Hello everyone. Thank you for more support from all of you. This is by far the longest chapter ever. I thought I might be able to finish three chapters today but it was impossible. Hermione and Draco are the main characters, I think everyone got that idea but what I wanted do was not only show a big picture alone but also to put small picture in it. So I threw some small love stories in between. Please do not be disappointed for my attempt. If you guys let me know what I am lacking then I promise you I will correct it. Also I figured if I put all these little stories in one whole chapter then I would be able to write about Draco and Hermione more. So without distracting you further, here is my attempt of chapter seven. There will be three more chapters to come (I think).

P.S everybody in this chapter is from J.K Rowling's Harry Potter franchise.

Chapter 7

"What are you doing here alone, Draco?" asked Blaise Zabini as he approached the couch Draco was sitting on in their common room. He sat beside Draco and looked at him. Draco looked like he was very deep in his thoughts.

"Today she said she is not affected by being called a mudblood," said Draco in a very pensive voice. He had been thinking about Hermione a lot. So he ended up waking up late still thinking about her and how she had affected him through her braveness and kind heart.

Confused about what Draco was talking about, Blaise asked him "Who?"

"Granger, remember she said that even if we call her mudblood it won't matter to her."

"Yes, but why are you here all alone thinking about what she had said?" asked Blaise thinking that his friend might have lost his head for real.

"She was screaming Blaise. Bellatrix was torturing her with the cruciatus. But she was brave; she didn't give out any information even though I know how painful the torture is. Her scream was tearing my heart apart but I couldn't help her. I know I'm coward but at the time I wanted to get out of it. I didn't want to be anywhere near the Dark Lord… Voldemort. I wanted to save my family. I know I couldn't have helped her anyways. But maybe it was my pride that didn't allow me to help a muggle-born or my cowardness. She says it doesn't affect her at all but I saw it. Bellatrix had scribbled 'mudblood' on her arm." Both the boys were quiet some sometime then Draco spoke again "how can one be so forgiving Blaise? There I am watching her being torture yet she doesn't hold that against me at all. What am I going to do?

"Draco do you not want to finish this bet anymore?" asked Blaise

"Oh no I will finish the bet, why wouldn't I? It's not like I like her or anything, it's just amazing to see that some people are born that way. But because of that attitude, I just want to see her get crushed" said Draco

"Why?" asked Blaise

Giving the famous Malfoy smirk, Draco said "Slytherin pride, also I get something out of it?"

Laughing Blaise gets up from the couch and says "get up now. It's already 12 and I have to get up early. I don't know why they think that I should be the one helping a Hufflepuff to help decorate for the coming up Halloween party. So you and I both need to sleep. Stop thinking about Granger now just think her in your wet dreams."

It just took Draco couple of second to understand what his friend was saying; when he had comprehended he was chasing Zabini all the way to their room.

"Ok Goyle, what are your other problems besides working with a mudblood?" asked Hermione.

She was trying every small possibility to make Goyle understand why he should consider working with her. So far she had only made him listen to her while keeping his mouth shut. But now she is using a different tactic to approach him. Instead of nodding his head for yes or no questions, he has to open his mouth to actually answer her "what" question.

"There is no other problems mud…Granger." he corrected himself because he finally realized that that word is not useful as it was with others.

"Are you sure? Ok then, you have no problems at all. But I have to tell you this; Millicent Bulstrode has been eyeing me since the time I walked in with you into the class. I know all the Slytherin girls hate me but her hatred is not associated with other girls." This made Goyle turn and face Hermione, giving his full attention to her.

"What are you talking about?" asked Goyle

"Well I will tell you everything if you cooperate with me and work with me in this assignment. I don't want you to be angry in every small thing, I don't want you to call me names or be violent. Understood?" asked Hermione being hopeful.

Goyle was very frustrated with her but letting go of his fury he sighed and asked her "why is it that you want to work with me, Granger? Like you said and like every other people say that you are the brightest witch of our time so why are you working with me. Look at me I am a buffoon. I can't understand a big words if they are spoken to me, unless somebody explains to me twice. Crabbe was my other half when we worked together, even though we were individual idiots we could still manage to be in class every year. Now that he is gone I am kinda lost. So if you don't want to lose points you might consider working with me."

Very touched with his speech, Hermione said "listen Goyle… I mean Gregory. I am gonna call you by your first name; I don't care if you mind. I am very proud of you for being so honest. I know what people think of you. That is the reason why I want to help you if you let me. Even if I lose some good points with you my grades are not going to go down. I have managed to accomplish good grades from all the teachers that nothing will ever affect my marks. Understand? So without further ado, let's begin our mission of getting you Bulstrode."

"What? But you said to work with you in our potion assignment. Where is this going?" asked Goyle being very confused.

Hermione smiled and replied "oh I can finish and help you finish the assignment just fine but making Bulstrode like you might take some time. You see most of the women like smart men. Even if she is an idiot herself, I believe that being with smart men turns them on."

By the end of their convo Goyle gave her his full attention. So it is easier then it seemed thought Hermione.

Goyle liked what Hermione was telling him and he was smiling but there is a person in the class who was loathing the interaction between Hermione and Goyle. The funny thing is he doesn't even know why he hates seeing Goyle and Hermione smile at each other or even talk to each other. Draco was really confused with his emotions regarding Granger. He was still thinking different ways to kill Goyle when he was interrupted by the glare given to him by Potter.

"Why are you glaring at me Potter? Am I too charming to stand near you? Don't worry no one will take your glory away from you." he said

Ever since he heard what he was going to do to Hermione, Harry wanted to kill Malfoy with his bare hands. Magic is too pure for Malfoy and Harry didn't want him to feel happy when he dies. So frustrated with situation Harry controlled himself and said in a very subtle way "listen Malfoy, I am going to tell you something and you better listen to me while you can coz I won't repeat this again. You and I don't like each other that is for sure. But in wizarding world I have learnt that if one wizard saves another, they create a bond. That means the other wizard have to save the first one even if he doesn't want to. You have saved me and my friends at your house that time I will give you that and in return I did save your butt in the fire in room of requirement twice. So that leaves me in advantage. But to you its a disadvantage because trust me when I say this that I will create a situation where I am in danger in front of you and because we are bonded you have no other option but to save me. In the process I will make sure you are killed. I know you have no idea why I am saying all this to you but trust me you will soon figure it out. I thought maybe you were a change man after what Voldemort did to your family, guess I was wrong."

Draco was internally panicking now. He wasn't sure how but he knew that Potter knows about his plan to seduce Granger. He also felt guilty because Potter trusted him to be a change man but he wasn't in front of him. Not sure what to do with the situation he said "Potter I really have no idea what you are talking about" and making note to find out if Granger or Potter know about their plan.

They were not only the pair of Slytherins and Gryffindors who were having conflict with the situation. All of the pairs were arguing with each other. And Snape being late wasn't helping with the class' noise. Among the noises there was a big noise of disruption from Ron and Pansy's table. All the other noises were put to halt and eyes were shifted towards the pair.

"You know what Weasly, I don't have to do this. I don't want to work with you" said Pansy

"Well Parkinson you are in luck because the feeling is mutual" roared Ron

"Good thing we agree in one thing at least. Look at me I am too good to be standing anywhere near you. Your status will go up but mine will degrade asshole" screamed Pansy

"Degrade? In front of who? The bunch of death eaters that you call father and uncle? Well let me break it to you missy. The world has changed and I was the part of the revolutionary group to change this world to a better place. Understood? I don't know why you think you are so high and mighty in front of me or rather in front of anybody here. Let's not talk about the war and the change that has happened. But let's focus on you. What do you think is soooo great about The Miss Pansy Parkinson that she is boasting about her status in front of class? Is it your blood? Well you had no hand in it, your parents did, well not the hand but you know what I mean. Is it about your money? Again not yours, you didn't earn any of it. It belongs to your ancestors. Or is it about your education? But as far as I know, my best friend Hermione Granger is better then you, heck she is better than anyone of us in this class. And she is a muggle-born, who you refer as, no offence Hermione, a mudblood. Or is it your pug face? So tell me what is so great about you Parkinson?" roared Ron

Pansy was shocked in hearing all this and was hurt to hear him call pug face. She was speechless for a second but her anger was building up and she spoke slowly gritting her teeth "HOW. DARE. YOU…?

She was going to say more but Ron got her first "You are daring me to say those things again? Bloody hell I will say it again, if I can fight a bunch of death eaters I can repeat myself for sure."

Watching all this, Hermione was sure that Ron was gonna explode and he would be in trouble if Snape decides to take this time to walk into the class. So she decides to intervene for two reasons. One she is the Head Girl and she had the responsibilities to watch over in the absence of any teacher. And the second reason is that Ron is her friend and she knows how to handle him in this situation. So she walks towards them and says "ok kids, give it up. You are shouting at each other in front of everyone," but she was tuned out by both of them.

Pansy came closer to Ron and grabbed him by his collar and said "you are crossing a very fine line blood traitor; watch out if you don't want to regret it later."

Hermione starts to say "ok if you guys don't stop I am gonna have to duct some points from both the houses and don't ….." she was stopped again by Ron when he also came closer to Pansy and leaning down towards her he brought her closer by wrapping his arm around her waist. Looking into her eyes he said slowly and in a calm voice "what are you going to do Parkinson?"

Staring at his eyes Pansy felt like she was blushing but thinking otherwise she tried to speak "I will have you know that my father….." she was stopped when the lips of the blue eyed boy came crashing down to hers.

Standing in front of the pair of the kissing couple, Hermione felt like her mouth is going to be dry from opening too long. Shocked would be understatement. The temperature of the room was suddenly becoming too hot. And they were in the dungeon and it is never warm there. It was not only her but everyone was beyond shocked to see such a sight. Draco thought he was having a heart attack but couldn't move.

The pair was still kissing, Pansy was fighting in the beginning but it seems like she was enjoying it very much and was kissing Ron back. The kissing stopped suddenly and Ron seemed have brought himself back and pushing Pansy away from him. Looking away from her direction to everyone, his face changed into the color that matches his hair. He tried to say something in a very quiet voice so that only Hermione and Pansy could hear him "if you dare me again than I…." he couldn't speak anymore and was preparing to leave the classroom.

Snape chose the precise moment to come into the class after being 15 minutes late. Ron was by the door when Snape asked him where he was going and Ron replied "I am not feeling well Sir, I think I am going to hospital wing to see Madame Pomfrey" and he left.

Snape was just adjusting to the thought as to why Weasly was leaving when Hermione spoke (she had already pulled herself together when Ron decided to leave the class) "Sir I think I will go after him, to make sure he is alright. He did seem kinda flustered I hope he doesn't pass out in the hallway," Snape was about to contradict when she said again "don't worry sir, Goyle here will take the notes for me, won't you Goyle? You better do or else I won't help you to get good grades," saying that and getting a nod from Snape she left to go after Ron.

"Hey Granger wait up," called Draco

Very confused with the situation Hermione looked behind her and saw Malfoy running towards her. For a moment she thought he looked amazing. That tall lean body, cold stare that gives chills down to her lady part. The golden colored hair that brings glow on his face; he truly is a handsome man. Too bad his personality doesn't match with his outer image. "What do you want Malfoy?" spat Hermione

"Ooo feisty, why is it that you speak to every other boys with kind and love but with me you are always rude? You even talk to other Slytherin boys nicely." asked Draco

Maybe she is wrong but it sounded to her that Malfoy is jealous of her talking to other boys. She wanted to laugh but controlled herself and asked "are you jealous?"

"Wh-a-what?" Draco stuttered. "Why would I be jealous, are you out of your mind?"

"Ok, that's what I thought, so tell me what is it that you really want, Malfoy?" asked Hermione

"Nothing I just wanted to talk." he said

"To me? But Why?" asked Hermione confused than ever.

"Because there is nobody else that I can talk to," he said this in a childlike voice by pouting his lips (just think of Draco being very cute here)

Hermione wanted to throw all her stuff onto the ground and jump at him for being so cute. She held back her smile by biting her lips. But thought all of this might be an act to get into her pants so she kept herself together. "Ok what is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Thinking this is the opportunity he asked "actually I wanted to ask you about Potter."

"Harry, what about him?" she asked

"Did he tell you anything about us… I mean me or anything. What I mean to say do you have any idea why he is acting the way he is towards me?" he asked not trying to sell himself out.

But he forgot he was talking to Hermione Granger. You only give her one letter she will give you the whole word. She understood why he was here and what he wanted. She also not trying to sell herself out in front of Malfoy frowning her forehead as if acting like she didn't understand what he was talking about and asked "What are you talking about? Did you do something to Harry? Listen Malfoy if you do anything to Harry or any of my other friends, so help me I am gonna make sure that rest of your life is miserable. Do you understand?"

Realizing that she or any of her friends might not have a clue to his plan he let a sigh of relief. He wanted to spend some more time with her and also he had to get on with his plan he extended his conversation "so, what did you think of the situation today at potion?"

"Are you for real? Are you trying to have a conversation with me right now?" she asked

"Yes, is it that bad? I am just trying to be civil. I know I haven't treated you nicely throughout our years in school but I am trying and trust me that I will do my best to be in your good side." confirmed Draco. He thought he might not believe the things he said himself but to his surprise he was being honest. He try to deny by thinking that he was just saying to attract Granger

Granger on the other hand was thinking that if she hadn't heard what he was going to do to her, she would have believed him. She got stuck on the word 'trust' and murmured "trust".

He didn't hear what she just said and asked "what?"

"Nothing… Ok I believe you," playing along his line. "What do you want me to do?" she asked

"Well you see Zabini is helping with the Halloween ball and he said that I have to bring a partner with me to the ball. And you see there is nobody that will match with me except you. So I was hoping if I could take you to the ball?" he said without stopping.

Hermione didn't know what to do at the moment but be paralyzed and stare at the blond before her. She couldn't even talk.

Hermione is a person who forgets all her problems in order to help her friends out. She is loyal; she is smart and has very kind heart. But right now she is very concerned about her best friend Harry. Since the time she walked in the Great Hall after her little run down with Malfoy, she had noticed that Harry of very quiet. He had been staring into space for a long time. Even when she mentioned that she had to tell him something about Malfoy, he didn't response. So she did the thing she always do, she asked him "Harry, what's wrong? You have been quiet for a long time now. Is everything alright?"

Being asked that question, all of a sudden, Harry seemed very angry. He remembers why he was quiet and why he was being angry.

Flash back

Harry was walking alone towards the lakeside after his potion class. Ron had left the class before it began and Harry didn't know where he was at the moment. Hermione left after Ron so he was alone. Whenever Harry was alone or when he thinks of Ginny he always go to the lakeside to calm his nerves. Maybe because he had spent his half of the sixth year over here with Ginny, it feels like this place sooths him. Thinking about that he walked towards the lake. When he reached there he sees the very person he was thinking about lying under the shade of the big tree by the lake. He was hesitating to go and talk to Ginny. After the war was over he hadn't had one on one time with Ginny yet. He was looking for every opportunity to talk to her about how he felt. Thinking this might be that time he moved towards her.

"Hey Ginny." greeted Harry very slowly not to frightened her

Startled by the sudden appearance of the person she was thinking about she opened her eyes and stared at him "Harry, you idiot, you frightened me."

"Sorry, didn't mean to do that" he smiled half heartily. "Could I sit down?" he asked

She didn't know what to do so she nods. Harry sat beside her and starts talking "Ginny I was meaning to talk to you for a long time now. I couldn't find the right time. Something always seemed to come up whenever I try to talk to you. So today I thought maybe I could talk to you."

She was listening to him very quietly. She knew where this conversation was going. She wanted him to complete what he wanted to say and then comment later so she nodded.

"Ginny I love you. I always had… have, and will. I know you are angry with me for breaking up with you before war and leaving you behind. But you have to know I did all that because I wanted to protect you. All I am asking is to have another chance with you if you allow."

Ginny was really happy to hear all this. But she was also angry with him for not coming to her sooner so she wanted to play with him and said "Harry, I understand everything you say. And I know it was a hard decision but I don't think I can handle another heartache from you. You are a well-known wizard. You did defeat Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all time. Your job has been fixed as the auror in the ministry. And I will let you know that there will be darker wizard in your future that you have to fight. Right now you come to me asking if I could give you another chance but later to 'protect' me you will have to break up with me again. Do you think I can handle that situation again? So no I won't give you another chance. Unless you convince me." She said all that in one breath and prepares to leave. As she was leaving she turns around to face a speechless Harry and says "I hope you understand Harry."

Idiot. All boys are the same. Malfoy is trying to seduce Hermione by being nice to her but doesn't even realize that he likes her. And this guy doesn't even have the nerve to stop me to convince and make me stay. Unless we play with their heart they will never learn thought Ginny leaving Harry behind.

Harry was shocked about how Ginny had felt. He had no knowledge about it and now she is leaving and he is unable to move and make her stop leaving. He was angry with himself.

Flash back ends

He was so angry that he didn't know what he was saying so he shouted at Hermione "Why do you care? If I told you my problem maybe you won't take my side. I don't know maybe I was wrong but has anybody try to know what I was going through all those time. But nnnnnnooooo they can only blame. Whatever I am so sick and tired of all this I am leaving bye," he bolted up in a hurry left all his belonging on the table and left the hall.

Startled in the beginning as to why he was shouting at her, Hermione figured out Harry was not talking about her or he was not even talking to her. As always she was trying to be a good friend. So going after Harry, like Ron in the morning, would be a good idea. He was beginning to leave when Ginny came to her side and said "Hermione if you don't mind can I come with you to go after him."

Now she understood why Harry was acting like this. She really is the brightest witch of the time.