The first day back from the winter holidays found Hermione Granger ensconced in the back of the library. Half of the year was over and OWLs were approaching. Classes didn't begin until tomorrow which meant the library was empty and quiet, just the way she liked it. Ron had scoffed at her offer to study and had promptly dragged Harry up to the boys' dorm for a game of wizard chess.
At least this way I can concentrate and not worry about keeping them on task, she thought to herself. Putting aside her potions book, she checked it off her study schedule, picked up her transfiguration notes, and began revising. She was so caught up in her studying she didn't notice a tall figure approaching until they set down their books next to her. Hermione ignored them and continued going over her notes.
"Can I borrow your potions text?" the voice next to her asked quietly. Hermione froze recognizing the silky tones of one Draco Malfoy.
"Look Malfoy, I just want to study in peace. I'm not looking for trouble, ok?"
"Neither am I. There's no where else to sit."
Hermione raised her eyebrow at the blatant lie as she pointedly looked around the empty library. Even Irma Prince, the school librarian, was absent. Draco smirked at her unashamed at his lie.
"So can I borrow it? I left mine in my room and I'd rather not have to go all the way back down there to get it."
Hermione silently considered her options. The common room and dorm room would both be too chaotic to study in. She could just move to another section of the library and hope he would get the message and leave her alone. Frankly, Malfoy was just acting strange. Normally he avoided her at all costs and was caustic when they crossed paths. He was being unusually pleasant but she didn't particularly feel like testing how long his good mood would last. With a sigh she slid her potions book to him not taking her eyes off her notes.
"Thanks", he murmured flashing her a patented Malfoy smile that she didn't see. He frowned and cracked open her potions book. Draco skimmed the text as he decided how to proceed. He hadn't expected her to give in so easily. He had expected her to storm off without giving him the time of day. He remembered how gleeful he had been when he realized how easy it would be to catch her alone since she was always in the library by herself.
Draco shifted, coughed quietly, and looked at Hermione out of the corner of his eye. Her brow furrowed a bit at the noise but her quill kept scratching away at the parchment. He coughed louder. Her eye twitched. He coughed one more time and Hermione slammed her quill down on the table.
"Bloody hell Malfoy stop making so much bloody noise! If you're sick for Merlin's sake just go see Madam Pomfrey!" she snarled, finally fed up with him.
"Goodness Granger who died and made you queen of the library? It's certainly not my fault if I have to cough. Oh I'm sorry, am I breathing too loud for you? Should I just stop doing that too?" he taunted knowing he was only riling her up more. Unfortunately this was the only way he could think of to get her to talk to him.
Hermione's hand twitched towards the wand in her pocket. Draco saw the slight movement and quickly changed his tone.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for. I already said I wasn't looking for trouble and I meant it. Sorry. Look can you just sit down and I'll keep quiet, yeah?" His tone was low and soothing.
Hermione realized she was standing though she didn't remember getting up. She glared at him and slowly sat back down keeping an eye on him.
"Mione," someone called into the library, "It's time for dinner, where are you?"
"Back here, Ron", she called not bothering to shush him like she normally would since she knew there was no one else in the library apart from her and Draco.
"Only you would be studying the first day back from holidays. Classes haven't even-"
Ron stopped as he and Harry reached the table and saw her sitting next to Malfoy.
"Oi! What's he doing here?" Ron and Harry reached for their wands as they eyed Malfoy suspiciously.
"He's not bothering you is he?" Harry asked worriedly. "I knew we shouldn't have let you go off on your own."
"He just wanted to borrow my potions book. He's not causing any trouble and neither will you." She fixed Harry and Ron with a gimlet stare until they dropped their hands. Malfoy grinned and waggled his fingers at them. "Stop it, Malfoy." He frowned as she quickly packed her things and ushered the boys out of the library.
"Oh well, there's always next time", he whispered to himself as he stroked the cover of the potions book she had left behind.
Next time turned out to be sooner than he thought. After dinner he was walking back to the dungeons by himself when he was suddenly pulled into an alcove and slammed against the wall.
"What the-"
"I want my potions book Malfoy."
Draco blinked as his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. Hermione stood in front of him her hands fisted in the front of his robes.
"Granger, always a pleasure", he drawled. "You know usually when girls drag me into dark alcoves and slam me against the wall they have rather... carnal intentions." He looked down at her with a dark smile. Hermione blushed at his words suddenly aware of how close they were. She dropped his robes and stepped back as much as the alcove allowed, which wasn't much.
"My book, Malfoy," she said through gritted teeth. "I don't have time for your games."
"Fine, fine." He raised his hands in surrender. "I don't have it on me though. It's in my room. I can give it to you before breakfast tomorrow", he offered slyly. That would give him another opportunity to talk to her.
Hermione ground her teeth as she regarded him. "Fine. Tomorrow morning." And with that she turned on her heel and left.
Malfoy shook his robes and smoothed out the wrinkles she had left and followed her lead out into the corridor.
That night as Draco lay in bed he found himself eager for the first day of classes.
"Good night, Draco" Blaise said as he reached to turn out the lights.
"Night" he returned as he cast one last look at the potions book on his nightstand before the room was plunged into darkness.