Chapter 16: Slytherin vs Slytherin

It had been nearly a month since Malfoy and I had that huge fight. Ever since then, he had been making many attempts to talk to me but I always stayed away from him. He knew that was a raw nerve and yet he struck it. There was no way I was going to forgive him that easily.

Chad and I were getting along really well. Much to the contrary of Malfoy's outburst and the rumors, Chad was a real gentleman who never flirted with me or made a sleazy remark or move. I even introduced him to Harry and Ron and even the two of them got along with him well.

It was the day before Christmas break and I was dining in the Great Hall with Ginny, Ron and Harry. They were discussing what they were going to do over the break, and I just pretended to listen. In all honest fact, I hated Christmas breaks. It meant I had to spend it at the Burrow. Of course, I loved the Weaseley family. But I hated living there. Fred and George always played pranks on me and Mrs Weaseley would always ask if I were seeing Ron, which made Ron and I uncomfortable as we only saw each other as best friends.

"Hermione!"

I smiled and turned to see Chad running up to me, excitement etched on his face.

"Hey Chad! What's up?"

He was panting slightly from running to me and after regaining his breath, he flashed his usual white smile.

"Um, can I talk to you…without an audience?" he gestured to my three friends who immediately looked away and pretended like they weren't listening, though I knew that was not the case.

"Sure." I murmured, getting up and walking a distance away from them.

"So…tomorrow is the start of Christmas break and I know how you told me you hate staying at the Burrow and all. So, I was wondering maybe…if you would like…you could come over and stay at my place?" he nervously asked, a pleading smile on his face.

"Oh…Well I…"

"My parents are on vacation somewhere and they won't be home. But that doesn't mean you'll be alone just with me. There are House Elves, and don't worry I don't mistreat them, and my older sister is there too. So it's not going to be awkward or anything that we're in a house alone. And my family won't mind. And it's ju…"

"Chad!" I exclaimed, breaking up his small rant.

"I would love to. A small breather from the Weaseley clan is just what I need." I huffed with a smile.

Chad grinned and nodded in contentment before wishing me goodbye and walking away.

I headed back to the table to inform Ron and Ginny of my new plans and prayed they would be alright with it.

And they were.

After classes, I was making my way to Hagrid's Hut to pay him a visit when I heard voices coming from one of the empty corridors. I hid behind the wall and strained my ear to find out what the suspicious voices were.

"I'm warning you, Chad. Stay away from Hermione."

"Oh, so it's Hermione now. What happened to Granger? Or your favorite term for her. Mudblood?"

"Shut up! What I call her is none of your business."

"Oh contraire. It is. You see, Hermione is my friend. So I will not stand it if you call her names which will hurt her."

"Oh give up the act, Chad. You and I both know you better than that. I am serious. Stay away from her."

"Ooooh. Is that jealousy I hear?"

"It's more of anger and threat. I heard you two. You asked her to come over to your place for the break, didn't you?"

"What's wrong with a friend staying over?"

"Ha! Friend! I can see right through you, you two-faced lying whore!"

"Enough!" I yelled.

I had entered the corridor and to my utter shock, Malfoy had his wand at Chad's throat while Chad's was on the floor at a distance. Chad was backed up against the wall and had his hands up in defense.

They both turned at the sound of my voice, shock and horror washing over their faces.

"Hermione…I…"

"Leave it, Malfoy. And didn't I tell you to stop calling me that. Now, let go of Chad!" I snapped, walking up to them and tugging Chad's arm away while Malfoy lowered his wand.

"Her-Granger. Look. I was just…"

"Threatening my friend? Haven't you been doing that your whole life? First was Harry and Ron, now Chad too? I guess it just runs in your pure blood, huh?" I sarcastically asked, walking away with Chad.

Before Malfoy could reply, I dragged Chad away from the corridor as fast as could, seething in anger.

"Hermione? Are you okay?" Chad asked once we had reached the Black Lake.

"Am I okay? How could you be so calm after he said all those things to you?" I huffed.

"I'm used to it. People have been calling that for years now. So you learn to just take it all in stride and live with it. Don't you do the same with what some people sometimes call you?"

"Yes, but I still flare up when people call me that name." I hissed, recalling what Malfoy yelled at me all that time back after I told him about Chad.

"True. But hey. The world's not perfect right?" he joked, grinning at me.

I chuckled and shook my head lightly.

We spent some time chatting away until it was getting rather dark.

Well, there goes my visit to Hagrid's…

"I'll see you tomorrow, then. And we'll both make our way to my house."

"Where do you live?" I questioned as we made our way back to the castle.

"Um…let's just leave it as a…surprise, shall we?" he winked and I scoffed, rolling my eyes playfully.

That night, as I made my way up to the Heads Common Room Portrait, I saw Malfoy leaning against the wall outside it. His head was low and his arms were crossed. He seemed to be in deep thought.

I took a deep breath and continued climbing the stairs until I reached the Head Level.

Malfoy immediately looked up and he took a shaky step forward.

"Hermione, I…"

"Don't," I muttered before he could complete his sentence.

"Just…don't."

I said the password and entered the room, completely ignoring Malfoy as he scrambled behind me.

"Ok, you know what…" he trailed off as he grabbed my arm and slammed me into the wall, glaring down at me.

"I'm done playing games."

"Let. Me. Go." I hissed through clenched teeth.

"Not until you listen to me. Look, this is like the billionth time I'm apologizing for calling you that name. And you know how I am with apologizing."

"Yes. I know. Pureblood Malfoy never says sorry to anyone, especially inferiors."

"Would you stop? I know you're not going to forgive me anytime soon. Fine. I can live with that. But I'm not fine with you going to Chad's place." He snapped.

"What makes you think I need your consent to this? I will bloody well do what I want and you can't control me." I exclaimed, pushing him away and marching off into my room, slamming my door.

Taking in a couple of deep breaths, I calmed down my wild heart and started packing my things, trying to think more about sweet Chad than about stupid Malfoy.