(A/N: Hey guys! I whipped out another chapter yaaaay! Hopefully you guys like it. I had minor writer's block, but I did it! This week I've been really stressed out bc I called the shops nearby my house and there's absolutely no one hiring ): Last night I was freaking out about college bc I want to be a pharmacist, and I need a bunch of extra classes and I just don't know how to fit it all into my schedule and be able to graduate in 4 years. It would be nice if my parents let me finish college in at least 4.5 years so I can get all of my classes done.

I'm going to take a little longer uploading the next chapter bc I'm working on two other fics and I want to edit this story for mistakes and all that jazz.

Well anyway, here it is. I hope you guys like this chapter. Remember to fav, follow, and leave a review! I love you guys! Enjoy ^_^)

Chapter 17: Our Own Personal Stalemate

Draco stepped foot inside the Great Hall, which was filled with pandemonium. His foot stepped on two soft lumps on the floor, which created a crumpling sound. Bending down, he picked up whatever he stepped on and examined it. Upon noticing that it was a paper plane, he opened it up, and cursed under his breath as he read the contents. "Someone's got a fucking death wish," Draco murmured angrily.

A fifth year Slytherin tapped Draco's shoulder frantically, earning a cold stare from him. "If you want to keep that finger attached to your hand, then I suggest that you stop poking me," Malfoy drawled, rolling his eyes.

The girl immediately stopped touching him and apologized. "Sorry, Draco, but have you heard what happened," she asked, amusement etched on her face.

The blonde furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "No, why?"

"Apparently, the goody-goody Gryffindor Princess has been sleeping with Cormac McLaggen since summer," she giggled. "And I heard they haven't stopped seeing each other."

"That's a load of bull," Draco dismissed, sullenly. The whole idea of Hermione sleeping with some guy that she doesn't even talk to was extremely laughable to him. It took everything in his power to prevent himself from laughing in that Slytherin girl's face.

"Just telling you what I heard," the girl commented, shrugging her shoulders before walking away. Why the hell would she think that he would be interested in gossiping about a girl's sex life? And it's not just any girl; it's Hermione Granger. More importantly, who the hell was spreading this false information?

There were three minutes until class started, and Hermione wanted nothing more than to stay in the broom cupboard and avoid human contact at all costs. Unfortunately, she cared about her grades too much to actually go through with skipping class.

Wiping one last tear from her eye, she pick up her book-bag and exited the cupboard. Once she stepped out, she heard Ron's voice call out to her. "Hermione," she heard him yell.

She turned and caught sight of him running up to her with a large grin on his face. "Let's walk to Charms class together," Ron offered hopefully.

Although still upset over the events that transpired in the Great Hall, she managed to put on a fake smile. "Sure, Ron," she agreed. "Did you sleep well," she asked.

Ron nodded. "I slept so well, I missed out on breakfast," he answered. "Which is pretty rare for me," he chuckled.

Hermione was more than relieved to hear that Ron hadn't heard what people were saying about her. It was no secret that Ron had a tendency to lose his temper over a lot of things. When it came to his friends or his family, he had no problem with getting physical to stand up for them.

She giggled nervously at his statement and continued walking to class. Her heart pounded harder against her chest as she got closer and closer to the Charms class. She was really dreading what people were going to do when she walked in.

Ron opened the door and held it open for her. Her fellow seventh years snapped their heads in her direction as she walked into the room. Most of the students snickered as she looked around for her seat. Luckily, there were two seats left in the back for her and Ron. She kept her gaze downcast, still not ready to look people directly in the face, out of sheer mortification.

Not long after, Professor Flitwick began speaking. "Good morning, class! Today we will be learning a new spell, which I believe is very useful, but first I want to start with a few questions: does you ever get paranoid when you leave your drinks alone? Are you guys ever afraid that someone's tampered with your beverages?"

The girls in the class muttered "yeah's" in response.

"The spell I'm going to be teaching you will indicate whether someone slipped anything into your drink or not," Flitwick informed. "This spell can detect any abnormalities in your drinks including love potions, date-rape drugs, and many other poisons."

The Professor placed two goblets of water on the table in front of him. "Now, in front of me are two water goblets: one with just normal drinking water, and one with water laced with something. Watch carefully."

He reached into his robe, and drew out his wand from his inside pocket. Clearing his throat, he pointed his wand to the goblet on the right. "Potem pura," he spoke clearly. A cloud of grey smoke billowed from the top of the goblet, which withered away after some time. "Now, class, the grey smoke indicates that your drink is safe, but watch what happens to the other one," he continued. "Potem pura." This time, a small puff of red smoke erupted from the goblet, and floated around before vanishing completely.

"Who can tell me what substance is in the water," he asked, gesturing to the goblet.

As expected, Hermione's hand shot into the air with great speed.

Flitwick called on Hermione with a proud grin. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"It's ecstasy," she answered positively.

"Excellent! Ten points to Gryffindor," Flitwick praised as he applauded. Even though the students' insults were harmful to here self-esteem, she managed to pick herself up after answering correctly.

"Anyway, there are many colors that correspond to specific substances. Today, I want you guys to see what colors go with which substances. Goblets and substances are located behind me," he pointed out.

With that, the class went to the back to retrieve their materials.

Flitwick let the class clean up early as he was impressed with the time it took for his students to master the spell.

Hermione was putting away the materials when she felt an arm on her shoulders.

"Hey, babe," a male voice greeted. Hermione instantly shrugged off the arm when she realized that it wasn't Ron's. Cormac McLaggen, the absolutely last boy she would ever consider socializing with, was moving way too close to her.

Not wanting to make eye contact with Cormac, she turned her head away from him. "What do you want," she asked cautiously.

"Aw, baby, don't be like that," he cooed. "It's like your pretending not to know me at all."

Swiftly, she turned to go back to Ron.

"So that's how you're going to treat me after our little thing over the summer," Cormac purposefully shouted, catching everyone's attention. Amused grins began forming on the class' faces as they were about to exit.

Frustration and annoyance completely took over Hermione. "What in Merlin's name are you talking about," she bellowed, her eyes narrowing, and her fists clenching.

Harry and Ron emerged from the gradually growing crowd to stand on either side of their friend.

McLaggen's face fell and was replaced by the same look of amusement that the other students had. "Is that how it's gonna be? You're just gonna ignore me after you let me take your virginity," he asked exaggeratedly, eliciting a wild reaction from the crowd, who obviously believed him.

Hermione stood in her place, dumbfounded at the words coming out of Cormac's mouth. Why is he making these false claims? He doesn't even talk to her! Panicking, she sneaked a peak at Ron's facial expression, and he was not happy.

"Don't you dare talk about Hermione like that," Ron shouted, his entire face turning red. "I know she would never do that, especially not with guys like you."

"You'd never guess this, but she's got the cutest little arse," Cormac taunted. "It's quite nice to look at when she's on top." This statement created a riotous frenzy among the students as they roared with laughter and varying degrees of obscene name-calling directed at Hermione.

"You're fucking dead, McLaggen," Ron growled as he lunged toward Cormac, but before Ron could throw a punch, Harry held him back. In addition, Ashton appeared from the crowd and managed to hold back Cormac. The two pugnacious Gryffindors struggled against the pair of arms holding them back.

Draco trudged to the middle of the circle, causing the crowd to hold their tongues. He looked at both Ron and Cormac warily. "You two have caused quite enough of trouble, and it's only the first class," he scolded. "Five points from Griffindor for misconduct." Without another word, Draco exited the Charms classroom in pursuit of his next class.

One by one, the class began to empty, leaving Hermione with Harry and Ron, both giving her looks of sympathy.

Her urge to cry returned as she looked into her friends' sad eyes. "You guys don't believe that stuff do you," she sniffled, wiping away a stray tear from her eye.

Harry and Ron smiled reassuringly. "We believe you, 'Mione," Harry affirmed.

"What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't have faith in you," Ron remarked.

The tears falling from Hermione's face doubled, hearing warm, comforting words from her two best friends. "Thanks, you guys. I love you," she whimpered.

"We know," the two boys giggled. Harry and Ron moved on either side of Hermione and engulfed her in a warm hug.

It was nice to have some people who in believed her when everyone else didn't.

At lunch, Hermione sat at the Ravenclaw table with Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the boys from the band. To no one's surprise, no one wanted to be sitting anywhere near Hermione.

"People have been giving me evil glares, laughing at me, and calling me names all day, but I'm fine now guys," Hermione assured for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"Are you sure," Michael questioned, cutting into his roast chicken.

"Yeah," she replied optimistically. "The only thing that matters right now is that you guys believe in me."

"We never stopped," Ginny laughed, giving Hermione another warm hug.

Desperately wanting to change the subject, she began speaking. "So, Harry, when are you planning on holding Quidditch tryouts," she asked.

Harry swallowed a bit of his food before answering his friend. "Dunno," he responded. "Maybe next Saturday."

Calum and Ashton perked their heads at the mention of Quidditch.

"What positions are open," Ashton asked Harry.

"We need two beaters, two chasers, and a substitute chaser," Harry informed.

With a mouth full of pork chops, Ron cut in. "It's a rebuilding year for the Gryffindor team," he commented.

"I'm trying out," Calum declared excitedly.

"Me too," Ashton added, giving his friend a high-five.

"What about you, Mikey," Ginny asked.

Michael shook his head. "I don't do anything that involves me moving and exerting energy," he snickered, his eyes squinting shut with laughter.

"Luke," Ron asked.

"Sports aren't my forte," Luke answered calmly, shrugging his shoulders.

"Hey, Ron," a girl shouted from another table. "How does it feel to go out with an old, used-up skank?" She laughed as she glimpsed at Hermione.

"Well, going out with Lavender was horrible," Ron yelled back, causing their part of the Ravenclaw table to burst out laughing.

Their laughter died down as they saw another person's shadow near them. Lavender Brown, with an evil smirk, walked up to the table. "Hey guys," she addressed to the table. Turning to Hermione, she greeted, "Hey, whore!" Lavender's eyes glinted with a desire to hurt Hermione.

"Fuck off, Brown," Hermione sighed, rubbing her temples with her two fingers.

The curly-haired Gryffindor rolled her eyes, and contorted her face with disgust. "I just came by to let you know, that your plan to have the students sit with people from different houses worked," she informed in her normal tone. "You single-handedly brought this school together, because they all fucking hate you," she cackled maliciously.

And yet again, for the third time that day, Hermione began tearing up. All of her hard work to achieve house unity had worked, but at the cost of her self-esteem and her once spotless reputation. Hermione genuinely cared for the entire student body of Hogwarts, and yet this is how they repaid her.

Ginny stood up and charged toward Lavender. "I will not hesitate to beat you within an inch of your life if you don't get lost," she hissed.

"You don't scare me, Ginny," Lavender scoffed. "I don't have time for you lot anyway." She skipped away afterwards.

The chimes sounded, signaling the end of lunch.

"I'm heading over to Transfiguration, do you guys want to come," Hermione asked.

After her Arithmancy class, Hermione decided to give Deogol an answer to his offer. She opened the door to the DADA classroom, becoming instantly nervous at the sight of Deogol. She faltered towards Deogol's desk.

"Hermione," he cheered as he looked up from his paperwork. "It's great to see you! What brings you here?"

Her fingers fiddled with the sleeve of her robes as she thought of what to say. "I came here to let you know that I cannot tutor the students," she informed timidly.

The smile that was previously on Deogol's face fell. His left eye twitched and his jaw muscles tensed. His plump lips tightened into thin, straight lines. Upon noticing these mannerisms, Hermione felt the need to explain herself further, fearing that he may yell at her.

"Please, sir, I hope you understand. I'm sure you've heard what the students have been saying about me," she began, rushing her words out of nervousness. "Given these recent events, I don't think the students are going to listen to me if I tried to teach them." She looked down at her feet, watching them tap the ground without any particular rhythm. "I'm very sorry, Professor Deogol," she apologized.

The professor shook his head disbelievingly as he quickly blinked his dark-colored eyes. Afterwards, he put on an understanding expression. His eyes soften and he offered a small smile. "I'm a little disappointed that I won't be able to work with you, but I understand the situation."

Looking up, Hermione became more relaxed. She let out the breath that she did not realize that she was holding. "Thank you, Professor. If it's any consolation, I think you should ask Harry if he could tutor the struggling students. He's the best in the subject, and he's even taught some other students how to produce a full-body Patronus charm in our fifth year. "

Deogol stroked his stubbly chin as he considered Hermione's recommendation. "I'll ask him about it when I see him," he decided. Promptly, he stood up and stood next to Hermione. "Thank you for informing me, Hermione," he continued, placing his arm around her waist. "I appreciate your honesty and your courage to come and tell me," he soothed, his voice going soft.

He's touching me again, Hermione mentally screamed. Her breaths became short and quick as he held her closer to her.

As he talked to her about his teaching plans, Deogol walked Hermione to the door with his arms still wrapped around her. Although it was a short walk from his desk to the door, to Hermione, it felt like forever.

"I really hope that my lesson plans work," Deogol admitted. "I really want you guys to be as prepared as possible. I don't want you guys to be as unprepared as Umbridge made you."

"I have to get started on some work, but I'll see you in class, sir," Hermione hurried, breaking his old of her, and shuffled away.

Nighttime had finally fallen, and Draco couldn't be happier. Tonight, he is patrolling the school with Hermione.

With a flick of his wand, Draco put his books back on the shelf in the common room. He walked to the common room, and sat on the couch to wait for Hermione to come out of her room.

As soon as she walked out of the doorway, he stood up. "You ready, Granger," he asked nonchalantly.

"Sure," she answered with a hint of uncertainty.

Malfoy gestured for her to lead the way, quickly following her as they exited through the portrait hole. Making sure that their portrait was secured, Draco and Hermione walked side-by-side in comfortable silence. The surrounding darkness of the hallways made the silence even more comforting. The only thing that could be heard was their echoing footsteps. The Heads both muttered "lumos," instantly illuminating the tips of their wands.

To Hermione's surprise, Draco had not complained once about having to sacrifice his free time to patrol the halls with her. It was a strange feeling not having to hear his ignorant remarks, yet it was a wonderful feeling at the same time. Come to think of it, not once has he insulted her today. If he really wanted to, he could've went along with what the other students were saying about her. He could've laughed at her with the other students. He could've used this morning's events to demean her more than usual, but he didn't. What had changed?

"Hey, Malfoy," she addressed quietly without turning her head to face him.

"Yeah, Granger," he asked using the same tone of voice.

She paused for a few seconds, biting her lips as she thought of what to say. "Thanks for stopping Ron and McLaggen earlier," she finally spoke. "Ron would've killed him."

"It's nothing," he retorted plainly.

The silence consumed them once again. Draco and Hermione rounded the corner, and took the stairway down to the ground level. A solid thirty minutes passed until they spoke again.

"It's funny, actually," Hermione softly chuckled.

Draco's eyebrows rose as he threw her a confused glance. "What's funny?"

She sighed, her shoulders rising and falling dramatically as she inhaled and exhaled. "All day long, people have been calling me a whore and a whole bunch of other names, all because they think I had a fling with Cormac over the summer. This whole mess was a perfect invitation for you to belittle me like you always do, but you haven't said anything. Why is that?"

It took him a few seconds to formulate his thoughts into words. "Well, Granger, as much as I love making your life a living hell, I think this whole thing is fucking stupid," he admitted, much to Hermione's surprise. "They're calling you a slut because you supposedly fucked a manky arsehole that you don't even talk to. If I'm going to insult you, I'm not going to it based on something as absurd as this. It makes absolutely no sense!"

She couldn't help but giggle softly after hearing his words.

"What are you laughing at now," Draco groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Draco Malfoy, the most arrogant prick on this planet, is actually refraining from teasing little old Mudblood Granger," she giggled.

"Well, I also figured that you had enough crap for one day," he explained. Unexpectedly, Draco moved closer to her, leaving a few centimeters in between them. She craned her head to look up at him. The moonlight reflected off of his soft, blonde hair. "But despite our own personal stalemate," he stated, pausing deliberately. "Don't get used to it, love," he concluded softly with a coy smile.

Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine as she felt his hot breath brush against her face. It was weird hearing his voice when it wasn't laced with sarcasm or raised a few decibels, but despite this, she felt at ease hearing his soft, but deep voice.

An instantaneous crashing noise startled the two Heads, causing them to break apart. Without thinking, Draco grabbed Hermione by the arm and pulled her behind him protectively. He turned over his shoulder, his grey eyes meeting with her brown ones. He lifted his finger up to his lips, instructing her to remain silent.

With his wand thrusted forward defensively, Draco led Hermione towards the sound. Hermione gripped her wand tightly, and followed his lead.

As the pair walked further, his hold on her tightened.

Draco and Hermione came across a shattered glass flask and a small puddle of blue liquid around it on the floor. The both of them bent down to examine the liquid. To prevent from touching it, Hermione smelled the air around the substance on the ground. A light, floral scent filled her nostrils.

"Syrup of Hellebore," Hermione deduced.

"Yeah," he agreed. "By the looks of it, it looks like someone stole from Snape's storeroom and they ran off in a hurry."

"They're brewing something," Hermione stated. "But I'm not sure what."

"We better tell Snape," Draco suggested.

Without a word, Hermione nodded. She looked down at the hand that wasn't holding her wand. Draco's hand had not let go of her own. Rough, calloused patches, mostly from his years of Quidditch, were spread under his fingers.

Slowly, Draco took back his hand, feeling embarrassed. He chuckled uneasily as he ran the hand he used to hold Hermione's through his blonde locks.

"Um, shall we continue with our rounds," Draco asked in an attempt to recover his awkward hand-holding.

"Yeah," Hermione answered.

With that, the Head Boy and Head Girl continued their stroll around the grounds. When they walked through a dark hallway, Malfoy placed the hand that held hers over his heart, a radiant, beatific smiles turning up the corners of his mouth.

Unbeknownst to them, a dark figure watched the two intently as they disappeared into the darkness. Slyly, the figure walked backwards until he too, vanished into the night.