It all happened with a muggle book

- Hogwarts, 6th year, war and stuff comes out at the end of the story enjoy

chapter 1. unexpected promise

Hermione Granger was writing a Transfiguration essay that was due next week. She was almost finished, but she knew she had to read it about twice before she could really finish it. She knew she sometimes overreact about these stuff, but this was her first homework since the beginning of this year. She had to be perfect-not that other work she does is not perfect.

After Hermione finished, and read twice of her essay, she looked at the clock. 30Minutes to 10p.m. The library usually closes at 10p.m. before the exam seasons, so Hermione stood up. She had to return some books she borrowed Monday, and it was already Thursday. She knew she might look at other books while her purpose was returning what she borrowed, so she might not return before her curfew(which was also 10p.m. by the way) but she hated it when she had to delay something, so she picked up her books and headed for the door.

There weren't many students in the library, which was normal because it hadn't been a while since this year's term started. The line for borrowing/returning wasn't long, so she sat at a chair and looked at some potion books she already read last year. 'Potions is an interesting subject.' she thought to herself. 'But Professor Snape didn't help with that… Maybe Professor Slughorn could help with that this year. He seemed way more nicer than Professor Snape….' Hermione kept on thinking about her new Potions Professor, and the subject itself. She was still thinking about it (she was not thinking about Harry's Potions book) when someone snatched her Potions book away from her.

Surprised, Hermione looked up, but she was more Surprised when she noticed who did it.

It was Draco Malfoy. Hermione lost her words. It was really strange-Draco Malfoy rarely speaks to her except when she's with Harry or Ron. When Harry or Ron didn't show up near her, he didn't seem to notice her at all. Was Harry or Ron in the library and she didn't know about that? No… that couldn't be it. Still thinking, Hermione just stared at Malfoy with shock in her face.

But when Draco Malfoy also didn't talk, she opened her mouth.

"What do you want?" she asked in a quiet voice(since they were both in the library)

She pointed at the book Malfoy took away from her. "Do you need that?" she asked.

Mafloy stared at her, then looked away. "Not really." he muttered.

Hermione looked at him, confused. "What? But why…?"

Mafloy coughed to make her silent. "I wanted to ask you about...something." he said.

"What?" Hermione almost said in her normal tone. This was too strange!

"Um..." Malfoy seemed to hesitate about talking 'the thing he wanted to ask her about'.

Hermione sighed. She had no idea what he was up to, but it didn't seem important.

"Well, I have to return these." Hermione said, picking up her books.

She was about to leave, but he grabbed her arm.

Hermione was shocked again-he never touches her… she was muggleborn, and Draco Malfoy made it clear he knew about it, and hated her for it.

Hermione quickly turned around and yanked her arm away from him.

"What?" she asked, a little indignant.

"I told you, I have something to ask…." said Malfoy, his eyes not meeting hers.

Hermione sighed loudly. "But you are not telling me what you want, Malfoy. If you keep acting this way, I can't help you. And if I keep waiting for you, I might be late and break my curfew." she said, trying to keep her voice flat, but clear.

"I'm sorry, I'll tell you right now." said Malfoy, sighing.

"I want you to recommend...books…." he said. His voice was too small, Hermione thought he mouthed those words.

"Books? What kind of books?" Hermione asked, feeling a little suspicious.

Sure, everyone in the whole school knew Hermione Granger was into books, and that she knew a lot about them, but Draco Malfoy in all those people, ask her to recommend books? 'I mean, it's Draco Malfoy, for Merlin's sakes!' Hermione thought to herself.

"You know," Draco Malfoy's voice interrupted her thinking. "books I don't know much…."

Hermione shook her head. "You have to be more specific, Malfoy. If you don't I'll-"

before Hermione could say 'I'll leave' Draco Malfoy met her eyes and whispered, "Muggle books".

Now, Hermione was more confused than ever.

"Muggle books…?" she mouthed, with her eyes wide open.

She almost asked 'Why?' but stopped. She didn't have time for Draco Malfoy explaining reasons why so suddenly he needed her advice on muggle books.

"Um, what kind of muggle books?" asked Hermione, trying hard to keep her voice straight. "Anything particular you have in mind?"

Draco Malfoy shook his head. "Anything you recommend." he said. "You know, your favorite, or books you particularly liked…."

Hermione was now more confused than ever. He wants her to recommend muggle books she likes?

"Why?" she asked before stopping herself. She was too curious.

Draco Malfoy seemed he didn't expect that question. He looked surprised. Hermione could also notice that his face was little pink.

"Oh, well-" but before Draco could finish his sentence, or get his face more redder, Madam Pince's voice interrupted them.

"It's almost 10p.m.! Pack up, and leave."

Hermione quickly turned around. "I really have to go." she said. She couldn't help but feel a little sorry. But she had to keep her curfew.

Hermione quickly went to the librarian and returned her books.

Then, she opened the door, and bumped into...Draco Malfoy.

"What?" was her first word that got out of her.

"You still haven't recommended me...muggle…books…." Malfoy muttered.

"Oh," Hermione said, not knowing what to say. "Should I tell you…? But some might not be in the library…." she said.

"I know." he answered. "So, um, should we meet at 9 tomorrow? You know, for you to recommend me those books I asked for."

Hermione noticed that he didn't like to use the word 'muggle'.

'Then why does he want to borrow a muggle book?' she thought to herself.

Well, it didn't really matter...maybe.

Hermione sighed. She had to answer now, or she really might break her curfew.

"Okay, let's meet tomorrow at 9." she said, turned, and ran toward the stairs.

When Hermione arrived the Gryffindor dormitory, got dressed for bed, and sat down on her bed, she suddenly remembered something.

'Does meeting at 9 means 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. …?' she thought to herself.

To Hermione, not knowing things perfect drove her a little crazy.

'It must be 9 p.m. He could have class at 9a.m. So it definitely must be 9p.m.'

She sighed, and lied down on her bed.

She thought she would have a normal year, but it started with the weirdest way.

Draco Malfoy, who made sure everyone know that he hated her, Hermione Granger, asks her for recommendation of muggle books, and made her promise to meet him at the library tomorrow at 9 (9a.m. or 9p.m. who knows)!

Hermione definitely had a bad feeling about this promise she made.

Was Draco Malfoy up to something? Maybe Harry was right about his suspicion as a Death Eater…? No way. That was too over the line. What was it then?

Hermione closed her eyes. Thinking of Draco Malfoy and not sleeping and making her have bad condition for classes tomorrow was outrageous. She decided to not care about Draco Malfoy and his strangest request. Yes, she didn't care one bit.