Flashback: If only I could move my head right, thought Draco. He leaned a bit closer…

Hermione Granger was moving—though hesitantly—she was also leaning in. Hermione! A voice rang in her head. What the bloody hell are you doing? She flinched at the voice's accusing tone. That small movement was enough to break the spell that they were in. She jumped back, moving away from Draco's mesmerizing eyes and tempting lips. Her thoughts were interrupted by Draco's Malfoy's piercing cold voice.

"You're right, Granger. I don't see why we should be here anymore. Blaise, give the Mudblood her wand." Blaise Zabini threw Hermione's wand toward her. Then they Disapparated.

Draco Malfoy has had this argument in his head a million times in the past ten minutes.

Why did I want to kiss that Mudblood anyway?

As if he could read Draco's mind, Blaise Zabini asked, "What was that back there?"

Draco, trying to play it cool asked, "What was what back there?"

Blaise shrugged, drowning his secong mug of Butterbeer. "You know—" Draco shot Blaise a look, which he ignored. "—the thing with a certain Gryffindor named Hermione Jean Granger?" Draco's throat seemed dry at the mention of her whole name. Blaise just continued. "'Cause I swear, you were about to kiss her." Draco's ears turned red, but pretended not to feel the slight rush of color to his cheeks and finished his 6th shot of Firewhiskey. The burning sensation in Draco's throat removed his dry throat, and replaced it with a clouded head. "It's not what it looked like," Draco said, weakly trying to hide the truth.

Blaise smiled inwardly. I just need to get Draco drunk enough to spill the beans. Zabini's always had a way to get what they wanted, though more subtle than the Malfoy's.

"Really?" Blaise said, a hint of excitement in his voice. Then he turned to the bartender, muttering, "Another shot of Firewhiskey for Draco." Since seven is the most magical number, Blaise thought it would give him the information he wanted.

The drink appeared on Draco's hand. Draco eyed it incredulously like a first year eyes a broomstick. "For me? Free?" Blaise nodded.

"That's what friends are for right?" Draco chuckled.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to get me drunk," Draco said, his voice a bit slurred. Blaise shrugged. Draco finished the shot in a matter of seconds. The whole room began to spin and the only thing left in his mind was her. And he felt the urge to tell anyone his problem with her.

"Ah, bloody hell," Draco slurred, talking more to himself than anyone else.

"So, Drake," Blaise said, rubbing his hands together. "What is the deal with Granger?"

"I don't bloody know," Draco said, hearing the blood pump in his head. Then he laughed a low, mirthless laugh. "Funny, right? I. Don't. Know. Since when did I not know? I used to know everthing. I almost kissed her, Blaise." He ran a hand through his now-messed up hair. "In fact, I wanted to kiss her. Then she moved away. Moved away, Blaise. No one—especially girls—can resist me. But she can."

Blaise whistled. "Phew, man. But why her? You could have everybody else." Draco laughed bitterly.

"That's the problem, Zabini. She's the only one I can't have." Then Draco smiled. "What's up with you and the older Greengrass? You look pretty cozy."

Blaise rolled his eyes. "We're together, dude. We should be cozy."

"Yeah," Draco said, looking up. "Pretty butterflies…" Shit, Blaise thought. He's going to… then Draco vomited.

A month ago:

Ginny Weasley bought a new cauldron. It wasn't for school, this was something special. She went to the old and deserted girls bathroom. She had pieces of paper, an iron handle and wood with her. She placed the paper on top of the wood, took out her wand and muttered, "Incendio." The wood and paper quickly set on fire. She placed the cauldron on top of the fire, using the iron handle. She opened her Potions textbook, scanning the various potions she could brew, and saw it. She smiled. Veritaserum.

Ugh, Hermione thought. Her head pounded. She had stayed up all night, tossing and turning, thinking about her encounter with Draco Malfoy in Hogsmeade.

I'm a Slytherin, Granger. I'm supposed to be sneaky.

Well, a voice snickered in her head. He sure has a way to sneak into your head, Hermione.

She didn't try to deny it… it was awfully true. "'Mione! You're awake!" Ginny exclaimed.

"Always the morning person, Ginevra," Hermione said dryly. Ginny smiled.

"Dean and I had fun, isn't that a reason to be a 'morning person'?" The truth was, Ginny and Dean fought last night, because Dean thought Ginny bailed on him for another guy, seeing that Ginny was an eye candy for most of the boys in school. Ginny was, of course, brewing Veritaserum, making it mature. Ginny handed Hermione a cup of coffee. Hermione smiled and drank it. Her head cleared, and she didn't care about what she said anymore.

"So, 'Mione, do you like snogging Ron?" She just had to ask.

Hermione turned a bit red. "Well, Ron's… not bad, I guess. It'd be perfect, if I was in love with him."

Ginny's eyes widened. "You don't love my brother?"

"Well, I sort of did, last year, when the war was raging and all. I just like someone else."

"Someone else… like who?" Ginny felt excited. The moment of truth, she thought.

"D-draco Malfoy." She hated it. She hated the truth. She hated Malfoy for being so damn gorgeous.

"Since when?"

"I don't know… One day I just realized that he looked so handsome and then… you know. I don't see a way out of this!" Tears stung her eyes. No, no, no. I am most certainly not crying over a boy. "He'll never feel the same way. Not even if Merlin rises from the dead. Ginny, I don't know what to do!" The truth potion had already worn off, but Hermione still told Ginny the bitter truth. "And not to mention Ron. He asked me out to the Winter Ball. I told him I'd think about it. But you know what Ron's like!"

Ginny frowned, thinking about it. And then it hit her.

"Hermione, this is perfect! You'll go with my brother, and make Malfoy jealous!" Hermione looked down at her hands. "I can't just use Ron. It's wrong."

"Well so is being with one guy and harboring emotions for the other," Ginny reminded her. "Believe me, 'Mione, you don't want to be in that situation. Been there, done that."

"With Dean? Ginny, I know you like Harry." Ginny's eyes were glistening with tears.

Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, Ginny told herself.

"I… I… Harry…" Ginny seemed at a loss for words. Her knees gave out. "Yes! I am in love with Harry James Potter and I know I'll never have a shot with him!" The tears Ginny swore would never spill fell to the floor, glistening like diamonds.

"Ginny, why don't you ask him? I'm sure he'll listen. He's not the Chosen One for nothing." Hermione felt happy for Ginny. At least she'll have a shot with the one she loves.

A/N

Me: Crazy, isn't it. *mutters: Avis*

Draco: Yeah, bet St. Mungo's has a place for you. You know, the mental ward.

Me: *points wand at Draco* Oppugno!

Draco: *gets attacked by canaries* MOMMY! *runs out of room*

5 minutes later...

Me: I promise not to do that again to you if you never insult me. EVER again.

Draco: She doesn't mean it, ma! She doesn't!

Blaise: Hey, Granger.

Draco: I'm not going to fall for that again.

Hermione: Fall for what?

Draco: *blushes* Uh, er... eh...

Hermione: iheartDracoandRon, this is proof that Draco does have a heart. *smiles*

Press it!

|
|
|
\ /
v