The next month flew past quickly, and before she knew it, Hermione found herself in the Prefects' Common room for the first time. She and Draco talked some, but only in the polite, formidible manner allowed between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

Now, Hermione sat in a scarlet over-stuffed wing-chair, reading one of her faveorites, Pride and Prejudice. She was well into the book, when Draco came bounding down the stairs that lead from their private rooms to sit across from Hermione in his forest-green chair.

'What is he doing?' Hermione pondered, as Draco was just sitting there, wordlessly staring at her. She continued to ignore him, and read on.

"What are you reading?" Draco surprised her by asking suddenly. "Pride and Prejudice."

"Pride and Prejudice?? I'd as soon call her mother a wit!" he replied.

"You've read Pride and Prejudice??" she inquired.

"Hasn't everyone?" Hermione lifted an eyebrow at this.

"Alright, maybe not everyone. I found an old copy in the Manner's Library. Jane Austin was my great-times-many-aunt, you know."

"Jane Austin was your aunt?" Hermione was very shocked at this.

"Yes, Hermione, I thought we'd established that already," Draco said, Laughter in his eyes.

"What part are you at?"

"Mr. Darcy's proposal."

"First, Second, or Third?" Hermione laughed,

"Second, I think. Is that the one where he insults her, her family, and her friends, and then asks her to marry him 'Despite All The Faulty Qualities?'"

"I think so," Draco said, also laughing.

"How many times have you read it, Draco?"

"Once or twice," He said, not quite meeting her eyes.

"Draco...." She said warningly.

"Alright, alright, I've read the bloody book four times!!!!!!" He exlcaimed, sheepishly. "You?"

"This is my ninth time."

"You know," Draco started, "it's been a while since we talked like this."

"Yeah, it has been. I realize now that I've missed it."

"It's been nice talking to you like a civilized human being, but the whole purpose of coming down here was to ask if I could borrow a book?"

"Knock yourself out," Hermione said, getting back to her book, also gesturing towards the enchanted book-shelf which held all the Prefects' books.

"I'll take this one, thanks again," Draco said, taking 'Romeo and Juliet' to his chair.

"Mmmmmmhhhhhhhmmmmm," Hermione mumbled.

A/N: All right, I am SO ticked off right now!!! This is absolutely the LAST TIME i will EVER use html again!!!! it's back to the CAPS=Italics for me....it's a pain in the butt!!!! well, on a happier note....I HAD to write this chapter in order for me to write the NEXT chapter which I have been ABSOLUTELY DYING to write!!!! hehe...i'm gonna write/post it RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!