Situation Max

Chapter Two: Situation Max

A/N: So, here's the second chapter! This was probably my second favorite chapter to write; my favorite being the last chapter. Hope you enjoy it! ~Jen

"UGH!! Can't you guys ever give it a rest?!"

The couple broke apart instantly to see who had yelled at them. They managed to catch a glimpse of Hermione before she bolted up the spiral staircase and entered her room, slamming the door behind her.

Hermione threw herself onto her bed. She was furious, sad, jealous, hurt, and a lot of other emotions at that moment. A few minutes later, however, she heard a knock on her door.

"Hermione, can I come in?"

"NO!"

"We need to talk; Pansy left. Come on, let me in."

"No, Draco. I thought I told you I didn't want her in here anymore!"

"And I believe I told you that you can't just tell me who I can and cannot see," Draco said, losing his patience.

Hermione was done arguing. She went over to the door and wrenched it open. She was going to let him have it...let him feel the wrath of Hermione Granger. However, when she opened the door, she wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted her. In front of her stood Draco in his green plaid pajama pants, but no shirt! This can NOT be happening; not when I'm mad at him! Why, oh why must he have such a great body!

Draco stood there waiting for Hermione to yell at him, apologize to him . . . something; but she just looked at him with pure shock on her face. What? Did she think it was someone else at the door? Then, all of a sudden, Hermione shut the door in his face.

"HEY! Granger, what's going on?" Draco yelled through the door.

On the other side, Hermione was leaning against the door for support. She closed her eyes, willing the picture of Draco shirtless to flow out of her mind. Closing her eyes, however, only made her picture herself touching his well-toned chest, kissing his wonderful lips, and passionately trailing kisses all over . . .UGH!! I need to pull myself together! I just slammed the door in his face! Now, he's going to think I've gone mental or something! Gathering her courage, Hermione turned around and, taking another deep breath, opened the door.

"You gonna keep it open this time?"

"Yeah," Hermione replied, trying to keep her focus on his face.

"Now, what's your problem with my girlfriend?"

"My problem is that she is always in here snogging you and we have planning to do for this month's event, patrols that you haven't done in the last week because of her, and schoolwork. She keeps distracting you, and I'm sick of doing everything myself!"

"I've helped you do things!" Draco said in his defense.

"Such as?"

"Like, umm, well, I did patrols until last week and . . . umm, planned the Halloween social we had."

"Wow, two things! Draco, I can't plan this dance all by myself. So, are you helping me or are you going to be snogging Parkinson every night?" Hermione asked, dreading the answer.

"What do you need help with?" Draco asked with a sigh.

"Well, I already got approval from Dumbledore to have it two weeks from today and to have a version of karaoke set up. So, I guess that we need to pick a theme, and then go shopping in Hogsmeade for decorations."

"Okay, but how about starting tomorrow; I'm beat."

"Snogging take too much energy out of you?" Hermione said, barely hiding the venom in her tone.

"Listen, Hermione; I'll help you, but Pansy gets to come in here at least twice a week, and no more remarks like that."

"Fine, but tomorrow, you're mine for the day."

"Yours, Granger?" Draco asked with a smirk.

"Oh, you know what I mean, Malfoy," Hermione said as she turned around, shut the door and got ready for bed.

As Hermione laid her head on her pillow, visions of Draco kissing her and of him standing shirtless in front of her kept floating around in her head. Falling into a peaceful dream about her and Draco finally getting together, Hermione drifted off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next day, Hermione and Draco were again on the common room couch discussing their ideas for the upcoming dance. They had been planning everything from the setup of the Great Hall to what band they thought should play.

"Okay, we've got the band, the setup, and the date; now, the only thing left is the decorations," Hermione said going down her checklist.

"Which means we need a theme . . . how about the middle ages?" Draco suggested.

"I was actually thinking about a casino theme, but I like yours, too."

"How about we play a game of Exploding Snap?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Hermione asked suspiciously.

"The winner gets his/her theme."

"Alright, sounds fair enough."

But just as they were about to start their game, a knock came from the portrait. If that's Pansy, I swear I'll . . .

"Draco, darling, let me in," the unwelcome voice of Pansy called from out in the corridor.

"What's she doing here, Draco? I thought we had a deal," Hermione said, trying to keep her temper in check.

"I have no clue. I told her I'd be busy tonight. Just wait; I'll get rid of her."

Draco stood and walked over to the portrait, pushing it open. Pansy walked into the common room; her head held high in the air. Until, of course, she saw Hermione sitting on the couch (her and Draco's usual snogging place).

"Draco, what's she doing here?" Pansy questioned in a sickly sweet tone.

"Pansy, I told you I couldn't see you tonight. I'm busy."

"With her?!" Pansy asked, struggling to keep her voice sweet.

"Pansy, I already told you! Hermione and I are planning this month's event. Now, you need to go. I'll see you in the morning."

"But Draco . . ." Pansy said with a pouting expression.

"I'll see you in the morning, Pansy."

"Fine!"

Pansy threw open the portrait and stormed back down to the Slytherin common room. Draco sighed slightly before returning to his place on the couch beside Hermione.

"I hope you're happy. I'm going to have to do some major apologizing tomorrow to make up for that."

"Aww . . . Poor Draco! Should I put together a pity party for you?" Hermione said, trying her best not to laugh at him, but her smile was growing bigger by the minute.

"Ha, ha, very funny, Granger. Now, you're going down!" He said as he started setting up the game.

"That's what you think."

Five minutes later, Hermione came out the victor. The dance theme would be a casino night with the girls wearing formal cocktail dresses and the guys wearing tuxedo-like dress robes.

"I still say you cheated."

"Don't be a sore loser, Draco. I won fair and square and you know it."

"I'm not being a sore loser. I'm stating a fact. You cheated."

Then, a thought struck Hermione, and she leaned in close to Draco. At first, he backed away a bit, but then she whispered seductively in his ear, "Do you really want to know how I cheated?"

Draco had never seen Hermione act like this, and he had to admit...it kind of turned him on. No, wait! I have a GIRLFRIEND! So, why do I wish Pansy wasn't in the picture at the moment? Remembering Hermione had asked him a question, he nodded his head quickly.

Hermione leaned closer so their faces were inches apart. Her lips brushed over his very gently as she said, "I had an extra wild card up my sleeve."

Then, as he began to lean in toward her, she pulled away and walked slowly up the spiral staircase and into her room. Casting one last look at Draco before closing her door, Hermione saw a look of lust fill his eyes and his face show a look of complete shock.

Draco sat on the couch as Hermione shut her bedroom door...frozen in his seat. I can't believe she just did that! Worse yet, she didn't even let me kiss her afterwards. Wait! What am I saying . . . I've got a GIRLFRIEND! Right, I must have just had a lapse of judgment. After battling his inner feelings, Draco decided he'd better get ready for bed, starting with a cold shower. As various images of Hermione floated inside Draco's mind, he thought, A really, really cold shower.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco had not been exaggerating last night when he said he'd have to do some major sucking up to Pansy. Hermione was watching from her place at the Gryffindor table as Draco kept trying to move closer to Pansy and plead his case. But Pansy wouldn't have it; she was turned completely in the other direction, her back to him, talking, or rather flirting, with Blaise Zabini. Blaise, however, being Draco's best mate, was trying to get Pansy to talk to Draco. Finally, Draco gave up and left the hall looking slightly depressed.

Hermione felt anger boil up inside her. Sure, she didn't want Pansy and Draco to be together, but did the girl have any tact at all? Flirting with a guy's best mate right after a small argument (because Hermione would hardly call what they had a fight) and right in front of the guy, was completely heartless. Why can't Draco see how horrible she is to him? He deserves someone so much better than Pansy. I would never treat him like that.

At that moment, Hermione was torn from her thoughts by her friends who had come to sit around her. Engaging them in conversation, Hermione's thoughts slowly drifted away from Draco and to the topics her friends were discussing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The following weekend, Hermione and Draco were shopping in Hogsmeade for the dance next Saturday. Unfortunately for Hermione, Pansy had forgiven Draco the moment he sent her a dozen white roses. Now, Hermione had to endure the couple during almost every planning session or patrol. Today, however, Pansy had managed to get a detention for turning Professor McGonagall's hair bright yellow, even though she had desperately tried to deny the accusation. Hermione, of course, had actually performed the charm, but what Professor McGonagall didn't know wouldn't hurt her, right?

The day's shopping spree had proved quite productive. All that was left to buy was her dress, which she would be doing with Ginny later. Right now, she and Draco were heading to the Three Broomsticks for lunch.

When the pair entered the restaurant and found a table, a young waiter came over and asked for their drink orders. Both teenagers ordered a butterbeer and began to look over the lunch menu.

A few minutes later, the waiter returned with their drinks. When he took Draco's order, the waiter lazily wrote it down and then turned to Hermione.

"What'll you have, beautiful?" he asked with a charming smile.

Hermione blushed slightly at the attention, "Oh, I'll have the turkey club sandwich."

Then, the waiter took Hermione's menu, making sure to brush his fingers over her hand in the process. Hermione had to admit the waiter was cute. He had wavy brown hair that was cut in just the right way to accent his best facial features. His eyes were a soft blue color with a hint of green mixed in and his . . .

"Hello! Earth to Hermione! Are you still with me?"

"Wh-oh, sorry, Draco," Hermione said, trying to suppress the blush that threatened to appear any minute.

"Jeez, one guy gives you a smile and you're in dreamland," Draco said with a hint of anger and annoyance in his voice.

Hermione was about to reply but the waiter was back, this time with their food. Wow! This place is fast! I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, it is a magical restaurant after all. The waiter practically threw Draco's plate at him, but again took special care to place Hermione's neatly in front of her. Before he left, the waiter slipped Hermione a piece of parchment and whispered in her ear, "My name's Max. I get off in about five minutes, if you want to have some fun."

With that, Max left the teenagers to their lunch. Hermione was frozen in her seat, shocked by the waiter's forwardness.

"What did he say to you?" Draco demanded.

Instead of answering, Hermione opened the piece of parchment Max had given her. It read: Meet me in room 25. It'll be worth your while.

"I can't believe him! He wants me to meet him upstairs in five minutes to have some fun!" Hermione said, disgusted.

"Let me see that!" Draco said.

"Why?"

"Just give it here," Draco said, losing his patience.

Hermione quickly handed him the note. As each second passed by, Draco looked like he was getting angrier. Finally, he got up and went up the stairs. Hermione, having no clue what Draco was up to, just stayed at the table and ate her lunch.

"I thought that'd get rid of your boyfriend," a voice said from beside her a few minutes later.

Hermione turned and saw Max, who had somehow managed to take the seat beside her without her notice.

"He's not my boyfriend. But he's really mad at the moment, and if he comes back down and finds you here, you'll be in trouble," Hermione said, scooting her chair slightly to the right, away from Max.

"I've got time; don't worry your pretty little head. So, how about you and me get out of here?" Max said, sliding his chair closer to Hermione's and putting his hand on her thigh.

Hermione pushed his hand off her thigh and went to leave the table, but Max grabbed her hand.

"Let go!" Hermione hissed as she tried to free her hand from his grasp.

Max pulled a bit harder on Hermione's hand, causing her to lose her balance and land in his lap. Hermione struggled to get up, but Max's grip on her waist was too strong. She looked around helplessly for someone she could call out to. Unfortunately, she and Draco had picked a table in the back corner, making her current situation not as visible to other customers in the restaurant.

"Let me go!" Hermione practically screamed, hoping to attract someone's attention.

"Calm down, beautiful. I just want a little kiss," Max said with a light chuckle.

Max slid one hand up Hermione's back, causing her to shudder unpleasantly. When his hand reached the back of her head, Max leaned in as he pushed Hermione's head toward him. Hermione tried to push with all her might against his chest to keep him from kissing her, but Max was very strong, and soon Hermione's face was a few centimeters away from his. Within seconds, Max's lips came into contact with Hermione's. He hungrily kissed her lips over and over again as Hermione kept trying to push away from him.

All of a sudden, Hermione felt Max being pulled away. Then, losing the support of the table behind her, she fell to the floor. As Hermione sat up, she saw Draco punch Max in the nose, undoubtedly breaking it before pointing his wand at Max's chest. Draco angrily whispered something under his breath, which Hermione could only imagine was a threat by the look on Max's face, and then Draco turned around to face her. Walking over to Hermione, Draco held out his hand to help her up.

"Are you okay?" He asked, genuine concern edging its way into his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."

"No problem. Let's get going."

Hermione nodded numbly as she and Draco gathered their things and left the Three Broomsticks. A few minutes later, they ran into Ginny and Harry outside Honeyduke's Sweet Shop.

"Hey, Hermione, ready to go find our perfect dresses?" Ginny asked excitedly.

"Yeah. Draco, do you mind taking the decorations back to the castle by yourself?" Hermione asked, just now realizing how many bags he'd have to carry by himself.

"Don't worry about it, Hermione. I'll help him," Harry offered.

Hermione smiled gratefully at her friend and handed him the bags she was carrying. Harry and Draco bid the girls goodbye and headed back to the castle.

Ginny grabbed Hermione's hand, and they rushed into the nearest dress shop to search for their dresses.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As the girls headed back to the castle, Hermione told Ginny about her earlier situation at the Three Broomsticks. The younger girl was shocked, but happy that Draco had been there to help her friend.

"I can't believe that happened! Are you sure you're okay, Hermione?" Ginny asked when Hermione was done with the story.

"I'm fine, Ginny. I'm just glad Draco showed up when he did."

"Me, too. Well, I'd better go hide this before Harry finds it," Ginny said as she went to climb the stairs to Gryffindor Tower.

"Hey, Ginny," Hermione yelled after her, getting an idea.

"Yeah?" Ginny called as she turned back around to face Hermione.

"Want to keep your dress in my room? Then, you and I can get ready together next Saturday. And that way, Harry will be in the dark about your dress until right before the dance."

"That's a great idea, Hermione!"

Ginny gave her dress to Hermione and went to find Harry before dinner. Hermione headed back to the Heads' Dorm. When she reached the portrait, Hermione gave the password and entered the common room. Draco was nowhere in sight so Hermione took the dresses straight to her room and hung them in her wardrobe. That's when she heard it...the giggling. Ugh!! Pansy's out of detention! Deciding it'd be best if she stayed in her room until the couple left the common room, Hermione got out one of her Muggle novels and started to read.

A/N: Now, I'd really like to know what you thought; it's the only way I can improve. Please review. ~Jen