Disclaimer: All the character belong to JK Rowling blah blah blah.... the theory/idea of sundragon's poison is from a fanfic I read ages ago for Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series.

NOTE: This is a Hermione/Draco story. Draco's just so cunningly (ah, Slytherin) romantic, and, well, Hermione's the only female character worth using other than Ginny, and Ginny and Draco are just wrong.

"Today, class, we will be concocting a potion that temporarily remedies severe emotional changes, more commonly known as mood-swings. This potion is homeopathic, meaning that the main ingredient causes the ailment, but also remedies it."

It was the last day of classes before spring break, and the 6th year Gryffindors and Slytherins were once again in Snape's dungeon. Ron and Harry sat in the back row, carefully looking as if they were interested or cared that Snape was speaking. Across the aisle from them sat Hermione and Neville, who was gradually turning greener and greener as Snape droned on about the potion they were about to concoct.

"When the ingredients are mixed together, they are harmless to anyone who takes them whether the potion is needed or not. For those of you without the common sense to label your potions after they are made, then venture out to use them, this is good news." Snape stared pointedly at Neville, who had been toothless for the past week after trying to use a potion to heal a chipped tooth. "However, when the ingredients are separated, they are fairly dangerous. Shredded boomslang skin can cause skin irritation and discoloring. (Think polyjuice potion!) Toe Mold from gnomes cause toe mold on anyone. Be sure to avoid these things as I will not heal you and you will be made to wait until the end of class to go to the infirmary.

"Most importantly, however, you must all be sure not to allow any sundragon venom to enter your body in any way, shape, or form. As this is the main ingredient, those with minimal intelligence and who have been listening to me will conclude that sundragon venom causes severe mood swings. If this is consumed or let into your bloodstream raw, death is inevitable without treatment. For homework I would like everyone to do a report on the effects of raw sundragon venom to be turned in Thursday after we return.

"Now, if you would all collect the ingrediants from the stores in the closet, I am going to change our groups around. Potter, work with Mr. Longbottom. Weasley work with Ms. Parkinson. Granger, please join Mr. Malfoy up front. Madame Pomfrey has informed me that there is a shortage of this potion in the hospital wing, and seeing as you two are the most competent..." Snape's expression was pained as he paid the compliment to Hermione. Draco sat leisurely in his chair, his face a mixture of arrogance for being called competent, and anger for being paired with Hermione. And though none of the Gryffindors would admit it, Draco was indeed a fairly good potion maker. "Get to work."

Hermione scowled as she took her things up to Draco's table, though her expression of hatred was nothing compared to that on Draco's face. "Don't mess up my potion, you filthy little mudblood. Shred this boomslang skin." Malfoy ordered, reaching into his bag and pulling out his cauldron and starting a fire beneath it. Hermione began to argue at his cocky and overbearing tone, but thought better of it. Snape would take house points away and the boomslang skin did need to be shredded.

The pair worked in silence for a short time before Neville moved to the front of the classroom to collect his ingrediants. He gathered them into his arms and started walking carefully back to his seat. The bottle of Sundragon Venom was on top, wiggling precariously between the jars of Toe Mold and boomslang skin. Hermione glanced up as he passes, meaning to give him an encouraging smile, but at that moment she saw Draco extend his foot directly into Neville's path.

Before she could give a warning, Neville's foot caught Draco's, and time seemed to slow down as he fell, the bottle of venom flying out of his arms. Neville hit the ground hard, and the bottle crashed onto Hermione and Draco's table. All of the tools and ingrediants on the table were splashed with the violently blue liquid.

"Idiot boy!" Snape stalked up to Neville. Hermione was helping him up, and his face was bright red and he seemed close to tears. Hermione was forced to back away as Snape descended on Neville with condemning words. She knew better than to tell Snape that Draco had tripped Neville- it wouldn't make a difference.

Hermione returned to her table to find a frowning Malfoy. His trick had worked, but simultaneously ruined their potions. "We'll have to start over and work fast if we want to finish this class period." Hermione said, holding her head high and starting to clean up the mess. Draco didn't say anything but began to do likewise.

As the class once again quieted down, Draco took up his knife from the table and began slicing fresh boomslang skin quickly. Time was short, and the boomslang skin was the only thing that was left to put into the potion. Checking the clock, he realized that they barely had enough time to finish the potion if the boomslang skin was ready to be put in at the moment. He began to chop faster, not wanting to have to redo the potion with Hermione in his free time. In his haste, he nicked his finger with the knife. Without thinking he stuck his finger in his mouth, licking off the drip of blood that had risen on his skin. He finished slicing the skin and added it to the potion.

Draci and Hermione had just finished bottling their potion, which was the same violent blue as the venom, when the bell rang. Potions was their last class of the day and spring holiday had officially started....

Please note: "Tools" includes the knife that Malfoy cut himself with.

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!!!! IT GETS GOOD IN THE NEXT PART!