Hermione was ready at 7.45, in the old classroom, with a binder full of information, colour coded, and neatly labelled. Malfoy walked in at 8 am sharp, carrying a heavy looking scroll filled with perfect penmanship that made Hermione both embarrassed, and if she was honest to herself, a little turned on.

Each found, to his/ her surprise, that the other was smart, insightful and organized.

And yet, it couldn't have been a more painful exchange.

Malfoy did not know how to talk politely to Granger, so he chose not to talk at all. They were both quietly going through the materials, and after a silence of 20 minutes, Malfoy decided he'd had enough of this uncomfortable rendezvous.

"I'll go through your material, Granger, and shoot you an owl if I want to connect again. It doesn't seem like we have very much else to say, and I'm sure you have a lot of poor souls to salvage, to I'll see you around"

And he was gone.

Hermione sighed, and packed up her stuff. She didn't know why she'd expected the exchange to go better. She was just locking up the door behind her, when she heard a commotion further in the dungeon.

This part of the castle was almost always empty, especially this early on a weekend. Hermione hurried down the corridor to where she thought the noise was coming from. She saw Matthew Turdon and Grisham Shunpike, two sixth year Gryffindors, holding Malfoy at wand point. They seemed high on narcotics.

"I don't know how the wizengamot let you off Malfoy, but you and your family are nothing but cockroaches. I'm going to make you regret the day you decided to get that ugly ass- tattoo" Shunpike threatened, holding his wand very near Malfoy's jugular.

Malfoy, for his part, didn't seem perturbed.

"You can try, but it'll be hard making me regret it more than I already do"

"Oy!" shouted Turdon and brandished his wand, but before he could utter a word, a red jet of light flashed and both Turdon and Shunpike lay stunned on the ground.

"Silent stunners Granger? Impressive"

Hermione walked over the two stunned boys, confiscating their wands.

"Still surprised I can do magic, Malfoy? Grow up. Though I'm surprised Mr. true blue wizard didn't use his wand to defend himself"

Hermione saw Malfoy's posture stiffen slightly before he responded. "I'm on probation. And as you witnessed just now, the good guys aren't always good, they are looking for an excuse to throw me back where I belong. Anyway, I'll get going. Breakfast awaits."

Hermione put her hand on Malfoy's shoulder gently to stop him from leaving, and looked up into his eyes. Malfoy saw no pity in her eyes, just warmth.

"That's not okay Malfoy. And your mark doesn't define you, just like my scar doesn't define me. And anyway, I don't reckon you would've made a very good dark wizard. You have no instincts."

Malfoy looked puzzled, but Hermione smirked

"Otherwise, you would've pulled a Granger and punched the idiots"