-'You're in a hurry or something ?' asked Draco putting on his tie.
-'Let's go to the common room. I need to get you as far as possible from Granger'
-'Blaise, you're joking ? We're just playing a game and it won't last long'
-'Let me doubt, mate'
-'Never doubt of a Malfoy'
-'You're ridiculous' sighed Zabini.
The next morning, Ron and Harry were still copying Malfoy's notes and Hermione was growing impatient.
-'I'm going to the Great Hall. You'll give him his notes back yourselves'
-'But Hermione -' they said.
-'You had plenty of time to copy it yesterday evening like I did. See you later' she said before leaving.
-'Well, we'll give him back at lunch ?' asked Harry.
-'We ? Can't you do it alone ?'
-'What ? We're both using it. You're not going to leave me alone'
-'Okay. So at lunch ?'
-'Yes'
-'Quickly then'
-'You're that eager to eat ?'
-'No, it's just that I said Parvati that I'd eat with her'
Harry raised an eyebrow and smiled. Ron blushed up to his ears and muttered something.
-'What was that ?' asked Harry.
-'I said shut up'
-'But I hadn't say anything, mate'
-'It was in case you were going to say something'
-'You remember that- '
-'I knew you'd say something !'
-' -you went to the Yule Ball with her sister ?'
-'Do you think I'm senile ? Of course I remember and Padma hated every minute of it'
-'Don't you think it's weird to go out with her twin ?'
-'We're not going out !'
-'Yet'
Ron sighed.
-'If you tell it to Ginny I'll kill you'
-'I won't, I swear' chuckled Harry.
At the same time, Hermione arrived at the doors of the Great Hall.
-'Granger, wait !'
She turned around to see Malfoy out of breath.
-'Did you run ?'
-'My History of Magic notes'
-'You could make a proper sentence and add please'
-'Granger'
She folded her arms. Draco sighed and rolled his eyes. He wasn't going to argue this early in the morning.
-'Can you give me my notes back ? Please ?'
-'Well, actually I lent them to Harry and Ron. They always use my notes and since I can only use yours for a whole month. You should be more careful next time you give me a dare'
She left him alone in front of the doors and he swore out loud at least a thousand time in front of a group of innocent first years.
Ugh what have I done wondered Draco. Yes, he was annoying Granger but it greatly bothered him that Potter and Weasley were using his work and doing nothing. How unfair. He went to the Slytherin table and tried to forget it.
Next time he saw Hermione it was in the library. They both had free time before lunch. He had a Potion essay to do for Slughorn. He was searching for informations in a book when he noticed that she was looking at him. He gave her a confused glance and after some time she came sit next to him.
-'Truth or dare ?'
-'All that staring for this. Dare of course'
-'Go flirt with that Slytherin girl'
-'Are you aware that Astoria has a thing for me ?'
-'Not at all' she said smiling.
-'I'll have vengeance, Granger' he sighed.
She watched him walking up to the younger girl. He had no idea what he was going to say to her.
-'Astoria, what are you doing ?'
It was a dumb question thought Draco but no other question had popped in his head.
The girl looked up at him and her cheeks reddened.
-'Some homework'
He sat next to her.
-'You want help ?' he asked looking into her eyes.
She looked away and giggled nervously.
-'Yes it'd be very nice of you. I'm so bad at Transfiguration'
Was he really going to help her do a Transfiguration essay ? Certainly not. He hated Transfiguration and he remembered nothing from his Transfiguration classes from two years ago. He needed to find a smooth way to leave her alone. He placed his hand on hers and that made her smile.
-'Perhaps I'll help you another time. I just remembered that Zabini wanted to see me for... For something'
Not a very smooth way but it'll work anyway. She looked a bit disappointed.
-'Well, good luck. See you later, Astoria'
-'Bye, Draco'
He went back to his seat and took his bag.
-'I expected better from you' said Hermione.
-'Why would I bother flirting with her ? I could breathe next to her and have the same result'
-'True but the dare was to flirt with her. So I won'
-'Come on. Wasn't that enough ?'
He sat next to her as close as he had sat next to Astoria. He looked into her brown eyes and took both her hands in his.
-'Wasn't that enough, Granger ?'
For once, she stayed silent. When they realized what they were doing they let go of each other's hands. They both looked around to make sure no one had seen them.
Hermione went back to work while Draco was taking his stuff. He left the library and looked at his watch. It was almost lunch time, maybe Goyle was already eating at the Great Hall.
On his way, Draco started overthinking. Maybe this game shouldn't have gotten out of the Gryffindor common room. Maybe Blaise was right, maybe he shouldn't spend too much time with Granger. Well he didn't spend that much time with her. It was just a few minutes, never more than an hour per day. They weren't even friends. Well maybe they were friends, he didn't really know.
Sudenly he met Ginny who was followed by the Patil twins.
-'Malfoy, you're coming from the library ? Did you see Hermione there ?'
Draco took a step back. He had never see the youngest Weasley that... Determined ?
-'Yes, why ?'
-'Its too long to explain' sighed Parvati.
-'And it's none of your business anyway'
-'Well, if it's none of my business don't come ask me questions, Weasley'
-'Come on, Malfoy. Don't take it personally and I only asked two questions' said Ginny.
-'It's just that Parvati don't want a lot of people to know'
-'Padma ! You're not helping by saying that ! whined Parvati.
The twins started shouting at each other and the redhead sighed loudly.
-'If you don't calm down now, I'll hex both of you !'
-'If I were you' whispered Draco 'I'd do as she said'
Malfoy had seen the young witch in rage once and he had to admit it, she could be scary.
The two sisters finally stopped yelling but they were obviously still angry.
-'Well, see you later, Malfoy' said Ginny.
