A/N: Hey all!

We've been challenged to use 'Cupcake,' 'Confusedist,' and 'Omgosh' in this chapter by Renesmee Tonks. If you have ideas for challenges like that, leave a review with them in it :D

Please! It's fun! -Courtney

Very true, it helps when we need to think up where to go from somewhere, too! -Cakey

Disclaimer: We do NOT own these characters! Courtney does, however, own two tacos and a cookie. :)

Hermione's POV

I woke to the taste of peppermint in my mouth. I was groggy, and a little confused.

I could hear two males talking nearby. Very slowly, I began to recognize their voices.

Ernie and Draco were talking to each other somewhere close to me and I couldn't figure out why they were in the girls' dorm room.

The memories from yesterday slowly started to come back... Leanne and Rory advancing on me. A visit to an all-wizard town. Pink bubbles floating from my wand. Myself in new green and silver attire. Draco laughing uncontrollably. Me on wobbly legs, falling over. Draco with a horrified expression. After that, I couldn't remember a thing, only Draco's slightly bloody face...Draco!

I opened my eyes, glancing around. Draco was sitting next to Ernie, animatedly discussing something. I closed them again, deciding to just listen and see if they'd remind me of what happened.

"I don't get how you can prefer the Whimborne Wasps over the Montrose Magpies!" Ernie exclaimed.

Whimborne Wasps? Montrose Magpies? What the heck are they talking about? I asked myself, trying to figure it out.

"Dude! A beater hit a Wasps' Nest at the Applbys' Seeker! How can you not love them?" Draco retorted?

Beater? Seeker?

"Hello?" Ernie replied, stretching the "O" for a little while, "The Magpies have one of the best Seekers! He catches the snitch nearly EVERY time!"

Snitch? Now it sounds like they're talking about tattletales...

"The Wasps had Ludo Bagman as a player!" Draco exclaimed.

Omgosh what the heck are they talking about? A seeker, a snitch, what's next, a siren?

"And? The Montrose's have won the European Cup twice! Not to mention the 32 League Cup wins!"

I decided I'd never be able to figure out what the pies and wasps were about, so I stirred. Madam Pomfrey stormed in, ready to give the boys a good scolding for waking up a patient, only to be sidetracked when I groaned and put my head in my hands.

They'll thank me later... I thought as I kept the witch distracted.

"Are you alright, deary? Do you feel nauseous? How do you feel?" She asked me.

"I'm getting a headache, my teeth feel heavy, and I feel confutheditht." I replied, touching my teeth and bulging my eyes. "GET ME A MIRROR!"

The startled witch quickly conjured a hand mirror and handed it over, racing to get me something for my head.

I stared at my reflection. No longer were my teeth straight and perfect like my parents had taught me to keep them. Now they were longer and made me buck-toothed.

"Oh no!" I groaned, close to crying. "My teeth! I thought you thaid you could fickth them!" I shouted as the witch came back into view.

"Yes, well. I told you that the spell might not work perfectly!" She said, looking horror-struck.

Draco turned to me, "What happened to your voice?"

Madam Pomfrey quickly measured out some potion and dove the spoon into my mouth, making it impossible for me to respond to Draco.

The potion took effect immediately, clearing my brain of it's sleepy fog.

Right after I'd swallowed the first mixture, she shoved three green leafs into my mouth.

I chewed. No obvious effect.

"Do I seriously have to deal with a lisp... Oh, hey! It's gone!" I exclaimed, giving a wide smile.

"There, now. You all need to go down to class. You've probably missed a great deal of things" Madam Pomfrey ordered. "Miss Hermione, I'm afraid the lisp will come back after the leaves have been digested. You'll need to use mint every twelve hours in order to prevent it, which should be simple because of toothpaste." She gave a pause, "Just make sure it mentions 'mint' in the ingredients."

I groaned as we all left the Hospital Wing together, Ernie wasn't green in the slightest anymore and now I was trying to get a feel for my new teeth. Draco was deep in thought again, but this time I didn't try to pull him out if it.

Draco's POV

I couldn't gather my thoughts. Why would someone want to curse Hermione? She doesn't have any enemies here, does she? Ernie is wrong, of course. The broom-head doesn't know anything about Quidditch! My nose feels tingly, hey, Hermione hasn't said anything about it...

We entered the Great Hall, finding our future classmates starting to sit in a circle in the center of the room. The professor, Flikwitter, or something like that, walked over to us.

"We just finished up dueling! Please, find a seat in the circle for the next activity." He squeaked.

I walked over, pushing Hermione, who was still distracted by her teeth, over to the circle. We sat down and I looked around. The soon-to-be first years who hadn't gone to the Hospital Wing looked exhausted. Even the prefects looked a little worn out! The professor sat down near Ernie and looked around eagerly.

"Well, good job! For a first try, that was nicely done! Now, Professor Dumbledore has asked me to have you all share your current knowledge of the wizarding world. Any volunteers?"

Leanne raised her hand and shrugged, "What should I say?"

"Oh... Your parents' status' and your own, maybe any famous relatives if you know of some." The Professor responded. "Or maybe something you know about the school."

Leanne mumble, "Well, my parents are Pureblood, and they were Hufflepuffs in school..."

"Good! Anyone else?"

Rory perked up, "I'm a half-blood. My dad is a pure-blooded wizard from Bulgaria, and my mum is a muggle model from England. I was born in Bulgaria and the three of us moved here to England about six months ago... I'd thought I'd be going to Durmstrang. I don't know much of anything about Hogwarts." (A/N: The books mention that Durmstrang has female students, but the movies said that it was an all-boy school. Too. Many. Changes!)

"Wonderful! Ah, Miss Granger, what would you like to add?" The professor asked.

"Um, well, my parents are dentists and I'd never heard of Hogwarts before Professor McGonagall came to my house." Hermione shrugged.

"Ah yes, I forgot! It's surprising that you haven't needed a break to understand all the new concepts that magic brings along! Wonderful, Miss Granger!" The high-voiced teacher exclaimed.

I stared at her, wide-eyed. She's... She was born to muggles? Omgosh, I'll have to restart that letter to Father. I can't mention her now! If he knew I was associating myself with muggleborns, he'd whoop my butt for smearing the Malfoy name! This is not good...

Hermione's POV

Why is over half the group staring at me? Did my teeth enlarge again? I put my fingers to my teeth, ducking my head at the same time. Nope. Draco... What's your problem with staring at me? Same goes to you, Jasper. And Ernie and Terry and Millicent. What is going on?

I made eye-contact with Draco and saw he had apologetic eyes.

Whatever I did, this can't be good...

"What?" I murmured to Draco, noticing he was still staring at me in, what seemed to be, shock.

"Miss Granger, nothing is wrong! Now, what exactly are 'dentists'?" Flitwick asked, looking at me kindly.

I told him, and the topic changed. The staring had stopped, all but Draco, that is. His face became a mask and after class, he walked away. Not a single word came from his mouth.

During dinner, I sat with Rory. I had tried to talk to Draco, and he simply sneered and turned away, again!

I was getting very frustrated, now. I was tempted to throw a cupcake at his face, just so he'd notice me again. I resisted, though.

I walked back to Room 5 with Leanne and Rory. When we got there, I groaned and fell onto my bed, holding my emotions in.

Rory, sensing something was wrong, asked me: "What happened between you and Draco today? This morning you two were getting along great... Something happened. Want to talk about it?"

I rolled on my bed so that I faced her. "There's nothing to talk about. Draco won't tell me what I did wrong, so there's nothing I can do." I responded.

Leanne sat at the foot of my bed with pitiful eyes. "I know how you feel, Hermione, this has happened to me, too." I watched her deflate at some thought she was having, "Last summer I had a fight with my best friend, Jasmine. I accidentally charmed her white cat pink and she got so mad that my black poodle turned murky green," She made a disgusted face at that thought. "It wasn't fun to watch."

I stared at the wall over her shoulder, thinking how off she was. Turning your best friend's animal a new color and vice versa is not the same feeling as my current one... They're not helping, actually, they're making it worse... now I feel bad for some pink cat and green poodle walking around being laughed at by other dogs...

I sat up in my bed and looked at the two. "I- I need to be alone right now." With that, I exited the room before they could reply.

Being new to Hogwarts, I didn't want to get lost, especially in my current state. So I went to the only place I assumed there'd be solitude. The big lake. I read a little sign on the door saying:

Doors lock at 8PM, Be visible at all times.

I pushed open the door and felt the cool, summer breeze hit me in the face. The wind felt nice after being in the stuffy dorm.

The only thing I could hear was the crickets, frogs, and splashing water, thanks to the restless squid. The quietness calmed me down and as I sat by the water's edge, making sure the teachers could see myself if they opened the doors, I felt at peace with the world.

Draco's POV

I can't believe this! I thought. Seeing Hermione's face, so sad and withdrawn, was killing me but I couldn't be her friend! What a day...

After dinner was over, I walked with the guys to our room. Neville went to his bed, promptly falling asleep. I sat down on the edge of mine, staring at the floor. Ernie and Terry walked over, arguing about something. Terry turned to me and said, "Lose something, Malfoy?"

"Go away, Boot."

"What happened with you and your girlfriend? Lose a bet or something?"

I was struggling to stay calm, but it wasn't easy. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that she finally seems to have come to her senses! Honestly, who would be friends with a Slytherin?" He smirked.

I glared. "Really, if that's he best insult you can come up with, I think you need to be sorted into Hufflepuff."

Ernie glared at me. "There is nothing wrong with Hufflepuff!"

I smirked, trying to look mean. "I'll believe that when Merlin does ballet in my kitchen. Now, if you don't mind, I'll see you later."

I left the room, making sure the door closed behind me before I sat down.

What's so bad about Slytherin? I mused, staring at the floor.

I decided to go for a walk. It would give me time to think and I would stay hidden, especially from the guys.

I was out the front doors in a matter of minutes and walking down to the grounds, running over the problems had that started in the past day.

What am I going to do? I thought. I wanted to be friends with Hermione, but it seemed I wouldn't be able to. Especially after the way I treated her earlier. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I felt like banging my head like Dobby does, but thought better of it.

I sat down in the grass, staring out over the grounds. My mind was racing, and I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt as my heart beated faster. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye: there was something by the lake, something definitely human. (A/N: Did you catch the reference(s)? If so, check out Courtney's sidestory on her account (TheExtraordinaryChameleon) entitled No Way Songfic :D)

I stood up and wandered closer to the figure, hoping to recognize him or her before they noticed me. What I saw was a girl sitting down facing the lake. She was clutching her legs to he chest, her forehead touching her knees. There was only one girl I knew who would be upset right now.

Hermione.

Hermione's POV

I could hear movement behind me, thinking it best not to show myself so vulnerable, I stretched my sleeve over in order to dry my eyes.

Whoever it was sat beside me and hugged me around the waist.

My eyes bulged and I quickly turned to fight off whoever it was, getting ready to slap them silly.

I caught sight of the platinum blond hair before my swing. Ooh, this is going to be good. I thought, swinging my hand at his cheek.

I gasped, suddenly my wrist was stopped and being held stationary by him. Oh no he. did. not. just stop me. I lifted my other hand, getting ready to punch him. Hard. I swung it quicker than the first time. The same result occurred..

He pinned me to the ground, holding my wrists at my side and locking his legs in mine so that I couldn't move them. Period. "Hermione, just listen to me!" Draco shouted. (A/N: That tactic was used at a sleepover during a... tickling fight between two of our friends. Quite an innapropriate scene if it were a guy and girl... you had to be there. :D )

I started shaking my head, trying to figure out what he was playing at and what parts of my body I could still move and fight with. "Get off me, Malfoy."

His holding loosened on me after using his surname and I was able to shoot my head straight up and bang against his. Owww! I thought miserably as my head started aching badly, thankfully only a small groan escaped my lips.

"Hermione, stop! I'm trying to explain!" He exclaimed, tightening his grip again, although he'd adjusted himself slightly, "And never call me 'Malfoy' again."

I glared at him, realizing my knees could now move... That could be useful. "Well I'm sorry, Malfoy, but I only use first names for friends! And just so you know, I have a very open ability to... shall we say... stop you from making babies?"

He widened his eyes, horror struck.

"Exactly what I thought. So would you please get off me or would you like me to make you die lonely?"

"Fine, just please let me explain what happened today?" He loosened his grip again and started getting off of me.

"Why should I? Feeling lonely already?" I asked him, loving the fact that I could say and do such cruel things.

"Well, now that you mention it, yes." He said. His eyes popped after he realized how bad that sounded. "I meant, that I'd never wanted to stop being your friend. Will you please let me explain!" He repeated.

What's the worse that can happen? He'll dive on me again? I'll turn into a duck? Pssh. I rolled my eyes and then focused back on him. I really miss him... The least he can do is explain what went wrong.

I nodded and sat up, checking myself over to make sure he hadn't injured me.

There was a great sigh of relief on his part. And then it began...

"You see, there's different types of witches and wizards. Some are born from two magical parents," Draco at this point motioned toward himself, "Some are born from one magical parent and one normal, non-magical parent, and then there's those who're born of two non-magical parents." He motioned toward me. "Each type has a name. Those from two magical beings are called 'Pure-blooded.' Those who're half-magical, half-non-magical are fittingly called 'Half-blood.' And then there's those born of two non-magical beings, also called Muggles, like yourself. You're called a 'Muggle-born.'"

At this point he glanced at me to make sure I was following. I nodded and he continued:

"Some Pure-blooded families are... jealous of Muggleborns and have decided that they are scum. I have no clue why, since Muggleborns, in a way, earned their magic and Purebloods inherited it. Anyways, there's some families who have decided to hate all Muggleborns and call them thieves and other such things. Do you understand that part?" Draco asked me.

I nodded again.

He took a strong breath and continued: "I grew up in one of those families. I've always been taught that people like you were terrible people. I've learned these past few days that you are actually quite a bright witch already and you're a great person. Not a thief or any type of scum. Still, my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends would all terrorize me and use cruel types of magic in order to change my thoughts on you. I can't let them know about you. I can't be seen in public with you."

I stared at him, unblinking, throughout the rest of his speech. I nodded and frowned as it went on. So we can't be friends because of his ancestors... This sucks royal hippogriff. (A/N: she knows about them via her hours in the library the previous days.)

He finished and looked at me with pain in his eyes. "Hermione, I want to stay your friend. You're a great girl and I want to stay your friend."

I interjected: "But..." waiting for him to add that dreaded word and something that'd make his previous statement useless.

"What 'but'? I'm not letting some old dudes from centuries ago tell me what to do!" He crossed his arms, "We're staying friends. We just have to... be secret friends. No public hanging out. No hugging when we see each other, quite the opposite. I'll have to pretend that you are scum. Hermione, promise me something. Promise me that if I ever say something to hurt your feelings, that you'll know that it's to protect you and me from ridicule that would occur otherwise."

I nodded my head, "You'll know where to find me..."

We finished together, "The library."

I smiled at him and he smiled back. "When will the secrecy begin?" I asked him.

"As soon as we finish this conversation, I guess." He answered.

I nodded. "I should probably go in before you... Night, Draco."

He smirked at me calling him by his first name again.

I started to get up, placing my hand on his in the process. I gave him a slight squeeze and he did the same back. I smiled, turned to walk away, then turned back.

"Draco?" I asked, kneeling down to his height again. I smiled at him and then slapped him, hard, across his right cheek. I whispered into his ear, "That's for pinning me down against my will."

He put his hand to his cheek, not speaking a word. I walked away toward the castle.

Draco's POV

When she was far enough away, I spoke up: "Night, Hermione." I said to her retreating back.

I thought back to a couple hours ago in the wand shop when small blue and pink balloons had flown out of my wand and Mr. Ollivander told me that someone with a 10 3/4" wand made of vine and with a dragon heartstring core would become a future lover...

A/N: Teehee. Renesmee Tonks/Emmett, the, uh, 'fight' scene was for you. Oh, and if the rest of you didn't catch our references, the you need to watch AVPM/S. :) -Courtney

Yess! Another chapter finished, and in only 2 days! Hope you're glad I didn't wait for 10 reviews... I gave you the wand prediction anyways :D ~Cakey

It's all because of my genius, don't let her fool you -Courtney

Hmm what to say... Thank you to all 46 reviews, 17 Favorites, and 21 Alerts :D Wait... what's this about a community? OH MY GOSH my story was added to the 'Allie's Favorites' Community by 'Alice Leonard'(Screen name)! You cannot see how excited I am right now :D OMG THIS IS TOTALLY AWESOME! :D *faints* ~Cakey

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