Author's Note: Oh my gosh! You can not imagine how thrilled I was when I saw reviews from people that actually read my story! I was going to stop writing but I guess if people are reading it I'll continue. Thank you sooo much to those who have read and reviewed. Keep it up! ) Any ideas/comments/criticisms are welcomed. And also if anyone would like to take a scene from the story and draw it (I've tried hundreds of times but sadly I am drawing impaired) hint hint just ask me first. But I'll probably say yes anyway because I think that would be absolutely amazing. Anyway sorry this is so long but I got excited. LOL Keep reading and reviewing! 3

Chapter 7

"Double Potions first thing on a Monday morning! Snape and Slytherins early in the morning! McGonagall hates us, mate," Ron's rant had started as soon as their Head of House had passed out their time tables. It had continued through breakfast and as they left the Great Hall. Now they were nearing the dungeons where the Potions classroom was located.

"Oh honestly, Ron," Hermione said as a group of Slytherins came into view. "Professor McGonagall doesn't hate you. She simply devises your schedule based on your own personal needs and the requirements that need to be met per year."

Ron stared blankly at her for a moment, and then began complaining again. "But why Slytherins? Couldn't it have been Hufflepuffs? At least they aren't slimy."

"I'm hurt Weasel. I thought you would have been dying to share another year with people superior to you," Draco Malfoy's voice drawled from inside the middle of the crowd. He stepped out in front of the Trio and walked with an air of superiority towards them. "And maybe if you're nice, my father will ensure your father has a job for another year."

"Your father belongs in Azkaban with the rest of the Death Eaters," Harry said standing toe-to-toe with Malfoy.

"Maybe he'll take your God-father with him," Draco smirked. The silence in the dungeons was deafening. He turned his eyes to Hermione. "My, my, aren't you looking good for a Mudblood? Did you enjoy your trip?"

Harry's wand was pressed up against Draco's through before anyone could have reacted. "Do. Not. Talk. To. Her." Draco pushed the wand away smirking at Harry. He turned and went into the classroom followed closely by whispering Slytherins. Harry's arm dropped down to his side.

"Harry, he's not worth it," Hermione said softly. She was unconsciously rubbing her wrist. Harry wanted to go to her but Ron reached out to her first. Ron opened the classroom door and ushered Hermione quickly inside. Harry followed and they made their way to an empty work table. The room quickly filled and before long Professor Severus Snape entered.

"Welcome to Intermediate Potions Level Six," Snape drawled while writing on the board. "I am Professor Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts as you know." He turned to survey the room with a scowl on his face. "Many of you will fail. Many of you will give up. Some may prevail by the skin of their teeth. Very few will exceed my expectations." His eyes once again scanned the room. "Now as a new school policy we will be striving for," his face grimaced, "House unity." A collective groan, none other than Ron, rang through the room. They seemed to know what was coming. "You will be paired with an equal from opposite Houses for the rest of the term. When I call your names stand and find a table. Ronald Weasley and Blaise Zabini."

Ron's head crashed down onto the table as Blaise shot up.

"Professor Snape," Blaise whined, "isn't there someone-"

"Daphne Greengrass and Dean Thomas," Snape continued. "Neville Longbottom and Vincent Crabbe. Theodore Nott and Parvati Patil. Seamus Finnegan and Gregory Goyle. Pansy Parkinson and Harry Potter." Pansy squealed and ran to latch herself onto Harry's arm. Harry tried prying himself away but was dragged to the table behind Ron. Ron turned and looked at him.

"Mate, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know Ron," Harry said while giving Pansy a scathing look.

"Draco Malfoy and," Snape looked directly at Harry and smirked, "Hermione Granger." Harry jumped up and a collective gasp was heard.

"No!" Harry yelled as Ron stood up as well.

"Sorry Mr. Potter," Snape said eyeing the duo. "School rules."

Hermione stood up and gracefully walked herself to where Draco was beaming. He pulled out a stool for her and as she went to sit down he let his hand linger on the seat.

"Malfoy!" Hermione hissed as she leapt back up, "how dare you!"

"Sorry Granger," he winked at a seething Harry, "couldn't resist."

The two hour Potions class seemed to drag on for Harry. He was constantly glancing over to Hermione and Draco and battling off the Parkinson cow. Ron and Blaise's cauldron exploded for a third time causing another row.

"God Weasel," Blaise started, "I know you're poor but I thought your mother had enough sense to teach you to read."

"Sorry perfect Zimbabwe. Maybe if you'd keep your eyes on the cauldron rather than Hermione it would work!"

"You're staring at the Mudblood?!" Pansy shrieked and latched herself onto Harry once again. The scowl on her face didn't waver as Harry shook his arm free.

"Well," Draco smirked as his arm slid around Hermione's waist and he pulled her to his side, "she has grown up quite nicely this holiday." Hermione squirmed against him trying to break free.

"Get your hands off her, Malfoy!"

"Or what, Potter? You and your Weasel of a friend going to call the Headmaster?"

Hermione wrestled out of his grasp and added the last ingredient to the cauldron. It bubbled and she bottled a sample.

"Listen Potter, don't make me use force," Draco said clearly getting aggravated.

"Use it!" Harry taunted. "Then I can send two Malfoy's into Azkaban!"

Hermione walked around the ongoing fight and placed the sample in Snape's hand. "Professor, aren't you going to stop them?"

Snape smiled an actual genuine smile, "No, Miss Granger. Unless wands are used they're merely having a conversation." Hermione nodded. "How is your arm feeling?"

Hermione smiled, "Better. I don't need the sleeping drought you made me anymore." She flexed her wrist, "Good as new!"

"Very well, you may go."

Hermione walked back to her table, grabbed her book bag and left the classroom.

A pop sounded and the argument stopped. Draco looked towards the table. "Where'd my cauldron go?"

"Where'd Hermione go?" Neville asked. Everyone looked around and Pansy let out a snort.

"Probably crying in the library."

Ron glared at her and noticed a sparkling blue vial on Snape's desk. He nudged Harry and nodded in the vial's direction. "Nothing stops that one."

Harry grinned, "Nothing."

Divination flew by and Harry wondered if it was because he was looking forward to lunch or because he and Ron mastered the art of sleeping with their eyes open. They were walking towards the Common Room to meet Hermione. They went into their dorm and dropped off their books. Seamus looked up as they walked in.

"Hermione said to tell you that she'll meet you in the Great Hall," he paused and looked as if he was trying to recall every word, "because she is just finishing up something and will be right there."

"Thanks Seamus," Harry said while throwing his book bag onto his bed. "Tough break in Potions."

"It's like working with a gorilla," Seamus said falling onto his bed. "What about Parkinson? She wouldn't let go of your arm."

"She's like a leech!" Harry exclaimed rubbing his arm. "I thought I was going to have to saw my arm off."

Seamus laughed and shook his head. He stood up and stretched as Ron emerged from the bathroom. "Well I'm going to hop in the shower. Catch you lot later!" he walked passed Ron and punched his shoulder.

"Lunch time!" Ron exclaimed happily.

"Granger, are you sure this is right? It's looking kind of moldy."

"Honestly Malfoy, if you would have paid attention rather than picking fights you would know that it's supposed to look like this."

Hermione and Draco were in the library; Potions books open and mini cauldron smoking. Draco was cautiously peering over the edge of the cauldron examining its contents. Hermione was busy sorting out the ingredients in the correct proportions.

"Next is gillyweed," Hermione said while looking around. They were seated at a table in the middle of the library. "Malfoy, why aren't we in a more secluded place?"

Draco looked up and smirked, "Why Granger? Want to get to know me better?"

Hermione smiled despite herself. "No, I was just wondering why you would want to be seen with a Gryffindor in the open. A Mudblood no less." Her eyes and smile fell and she looked back at her notes.

Draco studied her face. He wasn't lying when he said she grew up nicely. There was something different about her this year. The way she carried herself and the way things didn't get to her like they normally would. Except for this Mudblood comment. That, and when he asked her about her trip. Of course he knew what had happened – all his father did was plan and boast. He had wanted to hurt her initially but he wanted to get under Potter and Weasley's skin more. Now he was feeling different. He knew she would think he was part of it but he actually wanted nothing to do with it. "Granger," he started uncharacteristically quiet, "I didn't have anything to do with the attack."

Hermione looked up sharply. Her eyes bore into him. His eyes never wavered away from hers and she noticed a slight pink hue to his cheeks. She nodded once, "It was Dolohov. You weren't even there."

"My father was," Draco said slowly, why was he telling her this? "He boasted about it and planned for months. I didn't know it was you they were after." He seemed to catch himself from falling into her eyes again because he suddenly slammed his book shut. "Well," he said all traces of abnormality gone, "same time and place Thursday?" Hermione nodded dumbfounded. "Right, bye Granger," and he strutted out of the library.

"Bhere's merhmionbe?"

"Library," Harry replied absently while staring at the doors. They've been in the Great Hall for a half hour and still no sign from Hermione.

"Lunch bis alhbost oberd," Ron said still chewing. Harry nodded and stared blankly at his plate. Finally, what seemed like an eternity later, Hermione plopped down next to Harry.

"Did it ever occur to the two of you to wait until your whole dining party is present before eating?" she asked with a bright smile.

Harry laughed as Ron looked scandalized. "If we would have waited poor Ron would have starved!"

Hermione laughed as she picked up a roll and chewed thoughtfully. "Care of Magical Creatures is next?" Harry nodded and she put down her roll. "It's too hot out for a jumper. I'll meet you both at Hagrid's hut." She stood to leave but Harry grabbed her hand.

"What about your roll?"

"I'm not very hungry, Harry."

"You can take it with you."

"I had a big breakfast."

"But you haven't eaten since."

Hermione took the roll from Harry's outstretched hand and smiled fondly at him. "See you in a bit," she said as she ruffled his hair and left the Great Hall.

Harry smiled and returned to his lunch. He looked at Ron, who was staring at him wit the most perplexed expression on his face. "What?"

"What was that?"

"What was what?"

"The roll!"

"What about it?"

"Blimey, Harry!"

"She hasn't been eating."

"And you know that for a fact?"

"Well, no. But she needs to eat."

"Everyone needs to eat, mate."

Harry faltered as Ron scrutinized him more. "Well, don't want to be late!" and he jetted from the Great Hall, Ron hot on his heels.