.

Draco looked at the case and at Hermione's retreating back. He opened it and looked at the bracelet with a sigh. Closing it he slipped it into his bag before heading to his own common room.

HD

"No," sighed Hermione as she tried to explain something to Ron from potion's, "Healing. That's the other use of Dragon's blood. How can it… I am not even going to finish that question."

Ron groaned, "I'll never get into University."

"You will."

"Even if I do, I won't be able to afford it."

"Go in on a scholarship and then get a part time job," suggested Harry before furrowing his brow at something, "I'm getting a headache."

"Maybe we should take a break," suggested Hermione earning a shocked look, "The exams begin tomorrow. We need to eat, don't we?"

"Yeah… but I think they may be cancelled," said Ron in wonder.

"Why?"

"You suggested we take a break," said Harry grinning.

"Oh ha, ha," chuckled Hermione packing her books away, "Come on you comedians. I'm starving."

"Hermione, can I speak to you?" came Professor McGonagall's voice as she headed over to them in the library.

Hermione nodded and she told Harry and Ron to go without her from the looks of pain on their faces.

"I have everyone's responses from Universities waiting in my office. As you know they judge people on their normal exams marks in the magic world, however they can change their minds when they receive a copy of the Student's NEWT's."

Hermione nodded having read that before.

"You have received acceptance letter's from each University you applied for."

Hermione's mouth fell open in shock. She was literally speechless.

"This has never happened before," said McGonagall, "I thought it would be rude of me not to tell you in person."

"I… every single one?"

McGonagall nodded, "Indeed. Congratulations Miss Granger."

Hermione smiled, "Thankyou, Professor… I have to tell my parents and friends."

Hermione thanked McGonagall again and left at a run. She entered the Great Hall grinning happily earning surprised looks from her friends and people all around.

"What happened?" asked Ginny, "You look like you got an overdose of the happy charm."

"I feel like it," giggled Hermione sitting beside Neville and Ron, "I got into every single University I applied for!"

All her friends cheered and hugged her happily. Hermione laughed and they all ate talking about Hermione's achievement with Ron boasting, "It could only happen to you!"

Hermione finished and headed over to the Slytherin table getting happy smiles from Pansy and Millicent who were seated beside Draco.

"What was all the cheering for?" asking Pansy turning to look at Hermione, "I hardly expected you to look so happy the night before exams start."

"You know how I applied to all those Universities?" replied Hermione.

Millicent and Pansy nodded, while Draco pretended not to be listening.

"I got accepted into each one!"

Pansy and Millicent screamed happily and jumped up, hugging Hermione. Draco hid his happy smile making him look as if he had eaten something sour.

"I have to tell Mum and Dad," said Hermione still grinning, "They will… oh they will be so proud!"

Hermione left and Pansy and Millicent looked at Draco.

"I only make that face after eating an orange," pointed out Pansy, "Or brussel sprouts, but whatever. You are still hot for Hermione."

"Every single University. Only Hermione could achieve that."

"Yeah, true. And Hermione will be going to the London University of Magic. She always said that."

"And you will be at the same place as her," said Millicent with a nod from Pansy.

Draco sighed, "How can you love someone so much… that all you project is hate?"

"Because you think thats' what she wants you to feel," said Pansy, "School ends soon and you don't know what is going to happen during the Summer Holidays- which Hermione will spend with the Weasley's… namely, Ron Weasley."

A/N: Yeah… every single University and well… review if you want to know what will happen in chapter seventeen.

Until next time…

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Love Coz!