Author' note: Here's chapter 8! Enjoy!

Maesde: You asked me at the right time. I wanted to settle Draco/Hermione before Harry/Ginny's and Ron/Lavender's could begin. Glad that you're enjoying the story. Thanks.

Starzinmieyez: Yes, finally I know. I was super excited to publish that chapter. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

midnightangel86: Hehe. Sorry for leaving you hanging but I just felt that was the right time to stop. Don't hate me. Well, here's Harry and Ginny! Thanks for the review!

Enjoy!

Hermione walked back to the Gryffindor common room in a daze, her thoughts revolving around a certain blond man who didn't hesitate to say that he loved her in spite of the obvious differences and rivalry between them. She was attracted to him too; she couldn't deny it then as she walked back. She had tried to control her obvious feelings for him just for the sake of others but she then didn't know he returned the feelings.

But she had to make a decision now; it was a big one, the kind of which was going to affect many people around her. If she ignored him it would bring pain to him and her and if she decided to choose him it would bring unnecessary pain to others; after all who falls in love with their own enemy? But he wasn't an enemy any longer, not her enemy at least. She knew Harry and Ron would never accept Draco whether he changed or not, some rivalry just didn't wither with time.

She went back to her dormitory expecting it to be empty but she saw Ginny Weasley sitting cross legged on the couch in front of the fireplace, reading a textbook. She looked up as Hermione approached her,

"Her Gin, up so late?" Hermione deposited her herself next to her.

"Reading. Got a test." She said and held up her book at Hermione. Hermione smiled back automatically and patted Ginny's shoulder. "All the best."

"Thanks." Ginny said and closed the book. "So you found the room?" she asked. Ginny had obviously come to know of the tuition thing. There was nothing that the smallest Weasley didn't know.

"Actually yes, but that room is too small if there will be more than 20 of us. We'll be practicing DADA so that will definitely need more space. We need something big and spacious." Hermione let out a sigh and leaned back tiredly.

Ginny narrowed her eyes at the big girl and raised her eyebrows at her, "Tell me, what is eating you up?"

Hermione was caught off guard. She blushed and looked around the empty common room. She wasn't sure she wanted Ginny to know what had happened. Hermione wasn't sure Ginny would take it easy but then she knew about Draco and she hadn't told anyone.

"It's complicated." Hermione said at last, not giving much.

"Sure it is. You seem worried." Ginny smiled slightly as she took in Hermione's expression.

"Is it…I mean is it difficult to love someone?" Hermione knew it didn't make any sense but she knew Ginny would understand and help her without asking any questions. That was one thing Hermione loved about Ginny.

"Yes, it is." Ginny said sincerely. "It is difficult to love someone because when you decide to love someone you have to do it with all you heart and soul and it's not easy. It's complicated; complicated because you have to be selfish, rude, stupid and betray sometimes." She looked at Hermione and gave her a small smile. Hermione noticed Ginny's eyes were glistering.

"You love Harry." Hermione said quietly. It wasn't a question, just a statement. But Ginny answered.

"Yes. I always have." Hermione knew that. She knew how this girl was crazy for him and she had been since the first time she had him on the station.

"What's it like for you?" Hermione asked slowly and waited for the younger one to frame her answer. After a few minutes of silence she spoke,

"It's different." She looked at Hermione again and continued, "It's different because I don't know if he loves me or not. Sometimes I think he's holding back because I'm Ron's sister but then sometimes I think if he truly loved me then he wouldn't care about that fact. But I know one day or the other he'll realize it. That's what I've done. I've known him for four years now and I've seen him in a different way, just like you and Ron see him, just Harry. He might be brave and all but behind this curtain of being brave I know he's just a small kid scared of a thunderstorm." She chuckled and Hermione nodded her head. She knew just how scared Harry could be at times.

"I tried to run away from it in the beginning disposing it off as just a crush. But I didn't know that one day this crush would envelope me so tightly. And when I realised my crush had changed into love I tried running away from it because at that time I had convinced myself that Harry would never love me. That is the only reason why I dated, to see if that crush or infatuation went away. But it didn't, it just came back with full force and would knock me out. So I decided to accept it rather than run from it. I know it will come to me at the right time, I just have to wait."

Ginny stared hard into the fire. Hermione looked at Ginny and realised how early the young one had fallen in love and she could do nothing but just wait until Harry could realise that she's the right one for him.

"What if he takes years?" Hermione asked trying to see all the possibilities.

"Then I'll wait all these years." she turned to face Hermione and smiled. Hermione tried to smile back but it failed and turned into a frown.

"I know Harry, he'll think of all the people around him first and then about himself. So it's going to take time." Ginny said encouragingly.

"That's not true. He knows he likes you Ginny, he's just shy." Ginny laughed at Hermione's attempt to convince her.

"I know Hermione, all I'm saying is I'll wait till he's ready."

It was Hermione's turn to stare into the fire. There were so many things Hermione wanted to know. She knew she'll have to talk to someone about them, books normally failed at this department.

"Would you…would you love Harry if he was bad…evil?" Hermione knew she shouldn't have asked this but she was desperate for an answer.

"Yes I would have because love sees no evil and no good Hermione. I love Harry because I see and sense a part of him which is worth me and it doesn't matter if it's evil or not." Ginny stated simply as if it were a fact and Hermione had somehow missed on it.

"Even if the world hated him? Would you still love Harry? Hermione pressed further.

"I would love him Hermione, so the world's hate doesn't matter." Ginny answered and got up to leave.

"Good night Hermione, I hope I helped." She walked to the girls' staircase and called out to her once again. Hermione looked at the younger girl looking all grown up at once.

"Listen to your heart; it'll lead you the right way. Don't worry about the world, sometimes you have to learn to give a damn to it." She walked up the staircase and disappeared from Hermione's view.

Ginny had put it up so simply yet Hermione had found it so difficult to understand. I would love him Hermione, so the world's hate doesn't matter. The words were so simple and full of meaning. It kept repeating itself in Hermione's head. She now fully understood what Ginny was trying to tell her, but she knew she had to wait. Now was not the right time to go hand in hand with the enemy. She would have to wait, there were so many things to be done and so many people she had to explain it to first but that too will have to wait. She decided to go with Ginny's decision, wait till the time is right.

-…..-

Draco didn't realise why he said that to her. He knew it had come to him with the force of the moment and the situation and he regretted not being able to control himself any longer. He always hated himself when he lost control over situations. That was one thing he was taught when he was growing up: Never to lose control of yourself, be calm and composed. Yet, he had failed to do that. He knew his friendship with Hermione was ruined forever now. She was already ignoring him and now any chances he had of winning her over were lost.

He tossed in his bed, frustrated and angry. The shocked face of Hermione swam in his head like it had glued itself into his memories forever. He had no clue how he was going to face her tomorrow. He was sure she would despise him again and the thought itself made her growl with anger. He had ruined his chances and he would regret it for as long as he would live.

He had felt the same way when he first realised he was falling for the muggle. Hatred and disgust mixed with self-loathing would consume him every day and he would die a little bit inside every time he would think about his parent's reaction. But later on with time as the platform on which his believes were built began to shake he realised he cared less and less about what his parents wanted and wished of him and everyday he found himself falling harder and harder for her.

Maybe the same would happen again this time, maybe I'll find my way around just like the last time, he thought. He knew his chances were little but he had come this far and he decided he wouldn't turn back without giving it a final shot.

-…..-

Everyone sat in the empty classroom on the sixth floor. Harry stood near the teacher's table and looked at everyone. It was his day to announce his decision about the DADA tuition. Hermione and Ron sat on the first bench directly in front of him. Dean and Seamus sat behind them with Fred, George on the bench next to them. Ginny and Neville sat on the bench ahead of them.

It looked funnier to Harry; he looked like a Professor about to give the most serious lecture on the unforgivables. He chuckled inside and looked at them once again. Ron and Hermione looked hopeful; Dean and Seamus looked excited yet unsure, while Fred, George and Neville looked like Christmas had come early while Ginny looked softly at him. She smiled when their eyes met and Harry's heart melted a bit when he saw that heart winning smile dressing her beautiful face.

He looked back at the others and cleared his throat, "Well, I've made my decision. I still say it' an absurd and a completely ridiculous idea but still I'd go with it since I'm well known for such things. So, I'm ready."

Everyone let out a breath which they were holding back and got up as they congratulated Harry telling him how wise his decision was! When everyone calmed down Harry spoke again,

"Okay, so before beginning with our lessons there are a few things which needs to be done." He said as he sat down on the teachers table. "First of all, we need to find a place, a hidden but a spacious room where everyone can fit in perfectly. Hermione did you find any?"

Everyone looked at her as she spoke. "I did look at a couple of place but they aren't that good; won't fit too many people at once. Some rooms are big but not hidden and are easy to spot while there are others who are well hidden but not spacious."

"Okay." Harry said after Hermione had finished. "So from today we all will try and look out for a place that will suit our needs. The second thing I need to know is who all are interested. Fred, George you'll do it?" he asked the twins who gave identical grins and shouted. "Aye aye captain!"

Harry smiled at them and continued, "All right then, try and get the exact number and to which year they belong." Harry knew the twins were the only people who could do the job without anyone knowing.

"So, then we'll meet when we have searched for a room and children." Harry hoped down from the desk and everyone got up to leave the classroom before Filch or Umbridge would catch them.

-…..-

Hermione scanned the book titles in front of her at a rapid speed. She was in the library at her regular table. She had completely forgotten about the Arithmancy essay which was due tomorrow. Normally Hermione would do her homework on the day it was given but so much had happened in the last two days that she had completely forgotten about her homework.

The noise of someone's footsteps behind her made turn back abruptly and she saw Draco Malfoy leaning against the bookcase near the entry to her secluded place. She saw him and a blush slowly crept up her face and she looked away before he could comment on it. She heard him approach her and he stopped a few paces away from where she stood. She looked up at him, the blush making her grow hot in the face.

"No greetings?" he asked in his usual arrogance and smirked at her. She rolled her eyes at him but greeted him nonetheless.

"Evening Malfoy." She said and sat on her chair.

Draco slumped in the one to her right. "What? No good? And Malfoy?" he asked his tone hurt.

Hermione looked up at him and noticed he still had his smirk on his face. "Fine." She said through gritted teeth. "Good Evening, Draco."

He smiled. "Now, that sounds good."

"What do you want?" she asked without looking up from her parchment.

"You know what I want. I thought I made it clear last time." His tone was serious and Hermione's breath got caught in her chest.

"I don't know what you are talking about." She said lamely and fidgeted with the textbook and parchment. His long fingers curled around her wrist, demanding her attention. She looked up at him and was shocked to see the pool of emotions in his eyes.

"Why are you acting like nothing happened?" he asked, his tone a bit harsh and rude.

"Because nothing happened Draco." She did not leave his eyes contact as she said, as if trying desperately to prove her point.

"I think otherwise." He said slowly, scowling at her.

"Another time Draco, I still have homework to do."

"Do it later on." He said with forced calmness.

"No." Hermione said stubbornly. "I have to…."

"Why the hell are you ignoring me Hermione, what have I done?" he cut her in, his voice rising with every word he spoke.

What has he done? Hermione wanted to shout at him telling him how he had turned her world upside down.

"I'm not ignoring you." She said slowly.

"You are, Hermione. And I want to know why?" his voice was suddenly clam with no traces of his anger in them.

"No I'm not. I'm just scared." Hermione whispered.

His grip loosened on her wrist but he still held on to her. "So am I." he whispered back and shifted closer to her until their bodies were touching.

"But I don't want to be Draco. I don't want to be scared of the world if I choose you. I want it to be carefree." She looked up at him, tears swelling up her eyes.

"I know it's going to be difficult Hermione. Good and bad don't usually mix up. But I'm ready to try." He grazed her cheek with his thumb waiting for her to answer.

"No one will accept it." he argued.

"I will." he said quietly and it hit her again just like Ginny's words had. I would love him Hermione, so the world's doesn't hate doesn't matter.

"But I'm not ready yet." She said finally.

"I'll wait then." He said simply.

Hermione expected him to put up a fight but he did not. He accepted it, maybe because it was difficult for him too, she thought as she gave him a weak smile.

"We'll be friends then?" she asked lamely.

"No, I'm not interested." He said

She frowned at him. "I can never be your friend Hermione. I can never see you that way, but I'll try. I'm ready to try."

She smiled and nodded her head. "I've to do my homework."

He chuckled. "Yes, me too." he said as he lifted his bag from the floor and on to the table.

Some things as are not as difficult as they look, Hermione thought as she proceeded to complete her homework. And some people do not remain the same forever.

-xxxxxxx-

Done! Finally! It took me two days to finish this one. Hope you'll liked it.!

Review!