Chapter 6

DISCLAIMER - I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS ETC. MENTIONED IN THIS FAN FICTION ( unless I decide to become spontaneous and create a random character )

Hermione

It was the next day, and after having a rather productive meeting with Professor McGonagol, Hermione and the Slytherin decided to stay in the Transfiguration classroom for some extra study time. And gossip. Hermione, after the meeting had finished, ran to get Neville and brought him to the room to 'study' as well.

"Come on Neville, spit it out! You're going to slip up eventually, so tell me now to avoid the humiliation of blurting it out in front of other people." Hermione encouraged Neville.

"Leave me be Hermione. You're driving me insane! I promised not to say anything to anyone, now just leave it at that."

Malfoy pretended to look uninterested, glancing at a book (but Hermione could tell he wasn't reading it), however listening attentively.

"It's not as though you made an unbreakable vow Neville! I won't tell anyone I promise!" Hermione reasoned. Recently she was starting to get really nosey when it came to people's business, and she felt bad for annoying her friends, but her thirst for knowledge seemed to extend beyond just what books could tell her.

"Geez Hermione, you're starting to sound just like Rita Skeeter. I wouldn't be surprised if you become a beetle Animagus!" Neville would not usually have said that to a friend, but Hermione's prying was starting to agitate him.

"Two things Neville... No, make that three. One, who told you that Rita Skeeter was an unregistered Animagus? Two, that is the most absurd idea to ever cross my mind. Rita Skeeter is an infuriating woman. Three... Tell me who you kissed!" She could no longer contain herself.

"Harry told me to be on my toes if I ever saw a green beetle... and how do you know for certain I kissed someone? I might have been about to say... Ki...Kicked! Yes that's right, I kicked...Snape! Yes, I kicked Professor Snape." Neville looked proud of his excuse.

Malfoy mumbled something that sounded like 'You don't have the balls Longbottom'.

Hermione glared at Malfoy who cringed, then realising he'd done so, looked ashamed of himself and returned her glare.

"As much as I hate to agree with Malfoy, I too think you wouldn't kick anyone. No offence Neville but your just not the kind of guy to go around kicking teachers."

Neville didn't answer her Question, and instead changed the subject. "Wh...what book you got there Malfoy?"

Draco

Draco was still recovering from the 'Hermione glare'. How could he let a... a Mud... a Muggleborn make him cringe? How could he, A Pure-Blooded Malfoy, be Out-Glared? There he was again, relapsing. There is no difference between Granger and I. In fact, she is smarter than me. And she's pretty too. Draco scowled finding it awkward to think of these things.

He was too caught up in his mind to realise that Longbottom had asked him a question.

"What? I wasn't listening." He said nonchalantly, not really interested in anything the buffoon had to say.

"What. Book. Are. You. Reading. Malfoy." He said the words slowly and clearly, mocking Malfoy's lapse in concentration.

Malfoy gave Neville his trademark smirk. "Nothing you'd be interested in Longbottom. For starters it's got no pictures. And second, it's about traning to become an Animagus. Seeing as the only subject you seem to be even competent in is Herbology" He said with a note of disgust in his voice, "I don't think you would be able to understand it."

Neville went beet-red. "Are you t-trying to s-say that H-Herbology has n-no use at all?" This was the angriest Hermione had seen Neville. He looked like he was about to burst at the seams with pent-up fury.

Malfoy paled ever so slightly but sat up straighter in his seat, holding his ground. "And, so what if I did?" he was venturing into unknown territory. How DO you deal with an angry Neville?

What happened next went very fast it was hard to keep track events.

Neville charged towards where Malfoy was sitting, a bit like a rogue rhinoceros. He collided with Malfoy and a 'crack' resounded throughout the room.

Hermione, just realising what had happened, separated the two easily with her wand.

Malfoy looked livid and appealed to Hermione, "Let me go! Let me get at him! He's broke my nose that !&$$%#"

Hermione looked at the blood flowing freely like a stream from Malfoy's nose. Neville fainted - either from the blood, or from realising what he had just done. Malfoy looked ashamed because Hermione had seen him like this.

Laying Neville on the floor, she went over to assist Malfoy.

"Let me fix it. It will only take two seconds."

Malfoy turned away from her.

"No, don't come near me."

"Stop being childish Draco. It will only hurt for a second."

"It's not that Granger. I'm a Malfoy. I have no fears." He blatantly lied, immediately thinking of the Dark Lord and himself bald ( A trivial fear he has that he may have inherited his grandfathers 'Lack-of-Hair-When-You-Reach-25' gene ).

"What is it then?"

"Its' just embarrassing is all."

"Don't be silly Draco. Let me fix it."

He half turned hesitantly, then turned fully to face her. Her eye's were locked onto his, and they looked as though they could read his very soul.

"Episkey." Then she got rid of the mess, "Scourgify."

"Thanks Herm... Granger." He corrected himself.

"You're Welcome Draco. You owe me one." She winked. "You can start by lifting Neville to the Medical Room."

Draco went for his wand, trying to cover up the fact that he was blushing.

"Oh-No you don't. Carry him with no magic. Just for my amusement." She giggled and it sounded like the soft tingle of bells.

"Whatever you say, your Highness."

Hey guys, sorry about the un-justified wait, but i've just been slapped in the face with Prelim revision. Fun, right? I'll try not to let it happen again =)

~Stealgal~