Disclaimer: You already know what I'm going to say! I own nothing but the plot.

Ch. 27

"Seamus Finnigan?"

"Present!"

"Hannah Abbott?"

"Present!"

"Ernie Macmillan?"

"Present!"

"Millicent Bulstrode?"

"Present."

While Professor Binns called out the names of our History of Magic class, my eyes drifted over the seats. Class had started a little less than ten minutes ago, and although it had just started, people's eyes had already started to drift warily in my direction. With no doubt in my mind, they had all been talking about my behavior at the ball a few days ago. As I walked in, I kept my eyes glued to my seat, ignoring the people that had been muttering and whispering about me. It was when I sat down and Professor Binns entered the room that the gossip finally stopped. I wasn't paying attention to them though, and frankly, I was beginning to not care of they talked about me or not. I was to follow Draco's suggestions that he had given to me during our talk.

'Keep quiet, and focus on yourself.'

As I remembered his words, I also remembered that he was in this class, but as my eyes scanned his seat, I realized it was empty.

He wasn't in class.

Without warning, worry began to set in my conscience. Where was he? He rarely ever missed classes, I'd noticed, and only ever did when he was either too sick to attend or had to take care of important Head student matters, which I was usually involved in. Plus, I had seen him in the Great Hall this morning, sitting with the Slytherins for breakfast as usual, looking troubled.

Trying to focus on the class, I told myself I was worrying for nothing. What could possibly happen to him whilst he was here at Hogwarts? He was fine.

"Blaise Zabini?"

"Present", I heard Blaise reply, sitting next to Draco's empty chair. Surely he of all people knew where Draco was. But it wasn't as if I could just go up and ask.

"Harry Potter?"

"Present."

I had forgotten that Harry was in this class. I hadn't talked to him, Ron, Ginny, or any of the other girls since the night of the ball. In fact, I had made it my priority to steer clear of all of them. This was my first time seeing Harry since that night, and by the looks of it, he didn't look to happy. As I stared at him, he caught my eye, and held it for a moment. Although he was sitting a few seats away, he didn't bother to whisper anything to me, or pass me a note.

Obviously Ron had told him his side of the story, which meant we weren't on talking terms. Something inside of me wondered if I had lost Harry too. I didn't know if I would be able to take that, and so I hoped that this was just another rough patch between us. I looked at him again, and saw that he was still looking at me. He looked as if he wanted to say something for a moment, but this wasn't the right place or the right time, and so he turned to face the front of the class again.

"Susan Bones?"

Another name that wasn't Draco's. Another answer that wasn't his.

I stared down at the table for a moment while Professor Binns kept calling out names. It seemed to go on forever.

"Emily Rowle?"

"Present."

"Draco Malfoy?"

Before anyone could administer the silence, my head shot up on its own accord. My eyes darted to his seat again, hoping that he would somehow magically be sitting in it.

He wasn't.

Binns called his name again, and when no one answered, he turned to Blaise.

"Mr. Zabini?"

"Sir?"

"Would you happen to know the whereabouts of young Mr. Malfoy? He seems to be missing from the class." Binns inquired, and the drone of his voice was so severe I almost wanted to cover my ears. At the question, almost everyone directed their attention to Blaise, who sat there, smirking.

"No idea Professor. Maybe he's too sick to attend his classes today, or perhaps running late?" Blaise replied, and there was a mock in his voice that only he could get away with.

"Merlin's beard!" exclaimed Professor Binns. "Late you say? But the class started nearly ten minutes ago, what on earth could he be doing that could make him this tardy? He might as well be absent –"

"Sorry I'm late."

My breath hitched at the sound of the voice, the voice I had been waiting to hear since the beginning of class. I immediately found the source of the sound.

Draco was standing at the doorway of the classroom, hands in his pocket, the familiar black messenger bag slung over his shoulder.

At the sight of him, the worry that had been pinned against my chest released, and I was able to focus again, but this time, for some reason, I could only keep my eyes glued to him. The more I looked at him, I noticed that he seemed a bit distressed, but in front of the class, he seemed to mask it easily.

I began to wonder. Had something happened that made him late?

"Speak of the devil", Blaise muttered, rolling his eyes a bit comically. Draco nodded in his direction. Some of the class began to murmur and a few students in the back sniggered at Blaise's comment.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy! Lovely to see your appearance in my classroom. One would've thought you'd been snatched up by Wendelin the Weird! And exactly why are you late?" Binns asked him, making a sad attempt at a History of Magic joke. Nobody laughed.

Draco cleared his throat, and very quickly, his eyes caught mine. He looked away almost immediately, the edges of his lips quivering mysteriously, wanting to turn into what would be a small smile. He didn't dare. "I'm afraid a third year teacher needed my help surveying the students. I apologize for my tardiness sir."

The lie came smooth and undetectable from his lips, but I could tell he had been doing something else entirely. I wanted to know, to question him about it, to find out why he looked so conflicted, but he would obviously find that too invasive. We had agreed to be civil to each other, friends even, but that didn't include interfering into each other's personal business without being asked to. I shrugged it off. At least he was here now. I still couldn't quite place my reason for caring so much. Why did it matter?

Professor Binns smiled at Draco, believing his lie and complimenting him for being helpful. "Not to worry Mr. Malfoy. It was your duty as Head Boy, completely understandable. Points will not be taken from your house for your lateness. Please take your seat."

Draco nodded, walked over to Blaise, and took his seat beside him. People had taken this opportunity to quietly start talking, and I briefly heard Blaise question Draco before Professor Binns called the class's attention and began to teach.

Everything was well, and I began to work, no longer clouded by the worry of Draco's whereabouts.

VVVVV

It was halfway into the two hour class until I heard or saw anything of Draco again.

I had been focused on my work, trying to answer twenty questions about Bathilda Bagshot and how she had concluded a book on the goblins revolution against making Wizarding tools when a small, white, fluttering origami hummingbird appeared at my desk. Before I could bring any attention to myself, I quickly scooped it up in my hands and put it on my lap, underneath the table, away from the eyes of everyone in the class.

Was Harry finally trying to talk to me?

But then I remembered that I had once tried to teach Harry how to do origami and he had failed miserably at it, claiming that it was 'too complicated' and 'just a waste of paper'. No, this little bird had come from someone else, and as I looked around the classroom for the culprit, my eyes fell on Draco again. There was a pause before he nodded once, almost discreetly, and made a small movement with his hands, telling me to open it.

With that, He turned to face the front of the class again, looking more than amused.

I looked at him curiously. What in Merlin's name was he doing? Nonetheless, I nodded discreetly back, looked back down at the fluttering piece of parchment on my lap, and did as he said.

There was no problem opening the origami, as I had suspected a loud, crinkly noise would occur, but it had been charmed into silence. Looking around once more to make sure that Binns hadn't turned around to ask questions, and that no one else was looking, I looked down at small piece of paper in my hands.

Meant to tell you this earlier, but I figured it look weird if I just walked right up to you in front of the whole class. Gave Weasley a detention this morning. Thought to give one to his little slag too, but I knew you would be perfectly happy just giving him one. I also took away ten points from Gryffindor (sorry about that), but you can earn those back easily.

– Draco

I nearly laughed aloud, and I would've if I hadn't realized we were currently in class. I looked over at Draco's table and saw him staring back at me knowingly, his face torn between a smirk and a faint smile. Blaise sat beside him, diligently working as we should've been, as oblivious as ever.

Grabbing my quill, I went to write back and realized that the paper was now empty. His magic was exceptional. I smiled again, and began to write back.

You should be ashamed of yourself! I would scorn you for it if I wasn't so happy about it...thanks Draco. I'm actually surprised that you would go out of your way to actually get him in trouble for me. And of course I can earn those points back! The sooner the better actually.

– Hermione

I went to fold up the paper, not knowing how to turn it into his type origami bird again, but I didn't have to. As soon as I was done writing, it immediately returned to its original form, flew out of my hands and zoomed back to Draco underneath people's seats.

Just as he had done to me, I watched him receive my message. His head was lowered as he read it, and I could see the faint outline of a smile on his features. I waited less than a minute before the bird came back to me, flying straight into my lap this time. With an unexplainable excitement in my chest, I quickly unraveled it.

Don't get a big head, it wasn't all for you, you know. You're not the only one who's not so fond of him. At least you finally realized what a jerk he is. All we need now is for your friend Potter to realize it as well. But then again…never mind.

VVVVV

Granger – Hermione and I had been passing notes for the past few minutes of class. For some reason, I hadn't been able to hold in my excitement to tell her about how I had gotten Weasley in trouble, so I had decided to pass her a little note. Little had I known that that small note would've blossomed into a slightly bigger conversation! She was easy to talk to, and I needed a distraction from the deed I had just done, because apologizing to Pansy had been much harder than I had expected it to be. I wondered if Hermione had bothered to consider where I had been. I shrugged it off.

Why would she care? I doubt she had hardly noticed that I had been gone until I had entered the class ten minutes late. I also wondered if she would later ask me where I'd been. Luckily, Blaise had covered for me, apparently saying I was running late, but I hadn't needed him to. The excuse had been extremely vague, and I had been able to come up with a better one of the spot.

It was strange, talking to her like this.

Passing notes, in my opinion, was what close friends did, and while neither she nor I had discussed the depth of our newly acquainted 'friendship', we definitely weren't at that level yet.

Was there even a level we were on?

I stopped thinking as another note from Hermione came flying to me. I quickly took a look at Blaise to make sure he was still focused on his work, and judging by the way his quill was scribbling furiously across the page, there was a high doubt that he was aware of anything going on around him at the moment. I quickly unraveled the bird, and looked at what she wrote back.

You know that's nonsense just as well as I do! Although it's true that Ron can be the thickest prat in the world, Harry would never be able to not be friends with him. As stupid as it sounds, they kind of balance each other out. As much as I'd like to say I fit in there somewhere, I don't really think I can anymore…Harry and I have stopped talking too…he always sides with Ron.

As soon as I read the statement, I looked up to see her face, which had returned to a sad, vulnerable expression that had been a keepsake for the past few days, since the night of the ball. Unexpectedly, I felt anger surge into me, making my head felt hot. As I wrote back, I gripped my quill a little too hard, and there was an audible crack.

Well, that's because Potter's an idiot. Anyone with common sense would be able to tell that you would make a better friend than Weasley! You're obviously the better option. And before you object, why don't you take a look at scarhead right now? He's not that great.

I took the time to glance at Potter myself before returning to the note. He was sitting at his desk, his head resting on his hand, obviously deciding not to pay attention to the class. I had always hated the way Potter had that air of thinking he was better than everyone else. For years I had wondered why everyone thought he was so fucking great. Oh right, he was the Chosen One. If he didn't have that title, he really wouldn't have anything going for him. And being friends with Weasley definitely showed that.

With that in mind, I returned the note back to her, and went back to my work for a moment. In very little time at all, the bird had returned. I wondered if she would lash out on me for bashing her oh so saintly Potter. I kind of wanted her to; I wanted to push her buttons. As I read her response, I could imagine her scorning me, her voice defensive and heated.

You're biased! Besides, you've always been clouded by hate for him, how would you know what he's really like? Oh right, you wouldn't. As soon as I get the chance to talk to Harry, I'll set him straight.

I went to reply with a witty remark about how I didn't care and how I wouldn't be worrying about it, but before I could, there was the distinct, loud sound of the clearing of a throat.

I looked up, midway through writing, and my grip on my quill slackened considerably. Professor Binns was standing above my desk with an irate expression on his face. As I looked at him, I heard all of scribbling quills around me come to a stop. People were starting to stare, but I didn't dare look anywhere but his face. I wondered how long he'd been standing there.

"Mr. Malfoy? You seem to be quite preoccupied with that little note of yours. Mind if I share it with the class?" He held out his hand, waiting to receive the note.

Damn.

I stared at him blankly, and slowly placed the note into his outstretched palm. I could feel every single eye in the room on me, and I was sure that Hermione was watching too. I watched Professor Binns look over the note, and if I had done the protective charm right, then it would only seem like a little reminder to Hermione saying which students had detentions today, something that wasn't uncommonly done between the Head boy and girl. Obviously, Binns had been expecting something else, like a little doodle or a juicy love note that he could share with the class and embarrass me with, but I had proven him wrong. His eyebrows rose for a moment, before passing the note back to me.

"Put it away and return to your work, Mr. Malfoy. And next time, please refrain from sending Miss Granger personal notes in my class, no matter how important they are."

The blood drained from my face as he looked over at Hermione, who shot him a guilty, apologetic look before returning to her work. A group of students behind me snickered. One wolf-whistled.

After a moment, Professor Binns left my desk with a warning look and returned the front of the room, where he began to restart the passage he had been reading to the class. I began to pay attention this time, and I didn't dare look at Hermione, just in case anyone saw. No doubt Potter was probably sniffing like a guard dog a few seats behind me now. Blaise nudged my elbow.

"What the hell are you doing?" He mouthed silently, looking at me in disbelief. I didn't answer, but abandoned my will and took one last look at Hermione, who was now returning diligently to her work, looking flustered.

Regret flushed over me, for getting her into trouble, and for behaving stupidly. I couldn't bring myself to answer Blaise. I didn't know what I was doing or why I was doing it.

I really didn't know.

VVVVV

As soon as the bell rang, I darted out of my seat, not bothering to wait for anyone to question to me. I didn't dare look at Draco, Professor Binns, or Harry. Packing my things, I hurried out of the room, dodging untucked seats. I hadn't gone far into the hallway when I heard a familiar voice call after me.

"Hermione!"

I kept walking, going as fast as I could. If I made it to one of the changing staircases in time, I would be able to avoid Harry.

"Hermione wait up!" He called again, his voice getting closer. I made a quick run to one of the stairs, not even the right one that would take me to my next class, but just as I prepared to step onto it, it shifted, leaving me stranded. I cursed inwardly. If hadn't done that stupid double take, I would've caught the stairs. I turned to tell Harry to bugger off, but I was too surprised at the fact that he had caught up so fast to say anything.

"Show me", was all he said, sounding like a protective dad suspicious of his daughters activities. Some nerve he had.

"Excuse me?" I replied, giving him the harshest tone I could.

"You heard me Hermione. Show me the note." Harry said to me, holding out his hand just as Professor Binns had done to Draco. I stood there, glaring at him. I wanted to punch him for sounding so bloody self righteous.

When I didn't answer him immediately, he sighed, irritated. "Come on Hermione. What are you trying to hide? Look, I know you're upset with Ron, but what are you trying to do, give us both a heart attack? If you're messaging Malfoy, we need to know."

I stared at him a little longer, the anger inside me rising. "How dare you Harry?" I asked him incredulously. "How dare you think it's any of your business to interfere in anything I do? I don't need you or Ron's permission to do anything!"

"That's not what I meant! Listen Hermione, Malfoy is not the best company to keep! He's dangerous–"

"Of course you did! And for your information, I could care less about your opinion on the people I speak to! Judging by Ron, you don't know how to keep such great company yourself! If you must know, Draco was just giving me the list of people that I have to submit to McGonagall for detentions today –"

Harry stared at me for a moment, shocked. "Hold on. You're the one in charge of the detentions? You gave Ron a detention?" He asked me, almost as incredulous as me. I nodded defiantly.

"Yes, I am. And actually, Draco gave him the detention, not me, but I consented to it."

Harry gawked at me, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets and pressing against his glasses. He didn't seem to comprehend. "You let Malfoy give Ron a detention? Blimey Hermione, that's not right of you at all! You've obviously been hanging around the bloke a lot more than I expected. Who knew you'd side with him after all?" He said to me, and his voice had changed, turned cold. He was trying to make me feel guilty.

After all of the things he knew that Ron had done to me, I was still the one looked down upon? I felt my eyes well up with tears. I could hear the next round of changing staircases arriving.

"Of course Harry. Because you'd know all about siding with the right person, wouldn't you?" I replied sarcastically, trying to hide the choke in my voice. Harry stared at me as if he couldn't believe the things that were coming out of my mouth. I didn't wait for him to reply. Instead I turned and stepped on the first stairway that I saw, and didn't look back until it had led me to the other side of the school. Harry had vanished by then. I was entirely alone, and late to my class because of our argument.

I brushed tears away from my face.

Harry would tell Ron everything, and then Ron would tell Ginny, who would tell the others…

Surely I would have no one after that.

VVVVV

Hey guys! So this has been a pretty sad chapter for Hermione huh? We'll just have to wait and see if things get better! Feel free to leave a review, ideas, or constructive criticism! Love to all!