Thanks for all of the alerts! I am glad that people are enjoying my story. Here is my next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
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One week went by, and then it was Saturday once again. The sixth years were sulking during breakfast in anticipation for their appending doom of a health class.
Hermione was fiercely studying for their test today during breakfast.
"How are you even studying? There is barely any material," Ron managed to say with a glob of food in his mouth.
"Please don't talk and eat at the same time, its disgusting. I just made sure I did a little more research on everything to fully understand it. I made a chart actually of the differences and similarities of muggle birth control ways and wizards."
"What is a condom?" asked Ron looking at her paper.
"A condom is a sort of covering for the penis in order for no sperm to enter the women during intercourse," replied Hermione.
Ron made a disgruntled face, and said "I would take that berry thorn thingy over a condom any day."
Hermione not wanting to further delve into that conversation turned back to her work.
"Me too mate," said Harry to Ron.
After they finished breakfast they went to their sec on health class of the year.
Harry and Ron departed from Hermione as they went to get to the front.
Hermione was surprised when she reached her seat that Malfoy was already there. He never struck her as a person who comes early to class. Draco sat there stoically and eyes staring off. Just as he had been last time. Hermione thought back through out the years of Draco's behavior. None of it seemed as impassive as he was now. Possibly it was because his dad is in Azkaban, so he can't go blabbing his mouth like he normally does.
"It's impolite to stare, Granger," said Draco.
"I just was thinking. I hadn't realized I was staring at you," said Hermione turning to face the front.
"Right," said Draco with a snide smirk.
Before Hermione could defend herself Professor Mcgonagall said "Now, you will all be taking the test on last class materials, going over a few more topics and then we have your first assignment due next class."
"You will have 45 minutes to complete the test," said Mcgonagall flicking her wand at a stack of papers, which was sent out to all of the students.
"Ready begin," said Mcgonagall.
The students flipped over their test and began answering the questions.
Hermione was vigorously scribbling down the answers as fast as her hand would let her. This irritated Malfoy immensely.
"Please stop with the scraping of your quill. I can't think with the amount of noise you are making," whispered Malfoy to Granger.
"Fine. I'll try to write quieter, but don't ever talk to me during a test again. I don't want to get in trouble."
Just then Professor Mcgonagall grabbed both of their test and burned them with a switch of her wand.
"You both ought to no better. There is absolutely no tolerance for talking during a test." Then Mcgonagall turned on her heel and went back to the front of the test.
"That is exactly what I meant," huffed Hermione.
"It's not my fault you write incoherently loud," he hissed back.
Not wanting to draw any more attention to themselves Hermione chose not to retort back.
While everyone was taking the test Malfoy had gone back to his odd staring and Hermione started working on her potions essay that was due this coming Wednesday.
Once the students were done taking the test the they were sent over to Flitwick and Sprout to be graded.
"Now today we will be going over different types of sexually transmitted diseases, muggle and wizard alike."
Hermione took out a roll of parchment and began to take notes during Mcgonagal's lecture. She did not write with as much vigor as she had been during the test, because that had led to it burning into oblivion.
The lecture went on and on and on. A majority of the class was asleep, and the ones who weren't were struggling to keep there eyes open, Hermione include.
"Your assignment for the next two weeks is to create a dialogue with your partner using one of these diseases. One partner will show the symptoms and the other one will diagnose them."
Those who were awake shook the people who weren't and explained what Mcgonagal said.
"Class dismissed," rang Mcgonagall's voice
Malfoy strode briskly out the door before everyone else. Hermione stuffed her things in her bag as quickly as she could, so she would be able to catch Malfoy to make plans for their assignment.
As soon as she got out Malfoy was no where in sight. It seemed useless to run around the school to try and find him. She would just have to corner him after lunch or dinner. Hermione decided to wait outside of the class for Harry and Ron.
Once both of them came out Harry asked, "What happened in class with you and Malfoy today?"
"Apparently I was writing to loudly. Malfoy complained, I replied, and Mcgonagal burned our papers for talking."
"You know as much as I hate that ferret he is right about your writing, Hermione," said Ron.
"I know, I know. I just get so caught up in the excitement of things that I forget silly things like that."
Ron's stomach grumbled, "C'mon lets go to lunch I am starved.
"What are you two doing for your project?" inquired Hermione, as they made their way to the Great Hall.
"We just got the assignment a few minutes ago. Do you honestly think we have an idea already," said Ron annoyed.
"Its not that hard to choose a STD, Ronald."
"If you are so smart then what are you doing your's on," asked Ron sitting down and piling food on his plate.
"I am not sure. I was not able to talk to Malfoy. He was out the door before I got the chance to say anything. I swear Malfoy will be the death of me for this class. My grade is going to drop so significantly I might only be able to get it up to and exceeds expectations."
"Heaven forbid that from happening," muttered Ron.
"What did you say?" snapped Hermione.
"Just lay off, Hermione. I can only stand so much bickering from you two. You should go talk to Mcgonagall. I bet if you could work something out with her," said Harry.
"I was thinking about doing that, but she just seemed so upset. I guess there is no harm in trying. I will go talk to her after lunch. But before then I really need to find Malfoy to schedule a time to work on our assignment," said Hermione scanning the Slytherin table for him. She could not find him.
"I really don't think you should be alone with him, Hermione. I am telling you he could be really dangerous," said Harry.
"Not this again," said Ron rolling his eyes.
"I know you think that he is a death eater, but I don't believe it. Like Ron said earlier no way would Voldemort would make a kid a death eater."
"We aren't really kids anymore. Death Eater or not he is still bad. Please just be careful, and always on guard," said Harry.
"Okay I see your point. Oh here come Mcgonagall I am going to go asks her about my grade," said Hermione scurrying off towards Mcgonagall.
"Hello, Professor I just wanted to apologize what happen in class. I would have never talked during a test but Malfoy asked that I would write quieter, and I replied that I would and to not talk to me again during class," explained Hermione.
"It still does not excuse your behavior," replied Mcgonagall.
"I know that. I came over to apologize and see if there is anyway I could make up the points," said Hermione desperately.
"I suppose there is something you can do but you will only get partial credit back."
"Partial is better than none. What can I do?"
"You and Mr. Malfoy can memorize your script and perform it in front of the class. I believe you too would be able to make a fine example, especially since you to are the brightest in the class."
Hermione was astonished that her and Malfoy were on the same level of intelligence.
"Yes. We should be able to put something together. Thank you for this opportunity Professor." said Hermione grudgingly. This project was going to be ten times harder than it originally was.
"Your very welcome. Now I must eat. I am famished. I hope the rest of your day goes well Miss Granger."
"Thanks. You too, Professor," Hermione replied walking off.
Hermione walked back over to where Ron and Harry were sitting.
"What did Mcgonagall say?" asked Harry.
"She said if Malfoy and I memorized our project and performed it in front of the class that we could get some of our points back."
"I would like to see that," laughed Ron.
"It might not even happen. I need to talk to Malfoy first. Speaking of him I am going to go try and find him now.I don't think I can wait to catch him after dinner," said Hermione.
"Okay, but please be careful," pleaded Harry.
"To think you both call me out on my nagging. Harry, I will be fine. You don't seem to have much confidence in me. It's insulting,"said Hermione walking off frustrated.
Hermione roamed the halls trying to think of all of the possible places Malfoy could be. Finally after putting some thought into it she went down to look around the dungeons its where most of the Slytherins always seem to be. As she passed Snape's class she heard voices. Being snoopier than usual she decided to listen.
Although she was against most of the Weasley twins products, she always had the extendable hears on her. She withdrew them out of her bag, and listened in to the conversation.
"How is your mission going," said a voice Hermione recognized as Snape's.
"Fine," said a voice none other than Draco Malfoy.
Hermione gaped Harry must have been right about Malfoy the whole time. But Hermione didn't want too make any rash judgements for all she knew Draco was a spy for the Order as well.
"You can come to me if you need help," said Snape.
"I am fine on my own thanks. But if you really want to help me with something you can get me a new partner for that dumb health class."
"Sorry there is nothing I can do about that. They bounded everyone as partners there is no changing it."
"You'll help me kill Dumbledore but you won't figure out a spell to undo a partnership for a class. What a load of help you are," said Draco who got up and was walking towards the door. Hermione stood there frozen.
"I made an unbreakable vow to your mother to protect you not baby you."
Malfoy did not reply. When he came out into the hall t was deserted.
Hermione had sprinted breathlessly till she reach the headmasters office.
She started to guess all sorts of candy, but the gargoyle did not move.
"Hello Miss Granger," said Dumbledore behind him.
"Headmaster I have something very important to tell you it could be life threatening." All of a sudden Hermione felt a slight pull in her head.
"Well, maybe it would be better if we took this conversation to my office. Red vines," said Dumbledore, then the gargoyle hopped to the side.
Once they got seated in Dumbledore's office Hermione blurted out, "Draco Malfoy is going to try to kill you and Snape is helping him."
Shockingly to Hermione Dumbledore seemed unfazed.
Dumbledore sighed. "I didn't want it to come to this." Dumbledore then drew his wand.
"W-what are you going to do to me?" stuttered Hermione.
"I was just going to get us some tea," said Dumbledore swishing his wand.
Suddenly a pot of tea, milk, sugar, and cups came zooming there way.
"We have a long discussion so I thought we might want to enjoy it, and tea will calm your nerves," said Dumbledore pouring her a cup and handing it to her.
She put in a dash of milk and two cubes of sugar. Dumbledore on the other hand had gotten no milk and a handful of sugar for his tea.
"Before I disclose anything I must know when did you learn occulmency. You seemed to have mastered it."
"I thought I felt something back there," she exclaimed.
"My apologies that was very unprofessional of me. So how did you learn?"
"When you had Harry start staying it I thought I should as well. It seems like a very important skill to have. So I studied and practiced every night. Although I have never had anyone test it. Now I know that I have achieved it."
Dumbledore nodded.
"Could you please explain now how you are so calm about the idea of being murdered."
"You see Miss Granger I am already dying," he said holding up his hand. "The poison has been somewhat postponed but it will take over my system in about a year and I will die."
Hermione's eyes started to water.
"There is no need to be sad. I did this upon myself, and I am an old man with far to many years."
Hermione sniffed in response.
"As for Draco Malfoy, I do not believe he has it in him to kill me. Even if he did I do not want his innocence to be diminished more so than it already is. I had asked Professor Snape to do it for him. That way it saves Mr. Malfoy and makes Snape look as though he really is on Voldemort's side."
"That is brilliant," said Hermione.
"I am not sure I would say that. While I have you here I have something else to tell you. The pairings in the new Health Class was no coincidence I paired you all myself. I was hoping you could try to bring out the good in Mr. Malfoy."
"But Headmaster-" Hermione said beginning to protest.
"I have the utmost faith that it is possible and you can do it," said Dumbledore with those twinkling eyes no one can say no to.
"I will try my best, Sir," said Hermione getting up out of her seat.
Before she reached the door Dumbledore said "Good luck, and please do not mention to anyone, Harry and Ron included."
"Yes, Professor," she said walking out the door.
Hermione Granger would soon be facing the toughest challenge yet to come.