Hermione woke up when her alarm rang, the one she had charmed to work on magic and not electricity. She had come up with the idea herself, and maybe one day she could even charm computers to do the same. That would definitely change the Wizarding World. She crawled from beneath the thick red comforter and went to the bathroom, glad to find Zabini still asleep. She quickly brushed her teeth, and then surveyed the bathroom, which she hadn't gotten to do before due to her frustration with Zabini and Malfoy. There was a shower and a bath tub much like the one in the prefects bathroom, accept smaller. The room was a pristine white, with marble counter top and gold and silver faucets. Hermione hurried into the shower hoping her luck would continue and that Zabini wouldn't get up for a while. She was happy to find that her luck continued when she got out, until the door knob turned and the bathroom door opened. Hermione grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself quickly. Still it didn't provide as much covering as she wanted. Zabini stared at her for a moment before smirking, looking incredibly annoying with his black hair tousled and his chest inappropriately exposed. Accept this time he was only wearing boxers.

"Decided to take up my offer Granger?" Hermione ignored him grabbing her belongings from the counter top and going into her room. She dressed and prepared for school, combing her still wild hair, even though Sleaksy's did get rid of the majority of the frizz. Once she was ready she went down stairs only to find Zabini and Malfoy lounging on the silver couch. Zabini raked his gaze up her body obviously recalling the image from earlier. Hermione flushed with embarrassment, and Malfoy snickered. Hermione grabbed her Herbology book off the table and walked toward the portrait hole.

"What Granger not going to walk to the Great Hall with us? I'm hurt." Zabini said sarcastically. Hermione ignored him and walked out, met up with Ginny and headed to the Great Hall.

Her first class was potions with the Slytherins. She sat with Neville, and that was when it hit her that Harry and Ron wouldn't be there. The thought was depressing. Slughorn bumbled out and taught his lesson, which she knew already of course. He played favorites as always and Hermione had finished their potion early and it was perfect, even though she had worked with Neville. She passed through most of her classes easily, her mind hardly there for the most of the time. She spent lunch in the library researching everything she could find on the founders, and checked out a significant amount of books. She found the only class she was curious about, and excited for was Defense Against the Dark Arts. She was early so she sat at an empty table in the middle of the room stacking the library books on the table carefully. She continued reading one of the books in search of anything that might have belonged to the founders. The class filed in, and was the only mixed class they had of the day. There were people from every house in the room. Dean Thomas had sat next to her and she waited for class to start. The door opened and Professor Valski entered, his cloak billowing behind him reminding Hermione sharply of Severus Snape.

"I would recommend that all of you stand because I will be assigning seats for this class. Each of you will be partners with a member from another house this year in Defense Against the Dark Arts." There were groans all around, but Hermione hoped desperately she wouldn't be paired with a Slytherin. It would put the cherry on her already crummy day. Week if she wanted to be more general. Knowing her luck however, she would probably be paired with Malfoy or Zabini, who happened to be in her class. Or worse, Parkinson.

"Padma Patil, Lavender Brown," Hermione automatically crossed her fingers for luck even though she knew it was a simple muggle superstition.

"Pansy Parkinson, Hannah Abbott," Hermione sent Hannah a sympathetic look as she trudged over to sit behind Lavender and next to pug faced Parkinson.

"Anthony Goldstein, Justin Finch-Fletchy,"

"Theodore Nott, Susan Bones."

"Terry Boot, Neville Longbottom."

"Draco Malfoy-" Hermione squeezed her eyes shut "- and Seamus Finnigan"

"Hermione Granger, Zacharias Smith." Hermione solemnly walked over to her seat nodding to the haughty Zacharias.

"Blaise Zabini, Dean Thomas." Hermione stacked her books on her desk and started counting to ten. Sitting between Malfoy Zabini and Smith was going to be difficult and she knew it. She sat down and started reading for only a few minutes before something poked at her cheek. It was a charmed piece of paper in the shape of an owl. She opened the note.

Granger,

Can't you keep your nose out a book for one second?

-Zabini

P.S. I hope we have a repeat of this morning

Hermione glared at Zabini who was smirking as he lounged in his chair, and crumpled the paper, tossing it aside. Professor Valski finished giving seat assignments and went to the board. Hermione looked up attentively and then noticed the slight movement of Valski's wand and automatically set up a block. However some students didn't notice at all and the jinx took them, turning their faces green. Only Hermione, Blaise, Malfoy, Zacharias, and surprisingly Neville were unaffected.

"Well, I see that some of you are prepared for the rigors of this class. Would anyone like to explain why some of your faces are green and some are not?" Hermione's hand shot up automatically.

"Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded. "Well go ahead." He said his American accent apparent.

"You sent a non-verbal jinx that turned faces green, Sir."

"And would you care to explain why your face is not green?" he asked.

"Because your body language and eye contact indicated you were about to perform a spell, and you slipped your wand into your hand. So, I cast a non-verbal Protego."

"Very Good Miss Granger 10 points to Gryffindor for Miss Granger's answer, 5 points for each person whose face is not green." He cast the counter charm and everyone's face returned to normal. Hermione smiled at Neville nodding her encouragement and his face glowed with pride. Malfoy leaned back in his chair.

"Already over Potty and Weasel, Granger? Moved on to Longbottom I see."

"Shut it, ferret." Hermione replied. Malfoy shrugged.

"Touchy about relationships Granger? I understand, not everyone can get someone decent like me." Hermione snorted and was about to reply when Valski instructed them to practice non-verbal Protego.

"I think we've established we both know this well, Hermione. You know with DA and all. Do you think that it might be possible to begin that again?" Zacharias said. Hermione almost choked when he used her first name. He had only shown contempt to her before, and he never seemed to really enjoy DA.

"Harry's not here this year Zacharias, we don't have anyone to run things." He shrugged.

"Who needs Potter? I always though you were a better witch anyway. You could run it." Hermione smiled. He was actually being nice. But she did notice the way he said Potter in reference to Harry.

"I've already said this before, Zacharias, I may know the material, but I don't have the practical experience, but if someone who does would volunteer, maybe-"

"But until then I think you should run them. You were at the Department of Mysteries, you were there the night… you know the night. You've fought Death Eaters. Not as many times as Potter, but you're the best we have. It could be a study club now that we have an adequate teacher. So we can have extra practice and all." Hermione nodded.

"I'll think about it." Class ended and Hermione left for Arithmacy.

They sat at the table eating, Hermione between Ginny and Neville.

"So Hermione, what do you think of the new DADA teacher?" Lavender said, as bubbly as usual.

"I think he will be a better teacher than some of the ones we've had." Parvati giggled.

"I think he's soooo cute. Don't you agree Lav?" Lavender nodded in earnest. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"He is quite a piece of eye candy," Ginny put it. Hermione turned to her friend shocked.

"Gin! You too?" Ginny shrugged. Neville at this point was blushing furiously and had scooted down to join a conversation with Dean and Seamus about DADA.

"Hermione you have to admit he's attractive." Lavender stated right before Luna Lovegood's voice floated over.

"Who? The new DADA teacher?" she said dreamily sitting next to Hermione.

"Luna, shouldn't you be with the Ravenclaws?" Hermione inquired.

"Not necessarily. They are boring. I think there are too many Fizzletacks flying around in Ravenclaw tower." She said staring into the distance. None of them knew what Fizzletacks were, but none of them asked. They were used Luna's rants by now.

"C'mmon Hermione you have to admit he's attractive" Parvati prodded. Hermione shrugged.

"He's not ugly."

"Granger, I'm flattered. Glad to know that you find me extremely attractive." Zabini's lilting voice said from behind her. Hermione groaned. Lavender and Parvati giggled.

"What do you want Zabini?" Hermione replied not turning around.

"Head duties, Granger. Meet me in the common room in an hour." Hermione nodded still not turning around and she heard Zabini disappear. She decided to get some research done in the library, seeing as she had already completed her homework. Hauling her books to the library she sat at an empty table. She began reading a biography of Godric Gryffindor, taking notes of anything that might have been connected to horcruxes.

"Hermione." Hermione looked up to see Zacharias Smith.

"Yes?"

"Have you thought about what I said?"

"A bit. I'll ask the previous DA members and see what the interest level is and if its high, then we'll start again." Zacharias nodded and sat opening his own book and starting a paper for Herbology that wasn't due for another week. It was so unlike what Harry or Ron would do that she couldn't help but comment.

"You're starting now?"

"Of course," was his response, and surprisingly Zacharias Smith turned out to be a nice person when he wasn't being a snob.

An hour later she took her leave and made her way to the common room with her load of books that Zacharias had even offered to help her with. Once in she sat the books on the table. Completely startled when someone spoke from behind her.

"If you want more information about the Founders you should try asking Blaise. His family library is very extensive. I'd offer Malfoy Manor's Granger, but it is occupied by a colorful group of people." Malfoy said. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"Why?" They both knew what it meant.

"I'm on your side, Granger, whether you like it or not."

"And Zabini?" Malfoy's expression changed suddenly.

"He's neutral. So is his family. You can ask him for academic help, but don't bring him into the war Granger." He said seriously. Hermione wondered at his words and shrugged and sat on the couch waiting for Zabini. Malfoy sat ironically in the red chair and did homework. Zabini came in moments later.

"What did you want Zabini? Other than irking me to no end?"

"You were the one who was talking about me." He retorted to Hermione. She rolled her eyes.

"You are so egotistical. We were not discussing you or your looks."

"What Blaise, did you hear Granger say she thought you were hot?" Malfoy asked smugly.

"No, Lavender asked me if I found someone attractive, and I said they weren't ugly."

"Was that person Blaise?" Malfoy asked. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"No you imbecile."

"Was it Longbottom?" Hermione threw a pillow at him, but she found it wasn't with a malicious intent.

"Longbottom? Why did you think Longbottom?" Blaise asked confused.

"Didn't you see them make lovey dovey eyes at each other earlier in Defense? I thought I would puke." Malfoy said making a mock disgusting look.

"No it was not Neville, and Neville and I are not interested in each other." Hermione said.

"It wasn't Draco then was it?" Blaise asked.

"No. It doesn't matter who it was." Hermione said a bit annoyed.

"On the contrary. If it wasn't important, you would tell us." Blaise retorted. Hermione sighed exasperated.

"They asked me if I thought our new Professor was attractive, and I said he wasn't ugly."

Blaise chuckled.

"So you're into blonds?" he asked raising an elegant brow.

"I'm into no one." Hermione shot back.

"Granger, you are a prude," Malfoy said smugly.

"I- ugh! Zabini what did you want?"

"Tsk, tsk Granger, it's our turn to patrol." Blaise said splaying himself on the sofa.

"Then let's get it over with. Malfoy, I guess you can take your leave."

"Why?" Malfoy responded haughtily, lounging back in the red armchair.

"To go back to your dorm. It's almost curfew, and you very well can't expect to stay here all night." Malfoy and Zabini glanced at each other quickly, and shared a look, which Hermione had completely noticed. They had a secret huh? Well two- three could play that game. She ignored it.

"So, logically if you don't want a detention, you'll leave for the Slytherin dorms." He smirked at her.

"I'm going on patrol with you." He replied.

"You most certainly are not." Hermione said stubbornly, "it's not your turn to patrol."

"So? I'm just doing an extra duty to the school. It shows my commitment. You should take note Granger."

"More like an extra pain in my arse." Hermione muttered, storming toward the portrait hole. She was going to get her rounds done as quickly as possible.

"What was that Granger? You really like my arse?" Zabini called after her. The only answer he got was the slamming of the portrait.

"Do you think she knows about you know?" Blaise asked Draco suspiciously. He snorted.

"For all the bloody brains Granger's got, I'm pretty sure she won't even suspect."

Hmmmm… what does Hermione have to suspect? A good question indeed.

And I hate to be repetitive but REVIEW!!!!! Even if you hate it. I'd like to know why.