AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thanks for the reviews, ahaha :3 I hope you guys like this chapter, I want to make the next one nice and juicy, as well as M-worthy.

CHAPTER FIVE: HALLOWEEN

"Are you coming to Hogsmeade, Muddie?" Draco asked, buttoning the last buttons on his shirt in the common room.

"No, I think I'll get some work done here," Hermione replied, not looking up from her book, "There's still the feast, anyway," she said. It was Halloween.

Malfoy looked at her, exasperated. "Schoolwork again? How can you think of such things when it's Halloween?"

"Merlin's pants, Malfoy! Why does it matter? Why do you care? I want to get work done and I'm going to get work done. Good. Bye." She said, and hurried to her dormitory, slamming the door.

"Merlin's pants?" Malfoy said to himself, amused.

IIIII

But Hermione was not going to be studying or doing homework, which she had of course already finished. Instead she would think and plan the details of her scheme against Malfoy. What kind of revenge would be best suited for someone in his position? She wondered if she should let the Slytherins believe she had slept with Malfoy so that he could win, and then perhaps blackmail him into leaving Harry and Ron alone. Not yet satisfied however, Hermione decided to muse some more.

IIIII

Walking along Hogsmeade with Crabbe and Goyle, Malfoy stepped into Honeydukes. Perhaps getting Hermione a little gift would perk her up, and maybe even get her feeling a bit closer to him. The other Slytherins didn't know Hermione was now aware of the bet, and Malfoy decided to keep that to himself for the time being. He had a feeling he could still win. Malfoy wondered what kind of candy Hermione would like, and gazed up at little packages containing fairy sugar. He was stowing away his purchase when he heard his name being called.

"Draco!" came the voice of Blaise, a few feet away in the sweet shop. "Can I have a word?" he asked cheekily. Malfoy agreed and separated himself from Crabbe and Goyle.

"Well," Blaise said softly, looking at the ground, as the two of them walked to the other side of the village. "Does she know anything?"

"She knows about the bet," Malfoy said, glancing around to see if anyone was within earshot, "but not about anything else."

Blaise nodded. "Alright, you should probably keep it that way," he said, and the two of them continued walking silently, slowly making their way to the school grounds.

IIIII

The Great Hall was decorated in streamers of orange, black and purple. Set out on the four house tables were skulls, spider webs, trick buttons that screamed when you pushed them, and little droplets of red liquid that suspiciously looked like blood. Sweets had been set out, and everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. Once the feast was over, people started to mill out of the Great Hall slowly.

"Hey Hermione, want to come back to the Gryffindor common room for a bit," Ron asked, "there's going to be a little after party."

Hermione smiled but shook her head. "No thanks, guys. I think I'll just get some rest, especially since ferret boy will most likely be celebrating in the dungeons." She yawned. "I hope the Prefects don't let anyone get too rowdy…" Ron raised an eyebrow and laughed, and him and Harry said goodnight to Hermione on the stairs.

Hermione walked over to the portrait of the King and Queen. "House Elf," she said, smiling.

The Queen moved her head over only slightly.

"I'm sorry," she said, and the portrait remained closed.

"Er, what?" Hermione asked. The King in the portrait raised his eyebrows.

"The password has been changed," he boomed.

"Oh, just great," Hermione spat. She had forgotten her and Malfoy had the ability to change the password of their own portrait.

"Alright, erm…is it Pureblood?"

The Queen shook her head.

"Slytherin? Slytherin rules? Toujours pur?" but the Queen continued to shake her head.

"Now see here, Miss," the King said gruffly, "You can't just guess any word you please, we don't have all day to-"

The portrait swung open. Malfoy emerged, looking pleased to see Hermione.

"Ah, haven't figured out the new password? I thought it'd be obvious."

Hermione glared at him.

"It's Hermione Malfoy, just so you know for next time."

"Have you gone ma-"

"Oh, don't mind us, we simply adore facing this blank wall," shouted the King. Hermione rolled her eyes and pulled the portrait as her and Malfoy walked into the common room.

Hermione rounded on Malfoy. "Hermione Malfoy? What the hell is that about?" she snapped.

"What if someone actually hears me uttering that foul-and this isn't going to help you with your stupid little bet either, you idiot," Hermione huffed.

"Hermione Malfoy sounds better than Hermione Weasley," Malfoy said simply.

Hermione began to rub her temples while Malfoy grinned in response.

"Here, Granger, I got you something," Malfoy said, and took out a bag of sweets wrapped in pink and gold. Hermione looked at the little bundle suspiciously.

"And how do I know that-"

"Don't worry, it's not laced with anything," Malfoy read her thoughts, "think of it as an apology." When Hermione continued to look skeptical Malfoy shoved the sweets into her hands, laughing.

"It's chocolate with fairy sugar," he said, while she eyed the package, now with curiosity. "It makes the eater feel like they're flying," he continued, "and it was made without testing on house-elves."

Hermione looked up at him. "Thank-you," she said curtly, but Malfoy would've been prepared to make a bet that she had slipped him a little smile.