Chapter V- Stand there and Watch me Burn:

If anyone thought that the chasm between Hermione and Draco would have closed in two weeks they were sorely mistaken. Despite her worries that the Order suspected her father was back gathering his horcruxes and her desire to tell her boyfriend, she couldn't deny the betrayal she felt from him. Whilst her father had given her the job to act normal and deflect suspicion, it appeared Draco had been given much more to do. Maybe he even knew about the Order already. And so instead, to satiate her worries and stop herself from running back to him, she spent her time researching horcruxes in the restricted section of the library, after getting permission for extra research from Professor Slughorn. It was quite typical behaviour from Hermione, and so the boys didn't question it, but if she looked away from her books she might have questioned theirs. The fact that they were huddled together wasn't what was odd, but that they were whispering, and that their glances kept sneaking over to her. If she'd seen, perhaps she'd have been worried.


The boys always made her go watch their Quidditch matches and of course this one was against Slytherin. As Hermione stood alone in the stands she couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from her boyfriend, if he still was that. She'd been ignoring him since the day she discovered who she truly was; sitting with her back to his table in the Great Hall, keeping her eyes on the professors in classes, chatting loudly to Harry and Ron as she walked past him in the hallways, but if she was being honest she'd expected him to make some sort of attempt at reconciliation. The two of them often clashed, but he was always the first one to make amends, and in this case he rightly should be. At least if anyone noticed her staring they'd just assume she was watching her brother, he and Draco were locked in a battle of wits… or lack thereof. She cast her gaze over to Ron momentarily, both to ease the stab she felt in her stomach and any suspicions, and saw that his eyes were already on her. As soon as they locked gazes he withdrew his and seemed to try to stand taller, although he was sitting on a broom, deflecting a quaffle that flew towards him with a triumphant grin and glancing back at her. Diligently she clapped, but wished it had been long enough to look back at the duelling duo. At least she understood their brand of crazy.


"DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK- WOO!" Everyone whooped with delight as Ron threw back the drinks that had somehow made their way into the victory party. Knowing his bias, she doubted Dumbledore would care even if he knew. "Hey," Harry greeted her, offering a cup, which she rejected. "You haven't congratulated me on the win yet."

"I'll congratulate you when you finally win by skill rather than luck," Hermione teased, although the truth to her words almost nicked his skin. Whenever they played Slytherin Harry was always too preoccupied with beating Draco, and vice versa, to pay attention to the snitch. Take today for example. The golden ball had seemingly tired of waiting around and flown over their heads in a cry for attention, causing both bodies to jerk away from their game of insults. They'd chased after it and Draco had had it within his reach when it changed direction and practically flew into Harry's hands, all he'd had to do was close them.

Harry didn't respond, his attention had waned to focus on some exhibitionists devouring each other's' mouths- hold on a minute. "Lavender Brown! Good on Ron!" Harry chuckled and let out a wolf whistle of encouragement. She was about to roll her eyes when the redhead's eyes opened and fixed on her, a smirk playing at his lips. She frowned. No. There was no way. They stayed open. Yes way. He was trying to make her jealous! Feeling a headache coming on, Hermione turned and pushed past the crowds out of the portrait into the quiet outside corridors where she could think without any distractions. She was angry with her father and Draco, but she still had every intention to make the Order pay for what they'd done to her and her family. What would be the best way to handle this development? Should she just brush him off? Should she pretend to date him to further gain their trust? But what if it went too far? She had no petty aim to use Ron to make her boyfriend jealous, from what she'd seen a couple of minutes ago his kissing wouldn't be particularly worth it anyway.

"'Mione?" The portrait opened again and the object of her confusion emerged, hair ruffled and clothes rumpled. "Everything alright?"

She nodded. "I just needed some air."

He smiled, and it made her a little nervous for some reason. It wasn't the usual empty headed one he gave, it was the smile of someone who wanted something and was adamant they would get it. "I made you jealous, huh?" She furrowed her eyebrows but he laughed. "You don't have to deny it! Lavender's hot, but I like you." What was the correct response to that? Thanks? And I you? Ron bit his lip and then he darted forwards and crashed into her lips. Her eyes flew open as she registered the slobbery, liquor tinged, unwanted kiss she was receiving. She shifted uncomfortably and tried to raise her hands to push him back and let him know this wasn't what she wanted but he only seemed to take that as an absurd sign of enjoyment and, moaning with the satisfaction of something long awaited, locked on tighter, pushing her back. It ended unexpectedly with the outraged shout of a familiar voice, ripping her out of Ron's arms and fastening his own grip on her wrist, pushing her behind him. "What the fuck is wrong with you Weasel?" He glared. "The name has never been more apt." For a moment Ron looked confused at the abrupt loss but then that look shifted to fury.

"Let go of her Malfoy!"

"What? And give her back to you?" He scoffed. "I think she's much safer over here."

"Hermione!" Ron appealed in a high, outraged tone but she shook her head, her voice coming out more croaky than she would have liked.

"I'll talk to you when you're no longer intoxicated Ronald." She tried to put on a defiant mask that embodied the house she'd been sorted into. "For now I'm happier here." Ron scowled but reluctantly headed back into the common room, although she had a suspicion he might not heed her words and instead would return with backup. As soon as he had disappeared Draco turned around to face her, scanning her body for bruises or scars.

"Are you okay? I should have bashed that fucker's head in the moment I saw him-" he paused as she put her hands on his chin, looking deep into his eyes, conveying her feelings as clearly as she could.

"Thank you."

He exhaled shakily and she realised he was more stirred than she was. "I should have just apologised straight away."

"Why didn't you?" Hermione asked.

"Your father." She raised an eyebrow in question and he shook his head regretfully. "I sent to my mother, asking her to ask him what to do about this whole situation, since he is your father after all, and he recommended I give you some space." She let out a giggle and a tiny smile played at his features when he saw it. "My mother said I shouldn't do it..."

"You should listen to her in future!" Hermione teased, taking his hand and smiling. She kissed him on the cheek and started to bade goodbye, but he was unimpressed by that plan.

Reaching out for her hand to pull her back, he objected "You're just going to race right back into the lions' den?"

"You want to drag me down to the snake pit I presume?" He frowned, realising she was right and that wasn't an option. The truth was that no matter how badly she might want to just run away she had to stay and sort this situation out. She had to keep fooling the Order. It wouldn't be for long, she told herself, and Draco, hopefully. Soon they'd be able to be together whenever they wanted.


Despite Draco's protestations Hermione offered Ron her complete forgiveness, albeit not entirely genuinely. He did truly seem remorseful though, which at least gave her pause. She invited him to Slughorn's annual Christmas party as a sign of good faith, thinking it would help to slowly suggest that she was developing feelings for him, without seeming out of character. The week before the party though, she saw him pouring something into a drink and hid herself in the crowds of the common room. When Harry appeared from the other side of the room the redhead looked up guiltily and she decided to make her presence known, announcing herself to the boys as she relaxed into the sofa. She wanted to switch the drinks but instead of being immersed in discussion with her brother as usual, Ron's eyes were locked on her. New tactic. She smiled alluringly, fluttering her lashes and he gazed into them like the lovesick fool he was, enabling her to inch the drink he'd offered her forwards and snatch up the one he'd poured for himself. Once he'd seen her take a gulp Ron seemed satisfied and took a long sip as well. She watched, tense, to see what effect it would have, as Harry blabbered on, unaware of neither Ron's failed nor her successful plan.

At last her brother's riveting tale of how he'd recruited Seamus Finnegan to the Quidditch team to replace Katie Bell, who was still unable to play, was interrupted by Ron leaping up from his seat and snatching a mirror from several Third Year girls who were trying out new hairstyles, to a cacophony of shrill dissent. A satisfied leer came onto his face as he smoothed back his hair, gazing in wonder at himself in the mirror. "Bloody hell, you're gorgeous!" He practically sang to his reflection. "Your eyes- no! Your hair- no!" Hermione joined in the horrified giggles, relishing in the jeers sent his way as he tried to decide which part of his body was the most godlike. Perhaps he'd die staring at his reflection like Narcissus in the myths. As Harry took his arm, gently guiding him back to their room though, with ashamed whispers that he was embarrassing himself, she swore that as soon as the truth was out she'd punch him harder than she had Draco in Third Year.

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