Disclaimer: agen……

Chapter 2-1: Decline

I am sooo tired! Stupid evil git!!! Hermione was dragging her feet to the Gryffindor prefect's room. She had just finished serving detention and it was already 1 am. She was really supposed to finish early but then that stupid evil git did something. That arse!! Threw his stupid dung on my side!! Aah! Infuriating irksome…….THING.!!!! She grasped for words to describe him but was already too tired. She would get her revenge but for now, she only wanted to sleep.

"Oblivious." The portrait swung open. She was slowly making her way to her room, when she noticed the lumps on the sofa. She turned around and walked over, she saw Harry sleeping on the couch and Ron on his makeshift bed of armchairs. They waited for me again, she chuckled. She made her way to Ron who was unceremoniously snoring. She pulled up the blanket and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Night, Ron." She whispered.

She then made her way to Harry. She faltered; she reached for the couch for support. God, I'm tired! She steadied herself, and pulled Harry's blanket closer. She was going to give him a goodnight kiss when his eyes slowly opened.

"Harry?" she asked.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, groggily.

"Go back to sleep, Harry."

"What time is it?" he asked, searching for a watch.

"It's about 1 am, if I'm not mistaken." She answered, swaying from side to side.

"Herm…I think you better go to-" Harry wasn't able to finish what he was saying since Hermione had fainted. She would have hit the ground too, if it weren't for Harry's fast reflexes. "I think you better go to sleep." Harry carried her, lovers' style to her room and got her in bed. What's that smell? He thought. "Let's get this filthy robe off you at least." He slowly took the robe off and covered her with the blanket, going back to sleep.

What is that awful smell? Hermione slowly got up from bed, she looked at her clothes and remembered what she was cleaning yesterday and made a mad dash for the bathroom. She had scrubbed herself for over the sixth time and her skin looked like it was going to bleed if she scrubbed it anymore. She only stopped when it started to sting. After her three-hour bath, she went back into her room where she found Ron and Harry who were carrying a tray of food.

"What are you doing?" she asked, incredulously.

"Oh, we thought we'd bring you breakfast since you passed out last night." Ron said, blushing a bit.

"Actually, it was Ron's idea. He just forced me," Harry answered, giving credit to Ron. Actually, it was Harry who had the idea since he was the one who took her to bed yesterday, but Ron needed the credit.

"Well, thanks! Oh yeah, Harry, thanks for um…taking me to bed." She said, as she walked closer.

"To bed?" Ron asked, confused.

"She fainted last night, I couldn't let her sleep on the floor now could I?" Harry answered, seeing Ron's red face.

"Now, Ron don't tell me you're going to get jealous of Harry." Hermione stated, as if it was the most ridiculous thought she had ever heard.

Harry looked a bit hurt by the statement but just shrugged it away.

"I know. I…." Ron couldn't express himself properly.

"He loves you, he's jealous naturally." Harry finished.

Hermione turned pink; she kept looking at the tray of food as if one of the desserts just tried walking away. Ron also blushed, red.

"Oh, now don't be so sensitive about this," Harry said in a you-should-know-better tone.

"Anyway, why did you faint last night?" Ron asked.

Hermione started to tell her story, she didn't spare any details, and she even mentioned that Malfoy was snogging a girl crazy in front of her. When she finished, she was panting because she had said it all in one breath.

"That evil mutated scumbag! He intentionally picked his bucket and threw it all over my side. I had to reclean everything." Hermione added.

"So that's why you smelled like dung yesterday." Harry realized.

"Thank you for reminding me." She said in a sarcastic tone.

"So are you going to get revenge?" Ron asked, itching for a reason to get back at Malfoy. Hermione wasn't his girlfriend yet, but he wanted to protect her. Nobody messes with his girl.

"Well, of course. That git will get his, all in due time."

"What are you going to do?" Ron asked.

"Oh, I think an accident will suddenly occur."

"Need any help?" Harry asked.

"Nope, I think I can handle ferret boy by myself." She smiled mischievously.

Hermione had already devised her plan and Malfoy, in one way or the other, would pay. She was making her way to the library for some light reading when she bumped into Professor McGonagall.

"Hi, professor," she smiled weakly.

"Miss Granger, I've been looking for you."

"Really? What for?" she asked. I couldn't have done anything wrong. I did clean my side. She thought.

"You seem to have forgotten to take your wand from me. I was very curious at how fast Mr. Malfoy finished his work."

She wanted to rat on the big ferret but thought better of it. "Oh, he really cleans fast when he wants to."

She gave her an unbelieving look but didn't pursue the topic. "Here is your wand and I do hope you stay out of trouble, I expect better from you."

"Yes, professor," she answered, taking her wand. She had been headed to the library but she thought she'd drop by the quidditch pitch and watch Harry and Ron practice. She made her way to the field and sat on one of the bleachers.

"Hey, Ron! Look who's here." Harry moved close to Ron.

"Huh? Who?" Ron asked, looking puzzled.

"Not here, down there." Harry pointed to the blob on the bleachers. They were so high up the people below became shady figures, hence the blob that is Hermione.

Ron looked down and moved closer, until he realized it was Hermione. He flew down and leveled with her. "Hey Mione! What're you doing here?" he asked.

"I wanted to watch you guys practice."

"Oh well, I know this is really not the time to ask but…" he was profusely red "what do you think bout what I told you."

Hermione started shifting and fidgeting on the bleachers, she looked like her butt was itchy. "Uh….um…. Ron, I honestly haven't thought about it."

"Oh okay. I was just wondering if I had, you know, a chance." Ron also started fidgeting; it was a strange sight since he was on a broom.

"Ohh…" Think! Think! You're supposed to be a smart person and you can't even think of an excuse. Shhheeesh! She mentally scolded herself. "I….I …I have to go, Ron….I just remembered, I forgot to do our Potions essay…I need to go….good luck with the practice." She quickly gathered her things and made a run for the door. "Bye, Harry!" she added before completely leaving.

Harry who heard the goodbye hovered beside Ron. "What happened?" he asked, looking at Ron whose face was now blank.

"….she ran away…" Ron answered, completely stunned.

"What? Why?" Harry asked, bemused.

"I asked her if I had a chance and she just kept rambling then literally ran away." Ron said, still looking at the empty bleacher sit when he felt a whack on the back of his head. He fell off the broom, luckily he was just about four feet from the ground so he didn't get hurt. "What in bloody hell?!" He glared at Harry. Harry glared back. "What?"

"You do not ask a girl if you have a chance just like that. That's just….stupid. You're lucky she didn't just run when you told her."

"But she did."

"Ron, she needs time to think. You can't just expect her to sort her feelings out that fast."

"When did you become a love guru?" Ron asked, getting to his feet and remounting his broom.

"Well, Cho told me a few things."

"HARRY, RON LET'S GET THIS PRACTICE ON!" one of the chasers shouted.

Both Harry and Ron flew back into the practice.

Great! Great Hermione! Bravo! Potions essay, Snape didn't even ask you to do anything. "What a lame excuse." She whispered to herself. "Talking to yourself, Granger?" Draco drawled. "I knew you were crazy but talking to yourself."

"Shut up, Malfoy!" she looked at him as if he was the biggest scum alive.

"Feisty aren't you?" he said, giving her a once over.

"Whatever!" she was walking past him when a strong hand grabbed her arm.

"Do not walk away from me. I'm not finish with you yet." He said in a venomously calm tone.

"Let go of me, Malfoy." She writhed under his hold.

"Nobody slaps me and gets away with it. I'm going to teach you a lesson, Granger. On respect and sophistication, two things you are obviously lacking," Draco said in a harsh voice, moving closer.

Hermione didn't like panicking but that was all she could do, she could feel his breathing. It wasn't nice. She instinctively pulled out her wand and placed it directly over his chest. "Let go of me, Malfoy." She said with a tone of finality.

"What're you going to do?" he asked, mockingly.

"You don't want to know." Her eyes filled with determination.

He let her go and she walked away from him. "Bitch!" he added.

"Ferret!" she retorted, before walking away.

Damn that mudblood so infuriating! If I had my wand, I would've place the Cruciatus curse on her. Stupid slut! Draco made his way to the Slytherin Head boys' room. "Demise." The portrait swung open. He was greeted by his owl. "What's this?" he took the letter from it and started reading. What?! This can't be. I refuse to stay here for my vacation! He was ranting on and on. He wanted to rip the letter to pieces. He couldn't believe it so he reread it.

Dear Draco,

How are you? I'm writing to inform you that you are not to go home this holiday since the ministry of magic will be probing our home for your father's things. I do not want you to be involved in these matters so I will just be sending your presents there.

Love,

Mom

He understood his mom but he didn't want to. He wanted to go back to Malfoy manor where everything was conveniently given to him. Damn father, getting himself caught! He respected his father to some extent, but it was never complete. He actually, in honesty, appreciated what the stupid trio did, getting his father caught and everything, not that he would ever admit it though. His father was civil to him, but was completely horrendous when it came to his mother. He would punish her for everything that Draco did wrong. He does something stupid, Narcissa gets punish. He really wanted to go back this holiday to be able to spend more time with her, but that wasn't going to be possible now. Damn! Stupid Ministry of Magic! Imbeciles! Draco kept on cursing; he even resorted to throwing his books all over the place just to try to calm himself. The Slytherin female prefect slowly and quietly slipped away leaving him alone on his warpath.

The next day classes resumed it was their last day of classes before their Christmas vacation. Hermione already thought of what she was going to do to get back at Malfoy. She decided that it will be done during Potions-their last period, Harry and Ron were eagerly waiting since Hermione didn't tell them her plan.

"What do you think will she do?" Ron asked, sneaking glances at Hermione.

"I don't know, she can be pretty shrewd if she wants to," Harry answered, cutting up the ingredients.

"I hope she doesn't get caught. I want to ask her to come to the Burrow with us."

"She probably won't, and if I know Hermione she would look absolutely innocent," Harry continued. "Ron, I think you better look at what you're—" Once again Harry's words were cut off by an explosion. Ron had added too much Wolfsbane and the potion exploded on his face. He was now a beautiful shade of lime green.

"Mr. Weasley, it's amazing you were able to blow up such a simple potion. I had expected Mr. Longbottom to do it first." Snape said, looking at his lime green face, amusement flashing in his eyes.

He had just mentioned Neville when his potion also blew up. Everyone burst with laughter. "Ah, I was waiting for that." Snape added.

Hermione took this opportunity to slip a hefty amount of Aconite into Draco's potion. Just enough to cause an explosion, she thought. She started scooting away from Draco, who was now mixing the potion. BAM! Another explosion occurred, everyone was laughing once more until the Slytherins realized whom the potion had hit. The only people left laughing were the Gryffindors. It was an incredible sight, Draco Malfoy was shocking pink, his hair, and clothes up to his shoes were all covered in pink slime.

"Well, well, well. It seems that everybody's accident-prone today." Snape said, hushing the class.

Draco looked menacingly at Hermione. "You're going to pay," he mouthed as he started wiping the mess from him.

"What? What did I do? Weren't you the one making the potion?" Hermione answered in a sweet, innocent voice.

"Aconite, it is the only thing that would be added to this ingredient to make me turn pink and cause an explosion all at the same time. You were cutting some up just before Neville's cauldron burst." Draco drawled, still looking at Hermione.

How did he? How? She was surprised that Draco had known this little fact, but didn't show it. She kept on insisting that she was innocent.

"Don't think you're the only one with a brain here, Mudblood." He whispered the last few words to her. These were the last words he muttered to Hermione until they were dismissed.

"Wow, Hermione! That was bloody great! Malfoy was pink!" Ron had walked beside Hermione, grinning from ear to ear.

"Ron, you were green." Hermione looked disbelievingly at him.

"But that's beside the point," Ron interjected "At least I wasn't pink."

"But the strange thing is, he knew that I was the one who placed the Aconite, even more surprisingly, he knew that I used Aconite."

"What's so strange about that?" Harry asked.

"I could've used a lot of ingredients, he had specifically known what it was that hit him." Hermione answered.

"Well, whatever. It still stands he was pink." Ron finished. "I'm hungry. Let's eat."

They had gone to the great Hall for dinner and afterwards came back to the Gryffindor prefect common room. They were discussing there plans for the holidays when Ron's question came up.

"So Mione, do you want to stay with us at the Burrow?" Ron asked, hoping she'd say yes.

"I….don't know, Ron" Hermione answered. Ron suddenly looked crestfallen. "I wanted to spend my vacation with my parents. I'm really sorry."

"Oh, that's okay. It would've been fun if you were with us, though." Ron answered, plastering a forced smile on his face.

"Yeah, you would continuously scold us for being immature, uncouth, irresponsible, reckless and annoying," Harry added.

"Yeah, you'd miss it too," Hermione answered jokingly. "You better start packing. The train leaves tomorrow and you might forget some things without me constantly reminding you. I'm going to sleep, night," she waved them goodnight then made her way back to her room.

Hermione had just woken up and was still a bit sleepy but she wanted to see Harry and Ron off. She got dressed and waited for them at the common room. Harry had come in with his trunk floating in the air.

"Morning, Harry!"

"Morning!" Harry answered cheerfully.

Ron had just gotten out of his room and was dragging his trunk. "Wingardium Leviosa." With a flick of the wrist Ron's trunk also started levitating. "Morning!"

"Hey, we better wait at the gate. I think Hagrid's going to take you to the station soon," Hermione said.

"Yeah, we better. We don't want to be left here do we," Harry said.

They made their way to the front gate of the castle where hundreds of students were also waiting. "So we'll just owl you your gift then," Ron said.

"Sure," Hermione answered.

"Mione, can I talk to you for a second?" Harry asked.

"Sure, Harry. What is it?" she asked.

"Let's go some place less crowded."

"Okay." What is this about? Probably about Ron, Harry has been egging Ron to me for the past few days. She followed Harry back into the castle then into an empty classroom. "Harry what's this about?" her question was answered with a kiss. Harry had leaned over and kissed her. She was completely surprised, but when she realized what was happening she started kissing him back. It was her first kiss.

Draco was walking around Hogwarts trying to hide from pug-faced Parkinson who was constantly clinging on him. He made a turn and walked into an empty classroom, where he found Harry and Hermione snogging. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but nonetheless it was a kiss. He hid himself in one of the corners and watched them carefully.

Harry was the first to pull away, he looked at Hermione. She was just standing there shocked. Harry saw what he had done; he had betrayed his best friend. He started apologizing furiously.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I……. slap me," Harry took Hermione's hand and started hitting himself.

Hermione just stood there eyes wide open, still not saying a word.

"Mione……" Harry said.

Hermione finally snapped out of her shock. "Harry, what did we just do?" she asked, her eyes as big as saucers.

"We um…I kissed you. I'm really sorry. I don't know what came over me. I…I…" Harry tried to reason.

"Harry!" a voice broke in. It was Ron. "We need to go!" He came in and looked at his two best friends.

"Okay. I was just…."

"He was just telling me to take care of myself." Hermione finished. "You better go."

"Yeah, well goodbye then." Ron said.

Hermione had leaned over and gave Ron a kiss on the cheek "Bye, Ron!" Ron blushed.

"Bye Harry!" she added.

Ron had already turned his back when Harry looked back and mouthed 'I'll write. I'm really sorry.' Then he also walked away.

Hermione had slumped back on the wall. Her life was a wreck. She had betrayed Ron with Harry. Hermione, what do you get yourself into? How are you going to fix this? Her thoughts were interrupted by a sinister laugh. She turned and saw Malfoy walk out of the corner of the room. "What're you doing here?" she asked.

"Nothing, thought I'd just drop in."

"What? You can't do anything better than spy on people?" she asked sarcastically.

"You better be nice to me, Granger. I saw you and Potter swapping spit when Weasley was waiting." When he had said this Hermione grew pale, and looked terrified.

"You have no proof," Hermione added gaining a bit of confidence.

"Have you ever heard of a Pensieve? I keep one in my room. So I can keep track of all the fun I've had," Draco said with a drawl.

Hermione's confidence was stomped on. She knew that he probably had one, she heard rumors about his escapades and how he wanted to keep everything in check. She finally surrendered, it was inevitable. "What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked with utter loathing.

"Let's begin with you not leaving Hogwarts, and there are several other things I can think of. . ." Draco said, amusement dancing over his face.

"You're a scum, you despicable, loathsome, evil, vile…creature." Hermione ranted.

"Are you quite finished? Forget that, first thing I want you to do is call me sir."