"Hey, Granger!" McLaggen boomed across the library and Hermione cringed inwardly. He strolled through the tables of students and braced himself on the back of the empty seat opposite her; it was the seat Draco usual sat in, though he had been absent from the library since the other day when he had kissed Pansy.
She tapped her quill impatiently, "What can I do for you?"
His smile was broad and over-confident. "Are you excited for this evening?"
Tonight was Slughorn's Christmas Party, Hermione had planned her outfit with a lot of enthusiasm before she had agreed to go with Cormac, it was so rare she got to dress up and let her hair down, she would be a lot more excited to be going with… Ron? Draco? She swallowed hard, not that it mattered now.
"Yes, I've heard that Slughorn has invited a lot of people, a Vampire too!"
"I'm sure we're gonna have a lot of fun," he winked and she flushed, uncomfortable with the way he was looking at her. "I'll meet you in the Common Room at eight?"
She glanced outside the window, the sun was hanging low in the sky, it was almost time for dinner. "Yes, yes I'll meet you then."
He left and she let out a low breath, what was she doing? How had she, Hermione Granger, gone from having no boys ever look at her twice, to juggling three? Ron wasn't speaking to her, Draco wasn't speaking to her and now she was stuck with McLaggen who had no interest in anything she had to say, only how she looked on his arm.
She groaned slightly and a quiet voice asked, "Regretting your decision to lower your standards?"
Hermione jolted and spun around to see Draco leaning against the wall behind her, "Have you been eavesdropping?"
"Don't flatter yourself Granger, I was just passing. It sounds like you're in for quite the evening." His eyes were glittering and she turned away, she hated it when he was like this, it reminded her of the way he used to be, the way he used to treat her. Besides, it was his advice she was following.
"I'm looking forward to it," she lied, "I'm groaning because I don't think I'll ever finish my homework in time- I want to make sure I have enough time to get ready after dinner." She turned and made herself meet his gaze, "I think Cormac will be an interesting date… aren't you going to the party?" He didn't answer, and she felt her own temper spark, "Not going to take Pansy? Or do you not have an invitation?"
She had hit a nerve, but by which part she wasn't sure. She could see his jaw work as he grit his teeth, clearly trying not to say whatever was on his mind.
They were locked in a tense silence for several minutes, he didn't move from his stance against the wall, and she stayed rooted in her chair, finally the weight of it became too much, "I have an essay to finish," she muttered, turning away.
"About Pansy…"
"We're done, Draco," Hermione said quietly but sharply, "I'm tired, and I have a date to get ready for."
He took a small step closer, "Don't go with him," he blurted.
Hermione's heart felt like it was beating in her throat, "Why not? Ron can do as he pleases, so can you, why should I be the one to do as I'm told?"
"You shouldn't go with him because he's an ape and you don't even like him."
She began to gather up her books, genuinely annoyed she wasn't going to get to finish her homework now, "Yeah but you know what, he makes an effort to get me to like him, and that has to count for something."
She threw her bag over her shoulder and faced him with a scowl, "I am not just the studious side-kick who is there to fix your homework, nor am I some secret library pen pal, I am worth a little time and effort, and I deserve someone who isn't ashamed to admit that we're together. Cormac might not be… perfect, but at least he isn't embarrassed of me."
She reached for something and slammed it into his chest, "Here, you left this," before leaving without another word and Draco was left standing in the middle of the library, holding on to the potions book she'd saved, with a tight feeling in his chest.

That evening Draco was headed for the Room of Requirement, he couldn't get Hermione out of his mind, the thought of her dancing with McLaggen at that stupid party made him feel queasy. He hoped that focussing on the Vanishing Cabinet might be a good way of re-directing some of his frustration, but his mind was going in circles; Hermione, McLaggen, Pansy… why had he kissed Pansy? He shuddered at the memory of her bony hands grabbing at his arm, and scolded himself for getting carried away in the moment. Had he been trying to prove a point to Hermione? Well great point, Draco he thought savagely, really excellent point, it's worked out really well… for McLaggen. He was as stupid as Weasley.
Draco was so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't been paying attention to where he was going, the sound of laughter brought him to his senses and he realised that he was not facing the stretch of stone that concealed the Room of Requirement, but he was outside Slughorn's very packed office. He swallowed, he shouldn't be here, if he got caught there would be hell to pay, besides, he was wasting time and his Master was getting impatient. He also should not ruin Hermione's night.
Despite his better judgement he ducked inside behind a group of Warlocks and clung to the shadows while he scanned the party. There was a hum of chatter and music, house elves were carrying silver trays of food, and most people were gathered in a circle around the centre of the room where a few people were dancing. Draco spotted Potter across the way, he was rather surprisingly with Luna Lovegood, who was wearing a very odd outfit that gleamed in the candlelight, but he had no interest in his rival this evening- where was she?
And then he saw her, he had been looking for his signature bushy hair, but she had tamed it for the occasion and it was shiny and smooth, and she was wearing a beautiful silk dress in a very pale pink that brought out the rosy tints in her cheeks. He smiled, she looked incredible, but she wasn't in the main throng of revellers, she was hiding behind an archway while McLaggen prowled the guests apparently searching for her. A surge of anger went through him at the thought she had to hide, and it shook him how protective he felt over her. Without thinking he moved out of the shadows and snuck up behind her.