It's my birthday today so I thought it might be a great opportunity to post this chapter today. I also want to clarify the part about "8th years", that must be a typo. It should be "7th years". I totally appreciate reviews, so why not have a go on mine? I hope you're still tuned in!

CHAPTER 6

(Hermione's POV)

I've been out of my senses since yesterday. I didn't even have a decent sleep. I just can't help, but think about Malfoy. His face has been haunting my dreams, even at this very moment at Transfiguration class.

"Miss Granger, do you care to demonstrate us how to change a human being into a fragile butterfly?"

I quickly snapped out of my consciousness.

"I'm sorry what?"

The whole room gradually burst into laughter.

"Miss Granger, are you feeling in good form today?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Yes Pro-" I was cut in mid-sentence as a knock on the door was heard.

The flap opened and revealed a standing Professor Dumbledore.

"Professor McGonagall, may I oblige Miss Granger from your class?" He said calmly.

"Of course."

"Oh, and I'll have to borrow you from your class as well."

Professor McGonagall stared for a brief moment.

"Oh right." She murmured. "That's all for today. Class dismissed." She announced as students hastily collected their possessions.

Professor Dumbledore led us to his office immediately. He gestured us to take a seat when we reached his office.

"So Miss Granger," Professor Dumbledore started. "I believe you've been stealing from Professor Snape's store, you drank a very complicated potion that's never been brewed before in 10 centuries, and managed to break twenty-one rules."

Professor McGonagall clapped her hand on her mouth as her eyes widened at me.

"I-I'm very s-sorry, Professor." I said in a very low voice. "But if you wish me to get expelled I am prepared to face the consequences of what I did."

He didn't respond for a moment. The door suddenly swung wide open, so my eyes shifted to the door to see who entered. To my horror, it was Professor Snape, the potions master.

"Do you have any idea of what you've done?" Professor Snape chided.

"Severus." Professor Dumbledore muttered.

"Stealing from my store, you insufferable know-it-all!"

"Severus." This time, Professor Dumbledore said it in a moderate voice.

"You think you're going to be given extra points because of brewing such potion?!"

"Severus!" Professor Dumbledore's voice filled the room.

"My apologies, sir." Professor Snape mumbled.

"Accepted." Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Miss Granger, you are not to be expelled, but I must let Professor Snape take house points from your house as punishment."

"One-hundred-fifty points from Gryffindor." Professor Snape announced emotionless, then left.

"And what you did-"

"Earned you a five-week detention." Professor McGonagall finished.

Professor Dumbledore nodded. I kept my head down. Not daring to look at them in the face. Professor McGonagall gave me a disgusted look, and then left.

"Miss Granger, as headmaster I must know what kind of potion you brewed."

"A love potion." I muttered.

Professor Dumbledore narrowed his eyes.

"And. . . who did you fell for?" He questioned.

"M-malfoy. . . sir."

(Draco's POV)

Charms class is completely a waste of time, especially, because of Professor Flitwick. The little midget's hard to see when he teaches. I could hardly follow his demonstrations. A clearing of throat was suddenly heard just at the entrance of the room. It was-

"Professor Snape," Professor Flitwick sighed. "What's your matter?"

"Professor Dumbledore wishes to counsel with Mr. Malfoy." He said with his stern voice.

"Very well. Mr. Malfoy, you're excused."

Professor Snape and I made way to the headmaster's office.

"There you are!" Professor Dumbledore said as if he hasn't seen me for 3 decades. "Would you care to take a seat?"

I sat at the loveseat just in front of the fireplace.

"Professor Snape, if you will." He gestured for him to leave.

Professor Snape left. His face still and emotionless.

"Mr. Malfoy, there's something you need to be knowledgeable about."

"And, what is it?"

"There's been an accident . . . to Miss Granger."

My eyes narrowed.

"She drank a love potion. And you. . ." He seemed to have difficulty in telling me.

"What?!" I demanded an answer.

"You're the one she fell for."

My mouth fell open.

"W-what?!" I hissed.

"And I need you to befriend her."

"Is this some kind of a joke?!" I scowled.

"I'm afraid it's not." He said.

"No, I won't."

"I know that you two have difficulties of being with each other, but this is the only way." He explained. "And don't worry, Mr. Malfoy. We are already working on the antidote for the potion she drank."

"There must be a mistake! I'm not going to befriend that filth!"

"Mr. Malfoy, you are to befriend her and that is my final word."

I did not respond for a while. I thought about Granger. How treacherous and blind she'd been, that filthy little mudblood. But wait . . . this could be my chance of revenge. I'll have her fall truly madly deeply. She'll have to trust me, and when that moment comes. . . I'll leave her.

"Fine, I'll befriend her." I said.

"Oh yes, you will." He replied. "I'll be off for the ministry for a while. I expect you to befriend her the time I get back here."

Professor Dumbledore stood right in front of me as he apparated.

"So, you're going to act as her 'boyfriend' and when she trusts you, you'll leave her?" Zabini said.

"And she'll be humiliated to death!" I added.

"Genius." Blaise said sarcastically.

I frowned at him.

"What's with you?" I asked.

He shrugged and left me at the common room.

"What's with him?" I muttered.

His head jerked out of the boys' dorm and said-

"You know what? You seemed to be so obsessed about having your revenge on Granger. You're so compulsive about humiliating her! What is it with you?"

I sighed.

"Do you really have to know?"

"Of course! I'm your best mate!" He reasoned. He took a seat opposite to me.

"Do you remember last year's Transfiguration class?"

"Yes, that was extremely torture." Blaise nodded.

"Do you remember who I got paired with?"

"Uh. . . No."

"It was Granger!"

"So you would like to humiliate her for being your partner?"

"No! That's ridiculous!" I hissed.

"Then why do you hate her that much?"