Author's Note: I do not own anything. Oh well.

Harry

If it was the last thing he did, Harry swore to himself that he would kill Draco Malfoy. He couldn't be sure what he was up to, but there was no way that his motives for trying to befriend Hermione were admirable. Now, he could hardly suppress an angry explosion once he and Ron were back from Potions. Luckily enough, he didn't have to bring it up; Ron was one step ahead of him.

"What do you recon he's playing at?"

"Who," Harry chose to play dumb this time, knowing that this way he could turn the conversation in the direction he wanted it to go.

"Malfoy!"

"Oh, well I suppose he wants me dead, and he means to go through Hermione." Ron looked up at Harry with a slightly amused look.

"I don't think so Harry. I don't think he's really up to something bad this time. The scary thing is," he added as he plopped down on his bed and spread out his homework unhappily," that he looks way too genuine. He didn't even look like he was trying to be nice. It's like it came naturally to him."

"Yeah, I noticed." He didn't add the part where he broke his quill and spilled ink everywhere. If Ron had noticed, he didn't seem to recognize why Harry reacted the way he did. For this, he was grateful. He thought he knew how Ron felt about Hermione, by now, even if he had been seeing Luna for a few months and seemed to like her a lot. The problem was, he felt just about the same way Ron had used to. He would do anything for her, he knew he'd go above and beyond just to see her captivating smile, and sometimes he couldn't believe how pretty she was. And even if Ron was really over her, it probably wouldn't go over well if Harry told him how he felt.

The thing was, if Malfoy was toeing his way into her life, then he would just have to put his foot down. He'd make sure that it was clear to the slimy Slytherin that Hermione was his, and no one else could have her. Harry just hoped it wouldn't need to happen that way.

It was clear, however, as he glance over at the Marauder's Map that Malfoy was certainly up to something. He appeared to be pacing furiously around his room, probably scheming his plans for World Domination. Ron snickered.

"What?"

"World Domination? Malfoy?"

Harry finally realized he had been muttering loudly to himself, and that Ron had managed to pay attention. "Oh...yeah..." he laughed nervously, "er, just ignore that, Ron."

"Are you alright, mate? I know you've been obsessing lately, maybe more than usual. I doubt Malfoy's going to do anything, besides, if you think about it, there's nothing he could want here. Maybe Hermione's right, maybe he's changing."

"She said that?"

"Yeah. She recons he's just trying to make amends. He's been nice to her lately. Come to think of it, he hasn't insulted her in weeks. Weird, huh?"

Harry was already thinking over the past few weeks. "Oh, yeah...that is kind of weird, Ron."

"It's probably nothing. Figured he'd run out of steam eventually." With that, the conversation was clearly over, as Ron turned back to his work with a sigh, and dug into a pile of chocolates for moral support. But Harry didn't want to do his homework now, not while his mind was only focused on Malfoy. He wanted to know what brought him back to Hogwarts when there was nothing here, no Order members watching him, no Dumbledore, nothing worth stealing.

Or was there something he was missing? Was there something at Hogwarts worth taking? Something Voldemort wanted here? Harry seriously doubted it, but he had to leave the option open.

When he thought about how Malfoy could use Hermione, he wanted to crush the life out of his nemesis. Of course! Hermione was the brightest witch in the school, she'd read most of the books in the library, and Hogwarts: A History at least ten times-probably twice that. If there was anyone in the school who would be a source for aid, she would be it. And moreover, it was all too easy. Hermione was a girl, and from what Harry had heard, Malfoy was considered good-looking, and with all the charm he seemed to have been using in Potions, she would certainly want to help him. Besides, she always striven to see the good in people, and had always been skeptical of anything Harry had ever tried to pin on Malfoy. Even in second year, when he had been so sure he could prove to her that Malfoy was the Heir of Slytherin, she'd raised an eyebrow, bit her lip, and had refused to agree with him that he might be right, that was, until they had the Polyjuice potion completed. Of course, then she'd only considered the idea.

So all Malfoy would have to do, now that he and Hermione were...Harry couldn't suppress a grimace...friendly...would be to simply ask for a hand doing homework. They would go to the library, he would act innocent, then rack her brains for as much useful information as he could, then act like nothing odd happened. Once he had all he needed, he would surely go back to being cruel to her. Which would leave Hermione confused and betrayed, leaving Harry and Ron to play the part of the told-you-so-sayers. And he could just not let that happen. He would stop this before it got going, and then Hermione would never get hurt.

So, the next morning at breakfast, Harry was determined to broach the subject with Hermione. He let the conversation at their table grow to a healthy state, and concentrated on eating his porridge. Hermione was decidedly acting as per usual, her nose in a book, and a piece of toast held loosely to one side, halfheartedly forgotten in her studies. As Ron struck up a heated conversation with Seamus about Gobstones, Harry sought her attention.

"So, Hermione, about you and Malfoy being partners..."

"What about it Harry," she asked, cutting him off and giving him a pointedly annoyed look.

"Well...it's just that, well, he's Malfoy. Why did you even give him the time of day, anyway?"

"Because, as Snape and you know very well, we're pretty much academic equals. I mean," she added as she set down her book somewhat reluctantly," I was pretty surprised too, believe me, but I know that only good can come of it."

"I think he's up to something, and I think he's going to use you to help him," Harry blurted. He immediately regretted it, worrying about how she'd react, but her expression only softened. She shook her head.

"Of course you do, Harry," she said, smiling slightly, "but you've only been right once, and at that rate, well, I can hardly think you're right. But appreciate your concern, it's sweet."

So it was not what he expected, nor was it everything he wanted, but at least she hadn't gotten insulted. "Well, we'll see Hermione, in the end."

Then, the unthinkable happened. Draco Malfoy had risen from his seat at the Slytherin table, and was making his way over towards Hermione, who held an expression of what Harry could only read as incredulity. Besides Hermione, Ron and Ginny had seemed to sense Malfoy, and ended both of their conversations. Harry was ready with his hand on his wand in case he needed it, and a look of loathing placed thickly on his face. Upon seeing Harry, Malfoy sneered momentarily, before smoothing his face into what was supposed to be a polite smile. He turned his attention to Hermione.

"Granger, would you...do me the honor of researching our project with me in the library after Runes?"

Hermione smiled back, and Harry wanted to wipe the smile off the damned snake's face.

"Oh, good idea! We can walk together then, right after class."

Malfoy's face reddened a tint, then paled back to normal before anyone seemed to notice. He bit his lip rather warily, and his eyes darted nervously. It was obvious he was weighing the options he was given, and contemplating just how bad it would be if he said yes.

"Okay, I will meet you right outside the door the minute the bell rings, alright?"

"Fine."

"Bye then, Granger, Potter," he drawled, and nodded at Ron and Ginny, who were clearly just as uneasy as Harry was.

"Bye Malfoy," Hermione called back.

Harry turned ashen-faced, and stared at his hands. He was at a loss for words. It seemed Malfoy had been sincere. But, just in case, Harry would be keeping a very close watch on him. He wouldn't let anything get past him, and he would ensure Hermione's safety even if it put their friendship on the rocks. After all, he wanted much more than friendship, and by the way Malfoy had been looking at her lately, so did he.

"Let the best man win," he muttered under his breath as he watched Malfoy stride out of the Great Hall, a bit of a skip in his step.

A/N: Another chapter down! Yay! Reviews please!