Hermione was ignoring the fact that Ron had half the dishes on the table, in small samples, all across his face. Etiquette was something he would never learn, committed or not.

"You okay?" asked Harry.

"Yes Harry. Just need some time", she replied not wanting to talk about it.

"I swear Hermione I didn't know.."

"It's okay Harry. I know, I just..." she trailed off, not knowing what to say.

"You know you don't have to go through with this 'Mione. I already consider my brother dead", said Ginny, shooting daggers at Ron.

Just then an old looking brown owl flew in from the window,carrying a red envelope and headed straight towards Ron. It was a Howler from Mrs Weasley.

"Oh no. Ginny! How could you sell me out?!!"

"Same way, you sold out Hermione, brother mine", she said, flipping his poor choice of words back at him.

Just then, the Howler exploded and Mrs Weasley's angry voice rang in the Great Hall, "RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY!! HOW DARE YOU SHOW SUCH DISRESPECT TO A LADY!! I THOUGHT I HAD RAISED YOU WELL ENOUGH NEVER TO EVEN THINK OF SUCH LOW DISPLAY OF CHARACTER!! YOU WILL APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT YOU DID RIGHT AWAY AND YOU ARE GROUNDED THIS CHRISTMAS!! IF YOU VALUE YOUR FAMILY, YOU WILL ABIDE BY IT!!!"

Ron winced and so did Hermione. Mrs Weasley could be real harsh, but then, Ron had really done it this time.

She sighed, not wanting any more of the drama, and got up to attend Double Potions when a familiar drawl called out right from behind her. It was so close, it sent a chill down her spine.

Draco had gotten up and walked toward her leaving the Slytherins staring at his back. Ron had a spaghetti dangling from the corner of his mouth, which he had opened wide in horror. Harry's jaw had dropped to the floor. Ginny, who had risen to leave, had stopped in her tracks and could give Malfoy a run for his money with her smirk.

"Granger", he drawled, "Meet me at the sixth floor corridor tomorrow at five pm."

What? No mudblood? Well, his brains must be addled, thought Hermione.

"And why would I do that?" she managed to say rolling her eyes. She had been so caught up with Ron's betrayal that the contents of the Vow had slipped out of her mind. She secretly cursed the extended curfew for 8th years. Since they were all legally adults, the Headmistress, McGonagall had decided it served no purpose imposing childish curfews on them. However, they were required to get back to school by 9 pm.

"I'm sure you've spoken to your boyfriend. He made a Vow that I would get a date with his girlfriend if he lost. Did he not tell...", he replied smugly, reminding her.

She put her palm out to him to interrupt him. She didn't want more people knowing about it than there were already.

"Okay, first", she counted on her fingers, hand still facing him, "He is not my boyfriend anymore. He's out! Second, I am not his girlfriend. And since, I am not his girlfriend, I don't see why I have to go on a date with you, ferret!"

Not his girlfriend anymore? Good for her! That Weasel never deserved her anyway. What cheap bloke barters his own girlfriend for a broom? Weasley apparently. Finally, she can find someone who's worthy. Wait, why am I wondering why Granger is worthy? Why am I even wondering about her? What the hell? Let's just get this over with, thought Draco.

"First, I don't care about what or who the Weasel dates. But we made an Unbreakable Vow and I intend to keep it since my life depends on it. And second, we specifically vowed to bet on you Granger. And third, your Weasel is going to die if you don't fulfill the Vow and even he knows it, which is why he isn't moving a muscle to stop us. So, you will keep it because your Golden Boy loves him and you love the Weaselette too much to let the Weasel die", said Draco, leaving Hermione wondering when Draco developed the power of logical reasoning.

"Didn't think the Weasel would rub off so much on you Granger", he continued, "don't think you can weasel your way out of this one, though", he said turning to walk away.

But suddenly he stopped in his tracks, turned around and spoke, "And oh, make sure you clean up properly. I have way better dining standards than Weasel. Remember, we have a promise to keep, Beaver-tooth", he winked, smiling smugly and walked away.

Hermione was shocked. Did he just wink???! If she didn't know better, he had actually asked her out rather decently.

Why would he possibly do that? Something just didn't add up.

***************************

Author's Note:

Stay tuned for the date night! That's all I'll say.