Tease

Tit for Tat

"No - the cycle lasts for three months before it reverses," Hermione pointed out as Ron hurriedly scribbled down his homework.

"Huh? Wha-"

"The cycle, Ron! I told you ten times already. The symptoms include increased aggressiveness, sensiti-"

"Mione - I don't need to hear about it," Ron said frowning.

"What? Of course you do. You should be thankful that I'm taking time to tell you this."

"Thankful?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed, appalled.

"I know enough of it, living with Ginny and Mum"

"I didn't know they were knowledgeable about this," Hermione said.

Ron looked at her shock. "How could they not know?"

Hermione's forehead creased. "Oh - Lupin?"

"Lupin!"

"Yes - who else?"

"I thought Lupin specialized in Defense Against Dark Arts. I didn't know he taught about -it"

"He doesn't teach it but he should know with all that personal experience"

"Personal experience?"

"Yes! He's the first person I can think of who would know best what it's like to go through the cycle"

"Really-" Ron said, his face screwed up in slight disgust. "I didn't know men could get it too"

"It could happen to anyone"

"WHAT! Me too?"

Hermione looked incredulously. "If you get bitten then yes"

"You've get bitten to get your period?"

"PERIOD! I've been talking about your werewolf essay you moron"

Ron looked stunned for a minute and Hermione rolled her eyes at him. Harry chuckled beside them.

"So it only happens to girls right?" Ron whispered.

Hermione pinched the tip of her nose in annoyance. A paper fluttered in front of her and to several other students in the hall.

"What's this?"

"Oh Creevey's paper!"

DRACO MALFOY TELLS ALL

Draco Malfoy, 7th Year Slytherin and Hogwarts Head Boy has always been the subject of gossip. Recently he was linked with Hermione Granger, 7th Year Gryffindor and Head Girl. Upon the end of said relationship, Malfoy has graciously agreed to an interview to make sure his side of the story is clear.

"Why did you go out with Hermione Granger?"

"It's hard for any guy to ignore a girl outrageously flirting with him"

"She initiated it?"

"Yes, with her clothes, innuendos, 'accidental' touches"

"Was it good while it lasted?"

"Sure"

"What about the rumors that you've been um-intimate with a certain professor?"

"Absolutely untrue! That's just her defense mechanism I guess. Since I stopped responding to her, she spread such gossip around."

"How did you feel when she kissed Blaise Zabini?"

"It was a surprise but that's just her. No one paid attention to her when she was cooped up in her library. So she behaves promiscuously so that someone besides Weasley and Potter cares about her."

"Wouldn't you say it's hypocritical since you've quite the reputation yourself?"

"No. Sure I've never had any commitments but I've never thrown myself all over a girl in desperation. That's the difference between us."

"Did you care about her?"

"When you go out with someone for their looks and their tight clothes, you can't care for them. That's something she probably hasn't realized yet."

Draco was smiling victoriously at her. Hermione's vision blurred and the color washed out of her face.

"Hermione?" Harry asked softly.

She brushed his hand away. She paid no attention to the other students looking curiously at her. All she saw was the arrogant Slytherin laughing at her.

Before she could stop them, tears started streaking down her face until she couldn't hold it in anymore. A quiet hush spread over the hall. The smirk froze on Draco's face.

Her hand shook as she dropped the paper onto the floor and ran. Sound erupted in the hall but she didn't care.

Her legs were aching and her chest was tightly squeezed with the sobs racking out of her. But she kept running past the curious portraits, until she reached her own.

"Password?"

"F-fragilis iugum," she managed to say correctly.

"Enter"

Hermione ran in, wiping the tears in frustration. Her determination to remain calm was wavering. She was irritated at being so affected by the article.

Arrgh - I loathe - detest - despise him!

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Draco was sitting in silence. The hall was buzzing with gossip and pouring over the interview. But he felt a deep sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He weakly smiled as Pansy loudly joked about Hermione.

He expected her to hex him, to hit him, and yell her head off. But never cry - in front of everyone.

"Draco - that was brilliant!" she squealed.

He remained silent and turned to face Blaise. He quirked an eyebrow at the worried look on the blond's face.

"Feeling guilty Draco?"

"NO," he said vehemently. "She deserved it"

"Really? You don't think it was a bit harsh?"

"You're siding with the her!"

"Well considering that she left the hall in tears, I'm sure she could use someone on her side"

Draco stayed silent, gritting his teeth.

"She's probably in her room plotting against me right now," he said, almost trying to convince himself than Blaise.

"Why don't you go and find out?" Blaise suggested.

Draco looked resolute. "I will, I will"

He stood up, marching out of the hall with resolve. He was steeling himself for a blown out brawl. His eyes darted nervously for signs of hexes coming his way.

Once he reached their common room, he hesitantly entered. The fire was crackling and all the furniture was still intact.

That was good.

He spotted Hermione hugging her knees to her chest in front of the fireplace. Draco reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the way her skirt had dragged down her thighs. The flames were dancing their light on her smooth skin, enticingly.

She was silent, but her eyes were bleary and red from the obvious crying. He had always seen her nose upturned and her bossy tilt of the head. Now she looked incredibly fragile. She looked up, startled.

He tucked his hands into his pockets and looked intensely at her. "I'm sorry"

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