"Malfoy!" Hermione hurried across the Great Hall to the blond, disregarding the glares and disbelieving looks she was getting as she moved towards the Slytherin table.
"What is it Granger?"
"Have you read the second book?"
"There's a second one?"
"It's more in depth about web theory and linking mechanisms. Apparently he found more about the techniques in Denmark and rural areas of France."
"When did you find this?" he asked.
"Last night, I stayed after you left for the dorms." Hermione paused after this. "He never came back."
Draco snorted. "I wouldn't worry about it, he said he'd be back for class?"
"Yes, he said by class Monday morning."
"Then he'll be here."
Hermione smiled and then noticed all the people staring at the two of them, looking around she found herself the main focus in the Hall. "I should go," she murmured, backing away from the table.
"Wait!" Hermione stopped, staring at Draco in confusion. "The book," he said, as if it should be obvious.
She nodded and opened her shoulder bag, pulling the book out and handing it to Draco before she made her way to the Gryffindor table. As she slid into a seat and began putting food on her plate her friends descended upon her.
"Hermione, what were you doing talking with Malfoy?"
She looked up at Neville in confusion. "We were talking a book, wasn't that obvious?"
"Blimey Hermione, I don't know what's going on with you lately. Did Professor Evans put the Imperious Curse on you or something?"
"What? Ronald Weasley how could you ask that?"
"Well can you blame us?" Neville interjected. "You've been spending a lot of time with Professor Evans and now that he's not here you're off socializing with Malfoy and Merlin knows who else."
"You've even got his dragon with you!" Ron exclaimed as a little white head peaked out of Hermione's bag. "How did it even fit in that bag of yours?"
"I have an extension charm on it, obviously. And that's really beside the point. So what if I'm spending time with James and Malfoy and Victor, they're intelligent and can hold a conversation that isn't about quidditch. That's more than I can say about you two who're still copying my homework, for Merlin's sake!"
"Victor? As in Victor Krum?" Ron looked as if he'd been slapped across the face.
"Of course, who else?"
"So you're talking with Vicky again, too?"
"Oh Ron, I wish you'd stop calling him that! And I've always been in contact with him, we never stopped exchanging letters." Hermione looked away from her two friends to eat some of her food, therefore missing the horrified look on Ron's face and Neville's sympathetic glance towards the redhead.
Ron managed to recover his voice just as Hermione was finishing her food. "Don't you think that's a bad idea?"
"And why would my talking to Victor be a bad idea?"
"Because he's with the enemy."
Hermione looked up sharply at Ron. "What do you mean he's with the enemy?" she asked lowly. Neville backed away at her tone, but Ron seemed not to notice.
"He went to Durmstrang! They teach all types of Dark Arts there! Can't you see that it's already affecting you, hanging out with Malfoy and those types!"
Hermione slowly pushed herself up from the table, everyone but Ron edging away from the area. With the sure signs of an explosion present everyone was therefore surprised when she merely spoke.
"How dare you act as if you know anything about those whom I chose to associate with," she said contemptuously, Ron paling at her tone. "Don't you dare speak to me again until you realize what you've just said and implied that's so thoroughly insulting, if you even can."
With that Hermione picked up her bag and left the Great Hall. She headed for Defense Against the Dark Arts, hoping that James would be back from his sojourn.
"Good Morning, Miss Granger," James said as soon as she stepped into the classroom. Hermione just stared at him, wondering how he could have known it was her even though he had a book propped over his eyes.
"James, you're back."
"I have a class to teach in fifteen minutes, of course I'm back," he said succinctly, still lounging in his chair with the book over his eyes. "That leaves the question why you are fifteen minutes early."
Hermione eyed him for a moment. "Do you have a hangover, sir?"
"Yes. Now, you're avoiding my question. What infernally stupid thing did Weasley do this time?"
"He…how do you know it was Ron, sir?"
"Who else could it be?" he asked plainly, and Hermione had to admit he was right.
"He insulted Victor, going so far as to claim he was 'the enemy' simply because he went to Durmstrang."
"Go on," James said when Hermione would have stopped talking.
She hesitated.
"I asked because I wished to have an answer, Miss Granger."
"He, well he pretty much said that I might as well be 'dark' myself since I associate with Victor and because I was talking with Malfoy."
"Talking to Draco? What a busy bee you've been."
She flushed at his teasing tone. "We were discussing some books we found in your library."
"Weaving the Waves and Spiral Connections are very interesting books, I'm glad you two are interested in them."
"They've been very enlightening, I only have one problem with them so far."
"Which is?"
"The author's name is missing from the books."
"Those are the original copies. It shouldn't be a problem though since there are only two so far, but if there's a third I'll be sure to pass it along to you."
"Thank you, sir." She moved to her seat at the front of the class, eying James as she did so. "Sir…where were you all weekend?"
James's smile was just visible below his book. "I had some social obligations to take care of."
The mischievous aspect of his smile was not lost on her, and since he didn't offer up any more she decided to continue on her book.
When the bell rang people started to trickle into the room, heading for their regular seats, staring curiously at James who still hadn't moved.
"Follow the instructions on the board," was all he said once everyone was seated, and everyone looked at what had been blank slate a moment before.
Form Slytherin/Gryffindor pairs. Your names will appear at your designated desk.
There were the sounds of benches scraping and footsteps all over the room as students searched for their seats, as well as muttered curses from the Gryffindors when they discovered who their partners would be. Hermione was the only one who hadn't had to move, her name having appeared before her exactly where she was sitting. She slightly suspected that he'd set this up on purpose, more so when Malfoy ended up being her partner. Unlike the other partners in the room, they simply nodded to each other as Malfoy sat down before turning to face James again.
True to form, James still hadn't moved when he spoke next. "You will write me a three foot collaborative essay on the Patronus Charm's purpose, history, strengths, and weaknesses. Regardless of whether or not you can already produce one in corporeal form, Mr. Longbottom." Neville lowered his hand, face bright red. "I expect you to complete it with your partner, and trust me that Professor Snape will know who has written the finished product. You are dismissed to the library, Malfoy and Miss Granger stay behind."
Draco and Hermione exchanged glances as the rest of their classmates left, but James didn't address them until the door closed behind the last student.
"I've programmed you both into my rooms."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, while Draco merely just looked impressed with himself.
"If you place your palm on the outside door to my quarters it will allow you entrance, but only you two. You cannot bring anyone with you, the doorway will reject anyone that does not have express permission. I figured you might find this beneficial, Miss Granger, in light of your recent withdrawal from your housemates."
Hermione only blushed slightly at the realization that he'd been observing her somewhat.
"I trust you will not broadcast this privilege about the school population, Draco."
"James!" Draco cried, looking scandalized. "What makes you think Granger won't be spouting this off to the school?"
James sighed. "I've already ascertained that she has good sense, just as I am aware of your tendency to lord anything possible over your house and, when circumstances allow, your classmates."
It was Draco's turn to flush as Hermione just gave him a superior look. He scowled when he caught sight of her look, causing Hermione to just smirk at him. Draco just stared in surprise, never having seen her smirk before.
"Now, if you two are quite done taunting each other, I do still have a headache, and would appreciate it if you would make yourselves scarce."
"But we weren't even making any noise," Draco whined, sticking his lip out in a pout.
Hermione just rolled her eyes and grabbed the blonde's sleeve, tugging him towards the door. "Leave him alone, we can go raid his library."
"Will you let me see the second book?"
"As long as you prove yourself tolerable."
The door closed behind them with a click and James sighed in relief. He slipped the book off from its perch atop his head and laid it on the table, surveying the empty classroom with satisfaction. He still couldn't believe he'd gotten stuck teaching of all things, however it was easy enough to get out of his responsibilities by assigning essays and such. Poor Severus, he thought, laughing.
"My Lord, my son has reported a rift developing in Longbottom's group of friends."
"Let me guess, there's been conflict with Miss Granger," Marvolo drawled.
"Yes, My Lord," Lucius said with a smirk. "It appears Longbottom and Weasley have very differing views on her recent acquaintances than she does."
"From what I've seen she's been friendly with Draco as well, lately." Snape shrugged when Marvolo looked in his direction inquiringly. "They were talking at breakfast this morning. It is my understanding that they were discussing books."
"Books?" the Dark Lord asked.
"Draco didn't know the author, but from the titles they appear to be James's recent series, My Lord."
"Why am I not surprised that he's managed to trick those two into a tentative friendship through his own books."
Severus snorted. "He is crafty, My Lord, there's no denying that."
"So how did they end up reading his books? Lucius?"
"Apparently Draco found it in James's library, the Granger girl as well. Neither of them know he's the author judging by the fact that the question made its way into the letter I just received. I was thinking of simply writing to ask James."
Marvolo snorted and shook his head in amusement. "He does like his games, that one."
"Ah, My Lord?" Lucius asked hesitantly, regaining Marvolo's attention. "Draco mentioned that James seemed unwell…"
"Yes, we had a busy weekend," the Dark Lord replied, smirking.
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews!