DISCLAIMER: Nothing belongs to me, 'cept the idea. If anyone deigns to steal it, I will hunt you down, castrate you, and fill your stomach with live centipedes.

One thing: In case I haven't made it clear, Hermione has been at the circus for 3 weeks, Draco for 2.

Enjoy!

"What ever do you mean, ill?"

Ally rolled a bead in her gnarled fingers. "Minne has caught Salamander Spots. I'm afraid she won't be able to do tomorrow night's show. Or all the shows this week, for that matter."

Frustration and panic fizzled in her veins. "She's ill? Well, we all have magical abilities. Surely there is something we can try?"

"Of course there is a cure." A heavy sigh of relief puffed out. "Snape is brewing a potion, to be administered four times a day, right now. Unfortunately, it takes a while to fully cure the individual."

"Our act? What shall happen to our act!? Oh, Ally, you can't just promise folks an illusionist and then not have one. This is terrible," she ranted, throwing her arms in the air. "What are we to do? I do-"

"Hush, dearie. I've already thought of a solution." Ally perked up, a mischievous twinkle entering her blue eyes. "I've found someone with the abilities to take up the act. Someone who isn't otherwise occupied. You'll have to teach him a bit, but Mr. Malfoy will be her replacement till she's well."

Twin spots of angry color appeared on her pale cheeks. "Malfoy?! You want me to work with him? He thinks I'm lower than the scum on his boots," she scoffed. "I couldn't possibly get anything done with that arrogant, pompous, disgusting princeling. He isn't even able to walk in mud properly. Bah. Man, he claims. I'd be surprised if he even has one manly, or, better yet, good quality. The notion of us working together is ludicrous!"

"As much as I share that last sentiment, Granger, I do realize who's in charge here," came a cultured drawl.

"And I realize the impossible when I hear it," she spat furiously in return.

"Please, Ally," she entreated, "You must realize that neither of us want to do this. Neither of us are even vaguely capable of doing this."

"Psh, nonsense, child. You are both very capable, magically."

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but a unexpectedly sharp look from Ally silenced her. Malfoy stood by the close to them, unusually quiet.

"The both of you have been traveling with this circus for close to two weeks now. I have demanded almost nothing in return from you, Miss Granger. And Mr. Malfoy, your contributions now would be most helpful. However, this isn't a request. This is an order. Much of our income relies on having a good magician act. No one else is currently free to do take it on, Mr. Malfoy; and as Minne's pupil, you are obligated to, Miss Granger. Now, if I hear so much of a peep out of the both of you, Merlin help you."

"I understand, Ally," she said bowing her head. "I'll do this with him."

She nodded amicably, her previous threatening tone disappearing. "I have faith in you, dearie. Faith in you both. Now get working, this won't just happen by it's lonesome." Ally walked away from the area behind Ginny's caravan, leaving Draco and Hermione alone.

She glared at him, he responded with an icy cool gaze back as he leaned against the caravan.

"I can not believe she is making us do this together. We're like oil and water."

He nodded. "Day and night."

"Fish and fowl."

"Hippogriffs and House Elves."

"Excuse me, what?"

"Oh, I forgot, Muggleborn."

Her eyes narrowed. "Meet me on in the forest on the West after lunch. Bring your wand. And, please attempt to be civil?" She gave him a cold smile before turning on her heel and flouncing off.

He was treated to the rather delectable sight of her retreating bottom in a pair of men's trousers that were probably tighter than she thought them to be.

This has the potential to be nice….or infuriating, he thought.

"Ginny! Ginny, can I speak with you?"

Ginny and the acrobats were practicing in the main tent, as they did every morning. Currently, the waif-like red-head was doing a delicate dance on the tightrope that involved a twirling umbrella, as well as leaps and a flip or two.

"Of course," came floating down from her perch, followed by a "One moment." She quickly made her way to the tall pole that supported her tightrope. Swiftly, she hooked the umbrella handle in the crook of her arm. Then she wrapped her limbs around the pole and slid down.

Hermione smiled at the slightly childish display before her reason for coming to see her closest friend brought another scowl to her face.

"Something's got your knickers in a twist, eh, Mione?" Ginny asked, her face slightly pink and shiny due to her exertion.

"McGonnagal has come down with Salamander Spots."

"Salamander Spots? Oh, that's terrible. Those take more than a week to heal…" Comprehension dawned on her face. "Oh, no, what about your act? What will we do? And we're full show right now, there's no one that can step in."

"Unfortunately," she nearly growled, "Malfoy just happened to be without anything to amuse him."

"Malfoy?" Ginny giggled. "You and Malfoy? This is rich."

"Ginny this isn't funny. What am I to do? I've been here for less than two weeks, and he's an insufferable prat! I have to perfect the show with him today."

"Calm down, Hermione. Yes, you've been here for barely two weeks, but everyone knows that you're brilliant." She looked thoughtful. "Prat he may be, but you can't deny how gloriously handsome he is."

"Unfortunately, his inner hideousness distracts from the pretty package."

She sighed. "Ah, pity. But still! What are you going to wear? Will you finally wear that lovely blue dress Lavender made for you? You shouldn't go tramping about in trousers around him; he'll make some stupid comments."

"The trousers are very practical," Hermione said haughtily.

"Yes, yes. I agree. But still. You know that won't matter to him, this just gives him less reason to look down on you. And besides, you have every other day to wear trousers. Wearing the dress will make Lav so happy," Ginny wheedled.

"Alright, alright. I'll wear it. But only if you stop your whining."

"Splendid!" Ginny said, grinning enthusiastically.

Hermione stood underneath the dark green canopy of leaves at the edge of the emerald sea. She pulled her shawl more tightly around her shoulders. Ginny had poured her into the robin's egg blue dress, braided her hair with matching ribbon, loaned her a shawl, and then helped her levitate some of the equipment into the forest they were camped by in York before wishing her good luck and smiling cheekily.

Sparse minutes later, Draco Malfoy apparated in front of her with a small pop.

"There you are," she said, disappointing him by not flinching. "Come along, we'll get started." She began walking towards one of the apparatuses that McGonnagal used in her act.

He strolled after her lazily. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Granger," he drawled, deliberately addressing her like a man. "But you just joined the circus a few weeks ago, like you said in Ally's tent."

"Yes," she sniffed. "That certainly gives me more experience with what we're doing than you. I actually have to work."

He smiled, baring his teeth without good-natured amusement. "Ahh, but you're a Mud-Muggleborn, correct?"

"Yes, we've established this," she agreed again, quietly.

"Yes. Unlike some Muggle trick, this….show requires actual magic. I've had tutoring since the age of seven, Granger. I really don't-"

"I know, Malfoy!" she exploded. "I know I'm a Muggleborn! I know I can't possibly contend with the people here, with you," she spat. "I know I've just started learning magic, I don't need a knucklehead like you to remind me of the fact. However, I do need to remind you that we're supposed to be working together. That we have a bloody twenty minute act to organize today. That certainly isn't going to be helped by you being high and mighty. There is a reason I'm acting as the assistant, Malfoy. I do not need to be reminded that you are currently more accomplished than me in this field, as much joy as it may bring you to pick on a circus wench without your 'pure blood'. Now, I believe that both of us would be leaving if we couldn't get this act together, so unless you want Ally to revoke your room and board; you must have a phenomenal reason for staying here, from what I've heard about you, then you will cooperate with me and give a lady and colleague the respect she is due!"

He seemed unruffled by her outburst. "That was an impressive rant, Granger," he said, his eyes drilling into her. His stride was like that of some great jungle cat, as he came closer to her threateningly. The tone of voice he used was frighteningly friendly and soft, and she inadvertently took a step away from the advancing predator.

"However entitled you think yourself to be, Miss Granger, I would like to remind you as well that we are supposed to be working together, and the tangent you just went off on about your pride and such is really quite irrelevant to the duty that Ally has given us. I would also like to give you another piece of advice. As a simple Muggleborn, I cannot imagine you terribly educated about the ways of the wizarding world. I'm sure you will have heard whispers about me by now. Things such as Death Eater, and Voldemort. I will tell you that you should not take those things lightly, and perhaps…further your education regarding Magical politics."

He had been loping toward her as he spoke, and she had been hesitantly retreating. Inevitably, since they were in a forest, her back hit a tree, and she was trapped. He took another few steps closer, improperly close now, and she sucked in a breath. She knew that male-female protocol was not as rigid in the Wizarding world, but the man was close enough to kiss her. When his hands landed on either side of her head and he leaned down to her smaller height, she almost thought he would. A strange sort of fear shimmered through her, nervousness and terror mixed with a tenacious dose of anticipation.

The blonde head leaned in closer, and the heaving of her chest increased in tempo. "And always remember, Miss Granger. You are the woman in this situation. And the less magically adept." Warm breath blew over her ear, and goosebumps erupted as she could feel his heavy heat through his clothing; he was almost pressed against her. "Do not," he almost hissed, "push me."

Understanding and apprehension were her prevalent emotions. Though she balked at his threat, she did not have the ammunition or power to fight him off. Though, she would later examine, there was a part of her that didn't want to. This man may appear to be a lot of things; controlled, commanding, aristocratic, but something about him was close to an edge. Even without knowing that he was had the wizard equivalent of good breeding and upbringing, he did not strike her as the type of man who often threatened women; he had been polite to her their entire short, strained acquaintance. This was an edge she didn't want to tip him over.

Draco was starting to breathe more quickly. Not only out of the surprising rage the little creature had roused in him, but also because he was almost pressed flush against her very soft, very feminine body as a by product of his blind anger. At his height, he could almost look down the bodice of the rather delicate blue gown she wore, and the scent of sandalwood and woman wafting up from her was not helping his state of mind, or arousal.

He had meant to scare the sassy woman-child, he did not regard Mudbloods as equals. As he was going to be forced to work with one, he preferred that they were scared and obeyed his wishes without question. That would make the partnership more bearable, he couldn't have the prideful little thing questioning him and hurling veiled insults at his person at every twist and turn. Her courage and sharp tongue had mostly amused him, but also garnered a glimmer of respect.

He hadn't been able to see her face, her head had been looking at the ground, almost submissive to him. This placated his fury a tiny bit, but now she tentatively looked up to the man who held her prisoner against a trunk with his body as a cage. Her lips were slightly parted and an indignant blush had worked it's way across her cheekbones. Large hazel eyes locked with steely grey ones.

It felt like lightening ripped through his body, it was almost painful, but it was also a feeling of pure joy.

And then Draco Malfoy collapsed.

I know this chappie seems a bit short, but in truth, it's actually because all the paragraphs are pretty long. I'm not completely sure about some semi-colon use in this, if you see any mistakes, feel free to correct me.

Reviews are very welcome!