Chapter 6- Fighting

A week passed without much incident, Harry had sent Hermione and Draco owls, telling her that he understood her reasoning for the fake dating and supporting it, he agreed that Ron had, and still was, acting like a total git, and warning Draco if he was just doing this to upset Hermione in the end, he'd kill him, the muggle way. Reading that, Draco just rolled his eyes, hurting Hermione more than she already was hurt was the thing he least wanted to do now. They had acted couple-ish all week in public, then went back to the common room and talked as friends, and as equals. Sometimes she would wake up crying at night and Draco would rush to her room to hold her, comfort her, into she fell back asleep. Each time this happened he wished to kill Ron and Lavender, who where so obviously the ones who made he like this. The only nightmares she had were about Ron, or of Ron and Lavender together.

Now it was Hogsmeade weekend and Draco planned to start on his plan to win Hermione over. He had bought flowers, roses, a bit un-original, but in one of their conversations she had mentioned they were her favorite and Weas-, erm Ron, never gave her flowers. They were going to Hogsmeade together this afternoon, he would take her to the Three Broomsticks, he refused to end Madam Pudifoot's, it was demeaning, and Honeydukes, possibly to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' Hogsmeade store if it would make her happy, the remaining Weasley twin would be there and she would probably enjoying visiting him, and a happy Hermione was necessary for his plan to work.

They headed out after breakfast, hand in hand, and Draco automatically steered her to the Three Broomsticks once they got to the village. He motioned for Madam Rosmerta to bring them two butterbeers and they sat down at a table. They sat, sipping their drinks, talking and occasionally laughing at something the other said, a totally normal scene for friends. The only thing a little odd about the scene was the intensity of Draco's gaze. Hermione was seemingly unfazed by it, but her stomach was a pit of wildly fluttering butterflies.

Suddenly Hermione felt like a cold breeze had blown over her, shivering she turned to look at the door to see is if anyone had come in. When she saw who was standing near the door she wanted to hide somewhere, run away crying, or hex someone. Or all three.

It was Ron, he was standing with his arm around Lavender's waist and she was looking at his with such a sickeningly sweet look on her face that Hermione was tempted to throw up. Draco notice her suddenly tense up, and followed her gaze. Seeing Ron, his face turned cold, his eyes spark with anger, "Lets go to Honeydukes' Hermione.", he said, his voice showing his barely repressed anger.

Hermione gave him a small nod and stood up. Draco walked up next to her and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She gave him the tiniest of smiles, fear and pain so obvious in her eyes, and then bent her head in an attempt to disguise herself so Ron didn't see her and blow up, Ginny had been showing Hermione the letters she had been owling Ron for her to proof-read, Hermione had smirked very similar to Draco and approved them, they were always over the top stories about her and Draco, meant to drive Ron insane with grief. It had also probably made his murderously angry.

They tried to slip out of the door unnoticed, but Ron caught sight of them just as they were about to exit. "HERMIONE!", he screamed, "HOW DARE YOU DATE THAT, THAT, FERRET!"

Draco turned to face Ron, dropping Hermione's hand. "You listen here Weasely", he hissed, "Hermione and me would have never gotten together if you hadn't hurt her so bad. And turning back to that thing about 2 minutes after you broke up with Hermione? That's just wrong, not even I would do that. You disgust me." He turned back around, grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling the now crying girl out of there.

They didn't get too far before they heard Ron's outraged voice yelling, "THIS ISN'T THE LAST YOU'LL HEAR FROM ME FERRET AND HERMIONE.!"

Draco pulled Hermione quickly into an alleyway, wiping a tear off her cheek gently with one finger. He took the shaking girl into his arms, holding her comfortingly until her tears slowed then asked her, "Shall we go to, erm, George's prank shop?"

Hermione looked up at Draco, her usually beautiful brown eyes red and puffy, "What if he takes Ron's side?"

Draco smiled gently at her, "I'm sure a prankster like him will love the way of revenge you've chosen to drive his jerk of a brother absolutely mad with rage."

Hermione smiled shakily, "I suppose you're right..."

Draco smirked, "I always am.", and with that he and her walked to Weaselys' Wizard Wheezes to visit George.