Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter/all other titles EXCEPT Blossom (lol). All other titles (besides Blossom) are owned by J.K. Rowling and her companies, etc. R & R & ENJOY!

Chapter Five...A Thoughtful Gesture

Hermione sat down in Potions class. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Ron Weasly, the usually quite, timid Ron Weasly, had punched Draco in the face! Draco was even bleeding! Why had Ron acted that why? Draco hadn't done anything wrong...Hermione sighed and leaned her head against her hand, which was propped up on the desk. "I hope Draco is okay..." she whispered silently to herself. Class processed on and an assignment had been given. Hermione went to a cauldron and read the directions, and quickly began to create a potion. Professor Snape began to walk around the classroom and inspect all the pots and what was created. There was only criticism in his voice. Hermione looked over at Harry. He looked puzzled and frustrated. Hermione glanced over at Snape. He was at the other side of the room. She quickly ran over to Harry's pot and looked in.

"Harry, the potion is fine. Why do you look so frustrated?" Hermione asked.

"Oh...that...I was just thinking about Blossom. Maybe the reason she said never to write again was because she has a boyfriend. Maybe she really does hate me. Or she loves me so much that she must deny her own love." replied Harry.

"I thought she said in the letter that she wanted to 'fly solo'. Don't you remember that?" Hermione asked with a sigh. Harry worried about such little things. He should be more concerned with his grades instead of some girl from America he met a few times. Harry's eyes light up.

"Hey! Maybe you're right! It did say that! She must be trying to separate herself from me so she can grow to love me more!" Harry exclaimed excitedly. Hermione rolled her eyes and smiled at him. "Uh-oh. Hermione, you better get back at your cauldron. Snapes comin' your way." Hermione looked behind her and saw Snape was very close to where her potion formula was. She hurried over and acted like she never left. Maybe he hadn't noticed.

"Hmmm...very good, Ms. Granger. Very good, indeed," said Snape, with an unusual smile on his face. Hermione stared at him as if he was crazy. What was he doing? She was about to lean over and ask Ron if he thought anything weird was happening with Snape when the door swung open.

"Thank you for joining us Draco. The assignment is on the board," Snape said in an almost bored voice. He looked almost frustrated that his concentration on Hermione had been broken. Snape moved on the the next student's cauldron to inspect.

"Thanks. Sorry I'm late," Draco began, " but I was detained." He looked over at Ron, who gave a sneer in response. Draco made his way to the remaining cauldron, next to Hermione. Her cheeks began to blush as he took a seat next to her. Ron didn't look at Draco, and who could blame him? He had just punched a classmate and that classmate was back in class very quickly.

"Snape said the assignment is on the board?" Draco asked Hermione, leaning over towards her. Her cheeks burned.

"Yes, he did. How is your cheek?" she whispered to him. Draco looked surprised. Hermione had never really "talked" to him before, and here she was asking about his condition!

"It's better. I just wish he hadn't touched it."

"Why did he?" Draco looked at her. He knew why Ron had punched him, but he couldn't tell Hermione.

"I guess because he doesn't like me."

"Oh."

The rest of Potions was quiet. Everyone was engulfed in their assignment. Finally, after two agonizing hours, Snape let them go. Hermione began to gather her books, but they all fell to the floor. She muttered under her breath in angery.

"Do you need help Hermione?" Harry asked, who had suddenly appeared by her side.

"Yeah, we can pick up your books," Ron said, " no problem." She smiled at the both of them.

"No, I think I can manage. I'm not interuppting any other classes since Professor Snape has a free period now. Just tell Professor Flitwick that I'm going to be a few minutes late. Um...say I had to use the lavatory. " Ron and Harry looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and ran out of the dungeon. Only Hermione and Professor Snape remained in the classroom. Hermione finished gathering her books and was getting ready to leave when she heard Snape call her.

"Miss Granger, could you please come here? I would like to discuss a grade of yours." Hermione brushed a bit of hair out of her face.

"Sure Professor." She walked over to his desk, and Snape stood up. The next events happened so quickly Hermione hardly realized what happened. Snape had pulled Hermione against him, and his tongue was in her mouth. Her eyes were wide, and her mind was rebelling, but her body couldn't. Hermione knew why. It was a teacher. She had it drilled into her head that she couldn't say no to a teacher. But she couldn't let anyone rape her either. Hermione began to thrash about and tried to kick Snape, but his grip on her was too tight. She couldn't even call for help since her mouth was "preoccupied". Suddenly, the door to the dungeon flung open, and Snape was forced to let Hermione go. Hermione looked up to see who her hero was. It was almost as shocking as what Snape had done.

"Professor Snape..." Draco Malfoy said, shocked.

"DRACO! Can't you see I'm a bit busy right now?" said Snape. Hermione took her opportunity and ran toward Draco, who put his arms around her.

"You would've raped her....Professor Snape....you...." Draco's voice tone began to change from shocked to calm to an anger that Hermione had hardly seen. Draco let her go and went up to Snape.

"You bastard....you dirty bastard!!" Draco yelled furiously. He kicked Snape in the lower region. Snape dropped to his knees and moaned in pain. Draco punched Snape in the face. Snape fell over on the floor, bleeding slightly and unconsious. Draco turned toward Hermione.

"Why didn't you call for help Hermione. If I hadn't come in time..." Draco began. Hermione had tears in her eyes. She ran over to Draco and hugged him tightly.

"Draco....thank-you....but please do me a favor and take me to the nurse. I'm going to throw up." Draco looked down at her, and hugged her tighter. He had saved the woman he loved, and perhaps, just maybe, she loved him back. Draco and Hermione began to leave, and he looked back and saw Snape on the floor in a heap. He shook his head, and thought perhaps, that it wasn't a love triangle he was dealing with. Perhaps he was dealing with a never before seen love square. They began to walk out of the dungeon.

"That thoughtful gesture might have done you a huge favor..." Draco whispered to himself softly, and went to the nurse for the second time that day, only this time, not alone. He sighed. Life was so complicated sometimes.

HEY! THIS IS TRACY!!!! I thought that was kinda dramatic, but the story needed some sort of dramatic twist. Oh well!! This is the first "new" chapter since about February!!! EXCITING!!!! YAY!!! LOL I'll shut up right now. You can hear me rant in my "diary". LOL...anyway...not sure when Chapter Six will be up, but it'll be coming soon. So look for that. Also, I'm writing a Van Helsing fanfic. Look for that as well. It is titled: "As Time Goes By". SEE YA!!! READ AND REVIEW AND ENJOY PLEASE!!!!!

- .tracy.lee.