All during Arithmancy, all Hermione could think about was the way Malfoy's eyes burned into her. She could hardly focus on what the Professor was saying. Hermione was lost in daydreams of Malfoy. Suddenly she made a grimace and realized who she was thinking about. It disgusted her and when the bell rang, she was still disgusted with herself. Hermione walked slowly to lunch, contimplating what she had been thinking about for an hour. Draco Malfoy. She shuddered again at the thought of it. Hermione was concentrating so hard, she didn't notice that she had walked straight into the Hall and tripped down the steps. Malfoy was walking behind her and gave her a smirking glance and said, "Geez, Granger, maybe we should get you a walker,". He began to laugh, and to Hermione's suprise, anger didn't boil up inside her. She gathered herself and walked to the Gryffindor table and thankfully sat down by Ron and Harry. They were cackling about Proffesor Trelawney predicting Harry's death once again.

"And because the Sun is in the fourth house of Neptune, those born in July will certainly face a most horrible and wretched death by tickling!" Ron mimicked, then both boys doubled over in laughter.

"I certainly was getting sick of those easy deaths," sighed Harry. He noticed Hermione's preoccupation and nudged her, "Whatsa matter, Herm?"

Hermione shrugged and mumbled, "Nothing, just nothing, ok?"

Harry sighed and said, "Okay..whatever Herm."

Hermione shoved the food around her plate with her fork, and when the bell rang for the next class, she gladly ran ahead of her friends to avoid any further questioning about what was wrong with her.

---

Exams were the next day, and Hermione was extremely fretful. It was 1:30 and she was sitting in the Common Room pouring over books on potions, spells, and anything else she could get her hand on. She had skipped dinner, and relented each time her stomach growled in favor of returning to her studies. Finally, as her weary eyes read the last word in UnCommon Spells for Your Everyday Witch, she gave in to her bodies pleas of hunger and went down to the kitchen to get something to eat from the house elves. By now, they knew Hermione because she frequently skipped dinner and over the years, she had started to use the house elves to get some dinner. She walked to the fruit bowl painting and tickled the pear. She opened the door and walked into the kitchen. Only a few elves remained at such a late hour. An older elf rushed to her and asked her what she would like to eat. Sleepily, she rubbed her eyes and told him anything. He rushed around and gave her a plate filled with food. Hermione graciously accepted and started to return to her Common Room.

She was starving and began shoving the food into her mouth and again wasn't watching where she was going. Hermione heard footsteps, but in her weary state thought nothing of them. Suddenly, she felt someone bump into her and she cried out as she fell back on to the cold, stone floor.

"Good God, Granger......can't you ever learn to watch where you are going?" screamed an all too familiar voice. Draco.