"So that's why you put me up to reading this Granger, you want to draw parallels between what this Hitler guy did and what was happening in the Wizarding Wars? That's preposterous. I've told you a million times before, wizards are not simpletons and idiots like muggles. Differentiating on the base of race? Classy. And here I thought, the idea of our exchanges was for you to get me to want to LIKE muggles"

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Such an arbitrary base to create a war, right? Just like blood purity."

Draco ground his teeth. "Blood purity is not a one-dimensional concept. Its' just a little misunderstood. And the idea was never murder, it was to acknowledge the rich history of purebloods and keep them safe from muggles and their weapons of mass destruction, which, honestly, makes even more sense once you get to know of this Hilter guy."

"Well," Hermione postured, "Did you know your darling Lord was a half-blood?"

Malfoy shook his head dejectedly. "Found out somewhere in the middle of the war one day. He actually told me himself, just to make the embarrassment of sullying my ancestral home with his dark magic complete – letting me know that we were so blinded by hatred, we let ourselves be hoodwinked by an ugly pied piper."

"You know the pied piper story!", said Hermione excitedly. "That's muggle"

"It's a decidedly accurate magical historic event, Granger, following which the sale of ashwinder was banned in Eastern Europe without a prescription"

This was how most of their conversations went. A constant struggle, an endless back and forth, but the quips and comments now lacked malice, Hermione had begun to note.

Even Malfoy's insults now talked about how she had dark circles under her eyes from working too hard on her bureaucracy review – it almost seemed like concern. However, conversations only happened early in the morning, on Saturdays before breakfast, when the rest of the school was dead to the world. Hermione was sure she wasn't ready to explain her new friendship to the boys yet, and she was sure Malfoy would swallow his own vomit before he would publicly acknowledge her existence.

Still, she immensely enjoyed having an intellectual sparring partner, and her research had really sped up with access to the endless treasure that was Malfoy's personal library. Having have built an in depth understanding, she was zeroing in on the root of the equation.

"Equation? Ms Granger?"

Hermione pulled herself out f her reverie. She was in Arithmancy, drooling over her desk. She quickly wiped at her face. In the background, she could hear Malfoy sniggering. Git.

"Sorry professor, I, erm, I didn't catch the end part of what you were saying. I think I've been a bit distracted due to my thesis…"

Vector did NOT seem to be in a good mood. "It seems like didn't catch any of what we have been discussing all morning Ms Granger. It feels like you have already decided you are too good for Hogwarts, and the general curriculum, now that you are pursuing research and suggesting changes to what should be taught. Tell me, Ms Granger, does arithmancy bore you? Do you feel like you've learnt all that you needed to know?"

Hermione grew paler, and shook her head earnestly

"It sure seems like it. Are you already aware of how to balance complex equations to stabilize potion making at scale, so that medications can be made available to all?"

"I"

"Have you already figured out everything there is to know about converting signatures of magical elements into mathematical equations to sustain wand making?"

"Tell me, how do you plan to change a world you barely understand, Ms. Granger. How will you convince people of your worth if your foundation has holes?"

Hermione could physically feel her heart sink. She had disappointed a teacher. This couldn't be happening.

"You know, if you let her, I'm sure she could answer all your questions, but that's not the point. The point is, if people still have doubts about Ms Granger's capabilities, they are the ones who should be checking their bias", a voice from the back drawled.

Malfoy? Hermione thought. This was definitely not happening.

There was a creaking of furniture as Malfoy got out of his desk and slung his backpack across nonchalantly. He walked up right next to Professor Vector and Hermione casually, and caught hold of Hermione's hand.

"Now if you excuse me professor, it is obvious my classmate is not feeling well, otherwise she would never disappoint a teacher so. I shall be accompanying her to the hospital wing. We will follow up on notes from the rest of the class"

And without waiting for a response, Malfoy walked out of the classroom, dragging a dazed Hermione behind him.