Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Through Her ❯ The Fight ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: Nope, still doesn't belong to me... just the plot.

Chapter 4: The fight

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Over the next couple of weeks Hermione had noticed a bit of a difference in Malfoy. She would be sitting in class and feel someone looking at her only to look back and see him look away, or be walking through the halls and have him look right into her eyes, at meals she would catch him looking at her once in a while, too. Each time, he would have the same pleading look in his eyes, like he wanted to catch her attention. But as soon as he did, he would look away.

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He needed to figure something out and fast. It was already the beginning of October and he hadn't even talked to her since his original plan had backfired. He and Blaise had been working on a new plan, but every one they came up with seemed to have little kinks and flaws and were discarded. He would catch himself studying her in classes, or in the halls, or at meals trying to think of some way to get her attention, to make her think about him, maybe one of these times to confront him. Maybe that's what he needed, but every time he would get her attention, he'd seem to lose his courage and look away.

Something had to be done, and fast. Maybe it would just have to be luck of the draw, an unplanned confrontation. Yes, he'd just have to wait for that opportune moment when she wasn't accompanied by her bodyguards, Harry and Ron.

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The first weekend of October was the first Hogsmeade visit. Hermione, Harry, Ron and Ginny had planned to go together. They walked out into the crisp Autumn air together, chatting and laughing. The Hogwarts grounds were beautiful in the fall. The trees were filled with yellow, red, orange, brown and green leaves. There was a crispness to the air that was refreshing and calming.

"So, where do you suppose we visit first?" Harry asked the others.

"Well, we could go see Fred and George at their store, they said they have some new creations that have been selling fast that I wanted to check out," Ron suggested.

“I thought their store was in Diagon Alley?” Hermione said.

“They've been doing so good that they decided to expand!” Ginny grinned.

"Okay, well we could do that, or we could stop at the book store," Hermione said, "The special edition of Hogwarts, A History just came out, it has all sorts of new information in it, I mean you wouldn't believe-"

"Alright, Hermione, maybe we'll visit that later... if there's time," Ron cut her off.

"How about we grab something to eat first," Ginny suggested, seeing Hermione's expression after Ron's comment and deciding to change the subject.

"What a great idea, I'm starving!" Harry agreed, also sensing the tension rising between Hermione and Ron.

"Yes, I suppose that's probably a good idea." Hermione said reluctantly, it wasn't going to do any good to argue right now.

They made their way to Hogsmeade with more small talk about how classes were going, and about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Willoughby. Most people seemed to like him, he was young, (early twenties they figured), a bit carefree and didn't much care for homework, unless necessary.

They walked into the Three Broomsticks and over to a corner table in the back.

"I think he's really great, I mean, he really know what he's talking about." Hermione commented on the new Professor.

"I agree," Harry said, "The class is actually interesting too, that's a plus."

"He's so funny too!" Ginny added, "And really cute," she whispered to Hermione, who laughed and shook her head.

"What was that?" Harry asked her.

"Oh nothing," Ginny answered, grabbing his hand and winking at Hermione, who laughed again at her.

"My favorite thing about him is that he doesn't give us loads of homework!" Ron said.

"Ron, homework is a necessary part of school. Would you honestly study if the professors didn't assign homework?" Hermione scolded him.

"I don't usually study as it is, I just wait until you have time to help me, or else I don't really understand anything anyways." Ron told her honestly.

"Ronald, that's not true, you just don't listen in class. That is why you don't understand anything," Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

"Hey, I try to listen, it's just that the classes are so bloody boring, it's hard to pay attention," Ron said in an attempt to defend himself.

"Maybe you just aren't trying hard enough. You should really pay attention and try to do your homework yourself once in a while," Hermione told him.

"Why bother? I have you to teach me," Ron said smiling.

"Oh so now all I am is someone who can do your homework for you and tell you everything you missed while you were sleeping or goofing off in class?" She asked him angrily, her cheeks starting to flush.

"No Hermione, that's not what I meant-" Ron started to say before he was cut off.

"No need to explain, Ron, I'll just be going since you don't have any homework I can do for you right now!" she said, tears forming in her eyes.

She got up and stalked out. Ron got up to follow her, but Harry put a hand on his shoulder, "I think maybe she just needs a little while to cool off, you can talk to her later," he said.

Ron sat back down, looking confused. "I just don't understand, I didn't mean it like that. I was just trying to tell her how smart she was, it was supposed to be a compliment," Ron said.

"Just give her a little while Ron, then you can talk to her and explain what you meant," Ginny said encouragingly, "Besides, it's obvious you like her, and that she likes you, so I'm sure she'll forgive you soon," she smirked.

At that comment, Ron's ears turned a deep shade of red. "Shut up, Ginny," he said, embarrassed that his feelings for Hermione were so obvious.

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As Hermione walked down the streets of Hogsmeade, she didn't really think about where her feet were taking her, she just followed them wherever they went. She was so angry at Ron that she couldn't even think straight. Why would he say something like that? Her brain couldn't be the only reason he was friends with her. Maybe he didn't mean it like that, but even then, wasn't he smart enough to say it so it didn't come out like that? Couldn't he tell that she liked him? Why did he always have to make her so angry?

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Draco watched as Hermione stalked out of the Three Broomsticks. He had been walking around with Blaise, discussing other ideas, when he realized this was it.

"Blaise, I think I just found my new plan," He smirked and pointed at Hermione, who was turning a corner, "See ya later."

"Good luck, Drake!" He heard Blaise say as he followed Hermione.

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Before any more thoughts and questions went through Hermione's head, she stopped and looked where she had ended up; right in front of the Shrieking Shack. This was the place where Harry had met Sirius. He had heard the whole story of what really happened. Even though Pettigrew had gotten away, he had found his godfather. It was the happiest Hermione had ever seen him. Unfortunately, things couldn't stay that way. Harry had dealt with Sirius's death well. It was a good thing that Ginny had been there for him. She and Ron had been there also, but Ginny was what he needed.

Hermione took a deep breath and walked over to sit down on a rock. She sat there and thought about everything, from what happened at the ministry, to her summer vacation, to the past few weeks, to the comment Ron had made just a little while ago, then she found her mind wandering to a specific blond Slytherin.

She just couldn't seem to stop thinking about him. Sure, she liked Ron a lot, but that was predictable, something familiar and normal. But Malfoy, he wasn't familiar; he was unpredictable. There was so much that was different about him, and all she wanted to do was to know everything. What had made him what he was before this year, why he had changed, why he was being civil, why did he keep looking at her. But then again, why couldn't she get him off of her mind?

At that moment, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around, wiping her face.

There, standing about 10 feet away from her was Draco Malfoy.

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a/n: Hey, hope you like it, please review!

Chapter 5 is already written and will be posted soon!

Jenny