Blaise looked at Granger and uttered a wolf whistle (to which Draco glared at). "I don't know about you, mate, but for a Muggleborn, Granger's looking fine."
Draco only glared even more. "She's still Granger."
"I know, but this is like Granger version 2," Blaise joked.
Draco ignored him by then and picked his things up, leaving for his first class. It was Ancient Runes first then Transfiguration and then Potions. The first two passed quickly for Draco and then it was Potions with the Gryffindors. When he got there, a few Slytherins were already there, whispering to each other while Professor Ladbean was in front, preparing something that apparently involved, as the muggles term it, a magician's hat. He shrugged and sat in his usual place, drumming his fingers on the desk. The room slowly began to fill up with students, Slytherins and Gryffindors alike. He silently took note of the fact that Hermione came in alone and not with her usual group.
Then finally, class started.
"Alright, class. Today, I am changing your Potions partners. We all need some House Unity around here and so the Slytherins will be paired with Gryffindors and vice versa," he paused, acknowledging the groans that erupted from the class. "Now, only one house will reach into this magician's house and to be fair, we toss a coin. Choose a representative."
The two Houses turned to each other and started discussing. Finally, Slytherin chose Draco. Gryffindor however still didn't decide.
"Harry!" Dean Thomas suggested.
"No, really guys let someone else do it," Harry replied.
"Bloody hell then I can do it!" Seamus said, receiving a few chuckles.
"How 'bout Ron?" Parvati piped up.
"Oh no. Nope, not gonna do it," Ron said. Again the whole House started arguing about who it should be. Hermione, bored and annoyed because of how her House is so indecisive, slammed her palm down her table.
"For Godric's sake, pick already!" She snapped, everyone, even herself was surprised.
Then finally, "Why don't you do it, Hermione?" Lavender said.
"Yeah," the others said.
Hermione sighed, she knew she couldn't back out, she was the one who bloody blew up and slammed her hand down her desk. Besides, if she did it would be like hypocrisy. So she stood up and the whole room hushed down to a quiet whisper.
"Ah, Ms. Granger and Mr. Malfoy. Heads or tails?" Professor Ladbean said, raising his eyebrows.
"Heads," Hermione said.
"Tails," Draco said the same time. They stared at each other.
"Heads for Gryffindor, tails for Slytherin. Frankly, I'm not surprised," Ladbean commented.
He chuckled before tossing the coin up and then—
"Heads!" He announced. Hermione smirked a smirk that could challenge Draco's. He only sneered back. "Miss Granger, if you would do the honors?"
Hermione reached into the hat, still not looking away from Draco. She picked a piece of paper and pulled it out, hoping for someone at least decent. She read the name and her face fell, but only slightly, she didn't want the prick in front of her to notice.
"May we know who it is, Granger?" Malfoy asked, obviously noticing her face.
"I think you already know who it is, Malfoy," she replied bluntly. "You."
Almost as if a spell was cast on every student, they all involuntarily gasped. Even Draco had the same reaction as Hermione had.
"Interesting," Ladbean mumbled then cleared his throat. "Aright, Miss Granger, gather your things and sit next to Mister Malfoy."
Again Hermione sighed and grabbed her things, begrudgingly sitting next to Malfoy. She leaned away from him, resting her chin on her hand. The hand he gripped at last night was a bit sore and there was this barely there bruise – barely noticeable, really.
But not for Draco.
For him it was like she was brandishing the tiny bruise. He stared at it, brows furrowed. Hermione noticed and let it go at first then it just got awkward. She finally realized that it was the bruise he was looking at and quickly lowered her arm. Draco looked away at the same, time cursing under his breath then turned his attention towards the picking of partners.
So far Harry got Blaise, Ron got Pansy (much to each other's chagrin), Parvati got Goyle and Lavender got Crabbe, the rest, Draco droned out.
Then when the partners were sorted out, Ladbean spoke. "Alright, I must trust that all of you get along well, without teamwork or even communication, you lot best expect a T," he looked sharply at every breathing student in the room. "That is all, get ready for tomorrow. Remember if you don't have teamwork, well, you'll learn to be familiar with the first letter."
With those last encouraging words, he dismissed the class. Draco had just gone out of the classroom when Hermione decided to tell him. So she followed him, silently, not even calling out to him. No, people would only hear and snicker and Merlin knows what Malfoy would do to her in public if she does that so the best thing to do is to follow him.
She followed him down the halls and out to the lake. He stopped so suddenly she almost crashed into him.
"Anything you want to say, Granger?" Draco all but demanded.
Hermione looked at him squarely in the eye. "Actually, yes, Malfoy." Draco only raised his eyebrow in response, she took this as permission to continue. "I want to call a truce. For academic reason of course –"
Draco cut her off. "Whatever you say, Granger, I know for one that you would be absolutely devastated to get a T."
"It's agreed then, a truce," she held out her hand for him to shake. He looked at it warily, it was the arm. She noticed his look. Did she interpret it correctly? Well – "Oh for Merlin's sake, Malfoy! Really? Blood prejudice? You let that get over your oh so pure mind once again? The war is over Malfoy –"
He grasped her hand and shook it.
"Happy, Granger?" Draco hissed, stepping around her and walking away.
Hermione stared after him, quite baffled despite herself. She shook her head and went inside the castle again.
"I heard about your new Potions buddy," Ginny said, sitting in front of Hermione with a knowing smile.
Hermione made a face. "Don't think I have to be reminded, Gin."
Ginny laughed. "Oh but maybe it's a way to get rid of all that… tension around you two."
Hermione choked on her Pumpkin Juice. "What?!"
"Oh, nothing."
"Why do you seem like Malfoy's totally not the same person you used to hate?" Hermione asked, eyebrows raised.
Ginny shrugged. "The war changes people."
A/N: AND FINALLY SHE UPDATED AFTER 49570450392048 YEARS. So sorry for those who waited (if there are even any). I really hope you'd like this. xx
