Hi! I have exams going on, but all I really want to do right now is write the most exquisitely executed, cutest but more-or-less in character Dramione I can offer. Bear with the slow updates, and I promise I ll try my best to make this good!

I'm sure JoRowling's done with all her exams, so I'm not her. Hence, sadly, I own nothing you recognize. I may have claim on things you don't recognize, or you're just ignorant. :P

xoxo Selzilla

"Look at him blubber! Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?" said Malfoy. "And he's supposed to be our teacher!"

Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first - SMACK!

She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again.

"Hermione!" said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back.

"Get off, Ron!"

Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.

"C'mon," Malfoy muttered, and in a moment, all three of them had disappeared into the passageway to the dungeons.

- Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 15 (The Quidditch Final)

Hermione was exhilarated. Finally she had broken free of the social stigma, the stereotypes that surrounded her. It was a bold, spontaneous move and the best part was: she didn t even regret it. The built up frustration, the years of dealing with his torture had bubbled inside her until she finally burst. Ron was probably right, she cracked. However, telling Ron that was out of the option. "You know what, Hermione? I reckon you're cracking up. You're trying to do too much." She could only imagine the things he would spew if she told him. Sure his babbling was endearing, still, she'd like to avoid it if she could. For now, she would just revel in the joy that Ron actually knew her well enough to know that she cracked under pressure - he understood her, even. The shocked look Ron wore made it all worth it, his expressions priceless. It even beat watching Draco Malfoy cowering. For once, Ronald Bilius Weasley was impressed with something she did that was not studies related. It was something that proved that she too was capable of spontaneity and guts. That she did not always have to only be the smart one. That she was fully capable of being part of the excitement and fun of their adventures. That she was not a buzz kill, she was not always responsible or quiet. That she wasn t one to just tolerate the persecution handed to her without complaint.

Hermione thought about Malfoy. There was a small, tiny, typical Hermione part of her that felt guilty. She tried to repress it as best as she could, but she felt she should apologize. Sure Draco Malfoy was a jerk, but she didn t need to be one. She was supposed to be above all this childishness. She was not supposed to have a sudden violent streak. As a child, she was always fascinated by Gandhi and a small part of her tried to embody his philosophies. Gandhi would never slap a boy because he insulted her friends. Instead, he would probably provide more ammunition against his friend until the insulter got freaked out and left. At least, he believed in offering his right cheek after being slapped on the left. Now Hermione wasn t saying she was going to let Malfoy slap her back. She wasn t that ridiculous, but she felt that it was wrong of her to approach things from an aggressive angle. Basically, she felt the need to apologize. She thought of ways to do it. Write him a letter? He'd probably make copies and send it around the school. Maybe make alterations to insult her. Perhaps go up to him after breakfast? No, Ron and Harry would skin her alive. Ron - he would be so disappointed to hear her think this way. No, actually, he d expect it. That s what they all expected of Hermione Granger: she was the good girl. She was the brightest witch of their year. She was the one who knew all the rules and tried to follow them to the dot. She was the one who kept bringing up random Hogwarts: A History facts for fun. She was the nerd, the geek, the buzz kill.

No. The niggling part of her that wanted to apologize had to be ignored. She would pretend it was only a small fraction, no matter how large it really was. She would have to pay no heed to the fact that her guilt rose and pride diminished by the minute. She was supposed to enjoy her impulsiveness. Bask in the adrenaline rush of it all. Except the adrenaline was fast running out, and badass Hermione was losing the war against the normal Hermione. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that Draco deserved it (and she knew he did), she couldn t bring herself to think that anyone deserved to be treated with violence - except maybe You-Know-Who but he was different. Malfoy was just an annoying prat, not an evil Dark Lord. Surely no matter how much of a git he was, he deserved an apology? She shook her head, hoping the idea would escape her mind. She needed to concentrate on Ron.

She always thought she was smart. How Hermione Granger fell in love with her best friend, she didn t know. However, she did know that all of a sudden, impressing Ron was more important that what Gandhi thought of her. She would have to forget all about apologizing to Draco. He wouldn t accept it in any case. He would sneer at her, possibly call her names. He would say something about Ron, and she would probably lose it again. Then her apology would appear fake and insincere and the whole thing would just lead to disaster. As opposed to letting it go, letting Ron stay impressed by her bravery and finally coming close to the fairy tale she deserves. Hagrid would be happy too, knowing that Hermione had his back if he ever needed it. Harry was very pleased too. She had risen in everyone s eyes, and the next day when the news spread, people would look at her in a new light. She wasn t sure why it felt so important to have people s approval, but right then it felt like it mattered. Part of her felt a little shallow, but she pushed it away. She was doing the right thing. Malfoy deserved it, Malfoy deserved it, Malfoy deserved it, Malfoy deserved it...

Draco sat in his corner in the common room. He had modified the chair to give it a throne-like appearance. Generally, he enjoyed the air of superiority he held among his fellow Slytherins. Right then, however, he wished the chair would melt into the background because he didn t want anyone to notice him. His face was still slightly flushed at the point of impact. It stood out boldly against his pale skin and light hair. It looked like it was going to bruise, so he applied some Murtlap essence on it. Even through a layer of translucent green, the crimson imprint of Granger's hand was visible. The fear of pain and of being seen (though he liked to pretend there was never any) had long dissipated, replaced by fury. Every contour of Draco s face was distorted into a snarl, as he plotted revenge on Hermione Granger. The stupid Mudblood dared humiliate him like that? Surely, Potter and Weasley were spreading the tale to whoever was willing to listen. They were probably exaggerating the story to please their eager listeners. They probably painted Draco as a coward, instead of illustrating his gentlemanly behavior. It took all of Draco s strength to resist the urge to hex her when she made contact. Still, he knew better than to attack a girl. He refused to sink to their despicable level just because Granger incited in him a rage that no one had been able to tap into. He thought of what he said to make her hit him something regarding that half-wit oaf, Hagrid, if memory served. It was a deserving comment, he was sure. A smirk appeared, though short lived, when he remembered. The man was almost 8 feet in height and was bawling like a child whose parents refused to buy him a vintage broomstick for his fourth birthday. Pathetic was an understatement.

Sinking in his seat, Draco ran a hand through his hair in dire frustration. What was he going to tell the Slytherins? There was absolutely nothing he could do to stop the gossip and rumours that would escape the Gryffindor common room. Everyone in Hogwarts would love to gain a little ammo against the great Draco Malfoy, those jealous pricks. He didn t much care what the rest of the houses thought but he had a reputation to hold up in Slytherin. Admitting he got slapped by a Gryffindor? That was unbelievable. A Gryffindor girl? Infinitely embarrassing. The Gryffindor golden girl, Ms Mudblood Granger? Absolutely outrageous. He would have to figure out something to tell them. Telling them he was being gentlemanly when he refused to hex her when he had the chance wasn t going to earn back any lost respect.

He thought and discarded many ideas. Finally, it was decided Draco would tell the others he was confounded. It was three against one because, honestly, Crabbe and Goyle were never much help. Potter disarmed him and Weasley used Confundus on him simultaneously. Then Granger did her thing. Of course she s very proud to have to little spineless gits obeying her every command. For Gryffindors, they weren t very brave - always attacking in groups, never one-on-one.

When he realized it was a terrible plan, rage flared through him again. Who was Granger to do this to him? It took him a while to calm down, but his eyes were glinting with wrath. He decided that he would have his revenge. He would take his own time, but he would avenge himself. That was a promise. Hermione Granger should watch herself, there was predator in town and he was looking to eliminate her. There s danger in store for Granger...

So do you like it? Like I said, it'll be as in character as possible. So, you shall have to wait a bit before you get to any cutesy scenes. Bear with and I promise it'll be alright. Not really very compliant to all the books, but they're there.

Also, noticed any AVPM references? :P I put in a few. Love you guys! Review! :D