Transfiguration Tutoring

Hermione had woken up early this morning, as Professor McGonagall had requested to see her. She wondered what it was about as she walked down the corridors, but as she rounded the corner that led to her office she heard familiar voices inside. She peered through the door that had been left slightly ajar, careful not to make a sound.

"Mr Malfoy you will not be surprised that I'm informing you that your grades are dropping."

"Professor I can-"

"Mr Malfoy you will get your chance to speak in a moment."

Hermione watched as Malfoy reluctantly nodded.

"Now, I am assigning you a tutor for the rest of the year. And I must warn you, if you do not try to put in any effort to your grades, there will be consequences."

Malfoy smirked.

"Quidditch consequences."

Hermione smiled as his grin vanished from his face.

"Who will be my tutor?" He asked.

Hermione had been wondering that herself, who in their right mind would volunteer to tutor him?

"Miss Hermione Granger."

She jumped at the sound of her name thinking that she had been caught eavesdropping, but McGonagall was still looking at Malfoy.

Relief flooded over her only to be replaced with horror. Her? McGonagall had chosen her to tutor Malfoy? Dazed and confused she knocked on the door, desperate to find out more.

"Come in." came McGonagall's voice.

She tentatively stepped inside as Malfoy turned to leave.

"Mr Malfoy I am not quite finished."

He groaned and turned back to face her.

"Miss Granger I have a proposition for you. I would like you to tutor Mr Malfoy and in return-"

"Thank you Professor it's an-" She struggled to find the right word, "interesting opportunity but-"

Malfoy sniggered. She ignored him and carried on.

"But I'm not sure I have enough time for it with all my subjects."

"I understand however, I am willing to offer you extra credit if you agree."

It was tempting she had to admit. She bit her bottom lip comparing the pros and cons; on the one hand she would get extra credit which would help towards her grades but to do that she would have to actually spend time with Malfoy. She glanced quickly at Malfoy who was smirking right back at her. She rolled her eyes and made a split decision.

"I'll do it."

Hermione could think of much better things to be doing with her weekend; like reading or catching up with her homework, but instead she was on her way to the library to study with none other than Malfoy. Why had she got herself into this? She clambered down the stairs, skipping over the trick step (that Neville never seemed to remember was there) and turned down the corridor that lead on to the library. A wave of nausea and dizziness hit her as she neared the library and she started to regret her decision to help him. She knew there was no turning back now though, she had already promised McGonagall.

She pulled herself together, reminding herself that she was in Gryffindor for a reason and then marched into the library.

Draco POV

Draco snapped out of his daydream as Granger slammed her books down on the table and sat on the chair opposite him.

"Feisty." He drawled, catching Madam Pince's piercing gaze.

"Let's just get this over with," she muttered, before opening one of her books.

He smirked and pulled out his own quill and set of books and then returned to what he was doing before she had interrupted, staring blankly into space.

Ten long minutes passed in awkward silence before Granger broke it, "Are you going to just sit there doing nothing?"

Draco glared at her before returning to staring at the bookcases and she continued. "Well it's not like your walnut sized brain can get any smaller," She shrugged.

Malfoy pushed his chair back and leaned over the table towards her. "How dare you insult me, you filthy little mudblood!" He spat furiously.

Her eyes flared up in rage and he watched as she struggled to fight back furious tears. "Shove off ferret!"

Then she turned and strode out of the library. He watched her go and sat back in his chair trying to calm his temper. How dare Granger be rude to him. His grades were never going to improve if they couldn't even last ten minutes in each other's company, without firing insults at one another. He sighed and put his hands in his head, a flicker of guilt passing through him.

Hermione POV

Hermione stepped into the Gryffindor common room and sunk into an armchair by the warm fire. "So how did it go?" Came Harry's voice from behind her.

She turned and gave him a small smile. "It was absolutely awful. But then again, I didn't expect much more than that."

"Malfoy should be grateful that you're actually willing to help him, the ferret." Ron added.

"Well I wouldn't say I'm willing." She sighed, "What have you two been up to anyway?"

Harry hesitated before answering, "I was at Quidditch practice whilst Ron- Ron was spending time with Padma."

Ron's ears turned red as he nervously glanced over to Hermione, waiting for her reaction. She smiled reassuringly. Ron and herself had admitted their feelings for each other last year and had given a relationship between them a go, but it had been uncomfortable and awkward for them both. Since then, they had agreed to return to just being friends, which worked out better for them both and Hermione had moved on from him.

"It sounds like you both had a much better time than me." She yawned. "I'm exhausted, I think I'm going to turn in for the night."

They nodded and she said her goodnights, before dragging her feet up the steps to the girl's dormitory. She sunk into her bed and stared at the top of her four poster bed, dreading her next study session with Malfoy.

A/N: Hi guys! This is my first fanfic and I should get the next chapter up by next Sunday and it will be much longer hopefully. Criticism is welcome, I'd love to know how I can improve so please review.