Author's notes:
Disclaimer: All characters belong to the wonderful JK Rowling. This is set during their 6th Year. No Death Eater Draco in here. Without further talking, let's start.
Chapter 1: Why Is He Smiling Like That?
'Miss Granger, please copy what's on the blackboard.' said Professor Mcgonagall. She can't concentrate, which is very rare. No matter how intently she listened to any prof - wait, what? Is Draco Malfoy smiling at me? It was a different smile. It's not the usual smile that says 'I'm going to have some mischief up my sleeves today, and most probably tomorrow too.' She couldn't figure out what it conveys. 'Potions class next' thought Hermione.
'Hermione, class is dismissed. Will you still stay here for double Transfiguration ?' said Ron. Hermione snapped out of her thoughts, stood up, and left the classroom, thinking of Malfoy's smile. Realizing she was running out of time, she ran past students, mumbling a couple of 'sorry's, to the Potions classroom.
'Miss Granger. Would you please identify what potion is this for me.' said Professor Slughorn. She walked towards the table with the cauldron of the potion, took a glance at it and took a sniff at it.
'It is a Draught of Peace, Professor. It relieves anxiety and agitation. It's turquoise blue when finished brewing. '
'Very good, Miss Granger. Now if you would kindly open your books to page 23 and take your places, you would be brewing the Draught of Peace. All ingredients are found at the cupboards, and you may now get them.'
The students got all the ingredients listed on their books, which are moonstone, syrup of hellebore, powdered porcupine quills, Valerian root, and powdered unicorn horn. Then they went back to their places. They spent the next 30 minutes trying to perfect the potion. Seamus had an exploded cauldron as always. Neville didn't stir it the correct number of times, and Ron didn't let it simmer. All three of them had a grade of 'T' at the end of class, despite its instructions being very detailed. Only Hermione had brewed it correctly.
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Hermione had a free period after Potions. As usual, she went to the library. To her surprise, she saw a tall boy, with distinctive blonde hair, sitting on one of the desks. Draco Malfoy.
'Hi.', greeted Hermione.
'Hi.' Draco greeted back. He smiled that very same smile at Hermione during Transfiguration. Hermione ignored this, gathered her books, and sat down next to Draco.
'Why do you keep smiling like that?'
'Err..what smile?'
'The smile you just gave me last Transfiguration class.'
'Oh that. Umm… ' He couldn't think of an answer. So he continued reading a thick Charms book.
'Umm.. Hermione. Could you help me with my Charms homework?'
'Sure, why not.' Then she began explaining whatever his homework was. Draco was listening intently. But not just listening. He was gazing at her beautiful face too. After Hermione's explanations of this charm and that charm, he thanked her.
