Part I - Before
Autumn
Hermione Granger knew one thing. This year no one would put themselves in her way, not even the adventures with their best friend, Harry Potter. Well, maybe not that. But apart from that, nothing would stop her from continuing to be the best of her class and her year. After the disaster of Umbridge's teaching and the death of Sirius, Hermione felt behind, she missed her books and the long hours spent in the library. The scent of parchment. The familiarity of her solitary corner, where Hermione could be herself. So when Professor Snape decided to pair up for the lesson project, and Hermione was pair with the obnoxious and cruel Draco Malfoy, she wanted to make a tantrum, but she had made a promise to herself: she wanted to get back to her normal state, to return to the books when the whole witchcraft community was preparing for an imminent war, Hermione wanted to have the last year focused on its studies, as was supposed. After all, it was for this that she came to Hogwarts.
At least the prince of Slytherin did not spit any horrible words against her. To her surprise, he just sat down beside her, as Snape had commanded, and remained silent, with an expression of indifference. Good, Hermione thought.
"Before you start complaining that you do not like your partner, know that I could care less about your needs and affiliations." Snape said, in a relaxed tone of pure indifference. "Each group will perform two potions, an Antidote to Veritaserum and Veritaserum. They are two complex potions, which take weeks to be mastered and completed, so they have to be check for bad results or problems between groups, you have only three weeks to complete the task."
The crowd grunted, too loud for Snape's taste, but Hermione's head was already a thousand at a time, listing the various books she had read and mentioning these potions. She always liked a good challenge. Hermione glanced at the enemy at her side, who was completely distracted by scribbling lines in the notebook, with the palm of the hand supporting his head. He looked different, Hermione thought. But they were all a little different since Cedric's death. Professor Snape continued to lecture, writing something on the board about the potion of the day, though Hermione, against everything her head was shouting at her, decided to talk to Draco since it had to happen eventually.
"What do you think of the potion?" Hermione asked in a low tone, almost a mere whisper.
"Super interesting." Draco said sarcastically, not looking up at Hermione.
Hermione wanted to protest, perhaps to shout a little with him, but it was always preferable a Draco Malfoy with his controlled temper, then one who spits venomous words against her. Still, she could not let it go.
"I have to do some research, there are a lot of failed theories on how to make this potion, I suppose we have to try."
"As you wish". Draco looked up briefly at Hermione, only to show an expression of discontent.
"Unfortunately, we're going to have to see ourselves out of class to do this." Hermione said defensively. "So, I think we should be civil with each other, even if we both want to kill each other."
Draco looked at Hermione with an incredulous look and gave him his usual smirk. "Do you want to kill me, Granger? It's not much a Gryffindor of you."
Hermione glared at Malfoy's grey eyes, intensely until she returned to her senses and scowl at him. "Maybe. But you know what I mean." she said turning her eyes on the blackboard.
"We'll meet in the library tomorrow, let's just get this over with as quickly as possible and avoid a murder." He said with a smirk.
The remaining classes passed quickly, Hermione felt that the expected work of the students this year had been reinforced and this made her enthusiastic. In addition, the motivation ran in her veins as he looked at her Head Girl badge. It was something Hermione had always dreamed of and was grateful to Professor Minerva for giving her this chance. So, when struck the twelve beads, Hermione ran from the tower of Gryffindor, bidding farewell to her best friends so absorbed in the game of chess that they barely noticed that the young sorceress had left the room.
This is going to be a good year, Hermione thought. Must be. After all, that happened, after Harry had been possessed by Voldemort, after Sirius' tragic death, after having supported his best friend at this difficult time. Hermione was so immersed in her own thoughts that she did not even question who she was patrolling with today. Realizing the young man waiting for her against the wall, Hermione's enthusiastic expression was replaced by an expression of disgust and dismay. Draco Malfoy. Of course.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" She asked, even knowing the answer.
"Same as you. Let's finish this and please do not talk." Malfoy walked forward in a confident, arrogant style. Hermione wanted to yell at him but that would only make him talk to her.
Hermione was walking behind Malfoy, and she could not help noticing that the prince of Slytherin no longer had the annoying craze of walking as if everyone stopped to watch him pass. Now he looked just tired, indifferent, and this aroused an immense curiosity and confusion in Hermione. Classes have barely begun and he cannot be tired of homework and reading, even though he is the second-best in his year class. Second best. So there had to be another reason behind this new behavior. Still, he was annoying. More annoying was the fact that almost an hour had passed, and Hermione was tired of the silence.
"So, what do you think of the potion Snape told us to do?" Hermione asked, behind him.
"I have some books that we can consult to make the potion." Malfoy said in an arrogant tone.
"Oh." Hermione could not hide the surprise in his voice. This would undoubtedly be a different work than it was customary to do with Harry and Ron. "I also know of some that we can consult, but well, they are …"
"What Granger? The cat ate your tongue," Malfoy said sarcastically, glancing at Hermione for a few seconds.
"In the Forbidden section." Hermione said quietly.
This undoubtedly catches the attention of Draco who stopped and turned to her, almost bumping into each other. Hermione suddenly became aware of the small space that separated them, to the point of being able to smell the scent of Draco. "I did not know you had Granger in you... Oh my."
Hermione looked defiantly at Draco. Moonlight flashed across his face briefly, and Hermione stared at the dark circles around Draco, probably sleep deprived. His cheekbones were also more prominent, and there was something in his eyes that screamed dangerous and confused. Draco's sarcastic, amused expression changed, and he looked at Hermione with a confused and defiant look. He too had realized how close the two enemies were, about to break out of this strange and shameful moment, Draco took two steps back and continued to walk.
"What's the matter, Malfoy? Too close to a mudleblood?" Hermione spat bitterly. "Worried about what your father might find?
Malfoy stopped walking and on a violent turn met Hermione's eyes again, this time his grey deep eyes were upset, pure anger swam into them and Hermione thought he would cast her a spell. She wanted to take a step back but refused to let him win.
"Don't ever talk about my father, never again, you know nothing. Nothing, you little bitch." Draco said angrily.
"Did I touch a nerve?" Hermione said in a proud tone. A part of Hermione screamed for her to provoke him even more, to make him uncomfortable in his own skin, just as he made her feel so many times.
"You don't want to." he said with dangerous eyes, that were burning at her. She thought she would melt away.
"Maybe I do." Hermione said.
"Playing with fire Granger? Is your life really that boring?" Draco smirked in response.
Hermione swallowed, aware of how close Draco's face was to her, his colony was intoxicating. Hermione crossed her arms in front of her chest and tried her best to dispel her discomfort with a head lift. Fake it until you make it.
"Your crazy aunt killed Sirius." Hermione said with conviction.
"So?" Malfoy asked like he was confused in thought.
"Honestly, Malfoy, I do not expect you to become a good person, with some kind of morals but you're smarter than all that death eater bullshit." Hermione said honestly. Maybe it was a mistake to talk about it. Sure he couldn't be a death eater. Not yet.
Draco looked at her as if she were crazy as if she were from another planet. He wanted to angry her, maybe curse her for being so annoying, for thinking she is of knows everything. Even this she thought she knew. Stupid Bitch, he thought. What could she know?
"Good night." Hermione said and kept walking. She sees the turmoil behind Malfoy's eyes the moment she confronted him. And the hesitation in his gaze was enough for her to disappear before he changed his mind and cursed her.
Draco stood in the same spot incredulous with what Granger had told him.