Hermione walked into the Great Hall on the arm of none other than Malfoy. She noticed stares from everyone, but brushed them off. She could see Stan and Katrina getting cups of punch. She followed Malfoy to an empty table.

"Well, we seem to have made quite an impression, you think?" he asked her.

"I'm glad. It's always better to cause a commotion entering than leaving. I don't suppose you want to dance?" she looked at him meekly.

"Sure. Whatever will make you happy."

He stood up and took her hand, dragging her to the dance floor. The music picked up, and for a while they were lost in the music. Their bodies seemed to know how to move, and always found a way to be right where they needed to be. Hermione could feel her hips sway with the music, and could feel his hands resting on her hips, and then running along her back. She was unaware of anything but the music, and his body. She had lost track of time, but finally tumbled from the dance floor, dragging Malfoy.

"Man, I am so thirsty! We have to get something to drink."

"Sit down, I'll get the drinks."

She nodded her head, and walked to an empty table. She sat down and pulled off her shoes. She was just thinking of how nice and courteous Malfoy had been to her. He had even offered to get drinks to the both of them.

"What the hell are you thinking Hermione?"

Hermione was startled to reality by the abrupt comment from Ron.

"Yeah, what do you think you are doing coming here and dancing with the evil son of a bi-" began Harry.

"I'll have you know that he has been very kind to me. In fact, he's been nicer to me than you two have. What the hell do you think you're doing coming in here and yelling at me?"

The two boys glared at Hermione.

"No, I don't know why I even bother! Look boys, I've grown up. I can make decisions for myself. And I don't need you there telling me what to do every second. So you can both go and screw yourselves. I am done with you! Leave me alone!" she yelled into their faces. She walked off to find Malfoy.

"What's wrong?" he asked once he saw her face.

"Nothing, just some people giving me a hard time. But it doesn't mean anything. Come on, introduce me to your friends." She replied.

He took her hand and walked her to a group of previous Slytherins. They stared at her like a mutant snobwobbler. Malfoy quietly coughed, and they smiled at her.

"Guys, I'd like to introduce to Granger. Granger, this is Blaise, Pansy, Vincent, Greg, and over there is Hillary and her boyfriend Zach."

"It's nice to meet you."

"So, Hermione, is that okay? Well, I love your outfit. It's so cute."

"Thank you. I love your dress. The color suits you so well."

"I know. Pink is my favorite color. Where are you two going?"

"Oh, we're just going to talk guy stuff. You know quidditch and things like that." replied Blaise.

Hermione watched Malfoy and Blaise walk off, deep in discussion.

"I pay five galleons to know what has them talking so heatedly. So, how have your classes been?" Hermione asked Pansy.

"Oh, its fine. I don't really like school. It's kinda boring. But what about you? Any guys in your life? Oh, what am I saying? Draco! You two make such a cute couple."

"We're not dating. But thank you for the compliment. I don't really date, it distracts from school." Hermione replied.

"Hermione!" exclaimed Ron.

"What Ron? What? Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? I don't think I invited you to start talking to me again. Go away. I'm talking with my new friends."

"But Hermione, these are not your friends! We are! You are making a mistake. These are Slytherins! The vilest people on earth!"

"They are not Harry. Just go away. Besides, aren't you a Slytherin now? Please, just go away." She said, pushing Ron and Harry away.

"Is there a problem? Are these guys bothering you, Granger?" Malfoy said.

"Granger? He doesn't even call you by your first name! Look Hermione, what are you doing?" asked Ron.

"I'm having fun. Talking with my friends."

"I think you need to go now." Began Malfoy.

"Shut up you arsehole! You don't even like her. I don't know what you're playing at. But it's not good!" Ron said.

"What are you talking about?"

"We heard you talking to Blaise. You said so yourself. You don't even like her!" said Harry.

"Ah-hem!" coughed Hermione.

"You don't either. You just put up with her because she's smart. Why do you think we're friends with her? She's the smartest girl our age!"

"So that's all she is to you? Someone to fill a spot?"

"Excuse me." said Hermione.

"Isn't that all she is to you Potter? Just the third part of the Golden Trio?"

"Yes! She is a part of the Golden Trio!"

"Excuse me! What the hell am I to you? Just some puppet to be cast into any role? I'm a person! I have feelings! Why don't you all just stop and think about me!" yelled Hermione.

"Hermione, please, just let us finish this." Said Ron.

"Yeah, Granger, just stay out of this." Said Malfoy.

"This is unbelievable!" exclaimed Hermione.

She picked up the nearest drink and threw it in Ron's face. While everyone stood in shock she picked up another and tossed the contents into Malfoy's face. Harry stepped forward, Hermione pushed him back. She swung her fist around and made contact with Malfoy's jaw. Then she swung on Ron and kicked him in the groin. Harry stepped back and threw his hands in the air.

"Well, you seem to have things under control." Harry said.

"That's not what you thought a minute ago." She said as she stepped forward and slapped Harry across the face.

"This is a reminder to all of you! I am not some little innocent girl! I can handle myself. I can make my own decisions! I thought you were my friends, and then you treat me like some doll you can throw around. I'm not a doll. And if any of you don't get the picture, I'll be happy to tell you again." She said.

She ran out of the hall, tears streaming down her face. Her heart pounding to the rhythm of the music. She had to get away before her composure broke. She was glad she had the weekend to heal. She had been friends with all those people, only to realize that they thought of her as nothing more than a tagalong. It made her sad, to the depths of her soul to realize that she was so unloved. She wanted to crawl into a broom closet and die. She wandered the hallways hoping to find an escape. The more she thought about it, the angrier it made her. She had always felt a little distant from Harry and Ron, but she had felt different around Malfoy. He had made her feel special. She had lived with him for a month, and they had shared special moments. He had been extremely nice, and had treated her like a real person. She couldn't believe that he thought of her as nothing more than some girl. She stopped, halfway down a hall. She was furious, madder than she had ever been. How dare Malfoy make her feel insignificant! He didn't know her. He was supposed to be this nice guy, this pleasant surprise! And he turned out to be this huge arsehole! She turned on her heel and marched back to her dorm room. She was just about to open the door when she heard voices. She stopped and listened to what was being said.

"Did you see her face? I thought she was going to explode. Good job!"

"I know! I didn't think I had managed to get that close to her this past month. Apparently she is easier than I thought. I can't wait to bed her. She should be firecracker in bed."

She heard voices laughing.

"I mean, what moron suddenly befriends their enemy? She must be lacking in common sense. She should have listened to her friends. They had the right idea."

"I can't believe she flipped on them too. Well, I hope you can get in touch with Gringotts soon. I would like my money as soon as possible. It shouldn't be too long now."

"I'll pay, but you had better get good proof. I know when I am being played."

"Don't worry; I just bought a new camera. It takes beautiful pictures. Expect to be paid in full."

"Well, I let you go. I'm sure you have some apologies to make. Night!"

"Night."

Hermione could not quite understand what she was hearing. That filthy ferret! He had been playing her the whole time. She couldn't shake off the feeling of hearing Ron and Harry saying, 'Told you so!' She slowly walked to the library. Deep in thought, she began to plan her revenge.