"This is probably the stupidest idea you've ever let pass through that thick skull of yours Malfoy." She hissed, self-consciously folding her arms tighter against her body, shoulders shrugging defensively to cover her face from prying eyes of passing pupils.

A soft snigger alerted her to his amusement, and she sighed inwardly. "I don't even understand. What's in it for you? You hate Harry and Ron."

He lifted his chin slightly, his silver eyes burning holes into the backs of peoples heads. "I'm doing you a favour."

"But why?" Her cheeks flushed from the cold and she was almost thankful she could see The Three Broomsticks a few hundred metres away, until she remembered how awkward the encounter with the boys would be now that Malfoy was coming…

Not that it wouldn't be awkward anyway.

"Because you're going to screw this up and I know it. If you want him to suffer you need to toy with the Weasel, not hex him once and be done with it." She stared up at his pale face, glaring at his lack of faith. She was not completely useless.

"What are you planning Malfoy?" His mouth twitched and he finally met her gaze, quickly looking away as he realised she was staring.

"Nothing Granger. Just trying to keep my position as Head Boy, this is civil, isn't it?" Hermione felt as if there was something he was not telling her.

Before she could open her mouth in protest, Malfoy pushed through the large doors into The Three Broomsticks, smiling softly for a moment at the noisy chatter and the smell of Butterbeer before reclining back into his stony facade. Hermione was truly tired of trying to read the boy's thoughts and emotions, it was like staring at a blank portrait. Occasionally there was a splash of colour, but it left as quickly as it appeared.

Hermione's eyes scanned the crowd of chattering students, looking for her three friends. She saw them sitting in the far corner, facing away from the door, and was hugely grateful for this. It would give her time to compose herself before surely ruining everything by coming in with Malfoy. He stood slightly behind her, his biceps almost grazing her shoulders, and she quickly darted away from him and towards the three Gryffindors, confused by his recent change in behaviour towards her.

"Hermione!" Harry saw her and waved her over with a grin. She happily accepted the invitation, pushing past other customers and taking a seat beside Ron, who smiled at her. Her eyes hardened, but she forced her mouth to form a smile back.

"Hey Harry, Hey Ginny," She turned to the boy besides her. "Ron."

He frowned slightly and turned to ask her whether something was wrong, but at that moment Malfoy had reached their table. Ron stood so quickly that his chair was knocked backwards, his legs hitting the table, forcing butterbeer to slosh from their glasses and onto the tabletop. Ginny gave a small yelp as it dripped onto her sweater, but everyone was too distracted by the handsome blonde. He turned to look at Harry, and Hermione could see him attempting to mask his hatred. "Potter," he looked at Ginny and nodded. "Red."

"Malfoy," Harry hissed quietly, furiously staring at the man before him, "What do you want."

"A seat preferably," he drawled, nonchalantly. Hermione ducked her head down so her friends would not see her smile at his sassy response. He was such an ass. "I think I'll take the one next to Granger."

"Like hell you will," Ron seethed, approaching Malfoy with his chest pushed out and his fists clenched.

"I think you'll find Weasley," Malfoy said, this time a little more aggressively towards the red head, "that she would very much like for me to sit with her. Considering she invited me, after all."

Ron took a step back, and everyone stared at Hermione. Her face blushed bright red, and it only got worse as Malfoy took the seat next to her, casually throwing his arm around her chairs back. Ron's eyes popped at this action, and Harry and Ginny sat gobsmacked.

"You invited him Hermione?"

"Congratulations Weasley, it seems as if you do know how to listen. Someone should notify the professors, they'll be amazed."

Ron lunged towards Malfoy, but Hermione stood from her seat and intercepted the two men. "Malfoy and I are working on-"

"-Our relationship."

"-Our friendship, as Heads," she emphasised, staring angrily at Malfoy's interjection. His lips twitched into a smile and he gave her a sly wink. It was so quick she could have imagined it. Ron, meanwhile, had turned a dangerous shade of red, and Hermione had never seen him look so furious. Maybe Malfoy's plan would actually work… she may have to thank him later. "As Heads we need to be civil and promote unity, so Malfoy and I are spending a little quality time together."

"Is that where you've been all week? Shacking up with Malfoy behind my back?"

It was Malfoy's turn to angrily get to his feet, and he was shocked as he felt a small hand lay tenderly against his forearm, tugging him slightly down. Hermione's eyes showed warning, she was telling him not to give it away. He angrily sat back down as Ginny and Harry gave a synchronised "Ron!"

"For your information Weasley," he spoke with a force calm, jaw clenched tightly and eyes piercing the red head, "She's been sick, and frankly I don't blame her for wanting to escape from seeing your ugly mug each day."

"Stop." Hermione spoke quietly but both boys turned towards her and obediently shut up. "I just want to have a nice meal with my friends so can you please…just…stop." Everyone was quiet for a moment before Harry awkwardly began to talk quidditch strategies to distract the boys from the rising tension.

Ron was still flushed, and keeping a close eye on Malfoy. He made the effort to throw his arm around Hermione's shoulders, and a wave of floral scent washed over her. She felt sick.

"Did you get a new cologne again Ronald?" She asked through clenched teeth, sensing Malfoy's attention turn from quidditch towards their discussion.

He blushed slightly and she could feel the muscles in his arm tense. "Yes."

"It's odd, it smells a lot like something the girls I shared a dorm with used to have." She turned her eyes innocently towards his wide ones, "The company must've come out with a mens line."

"Y-Yeah. They must've."

Ginny turned away from her boyfriend and stared towards the other three. She took notice of Ron's flushed face and panicked expression, Hermione's quiet attitude and stiff body language, and Malfoy… Malfoy glaring at her brother as if he were scum. Not just her brother though, his eyes were fixated on Ron's arm, placed awkwardly around the clearly uncomfortable Hermione. She looked at his white knuckles gripping tightly to the table, and the way his body was leaning slightly towards Hermione, as if he was stopping himself from getting between the two. Hermione had said they were 'trying to be civil,' but this was more than civilised, this was different. Ginny could see something happening, and she was sure as hell going to figure it out.

"Hermione, I need to go to the loo, will you come with?" Hermione stared nervously between the three boys, worried that leaving them alone would end disastrously, but Harry gave her a hesitant smile to reassure her. She left her seat, shoving Ron's heavy arm off her small shoulders, and giving Malfoy a glare, telling him to behave.

He smirked in response.