"Attention students!"  McGonagall announced, causing the Hall to go silent. "It may interest you to know; we are officially a third of the way to the deadline for the House Unity Competition!" The Great Hall was split in too as half the students cheered and the rest booed. Ron hissed in disapproval, whereas Hermione smiled and applauded, stealing a glance at Draco. There was a ghost of a grin on his face, but it widened as he caught sight of her. 

"What are you cheering for?" Ron questioned. "There's nothing good about this stupid project."

"Don't be so sure Ron," she insisted. "There's House Unity, and everyone seems to be getting along well."

"Too well if you ask me."he growled. "You and the ferret seem too close for comfort." The smile fell from her face.

"So?" she asked. "He's a changed man, and it's not like you've been very cheerful." Before they could react, Ron had grabbed her arm. Harry stood up warningly, eyeing his friends with worry. Ginny unconsciously clung to Harry's arm, concerned as Ron's eyes glittered more dangerously than usual.

"You got something to say to me?" Ron snarled, daring her to. "Then say it." The Gryffindor courage gathered inside her and she stared Ron straight in the eyes.

"Fine. You're a prick, Ronald Weasley, and I-" her sentence was cut off as Ron slapped her across the face. Across the room, Draco stood up, his eyes glaring a look of death.

The Great Hall fell silent, but whether it was because of Ron, or Draco's glare, no one could say. Hermione sat there, astonished, her face stinging as the action lingered and sunk in. Draco's shoes clacked dangerously as he walked towards the Gryffindor table and pulled Ron away from her.

"What're you looking at Malfoy?" Ron snarled. 

"I'm looking at a dead man." Draco said calmly. Too calmly. Hermione eyed them, unsure at what was going to happen next.

"Guys, calm down," Harry pleaded. But his words fell upon deaf ears as Draco slammed his fist into Ron's face. Ron stumbled back, clutching his face before glaring at Draco and lunging towards him. Hermione leapt to her feet as the fight truly began.

"Draco!" she yelled out, trying to pull them apart. Ginny held her back as Harry struggled to separate the two. 

"Stop it! Both of you!" he demanded. Ron swung at Draco, who dodged, letting the punch land on Harry, sending him spinning. Ginny released Hermione and cracked her knuckles. 

"Fight's over now, boys." she growled. 

Harry picked himself off the ground and turned to see Ginny standing firmly between the two boys, both of them wincing in pain. She had one hand grabbing Draco's ear, which was more painful since he was taller than her. Her other hand was planted in Ronald's hair, yanking it agonizingly anytime he struggled. Ginny glanced over at Harry.

"Are you alright?" she asked, concerned for her boyfriend. Harry stared at the scene in shock.

"I'm fine..." he insisted. 

"Ginny let them go," Hermione pleaded.

"That depends." Ginny warned, yanking the boys. "Are you two going to behave?" 

"I'll be civil as long as Weasley is." Draco proclaimed. 

"No promises." Ron shot back.

"Look ginger, I don't care what you do to me. But if you lay a hand on Hermione again, I'll kick your ass." 

"In case it has escaped your notice, Ferret, she's my girlfriend." Ron snarled.  Something in Draco's face flickered, as if that thought hadn't occurred to him. Hermione paused, the fact hitting her too. She had forgotten that she was still dating Ron. It had completely left her mind, especially since she'd been kissing Draco.

Oh Merlin, she swore in her head. I've been kissing Draco.

"Really?" Draco said accusingly. Ginny released them, intrigued at what was happening. By this point, Blaise had walked over, just in case the Gryffindors should turn on him. And, judging by the look on his friend's face, they were bound to soon. 

"Tell me, Weasley," Draco began, a smirk on his face. "If she really was your girlfriend, would she let me do this?" Before Hermione could even blink, Draco spun her close and kissed her passionately. 

Her eyes widened before slowly shutting, letting the world fade away. She fell deaf to the exclamations from the room and wrapped her arms around Draco's neck. He deepened the kiss, sliding an arm skillfully around her waist. When they finally broke apart, Hermione realized what they'd done and turned toward her friends. 

Ron was about to blow a fuse, his face was so red. He practically shook with anger. 

Harry had a confused expression, like she'd grown an extra head. 

Blaise was gaping, his jaw practically on the floor and staring at Draco with an odd look upon his face. 

Ginny, on the other hand, had a very different reaction. She was smiling so wide that Hermione thought her face would crack in half. Everything was silent in shock until Ginny let out an unintelligible shriek and practically fainted into Harry's arms.