A Crisis Unavoidable

September passed, along with Hermione's eighteenth birthday, which was celebrated quietly in the Gryffindor dorm. She received pleasant gifts from her close friends, even Harry, after their rather large battle. But he didn't speak to her much on that day. Her parents sent her individual gifts, she knew something was wrong with them, but didn't bother to ask, it was too much to handle.

As October came more and more students were pulling out their sweaters and warm cloaks. The leaves around the grounds were beginning to change and fall. Hermione could hear the crunching beneath her feet as she walked by herself across the ground to Care of Magical Creatures. Most of the students were already there, including Ron, who conveniently stood between her and Harry.

Hagrid began speaking to the class, but Hermione wasn't concentrating very well. They had this class with the Slytherins, and she knew he wasn't far away from her. She acted as if she was listening intently, hanging on Hagrid's every word.

But, Draco could see her. From where he stood he watched, observed. Very few people could actually tell when she was pretending to pay attention. Ginny, of course, was always in tune. But she wasn't here now. Draco though himself able to do the same. Or at least, he could at this moment. The whole time he couldn't help thinking about what she had said a few weeks earlier. He knew that he had problems to resolve, with his fathers death. But he wondered what Hermione was holding in her heart. Just as he started searching his brain, his thoughts were interrupted.

Hagrid's booming voice addressed the class, "Well, yeh all look tired. Go'n have lunch, an' we'll meet back after."

Draco sighed as he turned back toward the castle. He was clad their double creatures class was spread over the lunch period. As he headed across the grounds, Draco realized that it was him being watched.

Ron and Harry were talking enthusiastically about the upcoming Quidditch game. Hermione already assured Ron that she would be there to cheer him on. But she didn't mention Harry. He can get hit with that bloody snitch for all I care, she thought, quickening her pace to catch up with the sixth years who were exiting the greenhouse.

"Hi Hermione!" Ginny said when she was reunited with her friend, "You and Harry still on ice?"

Hermione nodded, "I just need him to get off my back sometimes." The two girls entered the school and headed toward the great hall.

"I understand that," Ginny said, "But you know he's only trying to help."

"I know. There are just something I don't want to tell him." Hermione said.

"You haven't told him about your parents yet?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, I'm afraid. I mean, he doesn't even have parents, and here I am all upset because mine are having a fight."

Ginny nodded and led them into the great hall, taking seats at their house table.

Hermione began to fill her plate right away, "I don't know. Maybe I'll tell him, and Ron, in time. But for now, you're the only one who knows."

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The next afternoon, Hermione sat in Arithmancy, reading as she waited for class to begin. Because the class was just after lunch, their professor often had a difficult time getting there. Arithmancy was never in high demand, so this class was fifth and seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Hermione struggled to keep her focus, and her mind began to wander. As she closed her book and leaned back in her chair, a few voices came into better hearing range. Hermione was not very aware of someone who must have been sitting on the desk behind her. It was Draco. Who else, she thought to herself.

Draco was currently sitting on the desk that two fifth years shared. They were giggling ferociously as he stared down at them, wearing his infamous smirk. He knew Hermione would be listening, and he knew that she was aware of his presence. He would often click his foot against her chair.

"So Draco," one of the girls started. Click. "Have a girlfriend?

Both girls looked at him with a pathetically desperate look in their eyes.

It made Draco sick.

Click.

"I get around."

Laughter, high-pitched shrieking laughter. It wasn't as if they weren't good looking. They were. But Draco decided after the first two minutes they weren't worth anything. They were fifth years.

The second girl, Draco thought she was named Marissa, spoke, "Well if-"

"Good afternoon class!" Their Professor came into the room, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Mr. Malfoy, to your seat, Miss Brown, hush, class is beginning."

Draco swung down from the desk. As he passed Hermione, he discretely dropped a piece of parchment on her desk. Hermione looked around to see if anyone had noticed. They hadn't. She opened the sheet slowly and read it. Detention tonight. Don't forget. Hermione closed her eyes, she had forgotten. Her and Draco's detention with Professor Binns had been rescheduled twice. Tonight it was, from six to nine. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her. She nodded slowly to let him know she had gotten the message. After that, he seemed satisfied and returned his attention to their professor.

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"Ginny," Hermione addressed her friend that night in the common room. Ginny turned to her as she came in. "If anyone asks, I have my make-up detention, and I'll be back after nine." Hermione told her.

"Sure, no problem." Ginny said.

Hermione lifted her bag to her shoulder and started to exit, but turned back.

"Oh! This months Hogsmede trip is next week right?" Ginny nodded. "Good, you and I have a lunch date. There's something I have to tell you, if I have the stomach to do it by then."

Ginny looked at her, confused, but Hermione was gone before she could ask the question.

It was 5:45 when Hermione left the common room. The History of Magic room was close, and as she passed through the corridors, decorations were already being put up for Halloween. She turned into the class corridor just as Draco stepped to the door. He waited, and when she got here, he held it open for her (After making sure no one was around, of course).

"Thank you." She said quietly as she stepped in.

"Good, good! You're both early, "Professor Binns said, "Now, you'll need to check all those books, make sure they're intact, and re-number them all. Because you can see, I'm incapable."

Both students looked to where he was referring. Sitting on the back shelf were two or three hundred old copies of Hogwarts, A History.

"P-Professor, all those?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, not to worry Miss Granger. You have three hours, and I won't be here to bother you. I have a meeting I must attend." He said, and was out the door.

Draco crossed the room and locked the door. Hermione turned her head sharply, "What was that for?"

"Relax. I just think we'll work better without distractions."

Hermione sighed and went over to the books, Draco not far behind her. When she stopped, he stood directly behind her, leaving few inches between them. Draco had the urge to jus take her hand and tell her that whatever was going on, whatever she had to go through, would fix itself in time. And although he could plainly see through her, 'I'm okay' look, his inner voice decided against these actions. Fearing that it would make their situation worse than it already was. Instead he spoke quietly, his face near to the side of hers, "Maybe we should get started then?"

Hermione jumped when she heard him, she hadn't realized they were that close. She moved quickly to one end of the shelf and half-heartedly started flipping through the book closest to her. She had half turned away, but Draco stood watching her. He didn't smirk or scowl. He seemed perfectly content.

"Maybe you should…"Hermione said, referring to the books.

"Oh, right." He walked over to a section, just a few feet away. The two worked in silence for nearly two hours. When Hermione would finish a section, she would move to another end, trying to avoid as much, interaction as possible. But by the time 8:00 came around, being within five feet of each other was unavoidable.

So they stood, one on each end. Both of them were inwardly desperate to say something, anything. After it was dark, and cold, not speaking was creating a frigid atmosphere.

"So, how about that Transfiguration test?" Draco attempted to break that ice. Hermione shrugged. "I'm not worried. I'm rather good at changing the anatomy of birds."

Draco smirked, "You're rather good at a lot of things."

Hermione blushed as she picked up another book. "You know, I'm rather good in that class…if you ever need help." She paused and laughed slightly, "I do recall you had some trouble with your bird's vocal system?"

He laughed, "Sounded like Crabbe after the Christmas feast."

"And you told him that too."

"And he told me he wasn't going to eat for the rest of the week." Draco laughed once more, "That lasted all of four hours."

The two went back and forth on the subject for nearly twenty minutes. It also seemed as if things were moving quicker when they were civil.

With only twenty minutes left, both stared at the pile of about forty books.

"There is no way we're going to finish." Hermione said as she hurried to get another book.

Draco shrugged and drew his wand from his robes and pointed it at the books. Hermione halted his hand. "We can't use magi! Not in detention!"

He rolled his eyes, "How many times do I have to tell you to relax? A simple hover charm won't do anything bad."

Draco put his non-verbal skills to work and with a few waves of his wand, the books had lined up in a sort of procession. They were in two groups, and flew to each student, and back to the desk when they were successfully examined and numbered. Hermione worked her fingers when they were numb, carefully but quickly reviewing each book. Draco watched her as she intently worked with the books. He enjoyed seeing her diligently working, with just a hint of frustration. Of course, he would never allude to his. In public they would rarely speak. And when they did, she was Granger, and he was Malfoy. Their remarks were short and fresh to one another. Only when they were alone like this did he feel safe to be kind. Sometimes though, he would be in a sour mood and snap at her, breaking whatever they had for a time. This, of course, occurred all through their sixth year. Draco thought about last year and smirked inwardly. Their meetings would occur usually every other week, sometimes less. It was a comfort thing. Neither knew before that the other could be such a relief. Their first meeting was entirely an accident, the second, not as much. And by the third time they were together, both could forget their social standings and just be. Whatever it is they might be.

Hermione sighed as she marked the final book and put it down. They had stopped circling above her, and were neatly piled on the back table. The clock read 8:55.

"All with five minutes to spare." Draco said, dropping into a nearby chair.

"I suppose I can go. I have some work to do…" Hermione said as she retrieved her bag and headed for the door. She half expected Draco to say something, ask her to stay. But he didn't. So Hermione pushed opened the door and stepped into the corridor, slightly disappointed. But only slightly.

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The school watched from the stands as the players dodged raindrops on the Quidditch Pitch. Ginny and Hermione stood huddled together, both searching for Harry.

"Maybe he disappeared into the clouds." Hermione said pointing.

Ginny shook her head, "He's still on the pitch someplace."

They had to raise their voice over the wind and rain, but Hermione could now clearly see the Number Seven jersey flapping in the wind. Both girls tried to hear the commentator but nothing was audible over the storm.

"Look! Look!" Ginny pointed excitedly toward the field, "I think he's seen it."

Indeed, Harry had spun around and was racing toward the outer edge. Hufflepuff was up fifty points, and Gryffindor could easily win if Harry caught the snitch. The gold and red section of the stands hooted and hollered as they noticed Harry following what was probably the snitch. Ginny was saying something to Hermione, but her voice was no longer loud enough over the cheering of their house. Both girls turned their attention to the field to see Harry being led off triumphantly.

Ginny grinned broadly, "I'm going to go see him, want to come?"

Hermione shook her head, "I'm going to take my time. I'll see you in the common room."

Ginny nodded and squeezed between the crowds. Her and Harry hadn't gotten back together, but they mended their friendship very well. They could actually stand to be together now, without awkwardness. Hermione smiled at her as she walked away. The stands emptied quickly, everyone was eager to get back to the common room and commend Harry for his playing. As Hermione left the stands and emerged on the field, she saw a single person crossing from another section. She turned and kept walking, only slower.

Draco caught up, and stayed a few steps behind her. He spoke loudly, but no one but Hermione was there, "Would think there will be a celebration in the Chosen One's common room. Could get noisy." Then he walked faster and whispered as he passed Hermione, "What a time for some reading."

He didn't turn back, and she didn't ask questions. Hermione didn't need to decode this message.

The Gryffindor common room was bustling with noise and excitement. Ron sat near the fire with a few sixth years, but Harry was the center of attention today. Dean strode up to him with fellow seventh years in tow, "Great job Harry." The other students agreed with a clap on the back as he passed. Harry half expected to see another student, but instead he heard a squeaky voice coming from out of eyesight.

"Harry Potter, sir. It is Dobby!" the house elf squeaked at Harry's knees.

"Whoa! Dobby, hi." He addressed the short elf.

"Harry Potter must come see! Come see his-"
"See what?"

"Come see Harry Potter! Come see Hermee."(He put emphasis on 'ee')

"Hermee? What, oh! Hermione? What's wrong?"

"Come see! She is in the library!" Dobby pulled on Harry's sleeve and rushed him out the door. Harry stopped him in the corridor.

"Dobby, she's always there. I'm sure she's fine."

"Come sir! Dobby don't think you will think so!"
Harry reluctantly let him lead him to the library. As soon as he entered, Dobby pulled him to his knees and looked through the bookshelves.

Harry first only saw Hermione, sitting contently on the desk reading. But then he saw someone else cross over to her and lean on the desk next to her.

"Malfoy?" Harry whispered to himself.

"Dobby though you would be upset." Dobby said surveying the scene.

Harry couldn't hear anything, but he saw Draco say something quietly to Hermione, causing her to throw her head back in laughter. This also warranted a fierce, 'shh' from the librarian.

Harry scowled and addressed Dobby, "Thanks Dobby, lets go." Harry got up and left the library, now only occupied by Draco and Hermione.

Draco hovered hover Hermione's shoulder and pretended to read the book in her hands.

"So," he began, "what about your love life or, lack thereof."

"Well you're rather blunt." Hermione answered absent-mindedly.

He laughed, "What, no one you secretly fancy running about the school?"

Hermione shut the book in her hands and hopped off the desk. "Because it's any of your business."

"D'you have a boyfriend?" he asked pointedly.

"No."

Draco nodded, "What's his name?"

"Are you daft?" Hermione crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Are you daft, are you daft." Draco repeatedly mumbled, "Hm, can't say I know him."

"Goodbye Draco." Hermione said and turned on her heel to exit. Draco called after her. "Is he in Hufflepuff? You know I don't socialize with them much." Hermione stopped and let him continue, "All that love, peace, happiness, It damages my ego."

She laughed from across the room, "An ego that big? I didn't think it could be damaged!"

"Sore loss for them today. Tell him that I send my deepest sympathies."

Hermione exited and gave him a sarcastic wave from the hall.

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A/N: That whole "Do you have a boyfriend" thing, actually happened to me. So I thought I would put it in there. It was actually very amusing. I suppose you had to be there. I just finished writing Chapter Five and started Six. So expect chapter four up either tomorrow, or next weekend, we'll see.

Hi Jessca.