Hermione shuffled down the hallway, her arms clamped around a stack of thick, dusty books. The result of a successful trip to the library. Her bushy, brown hair was haphazardly thrown into a bun, in its usual state of disarray. It was suppertime and only a few students lingered in the hallways. She preferred to spend this time by herself, showing up at the end of dinner to grab a few rolls to scarf down quickly.

Unable to wait even the short walk to the common room in Gryffindor Tower, she cracked open the top book and began skimming the contents. It was times like this when she was happiest, lost in her books. It wasn't that her real life was horrible. She had two wonderful friends, top marks, she was a witch for Christ's sake... but it was all familiar and the same. Now in her sixth year at Hogwarts, everything was as it had been since she was eleven.

With her nose merely inches from the page, it wasn't too surprising when she collided with an unsuspecting student. Her books tumbled to the floor, clamoring loudly and echoing down the long hallways. "So sorry!" She yelped, scrambling to gather her belongings back.

Her bewildered victim crouched down to help her pick up her things, not saying a word. She glanced up in surprise to see that it was Draco Malfoy helping her with her books. He didn't speak to her. Once her books were collected again, he stood up and walked away from her, leaving her dazed and slightly confused.

Pushing the rambling thoughts out of her head, she walked the rest of the way to the tower, waiting until she had arrived to open her book again.

She didn't think of her encounter with Draco Malfoy again for the next few days. She read her books and returned them to the library, exchanging them for some new reads. However, she had another odd encounter with the former enemy in their Potions class near the end of the week.

Hermione had arrived early, as usual, saving a seat for Harry and Ron near the back of the dreary dungeon. Normally, Hermione preferred to sit front and center during her lessons, however this was not the case with Potions, under the watchful eye of the ever cruel Severus Snape.

Hermione busied herself by pulling out her cauldron and ingredients, carefully arranging them neatly and orderly on the table before her. She did not notice the other student who had arrived early, until she felt his presence hovering above her. Glancing up she was shocked to see, once more, the foggy gray eyes of Draco Malfoy.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked, referring to the empty chair next to hers.

"Well, as there isn't anyone else in the classroom, no;" she answered him.

He took his seat next to her as if it were an everyday occurrence and he too began to unpack his belongings. Hermione looked to her right every now and then, but he seemed completely unaware of anything other than the powdered wings and roots before him.

Soon, the other students arrived in a giant wave, making there way in hurriedly before the final bell could ring. Harry and Ron took the two seats to her left, staring frankly at her and her neighbor, at times muttering between them. She felt her face grow warm, embarrassed and angered to be left out of their whisperings.

Snape walked briskly into the classroom at the precise moment the bell rang, his robes billowing behind him. The door slammed shut with a foreboding clang and he began to write instructions on the chalkboard. The room was silent, save the slight scratching of the chalk on the board. When he was finished, he simply said "Begin," and sat down at his desk, scrawling angrily over their essays.

Hermione worked precisely and diligently, following the directions perfectly. She became entranced by her work, as she often was. Soon she was lost in the gently simmering liquid and the rhythmic chopping of her ingredients. She almost didn't hear him when he began to speak.

He wasn't looking at her, but she knew whatever he'd just asked, he'd said to her.

"Pardon?"

He sighed and glanced in her direction. "Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me tomorrow?" He mumbled.

Hermione had never really dated, and she was flustered. She was so inexperienced, completely clueless on how to handle the situations. So, she simply said the only word that popped into her head.

"Yes."