Try as she might Hermione had not been able to come up with a plan to figure out what exactly had happened with Malfoy that night. She had endured three more detentions with him, and besides the occasional scoff when she looked in his direction, they had not interacted at all. Gryffindor or not she was not suicidal, she was not going to bring anything up on her own. She was hoping Malfoy would be mad enough to bring it up again. But she had no such luck. Now it was the weekend, she had two free days before her detentions started up again, and she was determined to put the whole matter out of her mind. She wasn't exactly behind in her classes, but she wasn't where she wanted to be either.

After a quick breakfast, listening to Ron and Harry talk about the day they were planning to spend flying, leaving them with a few admonitions about homework, she cheerfully went to the library. Since they were off the team, she knew they needed a chance to fly on the weekends. It wasn't the same of course, but it made it a little easier for them she thought.

Settling down in her favorite alcove - in a little-used corner full of books about magical artifacts, Hermione quickly fell into her usual rhythm. It wasn't uncommon for her to lose track of time while doing this; the books in front of her just seemed so much for important than the mundane whispers floating around the library. So it was with a start that she heard foot steps an aisle or two in front of her. Students usually didn't come to this area of the library, that is why she loved this spot so much. Magical artifacts was a pretty specific subject, and one not usually covered by any of the school classes. Unless there was a special project, students seemed have no reason to look through the books surrounding her alcove.

Not one to deter any one else in their quest for knowledge, Hermione simply smiled and turned back to her Astronomy research, keeping one ear on the wandering individual in case they gave any indication of needing help. She may not technically have her prefect duties anymore, but that didn't mean she couldn't help students when they needed it. Especially in the library. With this thought in mind, she looked up expectantly as the footsteps rounded the end of the aisle in front of her and their owner came into view.

Shit. Hermione almost jumped from her seat until she reminded herself that she was, in fact, a Gryffindor, and should not be afraid of students wandering in a library - even if that student was Malfoy. She contented herself with ducking her head over her book.

He clearly had not seen her yet, looking intently at the titles in front of him, slowly making his way towards her. She would not leave her spot simply because Malfoy was walking past, but she certainly wouldn't draw his attention to the fact that she was there. Keeping her head down as she pretended to read, she practically held her breath, waiting to see what he would do when he finally noticed she was there. Eventually, the footsteps stopped and she slowly raised her eyes to see what was happening, keeping her head bent over her book she was able to look through the fringe of her hair to see Malfoy had pulled out a book. With a small smile on his face he turned to leave. As Hermione knew would happen, he easily saw her sitting there. The smile left his face as he stormed over in her direction.

Hermione always believed, when it doubt of what to say, it is always best to use proper manners. This may be Malfoy, but she simply couldn't think of anything else to say as he walked towards her, hatred clear in his eyes.

"Is there anything I can help you with Malfoy? I know this area of the library quite well if you are looking for a book on a particular topic." She was surprised at how cheery her voice sounded while addressing someone so clearly anything but. Malfoy seemed just as surprised with her tone and offer for help as she was. Hermione had seen his eyes widen, and mouth start to open for a fraction of a second before they narrowed at her suspiciously, his mouth forming a tight line.

"What are you doing here Granger?" The words were practically spat at her, but she could help the small chuckle that burst through her lips. Remembering their first detention, when she had said the exact same thing, she quickly threw his own response back at him.

"Really Malfoy? What am I doing here?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and she did her best to imitate his smirk. Although she probably wasn't able to get quite as much contempt across, he clearly remembered the previous interaction as well. Malfoy seemed completely at a loss as to how to deal with her sudden appearance, Hermione was sure she had never seen him so unbalanced.

Seeming to realize a few too many seconds had passed since Hermione's response Malfoy gave a "Fuck off Granger." and quickly turned to walk out of the aisle.

"So eloquent Malfoy, I should get your help on my next essay." She didn't know what had made her say it, she usually wouldn't poke a dragon - let alone one that was wide awake and known to be nasty. But, Hermione got another shock when, after pausing for a few breaths, Malfoy simply continued out of the aisle without response.

Hermione did not know what to make of Malfoy's behavior. She considered telling Harry, but he was already obsessing over him enough as it was. Shaking her head slightly she got up to see what section he had pulled his book from.

"Magical artifacts; Furniture"

Furniture? What could that be about? Looking more closely Hermione saw books with titles such as: "Curious Curios; How to Reveal their Secrets" and "Training your Table in Five Easy Steps".

Weird. That was all Hermione could think. She had no idea what Malfoy would want with books on magical furniture, but it certainly did not seem sinister. She refused to get caught up in Harry's obsession. Speaking of Harry. She had already been studying for quite awhile already, him and Ron were probably already waiting for her down at Hagrid's. Quickly gathering her things in her bag she took one last look around before heading out to meet them, shaking her head as she walked; magical furniture indeed.

Malfoy waited until she left before daring to leave himself, not wanting to risk another run in with her. Fuck off Granger indeed. Why had she been there, in that specific area of the library of all places? There was no way it could have been a coincidence… But, no. There was no way she could know what he was working on. No one knew, not even Crabbe and Goyle. Despite the fact that the nosey trio seemed to know about him using the Room of Hidden Things, they could not have gotten in without him. He had been very specific in his requests to the room, and it had not deviated in any other way from what he had asked. He had no reason to think it would on this.

Finding out about the room had been quite serendipitous for him. And, really it was thanks to the golden trio that he had found it. He knew there was some sort of magic on that room after trying to find them for their stupid defense meetings. But, even after they found the room they couldn't seem to make it let them in. No one could figure out how it worked, except perhaps Potter and his friends. But he had been determined to find out. He spent hours trying to spell the wall open, no books in the library had any mention of such a room, even Severus hadn't known about it. Not that Snape's lack of knowledge surprised him anymore, but it had then. No, he found out practically on accident. He had gotten sick of angrily shooting spells at a wall and began pacing back and forth, trying to think of another way to get the door to appear. Eventually just repeating in his head over and over "Just tell me how to get in the room!" After pacing just a few times, he had been amazed to see words appearing on the black wall just where Potter's door had been.

Look inside me and you'll see
I'm anything you want me to be.

A closet or a trap,
A forest or a sea,

maybe just a place to take a nap.

Walk three times past, and in your head I will see
The thoughts that are meant just for me.

Although initially annoyed at how simple it was to get inside, Malfoy quickly became enthralled with the possibilities. And now, with his task, it was the perfect place to work. The only place he could be sure of complete privacy. He wasn't worried about the golden trio following him there. Since their run in last week, he made sure to fully shut the door after he left and that was it.

He had managed not to worry about the mudblood's proclamation that he was a Death Eater. But now that same mudblood was sitting in that specific area of the library. He looked down at the book he had taken from the shelf "Cabinets, dressers, and Armoires; How to Tame Even the Most Fickle of Clothing Storage."

He slowly shook his head, it better be worth it. Fuck off, Granger. God, that really hadn't been very eloquent had it? Not happy to be agreeing with Granger on anything, he quickly headed to his dorm to read the blasted book.

The late lunch with Hagrid had been great. It really was nice to spend time with her friends while not discussing school, quidditch, or Malfoy. The evening ended all too quickly as they had to make their way up to dinner, pockets again weighed down with the food Hagrid had been serving, and stomachs much too empty. It was a cheerful walk back to the castle, Harry and Hermione playing a pickup game of tag that somehow ended with them simply chasing Ron around the stairs until they made their way into the entrance hall. Eyes bright from laughter, and faces red from running the three stopped, trying to catch their breath before walking into dinner.

"You two," Ron panted "have no sense of rules."

The ridiculousness of this statement coming from Ron was not lost on any of them and before they could even fully catch their breath, they were all laughing again. Ron and Harry were using each other to remain standing and Hermione had found it necessary to lean against the wall next to them until the laughs subsided. Covering her mouth and hiccuping slightly Hermione looked up just in time to see Malfoy stare daggers at her before continuing on his way to the great hall.

"Wow Hermione, what did you do to Malfoy?" Harry had, unfortunately, not missed the interaction.

"Oh, I honestly have no idea. And it has been driving me crazy!" Deciding to leave out the bits she did know - and hopefully prevent Harry and Ron from seeking to avenge her, she only half lied by saying "Possibly something to do with our detentions. I am sure he can't enjoy spending so much time with a mudblood like me." Rolling her eyes she started leading their way to the great hall as well. "Especially one that is smarter than him." She couldn't help adding.

Harry just rolled his eyes, but Ron half yelled: "You can't say that Hermione!" effectively drawing the attention of half of the school. Harry looked confused, he had clearly missed her use of the term mudblood. He just probably didn't have as much of an emotional response to it, Ron on the other hand, had grown up knowing just how bad it was. But Hermione didn't care.

"Ron, it is just like Harry saying Voldemort. " Ron of course shuddered, but Harry looked interested.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's like Dumbledore said 'fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself'. I am who I am, I don't care what names people have for that. If I don't want it to affect me, I have to own it. Mudblood is only a bad word because people have given it a bad connotation. Well, I don't think it has one. I am a damn good witch, so the way I think about it, for me at least, being a mudboold is a good thing."

As she expected, Harry seemed to take what she said in stride. Even if he didn't like it, he could see why she wanted to use it. Not saying these names or words only seemed to put them on a pedestal and make them worse.

Ron, however, did not take it so easily.

"Hermione, you don't get it. Just because you say that doesn't make it true. By calling yourself that it is almost like you are agreeing with them. Maybe you can make it mean something else to you, but anyone else who hears it is only going to know what gits like him mean when they say it." Ron had gestured over at Malfoy while making his statement. Malfoy certainly didn't seem pleased with the attention and sent them all a rude hand gesture in return. Ron happily mirrored the gesture, but with all the professors around, that was about all either of them could do.

Sitting down and filling her plate Hermione just wanted to change the topic. They had been so happy before. She looked desperately at Harry and he seemed to understand she did not want to continue the conversation. Before Ron could speak again Harry brought up some save or other he had made earlier and Hermione could happily tune out. It felt nice that Ron was so bothered at her being insulted, but she really did want to stop being so bothered by the name calling. She was determined to use the term mudblood as often and as positively as possible - in her own head at least, she thought with a smile directed at Ron.