So, it was with a feeling of déjà vu that Hermione attended detention that evening. By the time Hermione arrived Draco, Ginny and Blaise were already there, all looking as enthusiastic as she felt. Professor McGonagall was at her most severe not even glancing Hermione's way when she entered her office.

Ginny had told Hermione that she and Blaise had a severe talking to from Dumbledore and McGonagall and they had not only been given detention for the next two weeks with various teachers, they had also had their other free time taken away by being given a list of duties that had to be done each break and dinnertime. Ginny had told all this to Hermione in a cheerful voice because she didn't care what she had to do now that she and Blaise were back together. Hermione had to marvel at Ginny's rapid mood changes but she was glad they had sorted it out. She couldn't see that she and Draco would be able to reconcile so easily.

They were given the task of completely re-organising Professor McGonagall's archived filing. She gave them a list of quite detailed instructions about which files needed to be where and how she wanted them re-organizing. She expected them to be able to sort out the duties themselves and she would return in three hours.

At first it all went well with each of them taking a set of files and re-organising them as instructed. After about 40 minutes Ginny seemed to lose concentration and began wondering around the office opening and shutting drawers and cupboards.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked her and Ginny shrugged.

"Just being nosey, I'm bored."

"It's no good you being bored, if we don't finish tonight she'll have us back here tomorrow," Hermione said.

"See, Blaise and I are already coming back tomorrow and the day after and the day after so I don't really care about rushing it." Ginny opened a large cupboard door and half the items fell off the shelf onto the floor. Blaise jumped up and started helping Ginny put the items back but the two of them were giggling and grabbing each other and Hermione had to turn away because they were annoying her. She hated to admit it but she and Draco worked so well together, they both just got on with the task. She sighed and started sorting the next pile of files when she felt Draco's eyes on her and she looked up at him. He was smirking at her, his eyes dancing in amusement. She knew she should just ignore him but she couldn't.

"What's funny?"

"You are." Draco's reply was short and he continued to smirk at her.

"What do you mean? How can watching me sort through a huge pile of school files be amusing?" Hermione asked in an irritated voice. Draco shuffled his chair around the desk a little and leaned in close.

"It's funny because those two are getting right up my nose and I was just thinking about telling them to stop messing around when I turn and look at you and you have an expression on your face which tells me you're thinking exactly the same thing," he said this quietly so they couldn't hear. Hermione glanced over at them.

"Was I that obvious? They might have detention for the next few weeks but it doesn't mean we have to!" Hermione spoke in the same quiet voice entirely forgetting for a second that she and Draco were supposed to not be speaking. Draco nodded in agreement.

"Exactly!"

Hermione looked at him. "Why don't you just go and grab her and plonk her in her seat? That seems to be your answer to getting a girl to do what you want."

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Have you any idea just how embarrassed I was when you did that to me earlier? I mean how dare you!" Hermione pushed her pile of files towards him. "Maybe I'll just sit here while you do my share as it's your fault I have detention." She put her hand to her ear. "Let me know when you are about to apologise."

"Apologise for what exactly? Trying to stop our silly argument from continuing?" Draco challenged her. "And just to make it clear I can get any girl to do what I want without resorting to manhandling her."

Hermione raised her eyes to the ceiling. "Here we go again! I think you'll find I'm proof that that isn't true. You couldn't get me to move seats today and you couldn't make me rush into confessing undying love for you at the meal either!"

"I could have done if you hadn't rushed off. You would have been happy to confess to anything if you'd let me look after you all night as I'd planned." Draco raised his eyes suggestively at her.

"That's easy to say isn't it? The fact is I did rush off and you couldn't stop me! So stop going on and on about your skills handling girls! As you just said actions speak louder than words so I'll believe it when I see it."

Draco put the files down that he was holding and stared at her. "That's a challenge if ever I've heard one. OK then, how about a bet?"

"I think we've had enough bets between us. That's how we got in this mess."

"You're just scared you'll lose." Draco said challengingly.

Hermione sighed. "No I'm not."

"Right then, here's the bet. Despite the fact that those two are all over each other in a newly loved up state, I bet I can get Ginny to come back to the table and finish this with us. No manhandling her as you put it, I'll just use my persuasive skills. "

Hermione stared at him then looked over at Ginny and Blaise. "Go on then let's see you try."

Draco winked at her and stood up before approaching Ginny and Blaise. He bent close to Ginny but she couldn't hear what he was saying. Ginny appeared perfectly happy and was smiling at Draco and nodding. Hermione suddenly had a sinking feeling as she realised she was about to lose the bet. She should have known better. He didn't get his reputation without reason. She saw him take Ginny's hand and help her to her feet before they both walked back to the table and without further ado Ginny began sorting through the files. Hermione didn't even want to look at Draco's face knowing it would have a smug expression on it but she couldn't stop herself. He was grinning at her, his head leaning to one side. He licked his forefinger and drew an imaginary vertical line in the air to indicate he'd won this one and she pulled a face at him.

"What's going on with you two then?" Ginny noticed their exchange. "Have you kissed and made up yet?"

"Any minute now..." Draco said.

Hermione had been glaring at Ginny but Draco just leant across the table towards Hermione, his lips puckered waiting for a kiss making Ginny giggle. Hermione turned her glare to Draco who wiggled his eyebrows at her. Hermione tried her best not to find him amusing but he was actually being very funny and she had to fight hard not to smile.

"In your dreams, Malfoy." Hermione managed to say without giggling.

He sat back in his chair and winked at her, then turned to Ginny. "I bet I can get Hermione to say she wants me to kiss her by this time next week."

Ginny grinned at him. "You're on."

Hermione waved at them both. "Hello! I am right here you know!"

"It's just part of me proving to you that I have a seductive power over women." Draco explained.

"Arrogant git." Hermione mumbled and Ginny chuckled.

"Have to say it's not looking good for you right now, Draco," she said.

Blaise joined them at the table and for the next half hour the four of them worked very hard and had almost finished when Professor McGonagall arrived back. Any other time the Professor would have probably been happy with what they had done but she was not in the mood to be lenient with them and instructed them all to return the same time tomorrow.

As they left her office Hermione turned to Draco her hands on his hips. "So you're going to let me do another night of detention for something I didn't do?"

Draco stopped and looked at her. "You're not innocent! If you'd not been acting so ridiculously in the restaurant, you would have been sitting in the right seat in class."

"Ridiculously?" Hermione's voice rose. "How can you say I was acting ridiculously?"

Draco laughed at her. "You really need to stop taking me so seriously, Hermione."

Ginny grabbed her arm. "Come on, Hermione. Let's get back you two can continue this argument tomorrow."

In answer to a couple of reviews, I hope this story is dragging on too long. It will be wrapped up in the next few chapters but hope you are still all enjoying it. Please review, it's great to get your opinions! x