Complicating Differences

Chapter Seven: The Truth Comes Out

Dumbledore sat patiently, mildly wondering what was taking Hagrid so long. He had sent for him half an hour ago and he still hadn't come to see him. He then thought he might not have made his point to Dobby that this meeting was urgent. Just then Hagrid burst through the door, breaking his thoughts.

"Ter'bly sorry, Headmaster. Dobby was late to come see me; seems he got lost 'long the way. Not too bright, tha' one," Hagrid rumbled.

"It's perfectly fine, Hagrid. I shall have to make him a map," he said cheerfully, but then paused, and took a deep breath. "Hagrid, I'm afraid we have a terrible situation in our hands," his voice now taking a much graver note.

"What do ya mean, situation?"

He handed Hagrid a letter. "Hagrid, you're going to need to read this. It will explain everything. I will be much too busy in the next few days to explain this to you or answer your questions. I'm putting you in charge of any discipline that might need to occur, as I will be leaving for a few short days and taking my place at Grimmauld Place. We have substitutes in line for Potions and Transfigurations classes."

"No, Dumbledore...not that kind of situation?"

"Yes, Hagrid, I'm afraid so. Well, I will be leaving now. Be careful...keep things in order while I'm gone. If anyone asks, Professor Snape, McGonagall, and I are on school business. Don't give out any of the information in that letter Hagrid, it's very important that this remains a secret."

"But wait - if he's back why are'ou leavin'? Isn't tha' dangerous?"

"Read the letter, Hagrid," he said, then left the room.

"Harry what's wrong? You've been acting strange all morning. What's the matter, mate?" Ron asked.

Harry adjusted the books he was carrying. His next class was Potions. He wondered if he'd still have to sit by Hermione...in a way he hoped not.

"I don't really wanna talk about it, Ron."

"Well...ok then. But where's Hermione? I don't think I've seen her all morning," he inquired. Even if he was angry with her, he thought it would seem suspicious if he acted strangely around the two of them. He just figured that first chance he had he would ask her about it - he was almost positive there was a logical explanation for what had happened.

"I haven't seen her either, Ron," he answered, too emotionless for Ron's liking.

"Harry what is it? For the love of Merlin, why won't you just tell me what's going on? Did you two have a fight or something?" he asked.

"Not exactly a fight. But it wasn't good, Ron. I think we might have broken up."

Ron finally understood. She must have told him the truth! "So you know then...what really happened?" he asked.

Harry looked at Ron with a hurt expression. "I bloody well do!"

"Well Harry, what was the reasoning behind it? I knew she wouldn't have done it if he hadn't made some sort of spell up, or bribed her or something. Did she tell you why?"

"What? Ron, what are you talking about? Who bribed who to do what, exactly?"

"But...but you just said that you knew the truth!" Ron answered quickly.

"Yea, I know that Hermione doesn't feel the same way about me as she did a year ago. I know now that we're just friends, and obviously that's all we'll ever be! What in the hell are you talking about?" he screamed.

"Ooops..."

Draco was seething. At seven o'clock that morning he had received an owl from his father telling him to meet him at Hagrid's hut just half an hour later. He had woken up somewhat late that Sunday morning, only grateful for the fact that he didn't have classes until tomorrow, and he rolled out of bed and dressed quickly, only spending half the usual time on his hair. He knew that his father wouldn't come to Hogwarts to see him for something little - there was obviously something going on. Why they were meeting with Hagrid, he didn't know.

Draco disliked Hagrid with a passion. Most Slytherins did. If Mudbloods don't belong in Hogwarts, then half-giants or anything of the sort don't either. But Hermione, she was fond of him. He knew that the Weasel, Pothead and she were always visiting each other - sticking up for one another.

He shook his head, trying to erase the thought of her from his mind. Random things about her had been popping up into his thoughts lately. He had stopped pondering on them, though, a few days after the kiss. It was just a kiss, anyway. And this first name basis that had been taking place, it had to stop. He didn't like her, and he didn't want a friendship with her. It was against what he thought and was raised to believe. Only purebloods belonged in the wizarding world, and she was the worst kind of Muggle born.

Any feelings that had been developing when they shared the same dreams and feelings were gone, because he wanted them gone. If he wanted to, he could stop thinking about her. He had to be who his father expected him to be, and he wouldn't ruin that by kissing Hermione Granger. Not again. He didn't even give a damn about her. Her and her trio could all go to bloody hell, and he wouldn't mind them being gone and out of his hair.

He thought all about this as he walked in the cold towards Hagrid's hut.

"You said WHAT?" Hermione screamed.

"I didn't know he didn't know! I thought you told him. And Hermione, I'm NOT apologizing for telling my best mate about you kissing another guy. That's low, Hermione. That's really low. And Malfoy? What on earth did he do to get you to be alone with him?" Ron screamed right back.

"Ron, you didn't even come and talk to me about it first! You just ran your mouth first chance you got. I know it was wrong...I don't even know why I..." she started, and then paused to think. Wait, what am I saying? Ron and Harry will never understand why I did it. I can't tell them that it was partly my fault, and somewhat my decision. Without thinking of his well-being, it just popped out. "Besides, Ron, it was all him! He attacked me, practically. Do you think I wanted to kiss him?"

"But Hermione, I saw you two in there. It didn't look like you were fighting him off!"

"How long exactly did you stand there and watch?! I mean - er - why didn't you stop him? It was so obvious he put some sort of relaxing charm on me to make me oblivious to what was happening. Possibly even a love incantation of some kind," she said.

"I KNEW it! I knew you wouldn't willingly kiss that git! Oooh...I have so many ideas of what to do to him. Stealing my best mate's girlfriend, attacking her, snogging her against her will. I'm gonna KILL him! This is all I needed to get me started, and don't even try to stop me, Hermione, because it's not gonna work this time!" he yelled, obviously furious.

He started to walk, fists at his sides and face beat red, towards the portrait hole until Hermione grabbed him from behind. "No, Ron! Don't even think about it! It's not worth getting expelled. Besides, I know how to handle myself around him now. And this is exactly why I didn't say anything in front of you and Harry and tried to cover it up. I didn't want you two to go insane about it!" she lied quickly. She wondered briefly how Harry was taking it and if he was going to approach her about it. Before she could ponder on that thought too long, though, Ron started towards the door again.

Ron, honestly, how do you expect to find him? I'm sure he's in the Slytherin common room, it's already 8:30."

"Yea, yea I guess your right. I'll wait till tomorrow. But I AM gonna pound his face!"

"Ron, why are you always so-"

Hermione stopped as Harry walked through the portrait hole. Harry looked up from his feet at his two friends, first at Ron, looking angry and upset. She looked into his eyes and realized that he wouldn't even look at her. She felt so guilty. How could she have done this to him?. She had to tell him the same lie she told Ron. How else would he ever forgive her?

"Harry, I have to talk to you. About what Ron told you earlier."

"No. It's not that. I don't want to talk about that," he said.

Hermione was confused. He didn't want to talk about it, she understood that. But he didn't seem upset just about the kiss, he seemed upset about something else, too.

"Harry, what is it? What's happened?" Ron asked, beating Hermione to the question she wanted to know the answer to as well.

"It's Hagrid. He let something slip," he said.

It was dark outside by the time Draco showed up in the Slytherin common room. Pansy noticed this and frowned, her face wrinkling up into her own pug-like expression. She was still angry with him about their fight, and had no clue whatsoever whether they were an 'item' or not. But she knew one thing - if she told her father that he was mean to her, that he broke her heart...

Then nothing would happen. Nothing at all. He would be upset, but what could he do? Threaten him? Break ties with one of the most powerful, rich, and pureblooded wizarding families? And there was also the fact that her own parents were close friends with the Malfoys. They quite often discussed her and Draco's future plans. There was no arranged marriage or anything of the sort, but it was encouraged. All telling her father would do was cause trouble, if it did anything at all.

So all she could do was sit back and watch him fool around with other girls. She only assumed he had been with one tonight, why else would he look so occupied in his thoughts and be back so late?

She debated whether or not to approach him and ask him, or to merely talk to him again would be fine. She would admit it to no one, not even herself, but she missed him. When they were young, they were close. They would share secrets and play together. Sure, he was always a prat, but at least when they were young he acknowledged her existence. For the past few days he would just glide past her as though she wasn't even there.

But she knew it wasn't just the Granger girl that was on his mind. She could read Draco like an open book. He always kept his feelings and emotions hidden, and no one ever truly knew when something was on his mind. But she knew him better. She'd known him for too long. There was something wrong.

And she had a feeling of what it was. Blaise Zabini had just received his dark mark several days earlier, she knew because she had heard him bragging about it to Draco. He didn't deserve to be a Death Eater...there was no doubt he would run his mouth and not be too careful as to who would hear. He only got the mark because of his last name. The Zabinis were powerful and had ties with the Malfoys. It was most likely Lucious's idea to have him receive the mark. It wasn't fair, she had never asked her parents whether she would be receiving one, because she knew that in order to join the Death Eaters she would have to prove herself. Not just because she was a girl, but because her parents often told her she didn't believe in He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's return as much as she should. She couldn't help that she had some doubts, what with that stupid Potter always in the way. Her mother also told her that she wouldn't obey orders like she should with him, that she was too independent and spoke out of place. She was jealous of the Zabinis and the Malfoys - they were in no matter what. No doubt, within the next year, Draco would be receiving one himself. She was surprised he hadn't already. That could be why he seemed so stressed lately.

Her thoughts dissolved as he walked towards her. She stared at him with a fierce expression, letting him know that she was still angry, but inside she was warm and fuzzy. He was actually going to take the initiative and talk to her.

"Look, Pansy, I know we haven't talked since you - er - broke up with me," he said with a sarcastic hint to his voice, "but I just wanted to let you know it's probably for the best. You're just not what I'm looking for, and I obviously piss you right off. So if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop watching my every move as if I'm your property. I'll do what I please now, just like I did when we were together."

"Draco Malfoy! Bloody hell, if I'm watching you're every move it's only because I'm getting the fucking brush off for the Gryffindor witch! She's a filthy Mudblood, I can't see how you're interested!"

"Me? Interested in Granger? Pansy, you're out of your fucking mind!" he screamed. He was getting irritated with her, and he could tell she felt the same. He only cursed like that when he was letting something huge off his chest.

"What am I supposed to think, Draco? You two have been acting strange lately. Maybe you're not snogging, but whatever it is I don't like it. And neither does anyone else! Just leave her alone, be a prat to her like you always have been. What's changed?"

"NOTHING HAS CHANGED! NOTHING AT ALL!" he screamed, walking straight up to his room and slamming the door behind him.

"Harry? Harry what's wrong with Hagrid?" Hermione repeated.

"Hagrid was really jumpy when I talked to him. I could tell something was wrong, and when I asked he burst into tears. I went to visit him just now - talk to him about some things," he threw a quick glance in Hermione's direction and her throat tightened, "- he was blubbering about something, at first I couldn't catch on. He just kept saying 'I let him down, I ruined everything.' When I got him calmed down and under control, I got him to talk.

He said this morning Lucious Malfoy and his son came to talk to him. He said he made sure they knew they weren't wanted there without actually kicking them out, but he just kept talking, asking him curious questions. They asked him where Dumbledore was-"

"Wait a second. Where Dumbledore was? Well, he's right here, isn't he?" Ron inquired.

"Not exactly. From what Hagrid told me, I'm guessing that because he, Snape, and McGonagall are gone, it's Order of the Phoenix business."

"Sshhhhh! Harry, you don't want to be so loud about it!" Hermione whispered. Harry looked around the completely empty common room, rolled his eyes and continued on.

"But anyway, he asked where Dumbledore was and why he was gone. They asked to speak to him, and Hagrid said they could talk through him and that he would deliver any message straight to the Headmaster. He said he quickly switched the subject and asked him why two other professors were gone as well..."

"-and then he said they were all together, that it was official business that no one else needed to know about!" Lucious exclaimed, humor in his eyes as he told his wife about Hagrid and his confrontation that morning.

"As if that wasn't clue enough to what they were up to, he then told me that while Dumbledore was away, he was in charge of discipline and that wasn't limited to students. I said the Ministry would frown upon that. And just guess how he replied?"

"How, Lucious?" Narcissa asked, humoring her husband as he rambled on and on.

Lucious cleared his throat and put on his best deep, low, Hagrid-like grumble. "Not if they know what the Order knows!" At this, Narcissa's interest in the subject perked.

"The Order? They have an Order?"

"Yes, yes they do. I guess we always figured they did, but now that we know for sure I can guarantee we'll find out exactly what this order of theirs is and what it plans to do to stop us."

"I understand why you'd ask that Hagrid about it, he obviously can't keep his mouth shut, but why did you bring Draco along?"

"He needs to learn what to do in a situation like this. We needed information, so we went to a source. If he's going to join us soon, Cissa, he needs to learn these things. But anyway, where was I. Oh yes, after he let it slip about the Order, I figured I wouldn't get too much out of him. So I said I didn't want any trouble, all I came to do was find where Dumbledore was so I could ask him about taking a few days leave in the next few days. Which is true, I suppose. The ritual is a long process, he'll need at least a week off of school."

"Yes, I suppose. I still don't understand why it takes so long. All they do is put a silly mark on your arm," she complained. "I hate to see our Draco miss so many classes."

"Cissa, this is important to him. Let him do this, and I promise the hard part will be over." He walked behind her, putting his hands on her shoulder and kissing her neck.

"I know you hate this, having him exposed to so many dangers. But he's a man now. He can handle himself, and he needs to toughen up a bit."

Narcissa sighed. Important to him? Have you ever even asked him if it's what he wants? It's only what you want for him. All of these were silent questions she'd wanted to ask for so long, but never gathered up the courage to do so. "Lucious, you know we share the same opinions about most everything, but I still worry. I worry about you, but I worry about our son the most. He's so unsure of things, I can tell by the look in his eyes. If you just let him grow up a bit, make sure it's what he really wants..."

"No. It's what he wants - it's what he needs. He's going to get the mark, Cissa, and he's going to prove himself to us. To the Dark Lord. I've given him an important task, one that only he can pull of. Whether or not this is what he wants right now, it's what he wants in the long run. End of discussion," he said. Narcissa pushed it no farther. He was getting irritated, and she didn't want to see what came after that.

"He told him? He told him about the Order?" Hermione gasped.

"Well, sort of. I mean, it's not like he flat out told him the specifics, did he?" Ron inquired.

"No, that's all he let slip. He said Lucious seemed satisfied with that. You should've seen him, he felt awful. He kept saying that Dumbledore was counting on him, that he knew too much and what if he let even more slip," Harry said.

"Well he should feel awful! He could've ruined everything! How do you know the Malfoy's aren't just now out looking for the Order? What if they caught on to everything they've been up to!" Hermione shouted.

"Hermione, you can't honestly blame Hagrid for this. It was a simple mistake that anyone could've made," Harry snapped.

"I wouldn't have. I don't think Dumbledore should've trusted him with such valuable information. You know how easily we can get things out of them, what if it's the same with people like the Malfoys. He let slip about Fluffy to Quirrel, and he told gave us a clue about the Sorcerer's Stone!" she snapped back.

"Dumbledore trusts Hagrid, and I do too! Maybe he does let his mouth run a bit too much, but he only wants the best for the Order, he would never intentionally put them in danger."

"Of course not, but is that really good enough? You know I care about Hagrid, and I know he's a good person, but Harry, this is serious, and that's not how you're taking it! You won't even talk to me about the threat at your school, and you don't seem the slightest but shaken about Voldemort possibly coming back. It's like you don't even care, like it's no big deal!"

"No big deal? Are you insane? Of course it's a big deal! Voldemort's coming back, I can feel it. My scar's been burning now every night for the past month. There's somebody here already. Maybe not him, but someone connected to him. And yes, I'm worried. Scared out of my bloody mind! Nothing you would understand, though, all you can think about is snogging a bloody Slytherin - a bloody Malfoy. Don't you get it, Hermione? Don't you get that this is the end? It's me or him. Me or Voldemort. One of us isn't going to make it; one of us is going to die!" Harry yelled.

"How would you know that, Harry? That's ridiculous. There's no way you can know that. No way!" Ron replied, a perplexed look on his face.

"Oh really? So Dumbledore just made up that silly old prophecy? Well thanks, Ron, for clearing that up. It's good to know I don't have that thousand ton weight on my shoulders anymore!" Harry snapped sarcastically. Hermione was stunned.

"There's a prophecy? About you and Voldemort? Harry, when did you find out about this? Why didn't you tell us!" Hermione shrieked, tears already dropping from her eyes.

"I found out after... it was after Sirius died. Dumbledore told me. And how could I tell you? You would both just worry and try to find a way around it. Well guess what - there is no way around it. It's bound to happen one way or another, so let's just drop it!" He stormed up to his room and slammed the door.

Hermione, tears still leaking from her eyes, stumbled back into her seat, staring at Ron. "Did you know?" she squeaked.

"No. He never said anything. He didn't tell us," Ron replied, looking as horror stricken as she.

"I can't believe he said it. He said 'after Sirius died'. I've never heard him say anything about Sirius and his death. He hardly ever even talks about him when he was alive. I know he thinks about him all the time, but he's never said anything..."

"It's just too much for him. Losing his parents - then his godfather," Ron said. "That's not what I'm stuck on. I'm stuck on the part where it's either him or Voldemort. How would a prophecy be able to tell that?"

"Ron, it's a prophecy. It isn't supposed to make sense. Besides, I don't believe that rubbish. There's no way a silly fortune could predict the future of Harry and the rest of the world. It's impossible," Hermione spat the words out like poison.

"But, Hermione, isn't that exactly what he said? He never told us because he knew we'd try to find a way around it?"

"Ron, I don't have to. I don't believe it, and I hope you don't either. Now, if only we can get Harry to believe the same. Then there's no problem, and everything's back to normal," Hermione assured him

"I just can't believe it. If it is true - imagine how he must feel. It's like the pressure is all on him. It's all on him to survive. If he dies, it's all over," Ron said, shaking his head.

"Ron, he's not going to die! How many times now has he defeated him? First, Second, Fourth, and Fifth year! Why would now be any different? That is, considering he's coming back. We don't even know that he is," Hermione said.

Ron decided to drop the argument. Hermione was obviously set at the fact that nothing bad will happen and if it does Harry will save the day. He knew better. He knew that things didn't always end well. He knew that Hermione knew, too, but she wouldn't admit it to him or to herself. So he asked another question that Harry had brought on.

"What did he mean, there's someone here? Someone connected to Voldemort? Does he mean there's a Death Eater here?:

"I don't know, Ron. I think he's just getting worked up over this silly prophecy. But if he really is having scar pains, and there really is someone in the castle, I'm almost positive Dumbledore or the Order will get involved right away. Why should Harry always have to get involved? He's a student, he should lead a regular life for once!"

"Hermione, Harry will never have a regular life! Bloody hell, he's The-Boy-Who-Lived. He's defeated him so many times, that's why he gets involved. He's usually the key to Voldemort's downfall! Would you face the facts already? Voldemort probably is coming back, he always does. I have no idea about the prophecy, maybe it is just gibberish, but this could be just the same as every other year. And if it is, Harry will help. Even if he doesn't want to, he will...because he has to. It's why he can do the things he can do. It's why he defeated Voldemort when he was a baby. He was born to do it. I'm sure of it!"

Just then, there was a knock on the window. The same gray, beautiful owl she remembered as pesky and quite interested in her hair was perched at the window. She opened it to find him carrying a note, scribbled with the same neat writing she had seen once before. She grabbed the note quickly and shoved him out the window before he had a chance to do any damage. Ron looked at her questioningly.

"Who's that from? I don't recognize that owl."

"Oh...um, I sent my parents a letter the other day. Just to chat and say hello. I used a school owl, pesky little thing. They must've written back. I'm going to go up to bed and read it. I'll see you later, Ron."

She raced up the stairs, got to the top and turned around. "Oh, and Ron! Please tell Harry what I told you about Draco if you get the chance. He must be so stressed about the silly prophecy, he doesn't need anything more to worry him!" she yelled. She was so caught up in what Harry had told her about Hagrid and the prophecy that she had forgotten all about Draco and the kiss.

She sat on her bed and read the short note Draco had written her. He wanted to meet with her again by the lake at the same time that weekend after the Hogsmeade trip. He said he had things to tell her, and they needed to talk. She knew she would be debating whether or not to go that whole week, which only made her already miserable mood worse.

That weekend was Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione and Ron both went together. Ever since the beginning of the week, when Harry had told them about the prophecy, they'd been spending more time together. They hadn't been leaving Harry out, he had just been very short with them since their discussion. He was avoiding them. He obviously didn't want to talk about it again. So, to try to make sense of it all, she and Ron had been discussing it instead.

She hadn't realized how much she missed him. They hadn't exactly grown apart over the years, but they weren't nearly as close as they used to be. Although she had been in so stressed and worried over so many different things the past month, she realized they could both still laugh and have fun together. She always felt bad when they were laughing and talking excitingly together and Harry would walk into the common room. He would join in sometimes, but he was usually only half there. Whenever Hermione asked how his scar was, and if there was a change, he would say no. She didn't know if that meant it had stopped or it was still hurting every night.

It seemed that he was just now realizing what the prophecy meant to him. He believed it, of course, and now that it seemed Voldemort was to return the realization of his responsibility occurred to him. It only made matters worse when he let it slip to Ron and Hermione. He could tell whenever they talked to him it was in the back of their minds. They were wondering how he was handling the stress and if he was going to be alright. He knew Hermione thought he was crazy for believing it. Ron believed it for the most part, which just made him act weird around him. Whenever he would walk into a room where Ron was happy and laughing he would quickly soften his mood. It was like it was all Ron could think about when he saw him. He could see it run through his mind when he sat by him at lunch. He could die - or he could save the world. But there is no in between. Seeing them both stress about it made him stress about it. He could tell after a few days they eased off a bit, both feeling more comfortable and less worried. There had been no sign of Voldemort yet, only clues. Clue number one - Harry's scar hurting. Clue number two - Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall's absence. Clue number three - Hagrid's great dismay for leashing out any information whatsoever to a possible Death Eater.

Although Lucious was accused, he was never sent to Azkaban. He was somehow able to convince the Ministry that he was clean and had nothing to do with the Dark Lord. How he got away with it was beyond Harry.

One thing he did know, though, was that Hermione was acting even stranger than Ron since he told them. She not only seemed worried and stressed over him, but he knew there was something else on her mind. She would be sitting at a table with an open book, resting her chin on her hand, and just staring into space. He knew he hadn't made such an effort to talk to her lately, but things were strange between them. They were undoubtedly separated, but whether it was permanent or not was beyond him. He had a feeling it was beyond her, too. Ron had, of course, told him her side of the story. He had charmed her into kissing him, or being relaxed enough to not realize what was happening. He could believe that, he supposed, but it seemed somewhat far fetched. Why would Malfoy want to kiss someone he's taunted all these years? It didn't seem as far fetched, though, as both of them, especially Hermione, wanting to kiss each other. That just didn't seem right.

But all they could do was wait things out. All everyone could do was wait things out; that is, if the prophecy Dumbledore told him was, in fact, true. He thought about all these things as he sat in the common room by the fire that weekend while Hermione, Ron, and the rest of his friends were at Hogsmeade. Somehow, his excitement to be back and Hogwarts and see Hermione and Ron had diminished. He couldn't imagine why, what with Hermione kissing other guys - whether it was willingly or not - his scar feeling like it was tearing open every night and the lingering threat of Voldemort's return.

Ron and Hermione lingered from store to store, buying candy and talking about school work. Well, more like Hermione lecturing Ron on school work.

"Ron, don't act stupid, I've seen your study skills. You are a procrastinator. I honestly don't see how you can wait until the last minute to cram for an exam or finish your homework. It's ridiculous. If you would only manage your time, like me, you would have no problem keeping your grades up. You bring this on yourself, you know," she told him.

"Yea, Weasel. She speaks the truth. You should think about your future - if you bring your grades up now you might even get a decent enough job to move out of your parent's dump," a cold voice sneered from behind them.

Ron tensed. Hermione could tell he was seething. His shoulders perked and his fists clenched. He turned around. "Don't interfere, Malfoy. It's not your place. Do you know all the things I want to do to you right now?"

"Bloody hell, I don't wanna know. I'm a homophobe, you know. I know I'm attractive, but that doesn't mean you gotta jump all over me, too," he looked at Hermione.

"Oh, that's right, Malfoy - I forgot you were so self conscious of yourself that you had to discriminate anyone different than you!" she yelled.

Ron's face turned red. "Hermione, honestly, you're not helping!"

She turned to Ron. "Don't worry about it, Ron, no one thinks you're gay." She glanced at Draco. "He knows you just meant pounding his face."

"Oh, yea, like you could do that. You'd get your face beat, that is if the little witch here doesn't hold you back," he said, that familiar smirk on his face.

Hermione felt her face go red as well. He brought something out of her that just made her so angry. Whenever he talked to her like that, like she was lower than him, she felt like she was going to burst. "Maybe I just won't this time. Maybe I'll let him kick your ass."

In the blink of an eye, Draco grabbed his wand from his robes and pointed it smack dab on Ron's face. Ron hardly had time to react as he flew backwards and landed with a thud, a crowd gathering.

Hermione looked worriedly at Ron, then turned to Draco's smirking face and gave him her biggest, baddest glare. "You can forget it, Malfoy. You can forget what you told me in that letter. There's no way I'm meeting you tonight."

Draco frowned. No. This is bad. This is really bad. He was looking forward to meeting with her again, but he had no intention of 'talking' like he said in the letter. He had to admit, the look on her face when he taunted her was appealing. It turned him on when she got angry and feisty. Not that he'd ever tell her that...

But that wasn't why it was bad. It was bad because he was supposed to have ties with her. Even if it was in secret, there were supposed to have a special connection or bond. If not, how could he accomplish what his father asked of him? In order to finish everything for the sacrifice, he would have to get close to Hermione.

He wished he could use Ginny like he had planned to originally, but it would be too hard. The Weasel and Hermione were always watching her like a hawk. He could never get to her. It was his father who had suggested Hermione. He had been fine with the plan at first. She was one of his least favorite people, why would he have problems using her? But it was harder than he had thought. He couldn't see himself actually hurting her. Words were different. When he insulted her, it never caused physical pain. It's true, he had been rather aggressive with Lavender and their brief snog session, but this was real pain. Real, physical, torturous pain. He could easily hurt other males, but it was different with females. It just seemed low - they were defenseless against him. Well, maybe not Hermione. She is a spitfire. But that was the only reason why it bothered him. It's not like he had any feelings for her - none at all.

He watched Hermione run over to Ron and help him up, brushing him off and asking him if he was alright. He mentally kicked himself for messing things up - he should've just avoided them altogether until he could be alone with Hermione that night.

Now she had her arms on his shoulders and was looking at him as if he had just survived bloody battle wounds. She put her arm around him and helped him balance as they walked away. He could've sworn her arm was slowly inching lower and lower onto his lower back.

"What in the hell?" he actually said out loud. He shook his head, realizing he was getting moody about Hermione and another guy. Weasel, at that. He was no threat.

He shook his head. No, he's not a threat. And even if he was, it made no difference. It's not like he fancied her or anything. He actually laughed at the thought of him and Hermione on a 'date'.

Yea...like that would happen. Just then, a thought occurred to him. "Wait a second - maybe that's not just a bad idea..."

Ginny pushed aside the crowd returning from Hogsmeade to her room. She was exhausted. She had spent the entire afternoon with Seamus and Dean. They were a blast! If she would have known that hanging with boys was so much more fun than all the stuck up, snobby girls in Gryffindor, she would have chose them over girls a long time ago!

Ever since the Draco incident, Hermione had given her the brush off. She had to find new friends. Preferably ones that didn't hang out with her overly-protective and embarrassing older brother. She figured it wasn't unusual to find out who your true friends were as you grew older. She could never fully trust Hermione, anyway. She would probably just steal Draco away from her. She had heard all about her little fit in Potions class. She was such a hypocrite!

As she was about to lie down on her bed and take a short nap, she noticed a draft in the room. A window in the room was open, the curtains around it fluttering madly. As the afternoon grew long the weather was getting more cold and windy. It was definitely getting closer and closer to Christmas time.

Gathering her energy, she walked over to the window and shut it. Walking back, she noticed a small piece of paper on the floor next to her bed. It was addressed to Hermione. She looked around her. There was no one else in the room. Slowly, she picked it up, opened it, and read it to herself:

Hermione,

I need to talk to you again. It's important. Meet me next weekend after Hogsmeade; same time, same place.

-Draco

Meet me next weekend after Hogsmeade; same time, same place. That was this weekend - tonight. Same time, same place? That meant they had already had one of these 'meetings' to 'talk'. Ginny's heart did a flip. He was interested in Hermione. How could that be possible? He hated Hermione!

Anger and jealousy filled her up like a balloon. She only wished that she knew what those two possibly had to talk about. Maybe, just maybe, she would follow Hermione and find out for herself.