Hermione had noticed a change in temperature when she ran into the Common Room last night, and she felt that it came from one person. Candi. Later that day, she confronted her.

"Hey Candi, mind if I walk with you?" Hermione ran up to her during free period.

"Of course not." Candi sensed right away an air of coolness around Hermione, and figured she'd better watch what she say.

"What were you and Harry doing last night in the Common Room Candi?" Hermione got right to the point. Candi stumbled. She didn't even have time to put up a defense!

"We weren't doing anything. At least, not together. Why?"

"Oh, no particular reason." The coolness was definitely there. Candi stopped walking, and so did Hermione. "What's wrong?"

"Hermione, is there something you want to ask me?"

"Yes."

"Well, what is it?"

"I want you to stay away from Harry." Candi just looked at her.

"Why? He's my friend."

"but more importantly, he's my boyfriend. I see the way you look at him. And then, last night...." Candi thrust her hand out.

"What? Wait a minute....what about last night? Nothing happened! You have no right to accuse me of this without some proof." Candi exploded.

"I have every right! He's my boyfriend!" Hermione yelled, sparks flying from her wand. Candi looked at it, slightly nervous.

"No...you...don't!" Candi whipped out her own wand, now more nervous than ever. Hermione was the best witch of their age, and Candi had only just returned to Hogwarts.

"You wanna go?"

"Everte statum!" Candi yelled, and Hermione was sent flying across the hall. "Yes, should be fun."

Hermione got up shakily and regained her stance.

"Furnunculus!" Hermione responded.

"Protego!" Candi quickly put up the Shield Charm. The spell rebounded off it and his the wall. It moaned.

"Impedimenta!" Hermione threw the spell out, and Candi was frozen. "I think you've had enough." She started to walk away.

"Non-verbal spells 'Mione." Candi's voice taunted her from behind. "Locomotor Mortis!" Hermione's legs were bound together.

"You let me go!" Hermione raised her wand.

"Accio Wand!" Candi cried out, and Hermione's wand zoomed from her hand to Candi's.

"Coward! Give me my wand back!" Hermione snarled, enraged.

"You can have it back when you've cooled off. I seem to rememer helping a couple realize they belonged together. I believe it was a boy named Harry Potter who asked me to step in and assist!" Candi said sarcastically.

"Liar!" Hermione shrieked. The bell rang, free period over.

"No. Bye Hermione." Candi tossed the wand inches in front of Hermione's outstretched hand.

"CANDERIA SUMMERS! LET ME GO!" Hermione's words echoed in the halls. Candi ignored them, still seething from Hermione's wild yet dangerously accurate accusations.

Sorry, I didn't get to finish!

Katie