A/N: Just a quick note, did I mention this story is non-epilogue compliant? Also, Bellatrix Lestrange didn't die. I hope you are still following.

CHAPTER 4

Hermione woke up with a massive headache. She only had about two hours of sleep. It wasn't because of Malfoy's assault—at least that was what she told herself; it wasn't as if she returned his advances— on her, but it was because… because of school work! And Harry's annoying habit of bringing up how he was still worried about Voldemort's return. Hermione repeatedly told Harry that Voldemort was probably off forming a new group of minions. "But Bellatrix is still alive! Then there's Greyback… I'm telling you, Hermione, the chief members of His circle is still alive, they only have to scare off people to actually join. And then they'd be back to plotting and attacking. The school is still under repair, its defenses are not quite strong compared before. What if…what if He'd attack anytime? And we can't completely be sure of Malfoy's intentions this time. What if he was assigned to a new task? We can't take chances this time."

Hermione's head pounded even harder. She knew and understood that Harry meant well, but really, he was already being paranoid and annoying. First term exams are fast approaching, and all Harry did was worry, worry, and worry about Voldemort. She understood the stress he's been into, but really, he had to loosen up a bit.

Then there's the thing with Ron. Sure, they had something going on last year. But with Ron's withdrawal from her ever since Fred died, the spark of their relationship faded, just like that. He was discernibly taking her for granted, and when she called him for it, he got mad. He even had the balls to actually break up with her. She did not know how and what to feel. She has set her mind on a future with him, and now that they're over, she didn't know what to feel. Hermione felt sad, that's certain. But she felt mostly annoyed, really annoyed. She'd given him everything. She'd given him herself, with no regrets. In mid-May, she had a pregnancy scare. She had not told anyone about it, not even Ron. A few days after finding out the actual result, she confronted Ron about it. "I thought I was pregnant. I wasn't ready. I could not leave school. I wasn't ready to risk it." To her great dismay, Ron only responded with a tight nod.

Hermione then decided that she would let go. Besides, they were still young, people come and go; and she knew both of them would someday meet their better halves. Only she expected and wanted hers to be Ron. Yesterday, when she, Harry, Ginny and Ron were hanging out in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ginny excused themselves for a supposed rendezvous; but she knew better, of course.

Ron scooted over beside her, and faced her. "Hermione," Ron started. "We—can we talk?" He asked nervously.

Hermione briefly looked at him and then sighed heavily. She supposed she could give this a go. "Ok, we're here now, and alone. What is it you wanted to talk about?"

"Us," Ron answered quickly. "I…I'm aware of how I've been treating you. I…I'm sorry. It's just really been hard for me."

Hermione's blood boiled. "So I was added baggage to you, then. I would have done anything for you." Why was she having this talk with him again? Although her heart has not completely closed to Ron, her mind did. Hi's reasons were beyond stupid.

"No, you weren't," Ron injected. "I just… I felt the need to be alone, you know? Please understand."

Hermione felt her blood cool down a little. "Ok, so what now?" She stared at him dully.

Ron reached for her hand and brought it on his chest. "I want us to be together again. I want to be what we were before. I love you. I shouldn't have taken you for granted."

Hermione's brows knitted together. She felt so confused and… confused! Before she had the chance to answer, Ron brought himself closer to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. She felt his tongue dip on her parted lips, and it wasn't long until it made its way into her mouth. She missed him, she missed this. But this was wrong. Ron can't just take her back whenever he wanted to. So she gently pushed him away, and got to her feet. "I'll think about this. I'm sorry, Ron," and with that she left.

But what really added up to her migraine was Malfoy. Lately, he'd been so skittish around her. It was as if he wanted to talk to her or something. It's not like she was going to hex her if he tried to talk to her, she wasn't Harry. Hermione decided she had grown mature, so that her personal issue against Malfoy was already in the past. If McGonagall gave him another chance, then why wouldn't she? She was a rational being, and she believed he was capable of change. Last night was a surprise to her. She felt violated, yet she felt good. For some reason, she wasn't mad that Malfoy kissed her. She was just…perplexed. Despite her headache, she couldn't help but compare the two kisses she had received yesterday. Ron's was sweet and passionate. Malfoy's had this burning passion and urgency, which, she must admit, turned her on. She deduced her reasons into simpler ones: Ron—cold; Draco—hot.

Hermione couldn't help but giggle, despite of herself. She, like any other girls—may it be sluts or whores— out there, had her needs and wants. She wondered if Malfoy did better than Ron at… Shit, what was she thinking. Hermione got up from her bed and stretched her body. She came to realize that it was probably one of Malfoy's antics on her. He was probably dared or something. It wasn't a big deal. It was just a kiss. There was no harm in kissing.

She went to the window and draw her curtains open, welcoming sunlight into her room, only to be rewarded with another jolt of pain in her head.

After taking a bath, Hermione emerged from the bathroom. Just as she was about to enter her room, the other door opened, and out came Draco. Hermione's cheeks flushed crimson as she realized how half naked she was with her thigh-length bathrobe at the moment, and how Malfoy was ogling at her body. Damnit, she preferred the dead air rather than this awkwardness.

Hermione cleared her throat and thankfully, Draco seemed to be back from reality. Hermione smiled nonchalantly. "Morning," she quipped.

Draco responded with a short greeting as well, and move past her, keeping his eyes glued to the bathroom.

After he was done dressing, he came out of his room and looked over at Hermione's door. He had not heard her door open, so maybe she was still inside. He had thought of waiting for her, but decided against it. She might think something else of his kindness. And it would be weird for him to suddenly act so kind to her, just because they kissed. Dammit, he almost forgot.

ooo

Hermione ran her way to the hall for breakfast. She greeted Harry and Ron with a pat, and positioned herself between them.

"What's up?" Ron asked, making conversation.

After taking a bite of her muffin, Hermione glanced at Ron and noticed he was looking expectantly at her. She also noticed the wary glances Harry and Ginny—from across— had been giving her. So they knew. Apparently, Ron had confided to them first. It was nothing she did not expect. She suddenly remember what has transpired between them yesterday. She cleared her throat as she shook her head to clear her thoughts. She can't act shy around him. "Just the usual," she answered casually.

After eating, Harry and Neville bid their friends goodbye, so did Ginny and some other seventh years, which Hermione knew only by face. They were purposely setting her up with Ron again. That annoyed her again. She'll come around him naturally. "Can I walk you to your first class?" Ron asked carefully with a low voice.

"Yeah, sure," Hermione answered. Ron got up to his feet and gleefully offered his hand for Hermione to take. She smiled unceremoniously at the gesture and placed her hand on Ron's. Together, they went out of the Great hall.

Not very far from the couple was a glaring Slytherin.

"Mate, did you hear about Goyle's joke? It was pathetic," Blaise said hysterically.

"Huh? What? Oh yeah. I thought so too," he said distractedly, giving a fake laugh. He looked away from Hermione and Weasley's retreating figures.

"I heard he broke up with her before the year started," Blaise said offhandedly. Draco looked at him, piqued. "Weasley and Granger."

Draco averted his eyes from Blaise's, and effectively wiped his mouth with the napkin provided for. "What gives you the idea that I might be interested on that subject?"

Blaise ignored Draco's question. "Do you fancy her?" He asked, rather amused. "Don't tell me; with the weeks that she'd been ignoring you, you have grown to like her?"

"No. We're two different persons. I have no reason to like her like that," Draco said cheerlessly. It was true, and he wasn't lying. With a curt nod directed to Blaise, he left for his first class.

ooo

So what if he kind of fancied her? She was nice to him. Unlike the two thirds the trio she so rightfully belonged to, she respected him. Indeed, two months was too soon to conclude that he actually liked her. Given the times they talked, it was indeed impossible to deduce his feelings for her. He did not want her to like him back; that would be absurd. He was content with what was happening now. Another kiss wouldn't hurt, though…

"Mr. Malfoy, can you repeat what I just said?" Professor Slughorn said plainly. To his great dismay, he got everyone's attention. The last thing he wanted right now was attention.

Draco cringed. His teacher hated him, and would do probably anything to embarrass him. "I'm sorry Professor. I—I wasn't able to catch it. in the middle of something. I didn't catch it. I'm sorry." Draco hid his eyes from his hair. Everyone was now staring at him. Great.

"Very well; five points from Slytherin. As I was saying, the ingredients…"

Draco looked over to his left, where Granger was giving him a sympathetic smile.

ooo

The hours passed, and it wasn't long until it was night time. After a heavy dinner, Draco was startled with a knock on his door. He decided to study inside his room because he felt tired to go to the library. He got up on his feet and opened the door.

"Time for patrolling," Hermione said, headed to the main door.

Wasn't it too early? "Already?"

"Yeah. Professor McGonagall's orders. Come on, we have to assign new duties for prefects after." Bloody hell. Why was he assigned Head Boy again?

They started roaming around the Gryffindor's area, when Hermione halted to a stop. "Wait," she said.

"What is it?" Draco asked cautiously. Hermione walked further, and Draco had to squint his eyes to see through the darkness. He walked nearer and spotted Hermione talking to someone. He couldn't make out the image, but when he saw red hair, he already knew who it was. He came closer to the pair.

"So have you decided yet?" Weasley asked in a hushed voice.

"Ron, it has only been a day. You have got to give me more time," Granger answered.

"Yeah, but we kissed; isn't that supposed to fix things? We—" Ron said, but ws rudely interrupted by Draco.

"We don't have all night, Weasel. Tell her whatever it is you want to tell tomorrow!" Draco growled.

"What the fuck is this ferret doing here, 'Mione?"

"We're doing our rounds, Ron. But he's right. This'll have to wait until tomorrow. Good night." Hermione left first, and Draco followed behind her. He looked back at a furious weasel and smirked widely.