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Recap:

"Ok so tomorrow is going to be Day 1 of 56 to go…good luck mate" Blaise said. Draco just rolled his eyes and pondered his plan of action.

"Oh this wicked game we are about to play" Draco smirked.

Chapter 2: Self-Esteem

The alarm went off at 6:00am right on the dot. The buzzing sound of a constant alarm kept ringing through the air. Hermione groggily reached over to find the off button. After a couple of failed attempts she managed to press the button to turn off the annoying noise. Hermione rose out of bed and pulled the hair away from her face. Her bushy hair was always a mission in the morning. She walked to the bathroom and began her daily routine. She showered, brushed out the majority of her tangled hair to make it look presentable. Her hair was a light auburn color that made its way down to the middle of her back. She was about a petite 5'3 and a slim figure with just plain brown eyes. She always thought of herself as a plain Jane. Even though she assisted with defeating the dark lord and she was the smartest witch of her age, it still wasn't enough to get boys to notice her. It bothered Hermione somewhat as she was brushing her teeth, but she figured she would focus on her last month's here at Hogwarts, graduate at top of her class, and get a decent job at the ministry. So she shrugged the thought of ever dating or any boy noticing her anytime soon. As she finished with the bathroom, she got dressed in her school attire. It was 7am; Hermione knew she had enough time to enjoy a good breakfast since class started at 8am. Hermione got her backpack and made her way out the portrait entry way.

As she entered the Great Hall there were only a couple of students present, she was always there early. She expected the boys to stroll in 15 minutes before class started to scarf whatever they could down as fast as they could. Hermione took her seat at the Gryffindor table and pulled out "Hogwarts, A History" and began reading while sipping on some pumpkin juice. About only 5 minutes into reading, Hermione felt someone staring at her. She looked up from her book and saw Draco Malfoy staring right at her from across the table. Hermione was taken back a little and was waiting for what he wanted.

"Granger do you happen to have the notes for Charms class? It's my next class and I'm not sure about the material, I was wondering if I could look over your notes because I know they would be precise" Draco asked politely.

Hermione just sat there staring at him, too shocked for words. She couldn't believe that 1. Draco came over and talked to her 2. Asked something of her to borrow 3. Was polite, all this at once was overwhelming for her.

"Um…are you talking to me?" Hermione asked. Hermione smacked herself mentally of all the witty comebacks you said that.

"Yes you are the only Granger here, I would really appreciate it" Draco said sincerely. Hermione hesitated for another minute but then reached into her backpack and took out the notes. She handed them across the table to Malfoy.

"Please have them back to me by lunch Malfoy" Hermione said sternly. Draco just nodded and took the notes from Hermione.

"Well, see you in Herbology Granger" Draco bent his head slightly and left to the Slytherin table.

Hermione just stared at the back of his cloak before she was brought back to reality by the boys coming towards the table. They both stared at Malfoy and then back to Hermione. Harry and Ron sat across from Hermione and began to eat their food.

"What did Malfoy want?" Ron asked accusingly. Hermione looked up from her book at the boys.

"He asked to borrow my charms notes, so I gave it to him with instructions to bring them back by lunch time" Hermione said calmly.

Ron's ears immediately started turning red. Harry looked over at Ron and then back at Hermione.

"Why would Malfoy ask you of people to borrow notes from?" Harry asked. Ron decided to occupy his mouth with a muffin instead of yelling curse words towards Hermione.

"Well it would make sense, I am the top student in the class with him being second" Hermione said matter of factly. Hermione looked from Harry then to Ron.

"Of course Hermione, everything has to have a logical explanation right?" Ron said sarcastically. Hermione just rolled her eyes in annoyance and went back to her book. Harry gave Ron the evil look of stop talking and went back to their breakfast.

"Alright boys well I have a test in Ancient Runes today, so I want to get to class early" Hermione said packing her things.

"We have a test this morning too in Divination class, all I need to write is how Harry is still going to die of some outrageous death and I will pass" Ron said. Harry just shook his head in disappointment and Hermione started laughing.

"You would think after everything I would be able to live, but no, according to that whack job I am destined to die a painful death" Harry said.

"Oh cheer up Harry, look at the bright side, Divination is the only class you don't need my help in" Hermione said as she walked away.

"HEY!" both Harry and Ron yelled together. But it was too late Hermione already exited out of the Great Hall.

Hermione walked down the hallway towards the Ancient Runes classroom preparing herself mentally for the test. As she was walking, she passes by some other girls in her year. She didn't really know them and kept walking towards the class but she could hear what they were whispering.

"Oh my look at the train wreck"

"How do Potter and Weasley stand being around her?"

"Does she even care about how she looks?"

Hermione was strong to not show emotion in front of them but as soon as she rounded the corner she tried to control her breathing before she broke out in tears. What girls say about other girls is hurtful. Hermione kept telling herself that she was better than this, she was Hermione Granger, the dark lord couldn't break her but a bunch of silly girls can? Nonsense! Hermione had a higher self-esteem then that. That shook Hermione out of her slump and she walked with her head held high to class.

"So had some friendly conversation I see?" Blaise asked Draco. Draco threw the notes into his backpack and sat down to eat his breakfast.

"Phase 1 completed" Draco said as he pushed a fork full of eggs into his mouth. Blaise just sipped on his Pumpkin juice and continued to stare at Draco. Blaise was very curious to see how the whole bet was going to play out in the end.

"And what exactly was phase 1?" Blaise asked questioningly. Draco shook his finger back and forth.

"Oh no dear friend, I am not going to reveal my secrets just yet, after I win then I will" Draco said egotistically.

Draco and Blaise got up and walked to their first class, Charms.

A/N: Please review! thank you!