Author's Note: Hi everyone! This is my first fanfiction ever, so I hope you enjoy it! :) For those wondering, yes, this is my updated version of the story I posted a few weeks ago :) Please leave a review, it's motivation!

~Chapter One~

Draco hurried down the dim corridor, pausing to hide behind a suit of armor as a group of his friends passed. He couldn't believe he was doing this. Of all people to ask for help... He sighed and continued walking.

When he reached the library, he dashed inside, looking about for anyone who might have seen him. There was no one.

She was sitting in the back of the library, bushy brown hair hiding her face as she bent over a scroll of parchment, scribbling furiously. He scowled almost immediately. Why did he have to need GRANGER'S help? Draco very nearly turned around just thinking about it.

But, he thought, the Dark Lord would praise him most highly when his task was done, and he could not complete it without Granger. Sucking in a breath, he casually sauntered over to her.

"Hello, Granger," he said in a falsely nonchalant voice.

"Malfoy," Hermione replied without looking up. Rage contorted Draco's admittedly handsome features. She wouldn't even look at him; she dared to ignore his presence. But, really, what more could be expected of a Mudblood?

"I need you to do something for me," Draco said quickly. Hermione's head snapped up to glare at him.

"And what could I possibly do for YOU, Malfoy?" she spat. "Honestly, asking favours when you clearly loathe me..."

"I-I don't loathe you," Draco stammered. He willed himself not to vomit. Not loathing a Mudblood? Oh, Merlin. His aunt Bellatrix would cringe at the sheer insanity of that statement. But he had to convince the brainy Gryffindor that he was being honest and sincere, so that she would help him. Hermione quirked a questioning eyebrow.

"What is it then?" She stared at him thoughtfully.

"Well," Draco began, "I'm rather busy at the moment with - things -" Hermione gave him a look but he ignored it, "and I wondered whether you - you could-" Ugh. GRANGER. He was asking GRANGER for help.

"Yes, Malfoy?"

"Whetheryoucouldhelpmewithmys tudies," he said in a single breath, avoiding her gaze with determination. Hermione's mouth formed a small "o" of surprise. Malfoy was asking HER for help?

"W-what?" she sputtered in shock. He was going to have to say it again. AGAIN.

"Listen, Granger," he sneered, "I have a lot going on right now, and my mother will not be pleased if my grades suffer much more." Hermione looked at him like he was insane. He felt like that was perfectly reasonable. He was, after all, asking a Mudblood for assistance.

"You want me... to help you with classes?" Hermione asked rather bluntly. Draco wanted to slap a hand to his forehead. This was what you got when you needed tutoring from Granger.

"Yes, Granger, that's what I just said. For being the brightest witch of your age, you're-" Hermione interrupted.

"What makes you think that insulting me will make me want to help you?" Draco sighed. Maybe he should just give up.

"Look, if you're going to be this difficult I'll just-"

"No," Hermione said at once, "I'll do it."

"Er, uh-"

"On one condition," she added smugly.

Oh, no. No, no, NO. He was not going to do it, whatever it was. Granger was not going to give him orders, she was not going to make demands. He was a Malfoy, for Merlin's sake.

Didn't she realize that it'd been hard enough to even ASK her for help? And now she was making conditions? No, Draco didn't think so. He wanted to Crucio that stupid smile right off of her face.

"Absolutely not," the blonde boy declared.

"Fine," Hermione said simply. She resumed writing.

"W-what?" Draco faltered. He hadn't been expecting that. Granger was supposed to accept his response and dutifully complete his assignments for him anyway; that was how it worked. Intimidation and then results.

"I said fine," Hermione repeated, smirking. Draco's face arranged itself into it's trademark sneer. But there was something else there. Panic. Fear.

"You have to!" Draco yelled. He was in awe, and it showed. He did not want to have to beg her. But he was desperate; he had a task to complete and a family to please.

"On one condition," Hermione said again, calmly. Draco couldn't... his family... his mother...

"What is it?" He asked. Hermione smiled triumphantly.

"You can never insult me or any of my friends again." Draco's stomach lurched uncomfortably. He didn't exactly know why he suddenly felt ill, but felt it might have something to do with the fact that he had insulted her so often that the absence of his rude remarks was her one condition.

And then anger bubbled up again, white hot. He needed help, not someone to command him about like a house-elf. Surely he couldn't go through with this.

"Granger..." Draco started hesitantly. Thinking about his mother's high expectations and the Dark Lord's still higher ones, he looked about again to check for eavesdroppers, then muttered, "you've got yourself a deal."