A/N:Dear readers, I'm sorry for the last two chapters. I'm still suffering the lingering effects of writer's block and upon reading back I am ashamed of how I've been writing. Please spare a minute or two to share your advice and criticism on any of my stories but this one in particular. And if this stubborn chapter comes out wrong then forgive me!

I do not profit from the writing of this story and I do not own anything related to Harry Potter or any songs used here.

"First things first. Come here you two."

They warily took a step back at once; after what had happened the first time she said that they weren't about to trust that line again any time soon.

"I said, come here." It was amazing how she could look so cheerful but still sound so menacing.

They went up to her desk and she tapped their bracelets with her wand, muttering under her breath as she did so. The bracelets glowed and became a little less transparent, like diamond now instead of pure water. They would have been so beautiful if they weren't forcing the wearers to spill their hearts out.

"There. I've made them a little less truthful. You see, whenever they force you to sing, I hear you singing-although of course I don't see anything that would be too much an invasion of your privacy. After Miss Granger here had to jump a line I realized the bracelets were too powerful so I lessened the need for honesty a little. Strong emotions will still compel you to sing only now you can include lines that might be a little untrue."

"What line did she jump?" demanded Draco at once.

Professor Meriwinkle smiled and gestured for them to be seated, ignoring Draco's question.

"Professor what line did she jump?" asked Draco again. Hermione averted her eyes from his and sat down obediently.

"Alas deafness is a common ailment of one as old as I am. I'm afraid I cannot hear a word you say my dear boy so please be seated at once."

To Hermione's surprise he took a seat next to her, scowling as he did so.

"Now then my dears, we'll just do a little theory today although you'll have to sing at the end of the lesson so I can make sure your singing skills are still satisfactory."

She waved her wand and a couple of music theory books floated to Hermione and Draco.

"Copy down what I write now dears."

She turned to the board and began to mark the position of the different notes.

"My book's ruined." observed Draco.

"Let me see."

Hermione flipped quickly through his book which was in perfect condition.

"There's nothing wrong with it Draco."

"It's covered in these lines! How am I supposed to write on it?" He demanded.

Hermione bit the corner of her bottom lip and asked their teacher for a little help. Professor Meriwinkle kindly did her best to explain the necessity of lines for studying the theory of music.

Draco shook his head. "Musicians." he said as if speaking of those who were mentally unsound.

"Everything clear now Mr. Malfoy?"

"Yes Professor." He obediently set to work copying down music notes as Professor Meriwinkle explained and demonstrated the notes on her piano.

It was a peaceful lesson and as their teacher proved herself perfectly knowledgeable in the subject and no singing was required, the two Heads found themselves respecting her a little more and even enjoyed the lesson as, when it came to music, both Draco and Hermione were on even footing i.e. they were both equally clueless.

At one point, while their teacher was writing on the blackboard, Draco slid a note over to Hermione who opened it as discreetly as possible.

'You're not jumping out of your seat to answer questions today. Is my presence too much for you?'

She glared at him as he smirked and quickly wrote a reply, the point of her quill almost tearing the scrap of parchment.

'You're just glad because I'm not highlighting your lack of brains.'

'Touché'

'Stop this at once.'

'Why? You're obviously enjoying our banter.'

'I am not!'

'Are too.'

'I most certainly am not.'

'Then why are you still replying?'

'I'm trying to get you to stop.'

'As if. You just want to go back to being the perfect boring little student but my presence is too distracting for you.'

'At least I'm responsible!'

'No you're not.'

'When have I ever failed to be responsible?'

'You're writing notes in class.'

Draco smothered a snigger at the look on her face.

'You're going to get us in trouble now pay attention or I'll beat you at this subject too.'

She won the argument with that line as she knew she would. Draco immediately stuffed the scrap of parchment into his bag and returned his fullest attention to Professor Meriwinkle as she began explaining about counts and beats.

Hermione couldn't help a guilty smile though. She had enjoyed the silly, brief little argument with Draco since there had been no malice in it. It was probably a bad thing that they still couldn't help arguing with each other but there hadn't been any spite in it at least.

"All clear?" asked their teacher at last.

Hermione and Draco nodded, dread rising in them.

'Please let her have forgotten' thought Draco.

'Please let there be not enough time' thought Hermione.

But as luck would have it-

"Time to sing my dears! Up you get."

They reluctantly got up and stood on the little stage she had added to the front of the classroom since their last lesson.

"Pretend I'm not here and imagine what you would say to each other then let the bracelets take over." she instructed.

Both Draco and Hermione stared at her in disbelief; how on earth were you supposed to ignore someone dressed in robes so bright a blind man could spot them?

"Go on then dears."

They turned and stared at each other.

Hermione couldn't help noticing how unique his eyes were, stone grey with a hint of blue and stared into them.

He too was a little mesmerized by her clear brown eyes, so much so that he felt the strangest compulsion to be honest with her which did not happen often with him; generally he hid his feelings and only showed those that were negative and in keeping with what he then thought was befitting those of the name of Malfoy.

"I want to be your friend." He admitted at last.

She smiled as his cheeks turned pink.

"You already are." she replied simply.

"No technically you are my friend but I don't think I can be yours." he said hesitantly.

"Why?"

Her eyes really were very compelling. That or he was suffering from an acute case of verbal diarrhea.

"Because I'm scared."

"Why?" she asked again.

Professor Meriwinkle smiled to herself quietly as she sat forgotten in a corner, sipping from her little flask.

"Because you're a good person. I've only just started learning how to not be a bad one." he confessed.

She opened her mouth to tell him exactly what she thought of that kind of silly brooding and-her bracelet started glowing.

Hermione felt her unwilling lips part and the song already spilling out.

H: Don't know much about your life

Don't know much about your world

Don't wanna be alone tonight

On this planet they call earth

Draco's bracelet started to glow too and he found himself answering her, the truth flying from his lips before he could stop himself.

D: You don't know about my past

I don't have a future figured out

And maybe this is going too fast

And maybe it's not meant to last

Here Hermione broke in determined to make him see things in a brighter light. Sadly it still came out in song as their bracelets glowed, pink and blue light shining on each other's faces.

H: But what do you say to taking chances?

What do you say to jumping off the edge

Never knowing if there's solid ground below

Or hand to hold

Or hell to pay

What do you say?

A glimmer of hope shone forth to Draco as he allowed a small crack to show in the armor which shielded his feelings from others.

D: I just wanna start again

Maybe you could show me how to try

She broke in again, pressing her fingers to his lips, not because she didn't want to hear what he had to sing but because something was prompting her, telling her the next line suited her better.

H: Maybe you could take me in

Somewhere underneath your skin!

She felt a little release as she belted out that last note. Emboldened she allowed herself to follow the promptings of the bracelet's magic and sang straight at him without any hesitation this time.

H: What do you say to taking chances?

What do you say to jumping off the edge

Never knowing if there's solid ground below

Or hand to hold

Or hell to pay

What do you say?

What do you say?

The bracelets' light dimmed and faded. Professor Meriwinkle came over, beaming at them.

"Beautifully done my dears! Miss Granger your control of your voice was superb and Mr. Malfoy you added an original feel to that song considering the original artist was female! Excellent! Ten points each! Now for homework, read up as much as you can on the history of music amongst wizards and the influence of muggle music on said history. Beautiful singing my dears truly!"

Her voice broke the spell and they turned from each other.

"Thanks Professor." they mumbled.

"You may go off to your next class now."

They left the class, Draco again surprising Hermione by carrying her bag for her.

They walked in silence, dwelling on their singing earlier.

"Alright." Draco said at length.

"I'm sorry?" she asked.

He ran his hand through his hair, cheeks pink again.

"You asked what I thought about taking a chance on you didn't you? I said alright. But don't expect me to be all mushy or anything. And don't get any ideas!" he blustered, his cheeks getting redder.

Hermione could've danced for joy at her success but decided the best way to lighten the situation for him was humor and adopted that tack.

"You flatter yourself Draco."

"We both know you want me Hermione. That's why you're being so nice to me this year. You can no longer repress your longing for me."

"Who's the one blushing then?" she demanded, her argumentative side aroused.

That silenced him effectively and she smirked like a Slytherin all the way to their Charms class.