Hermione~

The entire train ride she talked with Harry and Ron and caught up with them. There was also the occasional visitor. Ginny came by and so did Fred and George, who were hiding. Apparently it had something to do with a Canary Cream and a Slytherin. Neville, Dean and Seamus also popped their heads in to say hello. After all the visitors came by she found out what Harry and Ron did over the summer. While she was listening about the ghoul in Ron's attic she noticed they changed a little over the summer. Ron had gotten taller and a little more muscular. His hair was messy and Hermione noticed that it suited him. But he still had that lopsided grin that she loved about him. Harry was also a little different. He wasn't as tall as Ron but he was just as muscular. His hair was a bit shorter but still it's crazy self and cute. His eyes were as piercing as ever but in the end he was still the same old Harry. As she stared she also noticed that they had become handsomer. Hermione had the feeling that each would have their own little entourage this year at school. This made Hermione a little jealous but she pushed that thought away as quickly as it came.

'Hermione? HERMIONE?!' Ron yelled. He was snapping his fingers in her face.

'Huh? What?' she said snapping out of her daydreaming.

'You okay?' Harry asked.

'Yeah I'm fine. Just thinking. That's all.'

'Okay then. Anyway, like I was trying to tell you before. We're almost there.' replied Ron.

'Oh. Thanks.' They then changed into their school robes and left their compartment just as the train was slowing down. As they were making their way to the nearest exit a door opened and Draco Malfoy walked out and right into Hermione toppling both of them over onto the ground. They ended up in a tangled mess on the floor.

'Watch it Mudblood!' growled Draco as he tried to get up. Harry was trying to help Hermione up as well as hold on to the back of Ron's robes because he was struggling to get at Draco's throat.

'Stay out of my way, Mudblood.' Draco seethed as he walked away straightening his robes. Harry had finally calmed Ron down and the two were helping Hermione up.

'You okay Hermione?' asked Harry.

'Yeah, I'm all right.' Hermione said as she straightened her tie.

'Oh that bloody bastard! I want to give him a good swift kick up the arse!' Ron growled through gritted teeth.

'Ron!' Hermione said with a mix of shock and anger.

'Well he needs it!' said Ron. By then Harry and Hermione had walked away leaving Ron behind.

'What?' he asked.

They all got off the train and into the carriages prepared to take them to the castle. Harry, Hermione, and Ron all climbed into one and they set off. After a few minutes and a quiet ride they arrived at the school. They all clamored out and into the school and headed for the Great Hall. As usual there were hundreds of floating candles and the ceiling was a beautiful array of stars, mirroring the sky outside. Even though she had seen it so many times she still thought it was amazing. They all took their and then Professor McGonagall lead the tiny, shivering first years in to be sorted. The Sorting Hat sang it's annual song and the sorting began. Cries of 'Gryffindor' and 'Slytherin' could be heard along with 'Hufflepuff' and 'Ravenclaw' and when everyone was sorted, Professor Dumbledore gave his small speech and the food appeared. All the while Draco was glaring at the Gryffindor table with disgust and loathing. This didn't go unnoticed by Harry though.

'What's he staring at us for?' asked Harry

'Probably jealous that all the first years are gawking at you and not him!' said Ron with a snort

'Yeah probably. But he seems different.' said Harry thinking out loud.

'It's Malfoy. He's always different. You can't expect much from him.' Ron argued.

'Yeah.' Harry half-heartedly replied.

Hermione, on the other hand, was trying to not to be interested in their conversation, but she heard every word, and she too thought Malfoy was different as well. He wasn't his normal self (well besides the name calling and teasing) cracking jokes with Crabbe and Goyle and sneering at her, Harry and Ron. He was distant. He just wasn't Malfoy.

For the second time that day Ron and Harry were trying to get her attention.

'OY! Hermione? What's with you today?' Ron questioned.

'Huh? Oh nothing. Nothing. I was just thinking that's all.'

'Okay then. Well it's time to head upstairs so let's go.' said Harry while yawning.

They all got up and headed towards their dormitories along with the throng of other students.

'Oh wait! I forgot my hat!' said Hermione running back to grab it. She picked it up off the chair and ran back towards the doors when she ran right into a muscled chest. In no time she was on the ground.

'Funny running into you again Granger' smirked Malfoy.

'Shut up Malfoy.' Hermione growled. She was trying to get to her feet and catch up with Harry and Ron when Malfoy stuck out his hand to help her up.

'What are you doing?' Hermione quizzically asked.

'Helping you up Granger, but fine if you don't need it.' Malfoy drew back his hand and started to walk away.

'Prat.' Hermione mumbled as she got up and ran after Harry and Ron

Draco~

The first day back started with the dreaded Potions calss. It was the same thing as always. Or so they thought. Everyone was sitting in their seats and talking when Professor Snape walked in making his grand entrance as usual. 'We will be working in pairs for our first potion this year.' Snape explained, receiving groans from the entire class. Looking straight at Hermione, Ron and Harry, Snape said,

'Unfortunately we will have to break up the wonder trio. Let's see how Weasley and Potter fair without their brainy friend for once.'

A smirk spread across almost every Slytherins' faces except Draco's. No one noticed this though.

'Now the pairings will be chosen by me and are as follows. Potter and Parkinson; Weasley and Patil; Finnigan and Brown; Malfoy and Granger....." He seemed thoroughly entertained by the thought of Hermione and Draco working together for once. Hermione's anger grew by tenfold in about 2.4 seconds. Harry and Ron saw this and immediately felt what Hermione felt.

'Now please find your partner and take your seat next to him or her.'

Snape finished.

Everyone got up and switched seats but Hermione was dreading this potion, rather then usually looking forward to it. Then again those potions were usually made with someone from her own house. She took her seat moving as far away as possible from Draco.

'Malfoy I'm warning you. Talk to me about anything but this potion and I will curse you for the rest of your life. And don't think I can't do it.' Hermione growled.

'Fine by me. You just stick to your own rule as well and everything will be fine.' Draco said not even looking at her.

'Now that you've all found your seats we will begin. The potion we are going to be making is called the Love/Hate potion. This potion when taken by two enemies will make them friends, and when taken by two friends will make them hate each other. Now that you know what it does, your assignment is to brew the potion today and take it after class with your partner.'

Draco could see that Hermione didn't look pleased; at all. She started pulling out all the ingredients she needed while Draco did the same.

'You better not mess this up Malfoy.' Hermione seethed through gritted teeth. The rest of the class was in passed silence, only speaking when absolutely necessary. Finally the bell rang and they were all free from their prison. Draco slowly packed up his supplies careful to close his potion bottle tightly. When he was done he walked out unto the dank, dark dungeon halls to go to lunch. On his way he passed Harry, Ron and Hermione. As he did he caught a snippet of their conversation.

'Ugh! Friends with Malfoy? I feel sorry for you Hermione.' said Ron.

'Yeah. I'll deal with it though.' said Hermione. Draco heard this and brushed past them to his own table. He took his seat between Crabbe and Goyle and started eating his lunch. He was looking at the Gryffindor table with and obvious look of disgust on his face. Harry, Ron and Hermione were laughing and joking. Happiness, he thought, who needs it? He was a Malfoy, taught to ignore happiness, friends, love and any other 'fuzzy' emotion. He knew hate though. Hate and anger. He had no idea what one potion could do.

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Okay here are a few snippets of info for you guys on my story. It's set in fifth year and Vol...*cough* You-Know-Who, didn't come back. Also to answer anonymous's question. You're not supposed to know who said it. Also I've read alot of fanfics were Hermione and Draco fall in love because of a potion. Not the case in this story. I have a potion thingy, yes, but they don't fall in love because of it. Alright, so next chapter or not??? Reviews tell me what I need to know!! Toodles for now!!

P.S.~ Thanks to everyone who did review except by bud Tigz. She's just crazy and made up some crap. Silly Billy! *snicker*