"Welcome back, students, to this your 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Do not let the fact you aren't taking major exams at the end of the year lull you into a false sense of security. This year will be hard; I'll make sure of it. This year separates the losers from the winners, the people who will succeed in life from the people who will become nothing. I would advise each and every one of you not to fall behind, because none of the teachers, least of all I, will hold your hands through this year. So I suggest you all pay very good attention to me. Today you will start work on a potion that will be worth 90 of your overall mark for this year. An invisibility potion. Make sure you study the ingredients and directions carefully. Neglect any step, no matter how insignificant it may seem, and it could cost you your life, as each pair will try their potion before the class 2 months from now." Snape stopped and looked down his hooked nose at the class. Harry and Ron looked at each other to exchanged scared glances. Neville who was sitting in the row in front was sweating so badly his elbows kept slipping off the table. Seamus and Dean sat near him, and they looked like they were trying very hard to keep from laughing. And Hermione was sitting on the edge of her seat, oblivious to what any of the others were doing because she was soaking up every word Snape said.

"That's right class, you will be preparing these potions in pairs. I have taken the liberty of breaking you up, so my apologies but you wont be able to choose your groups" His lip curled into a smirk as he looked straight at Ron and Harry, who had looked hopeful for a few moments but were now frowning. "Pay attention I won't repeat this. Potter and Longbottom. Thomas and Finnegan. Weasley and Crabbe. Goyle and Parkinson" He continued to pair the class up, and they broke up into their pairs. Hermione looked around the class. There were less and less people left, until there were only two. Hermione didn't like the look of this. "And Granger and Malfoy".

"I thought I got unlucky getting paired with Neville, but you two really dipped out" Said Harry, with a chuckle after class that day. They had gone for a walk in the grounds and sat under a tree near the lake.

"Glad you think it's funny. Crabbe's thicker than Neville, I'm doomed." Said Ron, glumly.

"And I'M stuck with that worm Malfoy! The only good thing that can come from this is Snape has to grade us equally and I doubt he'd fail Draco."

"Well I'm bound to fail. I think the only person Snape hates more than me is Neville." Said Harry as he pulled up some grass and sprinkled it while the wind carried it away.

"I still think I pulled the shortest straw. Crabbe is as thick as two short planks. I'm DOOMED!" Said Ron and he put his head in his hands.

"So Hermione, have you organized a time to meet with Malfoy to plan you approach to the project?" Asked Harry, unable to hide his smirk.

"Yes actually, I told him to meet me in the library after dinner at 6:30 tonight. I'll make it short and sweet. I'll tell him what he has to do, what I'm doing, and hopefully we won't have to speak too much after that." Said Hermione in a distinguished tone.

"Well," Said Ron looking at his watch "You better get going, it's 6:20 now!"

"Oh gosh, you're right, see you in the common room later, k?" Said Hermione as she got up and dashed away.
"Don't worry! We'll want to hear every detail! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Called Ron after her.