Author's Note: Hello, my beautiful readers. I'm Christy, and this my first story. I'm really excited for this and I hope you are too. If you have any questions, feel free to ask on the review or on ym tumblr page.


There were a select few things that truly frizzed Hermione Granger's hair. Ron's constant attempt to copy her homework, Harry's recklessness and poor grades were a few of those things, but there was one thing, over all others, that put Hermione in a tizzy: Draco Malfoy.

This might not even be a problem if Draco, himself, did not attempt to annoy her every waking moment.

On this particular day, school had just begun, and while walking into Potions, Hermione noticed something odd. Draco Malfoy was sitting in his seat, pen to paper, not bothering anyone. If she didn't know better, she'd have to assume something was terribly wrong. To be safe, Hermione quietly walked around him, taking her seat a few sections away, hoping that he'd just stay away for the remainder of the class.

The class dragged on; forcing even Hermione to become bored. Ron insisted on being partners, and to her dismay, she accepted. He'd been like this all summer, and Hermione was beginning to tire of him. He'd clung to her every word and even now, he couldn't stop asking questions or making small talk. Thankfully, something had come flying at her head, forcing her to divert her attention.

A small piece of rolled up parchment fell from her frizzy hair and onto the table in front of her, she immediately picked it up, opened it, and read the text scrawled inside.

Granger,

Meet me outside of the Great Hall after lunch. This is very important.

-Malfoy

"What?" Hermione gasped out, grabbing everyone's attention, including the blond haired Slytherin. This would not have been a big deal if she had not blushed so fiercely.

Finally, all was finished in Potions for the day, and Hermione swept out of the classroom before anyone could mention a thing about her little note.

The day seemed to go by in slow motion, making Hermione feel less then happy to do school work; which, in fact, was a rare thing, since school work was her main joy at Hogwarts these days. All had been quiet, since Umbridge had left and Voldemort had shown up at the Ministry and made everyone realized that he, in fact, did return. But this still did not cool Hermione's nerves; she was well aware that the Dark Lord was always moving.

Mid-day had finally found her, and after Hermione gobbled down a few things, she rushed out of the Hall, standing right outside of it. She was eager to hear what Draco was going to tell her, but still reluctant to this sudden encounter. Was this all a prank? Would she be the butt of another horrendous joke? She'd have to find out.

Draco soon swaggered into the hall, tapping Hermione on the shoulder, and forcing her to jump.

"Merlin, Malfoy!" said the lioness, "You scared me!"

"As I should." He informed her, "Follow me." He tugged on her arm, forcing her to follow him wherever he took her. This, she had to admit, was getting a little sketchy.

"Malfoy?" She said calmly, "Where are you taking me?"

No answer.

Hermione forced her feet on the ground, stopping him in his tracks.

"What?" he demanded.

"I'm not going if you don't tell me where."

"Somewhere private." He hissed.

"Why?" She snapped.

"Because." Draco spat, she glared, "Just trust me."

After a few moments of studying his eyes, she loosened. He tugged away, getting her into an abandoned classroom.

"Now, why is it that you brought me here?" Hermione crossed her arms and stepped away, keeping her distance.

"I have a proposal," She gave him an odd look, but he continued, "After last year, my parents are worrying quite a bit about my grades." Hermione scoffed, but Draco continued, "I did not want to ask you this, I actually refused to, but my parents were going to ask Dumbledore to get the best student in school to tutor me, and that, inevitably, would be you, Granger." He snarled, "My parents threatened to do it that way, but I told them, to save me the embarrassment and let me ask you instead."

Hermione was lost for words. First, the fact that Draco was admitting that she was the best student in school made her ecstatic, second, that he admitted he wasn't a good student himself, and third, that he ask her for help.

"I would pay you a fair amount of money." He swallowed, "And if I don't get help, I'll get kicked off of the quiddich team." If it weren't for her better judgment, she would of sworn she had seen the look of desperation gracing his features. He looked pleasantly innocent, something Hermione never would of thought of him.

"Fine." She said, "I'll do it." Draco slipped a smirk onto his face, "But I have conditions."

"As do I." He said, but Hermione ignored.

"You will never call me 'Mudblood' again." He nodded in response. "You will at least reduce the amount of abuse you inflict on me and my friends." Again, he nodded, "And you will treat me with the utmost respect and kindness while being tutored." He flinched at the last, but nodded again.

"And as for my conditions," Draco spoke, "We do not, under any circumstances, mention this to anyone. Got it, Granger?" Hermione thought for a moment. What would Harry and Ron think? She'd be disappearing for hours at a time most days of the week. How could they not notice? She told herself that she'd think of that later.

"Fine." She told him, "So, we have a deal?" She reached out her hand, and Draco took it, "We have a deal." And they shook hands in agreement.


Author's Note: What a short chapter! I promise they will get longer - this particular chapter being written at 3:30 in the morning, so just wait for more.