DISCLAIMER: Sorry I forgot this on my previous chapters, but I think it goes without saying that I do not own anything because I am but a poor high school student. *tear* Cry me a river - hee hee. Anyways - a list of things I do not own but wish I did: a car, Draco, Harry Potter characters, Draco, and a car. Oh well. Review! By the way..this disclaimer goes for the rest of the chapters!
Chapter 5 - Drinking Glasses, Chess, and Crazy Charms
Hermione marveled at how fast the first few weeks of school had passed. She knew that it was almost time for Quidditch to start, and she nervously awaited the night of her first "stake-out."

It was already Friday, and she started to worry about her plans for that night; thousands of "what if's" shot around her head like ping-pong balls and caused it to ache - even before Arithmacy.

*not that I ever had trouble with Arithmacy...*

The fateful nighttime hours had arrived. Hermione knew that she would have to pay attention to Malfoy's every word extremely closely, but she still brought along 'Hogwarts, a History' for some light reading - just in case she became bored.

*Harry said 6:30 - I should get ready......*

Hermione nervously paced back and forth across the gold tiles of her side of the bathroom.

*Thank Merlin Lavender's out on a Hogsmeade trip. I don't know what she would make of me like this-*

She reached up a shaking hand and brushed the curtain aside.

*Get a grip, Hermione.*

Eyeing the hamper, she scurried over into its shadow and rested her back against the wall. Taking out a glass that she had "borrowed" from the Great Hall that afternoon at lunch, she placed it against the hard tile behind her. She could vaguely make out what Malfoy was saying.

Hermione knew that she was no expert at the sport, but she could nearly always guess what Malfoy was talking about from his muffled words.

"and hit it left towards Harry,"

The beaters...

"Keep your eyes on Harry's eyes, and when he goes - that's your signal,"

The seeker...

"Stupid git! Get OUT!"

Goyle - most definitely Goyle.

*How did he ever make prefect anyhow? Well, I guess when compared weith the other Slytherins he must seem like a leader-* She snorted. *Yeah, right.*

Other than recognizing a few Quidditch terms, however, Hermione was (for the first time in her life) unable to understand what she was hearing.

*Oh bloody hell, I'm not cut out for this!*

She frantically put her ear next to the glass and strained to catch at least ONE plan for the next Gryffindor/Slytherin match.

"...okay - here's the best part." Draco had suddenly lowered his voice and Hermione cursed at him under her breath. *speak UP!*

"....I have to shake the Gryffindor captain's hand at the beginning, right?"

The faint murmurs of Slytherin satisfaction were audible through the tile. Draco continued-

"I have this potion...."

Suddenly Hermione could no longer hear his plan except for a few words:

"Snape.......through his gloves......paralyzed immediately-"

Hermione gasped. Draco was going to poison Harry!

*Whoa, Hermione - maybe you're jumping to conclusions. Wait, this is Malfoy! Expecting the worst is a necessity.*

She had to warn Harry before the next morning! She grabbed her book and glass and, as softly as she could, padded back across the bathroom to her own side. She softly clicked the door shut and ran out of her dorm, brushing past a very confused Lavender.

"Be back in a bit," she mumbled hastily, before the portrait of the black knight swung shut and she dashed to the Gryffindor common room.

Panting the password, she rushed in to find Harry and Ron in the midst of a very involved game of wizard chess.

"Harry!"

"No fair, mate! You cheated! The knight can't move that way! Harry!"

"Oh, come off it Ron. You're just upset because I'm kicking your sorry-"

"Harry!"

"......and I'm just a better player than you, mate. Face it!"

"Right Harry, whatever - but I still say that a knight cannot-"

"Harry!"

Harry glanced up, annoyed that she had disrupted his concentration. "WHAT, Hermione?"

"Draco's going to poison you tomorrow with something he got from Snape so when you shake hands you'll be paralyzed and he's so evil and I heard him through the door!" She took another deep breath. "What are we going to do? You can't just refuse to shake hands with him!"

Ron looked thoughtful.

*wow, I should take a picture*

"Maybe you could use one of those reverse charm things that we learned last year."

Hermione looked at him sharply. "And the words for that would be?"

"Ummm....Bitus Malfoyus in the Assus!"

Harry looked at him and grinned. Ron shrugged. "What can I say? My Latin's a bit rusty. Life goes on."

Even Hermione couldn't help but smile at her awkward friend. "Retextum Hodius," she murmured.

"Ummm...Herms, I don't speak German." Ron had a baffled look on his face.

"Ron, you're horrible. 'Retextum Hodius' is the reverse charm - which, by the way, both of you should know if you want to pass the NEWTs next year!"

Harry had been sitting in silent thought for the past few minutes, but he slowly shook his head.

"That won't work, Hermione. Then it will look like I was out to poison Malfoy - I would get expelled not only for supposedly doing that, but also for 'stealing' ingredients from Snape. That's not a good way to start out a school year."

"True," Hermione mused, "but what are we going to do then?"

"There's only one thing we CAN do," Harry said quietly.

"Hermione, I need another favor."
Cindy Lea: Hey! Thanks for your review - and yes, of course you can spy on Draco. Lol - he's great isn't he?

Emma: Hey you! Thanks for reviewing again! It means so much to me and merci beaucoup for your comment. I feel so loved! *hugs*

Max: Thanks for your support!

Kate: Thanks for your review! I hope it doesn't get too cliché, and I was aiming for an original plot - thanks for noticing!

Lilduck: I'll see if I can work in your request! Hee hee......you never know!

Lady_05: Thank you very much for your compliment! I was so flattered by your review! Also - glad you liked the "mediocre morning" bit - it was fun to write!

That's it for now! Review please! *hugs* to all my reviewers and candy Dracos for everyone who reviews!

XOXO-Kate