Welcome to my Flying Class assignments; Term 4. Inside will be a set of 12 one shots all following the assignments given for Hogwarts' Fly Class. Cross your fingers with me that I don't fall behind.

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way shape or form, own anything in relation to Harry Potter. All rights go to Rowling, and Warner Brothers and co. I do not get any monetary compensation for this piece – or any of my pieces put on this site.

Prompts: Flying Lessons (Assignment 1: All relationships have to start somewhere, they don't just appear out of thin air! We need to make sure that we cover the beginning of the relationship before moving on to other aspects. We need to consider the beginning aspects and make sure that things work. Like with a broom on the first flying lessons, there are potential problems and this should be mentioned or considered. Your pairing might seem perfect but trust me, they're not. – Pairing: Draco/Hermione – Prompt: (location) The Great Hall)

-oOo-

Hermione knew he was the potions professor, but seeing him sitting at the Head Table threw her off the first night of term. He was seated next to her, but had not spoken with her since the welcoming feast began. If anything, he was too busy with Neville, the two taking the piss out of each other, a smile on their lips. It was strange seeing Malfoy so open and jovial. She had half expected him to insult her the first time they looked at each other. Instead, he had apologized and offered a fresh start. There was a lot of bad history between them. History she was ready to get past. It had been close to five years after all. They were twenty two, old enough to be mature about the situation.

Piling another spoonful of mashed potatoes onto her plate, she half listened as Neville poked fun at Draco – Draco poked back. It was a friendly banter she had never imagined would transpire between the two.

"What do you think Hermione," Neville spoke, drawing her fully into their conversation.

"I was still talking," Draco spoke with the upmost offense in his voice. "You interrupted my grand speech."

"You always are talking," Neville rolled his eyes. "I don't think I've ever heard you shut it."

"Alright boys," Hermione made to break it up. "What are we discussing?"

"A combination class," Draco answered. He paused for a moment, their eyes meeting. She had accepted his offer of a fresh start, but they hadn't been this close before – physically and not physically speaking. The two sat there a moment, oblivious to the chatter of students and conversations at the Head Table.

Neville looked between the two of them, a smirk growing on his lips. He had noticed the way the two interacted over the last few weeks, but this was the first time he'd seen it in close quarters. "We've already done a few with the Herbology and Potions classes. Teaching the kids exactly what they're using to make those potions. It's been pretty successful. We've had a few kids tell us that they really enjoyed it. We were wondering if maybe you wanted to add to the mix."

Hermione broke eye contact with Draco. It was almost painful to do so. She scolded herself for whatever was causing her to trip up so. "You want to add charms to this?"

"There's charms work in Herbology, but it varies and is kind of dangerous if done wrong," Neville was trying not to make comment on the two's interactions. "Some of the more dangerous plants require a bit of charm work to manage. And there are quite a few that can't come in contact with certain magic's at all. Having an actual Charms teacher could help answer some of the more technical questions I don't know. And Draco-"

"My first years are currently learning the dangers of mixing potions with kinetic magic." Draco picked up, refusing to make eye contact with her.

Like she had, he scolded himself for whatever was tripping him up. Unlike her, he knew what the problem was. He'd known for a long time what kept tripping him up. He'd just been better at ignoring the bushy head of hair. But now she was only a foot away from him. And smiling. He didn't know how to handle this.

Shaking himself, he continued speaking. "And while I am perfectly capable of handling my students in this matter, it wouldn't hurt to have some… someone there to assist. Mixing the two fields can be rather dangerous. Especially with some of the stronger ingredients. Learning early will save a few fingers and burns."

Hermione had to smirk at him. "Combining the classes sounds intriguing. I'm in. We'll have to iron out the details after dinner."

"I told you she'd be for it," Neville turned to Draco.

"Shut the Hell up with your 'I told you so'." Draco snorted. "Besides, I was the one who suggest it to you first. So if anyone gets credit, it's me."

Neville took a drink from the glass in front of him, smirking at the other professor. "Whatever. I feel I should get the credit. After all, if it weren't for me, you never would have brought the subject up to her anyways."

Draco frowned heavily, "what is that supposed to mean?"

Grinning wickedly, Neville looked away, checking on the Gryffindor table he proudly called his own. "You're too busy ogling Hermione over there, you can hardly put three words together most days. Don't think I don't see. I may not be the smartest person here, but I am very perceptive. I notice things."

Both Hermione and Draco were speechless. The Great Hall seemed to grow in volume around them. A group of Hufflepuffs were challenging each other to an eating contest. They were extending their challenge to the Gryffindors beside them. No one was making a move to stop the friendly competition.

"Is that true?" Hermione asked, unsure what answer she wanted to get from him.

Draco was biting his lower lip, his eyes on Slytherin table. They had started their own game with Ravenclaw, something involving a small ball from what he could see. Part of him felt he needed to keep an eye on that incase it went out of hand.

But it was fine for now. He had more pressing matters to deal with. Kicking Neville under the table, he tried not to make note of the way the man squealed.

Hermione was waiting for her response. "Draco?"

"Please don't ask me to answer," he pleaded with her.

His response, along with the biting of his lip and the light blush to his cheeks was all the answer she needed. Smiling, she dug her fork into her forgotten mashed potatoes, noting that they were now cold.

"It's a shame I won't get an answer," Hermione muttered, pushing her corn into the potatoes. "I mean, I wouldn't be too opposed to the idea."

Draco looked at her, seeming unsure about the situation. "You won't? Considering everything…"

"It's been seven years, Draco." Hermione put her fork down, looking at him fully. "I thought we agreed on a fresh start. Besides, you are rather cute."

Hermione decided she liked seeing Draco flustered and out of his element. He wasn't looking at her again, instead scratching behind his ear and watching his house's table. Neville was trying not to laugh. On the other side of Neville, the look on McGonagall's face showed that she had been listening as well. She was smiling into her cup.

"I wouldn't call a Malfoy, cute," Draco muttered. "Handsome, sure. Charming, raised that way. But cute?"

"Classes get out early tomorrow," Hermione cut in. "I don't have plans. No one would notice us missing from the dinner table."

Draco looked at her, their eyes meeting again. The spark from earlier danced through their gaze. He'd gotten used to feeling this spark. Knowing that she felt it too, made him feel better about the thing.

"Alright," Draco spoke finally. "After all, you are rather cute as well. For a Gryffindor at least."

Hermione nudged him playfully, smiling as he grinned back. The Head Table went back to their prior chatters, no longer paying mind to two of the young professors. Neville turned away, striking up conversation with the Headmistress.

Hermione couldn't help but continue to smile at Draco. He went to say something but a small explosion from below silenced all.

Every eye went to Slytherin table where a small firework had shot up and went off near the ceiling. Tiny fire flies were dancing their way down. Silence filled the air, all eyes on a pair of boys in green. Draco could see the guilt written on their faces as they hid the pack of fireworks.

"I believe that's your table," Hermione was the first to speak.

"I liked it better when Gryffindor was the one causing problems," Draco groaned, already standing. "It made my life so much easier."

She chuckled, watching as he left the Head's table to deal with the situation. She may have stared longer than necessary, but she will admit that Draco Malfoy looked nice, from the front view as well as the back.

"Ogling goes both ways I see."

Hermione wanted to glare at Neville, but that meant removing her gaze from the blond at Slytherin table. "Shut up."

Draco looked up from the kids he was lecturing. He caught Hermione staring and smiled at her before taking his attention back to the boys and the dangers of setting off explosions while indoors. She finally looked away. Picking up her fork, she gave one last attempt on the mashed potatoes on her plate. They were ice cold by this point and not worth the fight.

As conversation picked back up in the Great Hall, Hermione wondered what this year would bring. It seemed good so far. And they were only on step number one. It seemed like a good beginning.