(A/N) I'm soooo sorry! I've been so busy with school and work that I haven't had much time to write. Hope you enjoy, I'll update again as soon as I can. Thank you for the reviews! :)

Chapter Seven: Tempers Flare

It was all settled the next morning in potions as Blaise once again sat down beside Hermione…

Draco could see Blaise talking animatedly to her before Snape came in. I can't believe she's actually laughing at one of his stupid jokes. They aren't even funny. I guess anything is funny to a mudblood though and that thought placated him and got him through the lesson.

Blaise was dawdling while Hermione finished packing up her stuff after class.

"Hey Hermione I was wondering if you could help me with something?" he asked.

"Um, sure… What do you need?" she asked tentatively.

"Well I don't have anyone to go to the Halloween party with and I was wondering if you would be my date," he said smoothly.

He's good Hermione thought smiling to herself. "Well I suppose I could do that," she replied this time smiling to him. She didn't really like Blaise, but he was nice and she didn't have anyone else to go with.

As Hermione headed of to Ancient runes she pondered what had just taken place. Blaise seems quite nice. He's undeniably attractive as well. So what if he is a Slytherin? I'm sure this isn't some kind of joke or dare or anything he just really seems to like me and why shouldn't he?

She broke the news to Harry, Ron and Ginny at lunch.

"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Ron shouted, his face turning an unattractive puce. Harry put a calming hand on his shoulder while Hermione shrank back a bit.

She quickly regained her composure. "Would you relax before you go into cardiac arrest? It's not as if I'm doing anything wrong, he seems very nice."

"Nice? NICE? Hermione he's a bloody Slytherin what is there about him that seems nice?" Ron yelled, clearly still upset.

"Well he asked me to go to a party with him and he doesn't mind being seen with me," Hermione defended. "Plus he is very sweet in class."

"Well Ron and I were both a little concerned when he sat with you at first, but you didn't seem to be having any problems so I guess you're right," Harry offered. Ron looked at him incredulously.

"Thank you Harry," Hermione smiled sweetly, ignoring Ron who now turned a withering glare on her.

************

"I did it!" Blaise whispered excitedly as he punched Draco in the arm all manly, the result of which would be Draco's cup of pumpkin juice spilling all over his robes.

He sent an angry glare at Blaise, who apologized as Draco used a quick spell to rid his robes of the orange liquid. "What, may I ask, has got you all excited that you have to go around whispering madly like a ten year old girl who just got a pony for her birthday?"

"I asked Hermione to the party and she said yes," Blaise answered, grinning from ear to ear, as if had in fact just received a pony.

"Well good for you, why should I care?" Draco replied grumpily.

"Because you're my best friend and I thought you'd be happy for me," Blaise replied, his face falling a little at the lack of interest shown by Draco.

"Oh can't you tell? I'm simply ecstatic." Draco drawled. I can't believe my best friend is head over heels for Granger. It's disgusting, but look at the poor bloke he looks as if he's about to cry. "Oh all right, you act like I've just ripped the head off your favorite doll. Grow a pair mate. And I suppose I'm happy for you, if Granger is what you really want." He said, wrinkling his nose as if just saying her name brought an unwelcome stench to the air around him.

"Don't call her Granger, her name is Hermione," Blaise said still a little miffed at Draco's last insult.

"I know what her bloody name is and I will not call her by it, she's Granger, just Granger to me so deal with it!" By now Draco had had enough. Was Blaise losing his mind? He was acting like teenage girl. Draco got up and left the table and headed to DADA early and decided he'd review his essay that was due today.

Focus Draco, what is wrong with you, he angrily muttered to himself.

Why are you so pissed at Blaise?

Because he's so happy. Why can't I be happy?

Everyone still thinks I'm an evil git. Why isn't Blaise evil?

He's too dumb to be evil.

Well okay he's not completely stupid, but he's not intelligent enough for Granger. I'm the only one who can challenge her intellect and she's the only one who challenges mine. You know how you like a challenge Draco his mind said slyly. It's true. She is attractive as well, can't lie; maybe if things don't go well with her and Blaise I'd give it a shot. She's the smartest witch in the school and I deserve her more than anyone. It will be hard, but it's the thrill of the chase that interests me. Once I'm tired of her then I'll dump her and it all seems to work out well for me. I mean now that I know she's willing to see someone from Slytherin why not right? But what if things do go right with Blaise? You are still a Slytherin Draco, would secretly destroying your best friends relationship be below you?

Draco smiled as he thought the answer, proud of himself for coming up with this. Seven years later and you've still got it in you Draco ole' boy. Maybe being raised by Lucius Malfoy did have its benefits…maybe…

Draco's head snapped up when he heard the door open and looked to see Hermione walking in the room. He grumbled and turned back to his essay, or his thoughts rather.

"I can't believe you're still working on your essay Malfoy. You do know it's due today right?" Hermione asked, giving him a dubious look.

"I am aware of that Granger," he spat in return. "I'm simply looking over it. After all these years you still think you're the only one who does their homework?"

"Well I know you used to get good marks, but ever since you decided to try and kill Dumbledore it seems like you lost your touch."

Draco didn't lose his touch, but he just lost something…his sanity..perhaps?

"I DID NOT CHOOSE TO TRY AND KILL DUMBLEDORE!" he shouted at her as he stood up and marched over to her. He stopped only inches from her nose he continued "IF I DIDN'T TRY, VOLDEMORT WOULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY FAMILY SO YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BLOODY HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! I KNOW!!!" He laughed manically. This made Hermione a bit nervous. Why was he laughing? "SHOCKING ISN'T IT? FOR ONCE YOU'RE IGNORANT!" Draco finished. By now he was panting from the effort of yelling for so long.

Hermione thought he was going slightly mad. He did indeed look crazed; his hair was hanging down in his face which was red from yelling and his eyes seemed to be having an internal battle over whether or not they would turn into glaring slits or simply just pop out of his head.

"You know nothing about me." This time his voice was deadly quiet. "Don't think you do Granger. All you've ever known is your perfect little life as the 'Chosen One's' best friend, conquering evil and saving the world and all that shit."

"My life is not perfect Malfoy. I have been through hell the past couple years, but it was all worth it because in the end we killed your precious Dark Lord." After she said this she wished she hadn't because she immediately saw Draco's face darken and she gulped trying to back away only to realize she was already against the wall.

"You know nothing of hell Granger. I'll show you hell," Draco whispered, grabbing her arm and dragging her over to Professor Avarus's desk. Now Hermione was truly frightened. What was he going to do to her? Class didn't start for another 20 minutes so there was no way anyone would rescue her. Surely he wouldn't kill her right here in the class room. Would he?

(A/N) Muahahahaha. Reviews would be greatly appreciated :) I'll update soon I promise.