Author's Note: I know I know, I suck! I've been slacking big time in updating this story! I'm really sorry! It's just that, as I mentioned in the last chapter, I've been focusing most of my energies with "Starting Anew" that this one usually gets shafted. I'll try harder to update it faster but no promises.

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns it all. I only own this plot.

Chapter 4: Confrontations

She was still a bit shaken with her encounter with Malfoy as she made her way towards Transfiguration. That little encounter was unexpected to say the least. Ever since he had been avoiding her like the plague, the last thing she counted on was him calling her out on her staring. It was embarrassing and mortifying.

She vowed to herself right after to ignore him more fully, lest she give him fuel to his ridiculous insinuations that she was infatuated with him. The nerve of that git! Like she would be bloody obsessed with him!

That's it, she fumed, no more thinking about ferret boy!

As she reached her table, she slammed her book bag with such force that her classmates turned to see her in surprise.

"What's got her wand in a knot?" someone whispered from the back of the class.

"Maybe she got an Exceeds Expectations on a paper?" someone else replied. The rest of her peers snickered softly.

She turned towards the crowd that had made the comments and scowled. Typical. It had to be Ravenclaws. Quickly, the sniggering stopped and they sat up straighter. It seemed that the last thing they wanted to do was infuriate the teacher's pet. Or maybe it was because she was a Prefect and able to reduce House points.

Whatever the reason, she was happy to see that she still held some authority and stopped their amusement outright.

With a sigh, she turned back to her book bag, getting her assignment and materials out while she took her seat.

Today is definitely not my day, she thought glumly, and it's not even noon.

As she made her way out of Transfiguration, she froze in her tracks. This time, however, Ron was leaning against the wall across the classroom door with his arms crossed and a frown fixed on his face. He was currently staring at the floor.

With one look at him, Hermione knew exactly what he was thinking about. And from the looks of it, she knew that he was waiting for her. Ron was usually one of the first people to head towards the Great Hall when food was concerned. So his waiting for her was completely out of character. And exactly what she was dreading.

Despite feeling like her stomach just plummeted to her knees, Hermione slowly made her way to Ron. He raised his eyes as he heard her approach and his frown changed to anxiousness while one of his hands grabbed at his backpack strap and the other went to his hair.

"Hi," she said softly when she stood in front of him.

"Hey," he replied, "can we talk before we head to lunch? Privately?"

With a sigh, she nodded weakly and gestured with a hand for him to lead the way.

He moved away from the wall and began to walk towards the now empty classroom and opened the door.

"Ladies first," he said with a small smile.

She walked in with slight hesitation and made her way to a chair as Ron shut the door while casting a silencing charm. She knew this was coming but she had hoped that they could have talked after lunch. That way, she wouldn't feel light-headed or sick as she did now. But that was pointless to wish for. She was here now and a decision would be made, whether she was ready or not.

When he turned and saw her sitting, he grabbed a nearby chair and dragged it towards her. He sat across from her.

Though they were now facing face to face, Hermione shifted her gaze to the floor. It unnerved her that Ron was staring at her so openly and still didn't make the move to speak.

They sat in silence for what seemed to be an eternity when finally Ron broke it.

"You know," he began, "I never thought you to be a coward."

Her head snapped up in surprise but she still didn't say anything.

"I mean, bloody hell, is it so hard to give a straight answer?"

"No," she replied quickly.

"Well, obviously it is."

"Ron, look. I'm sorry I-"

"Hold on. I'm not done."

She clamped her mouth shut and lowered her gaze again. Guess she should hear him out.

"If you are having second thoughts, then please just tell me so. This avoiding act that you've been pulling all morning is bloody annoying and immature, which is not like you. Especially since you are usually a very direct and honest person. This has been frustrating to say the least. So, let's get this over with already. Do you or do you not like me anymore?"

She stared at him as a frown marred her brow.

"Of course I like you. Or else, why would we be friends?"

He groaned as he rubbed his hands over his forehead and through his hair.

"You know exactly that that's not what I mean," he said in annoyance while fixing his eyes on her. "Don't go around the bush here."

She grimaced. He was right, of course.

"Let's try this again: do you or do you not fancy me anymore?"

"Ron, I-" and she stopped herself before continuing. What can she say? I'm sorry, I'm not sure how I feel about you now since our common nemesis kissed me?

No, most definitely not. Besides, she had already told herself to stop thinking about that and him! And even if she did tell him, Ron would pummel that ferret without a second thought. An act that was completely unnecessary and unwarranted.

She took a deep breath before trying again and took one of his hands in hers. She looked into his eyes and held in a groan. He looked just as confused as she. And a little hurt.

I'm the cause of that, she thought sadly.

"Ron, I am sorry for my current behavior. You're right. I have been acting very immature and insensitive. And you have every right to be upset."

She waited for Ron to say something or to agree, but he didn't. He just stared right back at her, waiting for more. So she squeezed his hand and continued.

"You probably already know this or suspected, but I've always liked you; More than friends." She blushed at her admittance but continued. "You're so affable, congenial and funny, even when you don't mean to be. And you're my best friend, despite our petty fights every once in a while. But…the thing is…I am no longer sure of my feelings for you."

At her confession, he frowned at her but still remained quiet. Slowly, he removed his hand from hers as he sat back in his chair. She in turn felt helpless and a little dejected by his movement, but she too sat back and plowed on.

"I honestly don't know why or how this happened but, I just don't want to lead you on if I no longer feel the same as you."

They stayed quiet for a while, as her confession hung in the air. The tension was so thick and suffocating despite the big size of the classroom and Hermione had to fight her need to escape.

Just wait a little more, she thought, don't be a coward again.

Finally, Ron cleared his throat and stood quickly from the chair, looking anywhere but her. She stood up as well, right after him.

"Right," he replied as he settled the chair he sat in back in place, "so that's a no then."

"Ron, please…" she began as she followed after him.

"No, no. It's fine. Thank you for your honesty."

"Ron-"

"Listen," he said as he shifted his gaze to her, "I really appreciate you finally giving me a straight answer. And you're right. It's not fair to you or me to get involved in a relationship when one of us is unsure."

"I'm still your friend," she pleaded fervently, "your best friend. Never forget that."

A small sad smile graced his lips. "Yeah, I know."

"Okay…"

He then made to shuffle towards the door but Hermione grabbed one of his arms desperately as he walked by her.

"Are we okay?" she asked warily.

"Yeah…though just give me some space for a few days. My ego's a bit bruised," he admitted.

She cringed a little by his bluntness and released his arm.

"Alright,"she said with a sad smile.

He gave her a small nod in reply and began to walk towards the door.

When the door closed, she sat back down on the chair and closed her eyes, placing her elbows on her knees and cradling her head.

Their meeting went better than she expected, but she still felt terrible. In a way, she felt like a Machiavellian person that just played with someone's high regard and seemingly threw it in the trash.

It's for the best. You did the right thing, she told herself, why lead him on if you're no longer on the same page?

After a few more minutes of self pity and deprecation, she rose from the chair and headed towards her dorm room.

She no longer felt hungry.

Lunch was about to wrap up in twenty minutes and Draco tried his best to finish quickly without shoveling his food into his mouth. He had much to do before he headed over to his Arithmancy class and he didn't want anyone interfering with what he planned to do.

Ever since he received those worse for wear news from his Father and his consequent outburst, Draco resolved that morning to do the best he could to help find a cure for his mother. He figured that despite his father's contacts and research that he himself should contribute. He had to do something instead of letting his mother get worse while he sat there idle or get depressed.

Before going to bed last night, he came up with a plan to talk to Madame Pince. He will explain that he needs references for a research project in order for her to guide him to the appropriate sections. Hopefully, the old bat won't give him a hard time or ask too many questions and leave him to his own devices.

He didn't want anyone to know his real motives. The less people knew or heard about his mother's current predicament, the better. He didn't need their pity.

Just as he finished shoving a roll into a pocket of his robes, he looked up as the doors of the great hall opened and saw the weasel king walk in with a dejected look on his face as he shuffled towards his House table.

Well, that's new, Draco thought in surprise.

He then scanned the Gryffindor table and saw that Granger was not there. He frowned. Why was he even looking for that Mudblood? Better yet, why did he even care that the weasel was looking depressed? This should actually brighten his day.

He shook his head then and got up from the table. But before he could walk out, he cringed as he heard Pansy call out, "You're leaving already?"

He turned back, keeping his expression blank.

"Yes, I have things to do," he said and turned back towards the door. But again, before he could take a step, she screeched, "But you haven't even finished your pudding!"

He turned back now with a scowl. "What are you, my bloody keeper? I don't want any. Now stop pestering me!"

Before she could say more, he walked out with long strides and headed towards the library. He hated when Pansy tried to act concern for him. They weren't even dating anymore for Salazar's sake!

Speaking of their dating past, he kind of regretted leading her on for so long. He may have had a willing shag from her every once in a while but her clinginess for six months was not worth it. He didn't even really like her that much if he was being honest. He mostly dated her because she made him feel good. I mean, what kind of bloke can resist a witch that throws herself at you so willingly? And despite the other admiring glances he would get from other girls, he liked being told that he was needed.

But after a few months into their relationship, he realized that she didn't have much else to offer except physical release. She had no personality, couldn't keep a decent conversation with him to save her life and she was very shallow. She was also so easy to manipulate.

It was all of these things that made him lose interest in her quickly. He hated when a girl was so damn accommodating. And that's what Pansy was, very bloody accommodating. It disgusted him. So he broke up with her one day, telling her she bore him.

And as expected, she threw a major fit and wailed about what she could do to be better for him. At first, he felt a little pang of guilt. But after a few minutes of watching her cry her eyes out and hearing her screech, he stood bored, unrelenting, resolved and blank faced. By then, he only pitied her for making such a fuss.

It took a few weeks after their break up before she finally left him alone. Nevertheless, even now, she still threw him longing looks and tried to mother him occasionally. He guessed that was the best he could do to keep his distance from her. And he also hated that despite not being together, she still felt the right to know his every move. It annoyed and frustrated him to no end. And if she didn't stop soon, he would make sure to snap at her about it. He was no longer her bloody business.

He shook his head again and continued with his determined walk towards the library. He had better things to be thinking about and Pansy shouldn't be one of them.

Just as he round the corner however, he crashed into someone hard. He even heard the person yelp as they both crashed to the floor.

"Watch where you're going!" he growled as he got up and picked up his book bag. As he dusted his robes, he looked up and froze.

Of course, it had to be her. He frowned more deeply as he dusted himself harshly.

"I'm sorry! I-oh, it's you again," she said with a sigh. Great. Just who she needed to see right after talking to Ron.

"Granger, what the hell? Why are you still stalking me?" he sneered.

She scowled and she dusted her robes. "I'm not stalking you! You're the one that decided to tackle me!"

"Right, because I wanted you under me. Please!"

At his comment, she blushed a furious shade of red. How dare he?

"Must you be so crude?" she snapped as she picked up her bag.

"Yes," he replied with a shrug. And then a thought occurred to him and he frowned. "Shouldn't you be at lunch?"

"I'm not hungry," she sniffed, "what do you care?"

"I don't," he said and began his walk towards the library again. But before he got too far, he turned back towards her and said, "Just remember what I said, Granger."

She scoffed, "You're delusional if you really think I'm obsessed with you."

He smirked, "I'm just speaking the truth."

"Ha! Speaking the truth. Now that's a foreign concept for you if I ever heard one."

He frowned in response but didn't say anything. Meanwhile, Granger decided that she'd had enough and continued her walk towards the opposite direction with her back squared and her steps secure and strong.

As he saw her disappear in the distance, his temperament flared as he replayed her last remark in his head.

The nerve of that bint to call him a liar! Sure, he would manipulate the truth or exaggerate it. Maybe even bend it a bit. But he wasn't a liar! Not outright.

Anyway, why did he care? Why was he now giving this Mudblood a portion of his thoughts?

Get over it, Draco! he reprimanded himself.

That's the fourth time an unimportant thought had crossed his mind. He shouldn't even be giving it a second thought. Who gave a fuck about what she thought about him anyway? That bloody swot can think whatever she liked. He didn't honestly care.

Mother's health. That's my only priority, he thought as he took a deep breath to calm himself.

And with that thought back in his mind, he began walking again towards the library.

A/N: I know the ending kind of dragged but the next chapter shall pick up again. Promise. Anyway, please review! :)