Sadistic Choice

Was it just my imagination or did I catch myself staring at Draco Malfoy? I snatched my gaze away as soon as I noticed. But somehow, I couldn't help it...Malfoy had become extremely attractive over the summer, and not just physically. His blond hair, once sleek and shiny, now fell shaggily and loosely around his head. His gray eyes, once so empty, now had a touch of blue in them, and were deep and fathomless (don't ask me how I noticed this, I don't even know). I do know one thing, however; I was falling for Draco Malfoy.

Now there was a major problem to fancying Malfoy, or anyone else for that matter; I was with Harry. In love with him as a matter of fact. What the hell was I doing, thinking of Malfoy like that, when I was claiming that Harry was all I needed? Besides, this was Draco Malfoy. The ultimate Slytherin, our ultimate enemy.

It didn't help that today was September first; meaning all Hogwarts students were making the annual trip back on the train. And I, of course, must share a compartment with Mr. Malfoy himself for twenty glorious minutes. Glorious?! Get a grip on yourself Hermione! I wasn't losing my head just yet, but if Draco didn't leave my thoughts alone I just might...

"What are you thinking about, Granger?" I guess he noticed me gazing out of the compartment window. And it didn't sound nasty - it sounded curious.

"Don't you dare try to be nice to me now, Malfoy." I didn't trust him...but I wanted to. NO! I didn't want to!

"Why not? There's a first time for everything isn't there?"

"I suppose so, Draco."

"So, what are you thinking about?"

"Well, if you must know, I'm thinking about Harry." I wouldn't dare tell him I was thinking of him as well.

"Potter? Blimey Granger, that's a waste of brain power."

I must be missing something; he almost sounded jealous. But Draco Malfoy, jealous of Harry Potter because he couldn't have Hermione Granger? The very idea was absurd, laughable. Harry and Ron would suggest I see Madam Pomfrey for feeling the way I do. I almost wanted to march myself up to the hospital wing. But at the same time...part of me didn't think I was so crazy. Crazy about Draco, maybe.

I decided to wait it out for a while. This whole mess would probably blow over in another week or so. Because really, me, in love with Draco Malfoy? Seeing as I had common sense, I knew it couldn't really be happening. It was just some stupid crush that I had, seeing how much he'd changed(for the sexier) over the summer. And fortunately for me, being the bookworm Hermione Granger that I am, I have the perfect thing to distract me; the library. I couldn't wait to get to Hogwarts for my sixth year.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I plead temporary insanity, I really do. To think that I, Draco Malfoy, would fall for a buck-toothed, bushy-haired Mudblood. I'd have my own head, forget my father. Somehow, however, it was difficult to hide my feelings, and that was extremely rare in a Malfoy. I actually asked the stupid Gryffindor git what she was thinking about. Like I, her archenemy, am supposed to care! And even if I did admit that I liked her, she'd never in a million years feel the same about me. Either way it went, it looked like I was pretty screwed.

A Mudblood I kept thinking to myself. I wanted to curse her into oblivion for taking over my mind, yet I wanted to kiss her soft Muggle-born lips at the same time. It was really distressing, what with all my seventh year classes, especially that torture chamber Potions. I couldn't concentrate, and I was sure my grades would slip even further if I didn't get a freakin' grip on myself. No, I wasn't quite falling head over heels for her. I just couldn't get her out of my head, away from my thoughts. I tried to scold myself everyday but the scolding did no good. I wanted Gra - Hermione, but I didn't want her. That was another thing; I caught myself calling her Hermione a lot instead of Granger. Definitely a bad sign.

I decided, as I was heading up the marble front steps of Hogwarts school in the carriage with Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy, that I'd have to let the ugly, horrid excuse for a female wizard go. It wouldn't be easy, of course, requiring more focus on the bushy bookworm. Shoot! Looks like that plan backfired before it could be initiated.

I was now in the Great Hall, well away from Granger, safe and sound at my Slytherin table with my Slytherin friends. Ah Salazar, how noble you are. Damn! The bushy bitch looked at me - again. Why doesn't she bury herself in a book, or scarf down her food and rush off to the library? I'm sure Madam Pince is her best friend, and that's saying something, as Madam Pince doesn't have many friends at all, let alone students.

"Malfoy, are you okay?" What? Who was that, interrupting my train of thought?! Oh curse Goyle!

"Of course I am, you stupid great prat, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, you look all...preoccupied." Who the hell told him to get smart all of a sudden?

"Look Goyle, I'm thinking, okay? Of course you wouldn't recognize that."

"Well okay, I was just making sure." Oh how very touching.

"I'm going to the common room," I said to Crabbe and Goyle, and I headed off.

Nothing like a good walk through the freezing dungeons of Hogwarts castle to take your mind off things. Yes, the stupid little Mudblood git was a thing. I felt a stab in my heart as I mouthed that word: "Mudblood." It was harsh, really, to use on a girl like Hermione Granger. I mean, she was smart enough, and she'd definitely gotten some womanly curves over the summer. And now that her hair had gotten a little straighter(although I'd still classify it as bushy), I wondered how it'd feel to run my fingers through it. Maybe I should just stop trying to deny how I feel about her and let her know. NO! I couldn't tell her, I couldn't.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Harry, think about Harry I told myself. Why was it so hard to choose between the two? Why was there even a choice to begin with?! This idiot Slytherin, who's never been nice to me a day in my life(until recently of course), had no business in my head like this. It was Harry I was in love with; Harry should be the one I'm thinking about every hour on the hour. Since it was after dinner and I had homework, I decided I'd take a walk, clear my aching brain, and where would I end up? The library of course. Was there any way I could ignore it? It was calling my name!

But my sanctuary became a nightmare when I spotted the only person who could make a bad day worse; Draco Malfoy. What the hell was he doing in the library anyway? Oh, and like smiling at me when he noticed me approaching made it any better. I veered around a corner(he wasn't expecting that!) and hid behind a shelve of books. I didn't even know what the books were about, but I started skimming the names on the spines. I caught certain titles, such as Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger, but I was paying too much attention to Draco to actually pick up a volume and read it. That changed, however, when I saw him rise and head straight for my hiding place.

"Well, fancy meeting you here, Hermione." He called me Hermione. I think I'm getting scared.

"Yeah," I muttered, not being able to think of anything else to say. He looked extremely seductive, leaning on the bookcase with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Well...how are you and Potter getting along?" Please, like he really wanted to know.

"Why are you acting like you care?"

"Am I acting? I'm not acting. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit jealous." I think I'm having a heart attack.

"What did you say Draco? Wh-why would you be jealous?" My voice was shaking and I was making no effort to hide my nervousness.

"Well duh, Hermione, look at you! If you haven't noticed your new curves I have. And I must say, I like what I see." This was too weird for words. I remained silent for a few seconds.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying, Draco?" I'd closed the book I was "reading" and approached him.

"Did I hear a purr in your voice Miss Granger?" I didn't care how odd this was getting anymore; there was now no more than an inch of space between us.

"Maybe, Mr. Malfoy. Look, I have a confession to make..." He cut me off with a single finger to my lips. He then replaced his finger with his own lips.

"I'm with Harry, you know," I whispered when he pulled away. My arms were around his neck, his around my waist.

"I know, but put it this way, now is the time choose. Now that you know how I feel about you, and you've got both my and Harry's kiss, this is your chance to choose. Who will it be?"

He lifted my chin to his, kissed me one last peck on the lips, then departed back to his Slytherin friends. He was right; this was the time to choose. I headed back up the marble staircase to Gryffindor tower, emotions almost drowning me with every step I took.

"Hey Hermione!" It was Harry; he was wearing a look of utter euphoria. Too bad I couldn't relate.

"Hi Harry! How are you?" I kissed him on the cheek and tried to look as happy and un-preoccupied as possible.

"Oh please, that was pathetic," Harry whispered. I kissed him again; this time on the lips, more passionately.

"That's better. Hey, I hear our dormitory's empty. You could put a Silencing Charm on it, and...well, you know." His voice was slow, low, and sexy.

"Oh...Harry, I'm not really in the mood right now. I'm really sorry," I apologized quickly, seeing the disappointed look on his face. I hated doing this to Harry, I really did.

"That's all right Hermione. We've got the rest of our Hogwarts career right?" He was horrible at hiding disappointment.

"Well...I guess I could get in the mood. For you anyway." I had to, I couldn't help myself. I loved him, and I hated seeing him disappointed and hurt.

"That's sweet Hermione. But if you really don't want to..."

"No, I do. For you, I do." I kissed him again.

"Okay, let's go." He took my hand and we headed to Gryffindor Tower together.

Now this was more like it, I said to myself as I cast my convenient Silencing Charm on Harry's four-poster. It felt good to be touched by Harry, the one who I was really supposed to crave for, the one who was supposed to be taking up my time. And for a while, I thought I'd make my decision...