Chapter 4: I will make you care!

So, the plan was this. He would be nice to her! Simple as that. He would smile, be polite, talk to her, agree with her during Prefect meetings, show interest, and eventually she would warm up to him, and then he would have his revenge.

But first things first. He wasn't sure they had ever been in the same room without fighting, or at least without him trying to pick a fight. This would take time. He would have to be patient, and he would have to put up his best behaviour.

It was just after lunch, and both of them had a free period. Returning from the Great hall, he found Granger sitting on the cosy worn down leather couch, reading todays number of The Daily Prophet. On the front page, a dark-haired ministry official was currently itching her nose with her wand. As she noticed him watching her, she quickly hid the wand behind her back and put on an important face.

"Can I sit here?" Draco asked, in what he believed to be a friendly and accommodating tone.

"You live here too" Granger answered, her voice uninvolved.

Draco sat down in one of the armchairs facing the couch, and put his feet up on the table in front of him. This was a start.

Silence fell. Now what? Noisily Granger cleared her throat and turned a page. He winced. Did she really have to be so annoying? Draco closed his eyes for a few seconds. He would have to get over himself. This was for the greater good.

"What are you reading?"

"The Daily Prophet" Granger replied. Silence fell. He sighed inwardly. What a stupid question. He had to think of something a little cleverer that would force the know it all to start talking.

"Is that Tracy Higtower on the front page? She is head of department for international secrecy keeping, right?" he asked tilting his head to better see the dark-haired which who glared at him suspiciously while tapping her wand in the palm of her hand.

"Yes," Granger replied as if on autopilot.

"Does she have anything new to say about the German proposal?" Draco asked. Slowly Granger put down the paper.

"What are you up to?" she asked, suspicion filled her face.

"I'm just making conversation" he replied.

"Why?"

"I guess I realised that you are right" he said, internally wincing, but knowing how effective this statement would be.

For the first time during this conversation, she looked as if she was actually paying attention. Her face puzzled and cautious.

"But if you don't want us to be friendly, just ignore me. I understand."

For a long time, she just looked at him. Then she cleared her throat.

"I'm reading the Asked the Specialist advice column."

"Any good advice?" finally!

"No, just another one of Helen Knot's foolish questions."

"Helen Knot? Am I supposed to know her?" Draco couldn't stop smirking, know he had her!

"No. Not at all" she replied "she's just this half-wit who seems to have a million questions."

"Isn't that what you are supposed to in an advice column?"

"Of course" Granger sighed "But his Knot woman has a question published at least 2 times a week. And her questions are just plain stupid! Listen to this:"

Dear healer Langdon

My husband and I have recently been blessed with pregnancy. Last week I realised that I have stopped having my monthlies. In fact, I don't believe I have had them since the beginning of the pregnancy. I am a heavy bleeder, and since I'm in the beginning of my 2th trimester a lot of blood must have built up. I am so afraid for the baby; won't it drown in the blood?

My husband says not to worry, and that this is normal, but I can't stop worrying. Please help me!

Sincerely a very concerned

Helen Knot

Draco snorted. "She can't be serious!" he said, genuinely amused.

"No, she is dead serious! Last week she asked the healer how often the baby would ned to be taken out to urinate." Granger said earnestly, and continued.

"...and before she got pregnant she asked for a spell that would prevent her from blinking. Apparently she was having a hard time keeping up with her husband and his friends when they were talking. She was convinced it was due to the things she missed whilst blinking!"

"I'm sure not blinking would make all the difference" Draco chuckled. Granger shook her head grinning. "I mean, it just goes on and on! At first, I was kind of agitated, but now I have to admit, that I'm actually looking forward to reading her letters" Granger mused folding up the paper.

"It's late, I really have to get going. I don't want to be late for ancient runes" Granger said and got up and headed toward the corridor.

"This was nice" Draco said. Granger stopped midway through the room, turned around and looked at him. Then she smiled, and left down the corridor towards the hidden door.

As the door rumbled behind her, Draco folded his hands and stretched them out in front of him, cracking his knuckles. Then he grinned! This was way too easy! Who would have thought scheming was this much fun?