Hermione and Ron had sat next to each other in their DADA after their quarrel in the Owlrey. She noted that their argument hadn't properly resolved and that it was still an issue that they would have to revisit later. She focussed her attention on Professor Kenny, choosing to ignore the sighs from her boyfriend beside her.

Once the class had finished, Hermione walked down with Harry, Ron, and Parvati to their last period of the day: Potions. They had all accepted that Potions would bring a new partner each week and often it was okay but Hermione saw her name scrawled next to Pansy Parkinson's on the chalkboard and groaned.

"Hello Granger," Pansy said with a bitter smile, "I guess we've gone full circle with the seating arrangements. What. A. Joy."

Hermione hummed as she sat down, praying for another lesson on theory just like on Monday. Slughorn left his office and twirled his wand, so the dusters swiped themselves back and forth over the chalkboard, wiping away the student's names.

"Every Wednesday session until Christmas will be free-study for your upcoming exams in January," announced Slughorn. There was a collective groan as everyone brought out their books or a cauldron to practice for their preliminary exams.

Hermione pulled out her Potions textbook and also another she had picked up at the Library on case studies on complex potions. Despite the task, everyone was conversing and working together. Hermione instead thought this was the perfect opportunity to ignore the crass brunette beside her.

Engrossed in her work, Hermione found herself shuffling uncomfortably to the edge of her seat as a slight pressure against her side kept forcing her to move. Thinking, irritably that it was Pansy, she leaned into her to gently but firmly push her away out of her personal space. The pressure was still persistent against her side, so Hermione turned with a frustrated exclamation on the tip of her tongue when she realised it wasn't Pansy but Draco Malfoy who was leaning into her.

He seemed to be telling Pansy about a relatively simple potion, which Hermione knew was a ploy to flirt with the Slytherin snitch because she knew Pansy was by no means stupid. Perhaps ditsy and provocative but certainly not stupid; she was, after all, taking Advanced Potions to N.E.W.T level. He was still digging into her side.

"Malfoy?" She asked. No reply. "Malfoy?" Still no answer. 'For the love of Dumbledore,' she thought restlessly.

She shuffled her stool to the side, intent on ignoring the two but Pansy's high, tinkling laugh broke her thoughts and made her stall in writing. This was starting to become really irritating now because Draco again was apparently unaware he was leaning into her.

She bit her lip, about to nudge Malfoy with her elbow when he moved off of her but only to whisper something in Pansy's ear. She silently watched as Pansy began to bite her lip, clearly enamoured by what the blond was telling her, making Hermione drop her own lip in aggressive defiance.

Draco inclined back and again pushed against her.

'That's it,' she thought, nastily.

Hermione reached out, placing her hands on the ex-Death Eater's back to keep his body at bay. She was surprised to find out that he felt well built, even though he wore his thick charcoal pullover. Surprised by the contact, Draco turned towards her with a dashing grin on his face, having enjoyed his flirtations with Pansy. He didn't look at all displaced by her touch and even placed his warm hand on the small of Hermione's back.

"Sorry, Granger," he said as if he weren't entirely out of character. Hermione felt the briefest rub of his thumb before he pulled away, winking at Pansy and moving back to sit next to Ron.

'What in Merlin's name was that,' Hermione thought with wide eyes. 'Was he…?' She glanced at Pansy who was smiling devilishly, sucking the tip of her quill, unquestionably attracted to Draco and his attention.

Sneaking a glance behind her, Hermione saw Draco sit back next to Ron. Seeing that Harry was on the table next to them, Hermione decided to play her own little game. Getting up, she made her way over to Harry.

"Hey Harry, how are you getting along?"

Harry, who looked like he was nodding off instead of reading a chapter from Advanced Potion Making: Grade 7, raised his head groggily.

"Well, I've just finished reading the same sentence six times, so rather well, I'd say."

Hermione smiled and glanced quickly over to the neighbouring table.

"Harry, I really want to talk after class if that's all right?" she said loudly.

"Oh, yeah okay. What about?"

"Something quite important that I think you should know," she emphasised. Draco's head swivelled around as he stared intently at Hermione. 'Ha!' she thought, 'let him chew on that.'

Harry nodded, confused.

When the class ended, she held back with Harry and Ron and noted that Draco was hovering and packing slowly. Hermione smirked.

"What did you want to talk about, Hermione?" asked Harry.

"Not now, Harry. In private…" she indicated towards the Slytherin next to them, who licked his lips and made his way to the exit in a languid fashion.

Once he had no more excuse to hang about, Draco left the classroom none the wiser.

"So," Hermione chirped. "How come I had to hear from Ron that you are thinking of being with Ginny forever?"

Harry flushed and adjusted his glasses. "Not yet," he muttered. "Maybe in a few years… But yeah," Harry looked sheepishly at his friends.

"Oh, come here!" Ron banged into his best friend and gave him the tightest hug he could, clapping him on his back.

Hermione grinned watching her boys sharing a brotherly bond. She was happy for Harry that he felt that way, quite sure that Ginny was thinking along the same lines too. Honestly, Hermione thought it was a little early to marry, but Harry's parent's had been young.

"Can you imagine little redheads running around with your troublesome personality, Harry?" Hermione giggled as the three of them left the Potions classroom.

Ron gave Hermione a long, wistful look.

"Mm, what a nightmare," said Harry, scratching the back of his head.

Finger click

*Well I wish it could be Christmas everyday.
When the kids start singing and the band begins to play.
Oh I wish it could be Christmas everyday.
So, let the bells ring out for Christmas.*

I think Dumbledore had an illustrious career with Wizzard.