A/N: I understand that Lotr's was only released in 2001. But I love the films and wanted it in the story.

Hermione Owled Professor McGonagall explaining that she wanted to return early so she could squeeze in extra study time. Unfortunately, the Hogwarts Express only ran on certain days of the year, so she was sent a portkey that would take her to the periphery of the castle and meet McGonagall at the gates. Owing to the fact that Hermione did spend most of her time at Hogwarts in the library studying, her Transfiguration teacher thought nothing of it. She greeted Hermione with a smile and escorted her to the Gryffindor common room.

As soon as she was left alone, she began to unpack her trunk, putting her things away neatly. It didn't take long to do and she soon found herself sitting on the edge of her bed wondering what her next move would be. The truth was that Hermione had been so busy thinking about returning to the castle, that she'd never given a second thought to what she would do once she actually got there. She could use the Marauders Map to find Draco but she wasn't sure if Harry had taken it with him. Then again, what good would it do to merely spy on him? Deep down Hermione wanted it to be his decision to do the right thing and for some insane illogical reason, she believed he could. He just needed a — a Jiminy cricket — a conscience — a nudge in the right direction.

Going into the boy's dormitory she looked for the Mauraders Map hoping he hadn't taken it with him to the burrow. It would be of no use there so perhaps...

She smiled as she found it tucked away under his pillow. She unfolded it and found that the castle was almost empty. Snape was here. McGonagall. Lisa Turpin. Theodore Nott.

Draco Malfoy.

A little black dot moving up towards the seventh floor. Why would he... was he coming to the Gryffindor Tower? No, she reasoned, that didn't make sense.

The only other thing she could think of that was on the seventh floor was the Room of Requirement.

Tapping her wand on the parchment she said "Mischief Managed." She threw on a jumper and ran out. Turning down the corridor she saw him further along and began to follow. He stopped and turned so suddenly she almost jumped out of her skin.

He was looking at her as if she were one of the castle ghosts. She asked him if he was going to the Room of Requirement and he responded by glowering at her which meant he was definitely up to something there.

But then he said he had read the Picture of Dorian Gray and that gave her so much hope. If he was willing to do that, he was willing to listen… right?

Then it hit her, she would just babysit Malfoy from now on, that's how she'd deal with this. Eventually, something would rub off.

Still, his mere presence was so nerve-wracking. He was standing in the middle of the Gryffindor common room looking like a lost puppy. Then getting the TV to work without electricity was another hassle and it wasn't as if 'Mr I'm-a-pureblood knew how to help. The whole ordeal was traumatic, to say the least. She wished he would relax because then she finally could. Instead, he was sitting on the sofa upright, like a stone statue.

Was he even breathing, she wondered. This wasn't at all like watching a film with Harry.

The film started and she was glad that she'd chosen Lord of the Rings. After she'd conceded that yes — wizards and elves were grossly misrepresented and explained that everything in the film was a fictional story written by a muggle — Draco became completely absorbed. He even seemed to relax a little into the sofa. Halfway through, the silence between them had become somewhat comfortable. He seemed, though, to have the bad habit of asking her what was going to happen without waiting and watching to find out. Will Boromir try to steal the ring from Frodo? How will Gandalf escape from that tower, he can't Apparate, can he?

When The Lord of the Rings was over, she raised her arms and stretched her tight muscles.

Draco looking at her accusingly, as if she'd done something he didn't agree with. "It's stopped," he frowned.

"It's over."

"But the story wasn't finished."

"It's a trilogy, there are two more films."

"Oh good," he said settling back into the sofa. Her mouth hung open.

"You want to watch them now?"

He scowled at her. "What's the point of only showing me a third of a story?"

"Each movie is almost three hours long!"

"Better get some food then," he muttered. "Nix!"

Hermione almost jumped as an elf apparated right in front of her.

"Master Malfoy is calling?" asked the little elf.

Draco smiled, "Bring dinner Nix. For both of us."

"I can get my own dinner, thank you very much!"

Nix began to whimper. "Miss doesn't like Nix—"

"She doesn't know what she's talking about," he interjected.

"Nix makes nice food!"

Hermione's eyes widened realizing the elf was on the verge of tears.

"No, no, I want food, I just — if you're tired, I'd be happy to get it myself."

Draco leaned in close to Nix. "Don't listen to her," he whispered loud enough for her to hear. "You see Nix, she's... she's not all there," he tapped his temple with his index finger. "Know what I mean?"

The elf's large round eyes widened before he began to slowly nod in understanding. He gave Hermione a sad smile and disapparated with a pop.

Hermione rounded on him as soon as he was gone, seething.

"Real classy, Malfoy!"

"I'll have you know Nix happens to really like me. He used to work here in the kitchens and he'd always bring me sugar quills and jelly slugs."

She stared at him with utter disbelief. He was absolutely awful, all the way to his shrivelled non-existent heart.

"All those sweets will rot your teeth," she scowled squinting at him.

"Ridiculous," smirked Draco. "I have excellent teeth."

"You're so conceited..."

Draco's smug face fell. "What's your problem?" he growled.

"Just remembering the time you hit me with Densaugeo," she cut back.

"That's not fair, I was aiming it at Potter!"

"After you said you didn't want a Mudblood touching your hand!"

Malfoy's cheeks were bright red. He was glaring at her, his jaw clenched. She knew they were both thinking the same thing; he clearly didn't have a problem with her touching him anymore. "You could apologize," she blurted out. "For everything."

He stared at her for a long moment. "Fine," he huffed. "If you apologize for slapping me."

"You deserved that, you were going to kill poor Buckbeak!"

He narrowed his eyes at her and leaned in close. "Don't you mean Witherwings?" he drawled.

Her breath hitched. She'd just deny it, she'd just—

"Don't even bother, I'm not stupid."

"But, but how did you know?" stuttered Hermione.

Draco scoffed. "Like I haven't seen you down there cuddling the little monster like a little Pygmy Puff."

Hermione began chewing her lip and stared at him intently. "You've been watching me?" she whispered meekly.

"No — I, I just..." She leaned into him, waiting for him to go on. "I saw you once," he said clearing his throat. "Just the one time."

Without meaning to Hermione found herself close enough to catch the scent of him. He smelled of citrus, spice and fresh wood. She felt a warm blush crawl up her neck as she realised what she was doing.

"Okay," she said, clearing her throat. "I apologise. I'm sorry I slapped you, Draco."

He blinked, almost surprised that she had. "I... I'm," but the words seemed to stick in his throat. She looked at him meaningfully waiting for his apology, but his eyes were hooded, staring at her mouth.

"Draco?"

His throat bobbed, tearing his gaze from her lips.

"I... I'm sorry too."

Hermione pursed her lips biting back a smile. She knew she should shift away but a part of her wanted to get that much closer, just enough to—

"Nix brings Master and Miss food!"

Draco startled, standing up so quickly that the cushion fell off his lap. Hermione was blushing a red to rival Ginny's hair. She was up too and started fiddling with the DVD player.

"Right, next disk," she announced.

"Next what?"

"Next film."

Without looking at him, she sat back down onto the sofa, much further away from him than she'd been sitting before. Flicking her wand, the film started. She took a cushion and pressed it to her chest, it felt colder on this side. She frowned when she realized that Nix had left Draco a sugar quill. Spoilt brat.

He held it out, offering it to her.

"Don't worry Granger, you have excellent teeth too."

Her heart stopped.