A/N: Thanks for checking the story out! Appreciating the reviews. Hope you keep them coming! Its nice to know that all this work I'm doing is not in vain.

Here we are, a Hermione/Draco interaction as promised. I really had fun writing this chapter, I think it brings a lot out of Hermione's (Elizabeth Bennett) character, her pros and cons.

Chapter Five: Aiming Accurately

Life at Hogwarts continued on as usual. Months flew by fast, and before anyone knew it, exams came and went. Ron and Lavender became an item and the most popular gossip around Hogwarts, with the efforts of Parvati and Padma of course. They were deemed the luckiest people on earth.

Unfortunately for Hermione, the winds did not blow in her favor. Neville spent every moment pursuing her, chasing her down the halls and sitting next to her at lunch. At first, she was nice, replying friendly and politely to him now and again. But her efforts to brush him off were left in vain. Having even to avoid the library, she spends most of her time in her room; the only place she knew was safe. Neville, however, in his mind, is still persistent that Hermione has these feelings of mutual affection, and was merely playing hard to get.

Dumbledore was delighted in Ron's idea of throwing a gala after the exam. The party took place outside by the Quidditch Pitch. The Weasley family paid for all the preparations. There were many activities that took place, including exhibition Quidditch matches by the Chudley Cannons, enchanted carnival rides, dancing and even muggle games. Even a buffet table was set along side the Quidditch Pitch, catered by the Three Broomsticks and Honeydukes.

"Pray, taste the cold currant rum Draco," Ginny handed him a cup just filled by an elf, "and see if it's properly blended."

Draco took s a sip and smacked his lips, "Excellent," he approved.

"Have it served at once Winky," Ginny ordered.

"Very well miss," Winky replied.

Ginny turned her attention back to Draco, "Entertaining the rustics is not as difficult as I feared," she stated in a haughty manner, "Any simple, childish games seems to amuse them excessively." She pointed over to some of the students laughing merrily on the swings. Draco noticed Harry enjoying himself in Padma's company as she giggled on the ride. He sneered at his direction just as Ginny marched off. Realizing he is now by himself, he scanned the area before him.

"Hermione! Hermione!" he heard someone call out.

Suddenly, he spotted a brown haired girl running towards the lake along side some shrubbery. Draco strolled casually along, following her. He reached the edge of the lake just in time to see Hermione ducking into a rather large bush. As he headed towards her, Neville appeared, running breathlessly behind him.

"I beg your pardon sir!" Neville called out. He finally ran up beside him, "Do you (huff) - Do you (huff), happen to know Hermione Granger?"

"I do, sir" Draco answered plainly.

"Has she - (huff), has she pass this way, may I ask?" Neville inquired.

Draco glanced behind Neville and saw Hermione still ducking by the bush, quickly shaking her head.

"No sir," Draco replied, turning back to Neville, "She has not passed this spot."

In the corner of his eye, he noticed Hermione giving him a relieved smile.

"I suggest you try the other side of the lake sir," Draco advised, pointing across the way.

"I oblige you sir!" Neville thanked before awkwardly trotting away.

Draco made sure he was completely out of sight before looking over at Hermione, "All clear!"

Hermione finally stepped out of the shrubbery and walked up next to him, "Thank you Draco," she thanked him gratefully, "You saved me from one of the most dangerous bores at Hogwarts!"

"If the dragon returns, St George will know how to deal with it," Draco gave her an assuring smile, "Meanwhile, what do you say to a little target practice?" He gestured over to the archery set up.

"Very well," Hermione returned his smile and followed him to the archery range.

"Are you a good shot with the bow and arrow Draco?" Hermione asked.

Draco chuckled light-heartily, "Oh, tolerable."

"Only tolerable?"

"Well, it's a fine old sport," he remarked as he prepared the bow, "One in which even a young lady become proficient."

"So I've heard," said Hermione, nonchalantly.

"Short range of course," Draco added, setting the arrow into place, "and with a light bow." He took careful aim and released. The arrow hits the outer ring of the target.

"Hmm, what a bad shot," he remarked in fake modesty.

"On the contrary," Hermione told him, "Well done!"

"I suppose it could have been worse," Draco replied, "Now it's your turn."

Hermione grabbed the bow from him.

"Now the bow, on the left hand, that's right," Draco held her hand and placed it on the bow. "Now the arrow, goes like this," he placed the arrow on the bow, "three fingers, one two three," Hermione gave him a look as he positioned her fingers around the tail of the arrow. "Now the left arm, straight, straight, straight," Draco instructed, "Now turn side ways, toward the target," he gently positioned her, "aim for the bull's-eye."

Hermione took careful aim and released. The arrow struck the center ring.

Draco's eyes grew wide, "Bulls eye," he uttered weakly, now quite embarrassed.

Hermione grinned as she turned around and grabbed another arrow from Draco.

"And another bull's-eye," Draco observed as he hands her another arrow, "Next time when I talk to a young lady about archery, I won't be too patronizing."

Hermione fired again, and the arrow hits the bull's eye's dead center.

"Yes," Draco forced a smile, "Thank you for the lesson."

Hermione laughed amusingly, "Thank you for taking it so well. Most men would have been offended, and rightly!"

"Would you mind telling me Hermione," he asked frankly, "Why you are so determine to offend me?"

"Is that possible Draco? I thought you were invulnerable," she replied, "You always look so impassive. Perhaps you don't laugh enough."

"You maybe right," he agreed, "But you haven't answered my question."

"Draco!" A voice calls out from behind. He turned around and came face to face with Ginny.

"You promise to give me a lesson with the darts," Ginny reminded him.

Draco chuckled, shaking his head; "I give no more instructions to young ladies. Hereafter, they give instructions to me. What say you, Ginny, Hermione thinks I don't laugh enough."

"I shall be sorry to see you laugh more than you do," Ginny responded coldly, "To me, there's something so unrefined about excessive laughter."

"Oh, if you want to be really refined, you'd have to be dead!" Hermione told her as she fired, "There's no one as dignified as a mummy."

Hermione sets the bow down and turned her attention back to Draco, "And now, may I ask you a question Draco?"

"By all means."

"What would you think of a man who had everything in the world has to offer, birth, breeding, wealth, good looks - even charm when he chose to exercise it. What would be your opinion of a man with such gifts, who would refuse to accept the introduction to another man who is poor and of no consequence?" Hermione asked.

Draco looked down before replying, "I should reserve my opinion until I knew the circumstances of that particular case."

"And do you suppose the gentleman would reveal those circumstances if he were asked?"

"No," he answered still avoiding her gaze, "A gentleman does not have to explain his actions. He expects people to give him credit for being a man of honor and integrity. Now if you'll excuse me, I will go retrieve the arrows." With that, Draco marched over to the target.

Ginny made her way beside her, "Hermione, may I warn you as a friend, not to take Harry Potter too seriously."

"Oh?" Hermione said as she destringed the bow, "You knew I refer to Harry Potter?"

"Of course," Ginny replied, "I know that he goes about saying that he's been ill used by Draco. While I am ignorant of the particulars, I know what he says is not true."

Hermione met her stare, "How clever of you my dear Ginny," she retorted, "To know something in which you are ignorant."

"I've always found Harry Potter, to be a man of absolutely no principle," Ginny continued, "But then, what can you expect of one of such low descent?"

"I will tell you exactly what I expect," Hermione rebutted, "Kindness, honor, generosity, truthfulness. And I might add that I expect precisely the same of someone of high descent."

She turned to leave before Ginny can reply when Draco returns with the arrows in hand.

"Oh Draco, Ginny here is eager for her lesson," said Hermione, "I hope you will enjoy it Ginny. And that you will learn to direct your darts with greater accuracy." She glowered at her one more time before walking away.

Draco followed her with his eyes.

"Such insolence and bad manners!" Ginny exclaimed angrily, "Pray, what do you think of her now, Draco?"

Still looking at her direction, he replied, "I think she handles a bow and arrow superbly."

Thanks a lot for reading! Please take the time to review. Next chapter will be up soon I hope.