Chapter 9

It had been over a week since Draco had taken Hermione's innocence and she refused to talk about it to anyone including Ginny. Going through it once was embarrassing enough; she didn't want to relive it by telling people what happened. Since the day Draco left that letter Hermione had not been herself, she had built up a wall and was keeping everybody at arm's length. Draco had already taken her dignity; she didn't need anyone else hurting her. Harry was growing increasingly concerned about his friend's demeanour; she had barely spoken to anyone all week and was barely touching her food.

Harry turned to Ginny who was finishing up her homework on the common room table "Gin? Do you know what's wrong with Mione? She seems a bit out of sorts" He asked innocently "Why do you think that I would know?" Ginny asked without looking up at him "Well, because you two are always together and tell each other everything" Ginny looked up at him as he finished his sentence "I never said that I didn't know what was wrong, but if she hasn't told you then it's none of your business" Ginny bit back before collecting her homework and making her way towards the stairs that lead to the dormitories "And for all you know Harry, she could just be on her period, girls do get them you know" she huffed out as she stormed up the stairs. Harry frowned and mumbled to himself "Yeah, I know that all too well".

Hermione had decided to skip lunch again and told Ginny that she would meet her for class once lunch was over. After Harry and Ginny had left the common room Hermione headed to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Once in her room, Hermione slid down the wall and crumpled to the floor sobbing. She had done this every day since Draco left her that note, only crying when she knew she was alone. Once the sobbing subsided she got up and walked over to her bed and started pulling at the sheets in rage "Arrogant, pathetic, stupid FERRET!" she screamed into the empty room as she tore her room apart trying to erase what happened between them in that room. She hated him, but she knew that this was her fault, she decided to have sex with Malfoy, she wasn't forced into it and she felt like a fool for thinking he cared. Before long she was heading to her next lesson, defence against the dark arts and she knew that Malfoy would be there and she would finally have to face him after avoiding him so well all week.

"Hey" Ginny smiled at Hermione as they walked into class, Hermione offered her a slight nod. Today was a practical lesson which meant that they would be learning something new or perfecting something old, either way Hermione looked forward to it. "So, in today's lesson you will be paired by my choosing, after which you will perfect on what you already know, is that clear?" professor Lockhart announced "Potter, you will be with Miss. Weasly. Crabbe, you will be with Miss. Bulstrode" Lockhart continued to throw names together before finally calling the last two names out "And you Miss. Granger, will be paired with Mr. Malfoy" Hermione turned to Ginny who had a sad expression on her face. "Just perfect" Hermione mumbled to herself before turning around to see Malfoy with a smug look on his face accompanied by his signature and insufferable smirk. "What are you bloody smirking at?" Hermione asked her words laced with anguished "The irony of being paired with the likes of you" Draco said simply in a low amused tone.

Hermione saw being paired with Draco as an opportunity to let at least some of her anger out "You may begin" Lockhart called out from the front of the class. Now it was Hermione's turn to smirk. They circled each other both waiting for the other to make the first move "I don't' want to hurt you Granger" Draco said with a chuckle "A little too late for that don't you think?" Hermione bit back, Draco gave her a confused look before she made the first move "Expelliarmus" Hermione said with a quick flick of her wrist, forcing Draco to release his wand, and he stood for a moment wondering what to do next. Hermione motioned for Draco to pick up his wand, so he did; "what do you mean by "too late for that?" He questioned aiming his wand at her but taking no action "The note" She hissed out through clenched teeth before disarming him again "Would you stop doing that!" he said, clearly aggravated as he once again picked up his wand "and that note was only a threat, did you really think that I would tell dearest old mummy of our extra-curricular activities?" He questioned, thinking he was being smart.

Hermione disarmed him again but this time he had no time to grab his wand before Hermione uttered her next words "Imperio" Draco was stuck where he stood, Hermione had complete control over him. "Just a threat?" She questioned quietly, her tone harsh; she forced him to come closer to her so she could whisper her next words into his ear, she leaned in and spoke, her breath tickling his earlobe "I'm not a whore" her words were flat with no emotion "and I think that it's time that someone knocks you off your pedestal and strips you of your dignity and takes away something that you hold dear" She repeated his own words to him. He gulped and attempted to reply to her statement but before he could do so she silenced him "Silencio" Hermione was sick of hearing his voice.

Hermione took a step back before smirking at him. "Kneel" she commanded which caught the attention of Pansy "what are you doing Draco, get up!" He tried to answer but it was no good. Lockhart quickly caught on that Hermione had just used one of the unforgivable curses on Draco "Miss, granger release him from that position right now!" he commanded "As you wish" she replied before making him stand, but she wasn't done quite yet.

Hermione leaned into Draco and whispered in his ear "Walk over to Crabbe, grab his face in both of your hands and kiss him like you kissed me" Draco gave her a murderous look. Hermione watched as he slowly turned on his heel and made his way over to Crabbe, grabbing his face with both hands "W-what are you doing?" Crabbe stuttered just before Draco planted his lips on Crabbe's, disturbingly, Crabbe seemed to enjoy what was happening. The entire class erupted in laughter, once Hermione was satisfied she released him from the curse. The class was dismissed, however Hermione was asked to stay behind.

Hermione explained why she had performed the curse on Draco and Lockhart felt for her. He let Hermione off with a warning, not wanting to get in trouble himself with Dumbledore. When she finally left the class room Draco was waiting for her, leaning against the wall "Think your funny do you Granger?" He asked, his word cold and Harsh "I'll get you back for that" He promised "No you won't Malfoy, we're even now" she hummed walking past him, he grabbed her, pulling her in close "We're not even close to being even" he growled through gritted teeth "Yes we are" Hermione bit back "You took away my dignity and left me feeling ashamed, what I did to you was fair, now you know what it feels like to be totally humiliated and to have something taken away from you" she yanked her arm from his grasp "How does it feel Malfoy?" she asked before walking away from him.