A/N: Aw, thanks for reviewing. I hope you like this chapter; I had a ridiculous amount of fun writing it.

Chapter 3

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Hermione pushed open the wrought iron door with a satisfied grunt. She was immediately hit by a cool gust of wind, and took a moment to savor the minty taste it left in her mouth before she entered the archaic courtyard. It was mostly empty aside from the familiar marble table at its center; various documents were strewn across it, as well as a Slytherin robe, but that was not what drew Hermione's attention first. Things were not as she'd left them last night- everything was now covered in a thick, blanket of... snow? In a courtyard that was charmed to stay the exact same temperature year round, she knew something was wrong.

"Took your time, Granger. You'd think you'd know your way here by now?"

Hermione spun around to see Draco perched high on an overhanging statue, one of four that graced every corner of the courtyard. His feet hung over the sides of the marble unicorn, cracked and worn, it had seen better days. The unicorn that is... not Malfoy. No, if anything the Slytherin was a thriving picture. His gray jersey and spotless white shirt made him look part of the marble statue itself. Hermione took a moment to consider how the Head Boy had gotten up there in the first place... then dismissed the thought. Spindly legs. Enough said.

"I would have gotten here sooner, but that little git of a cousin of yours was invading the Gryffindor table, but we'll get to that. Why exactly is this place covered in snow? This is your fault isn't it? How on earth are we supposed to work in the courtyard under these conditions?"

Hermione tilted her head to the side, squinting against the brightness of the sky that outlined the Slytherin's form. He seemed to have found quite a comfortable spot in the courtyard. As leaders of their school they'd used the area as somewhat of an office space. It had an absolute stillness that made it the perfect place to work, far more solitary than the library... and Hermione had resented sharing it, especially with the present company. Of course, they were hardly ever in there together, they'd unconsciously formed a rotation system for its use, studying at different times, and leaving impersonal notes for each other regarding prefect meetings and such. Perfect avoidance.

Only, avoidance in this case only served to annoy her.

 "Malfoy! This interrogation is not going to end until you tell me what I need to know." 

She planted two fists on her hips and gave him a reproving glare.

"Interrogation? You're not the Spanish Inquisition, Granger," Draco said lazily, leaning back against the hard brick wall.

"I didn't think someone as closed-minded as you would know about that."

"It's that bloody Muggle Studies class. I admit that it's rather interesting to observe how such a primitive culture survived without killing themselves. Though they did a lot of that too… I just don't see how it's at all relevant," he shrugged.

"That's fascinating, but you still haven't answered me. What's with the snow? What did you do?"

"Contrary to your belief, I'm not responsible for everything that's goes wrong at Hogwarts, and I was certainly not responsible for this mess," Draco waved to the stark white snow covering just about everything. From his high altitude, he could tell that there was no real damage. He continued.

"Thirds years broke in last night and decided that this was the perfect place to test their elemental spells. Got it completely wrong of course, but it's nothing I haven't seen before," He stated, folding his arms across the head of the statue and leaning over it."

"And you never bothered to tell me?"

"No. I was otherwise engaged, Granger."

"Ha! What could have prevented you of doing the common courtesy of telling me that our courtyard had been frozen over? Besides you your own evil nature that is?"

"I told you, I was busy."

"Busy doing…?"

"Pansy."

"Eww!"

Draco smirked. In truth, he'd been showing Leo around Hogwarts last night after the little 'break in', but the she didn't need to know that. For some reason he did not wish to bring his cousin into the conversation... argument... yet. While in wait of her, he'd gained a little perspective on the situation, and realized the best approach was to remain aloof and determine her position first... it was like the beautiful act of war. He'd show the Mudblood her place soon enough. She'd realize that she did not, and would never, belong on the arm of a Malfoy.

"Look- I don't really want to know about your… escapades. Tell me more about last night- what house were the vandals from?" Hermione continued.

"Gryffindor. The adventurous little morons cast a pretty bad spell, but it should wear off in a day or two."

Hermione unconsciously raised a defiant chin at the fact that it had been members of her own house who had caused the mischief.

 "Well, then I guess I'll be when I sorting this out," She said firmly, looking up at him.

 "Don't bother, I already took care of it." He grinned wickedly at the memory of the terrified Gryffindors.  "I didn't waste any energy telling McGonagall... just delivered a huge blow to Gryffindor's house points for vandalism."

Hermione nodded. It was the least they deserved... nobody messed with Hermione Granger's study/work arena. Except of course Draco Malfoy, but he was the exception to every rule. She stared back at him.

They did a lot of staring, in Draco's opinion. Well, it was more like glaring, or grimacing, so much so that in the little time they'd tolerated each other's company,  he'd come to know her features well. Her defiant eyes, angry flush... if she smiled more and talked less, her company be easier to endure. Of course, this was not the case since he almost always felt mentally exhausted after their encounters, not that this was the time to dwell on such things. He quickly shook himself out of those thoughts remembered the issue at hand. He looked down condescendingly at his counterpart from the statue.

"Now why did you call this meeting in the first place, Mudblood?"

"What, telepathy wasn't part of the pureblood package," She smiled insincerely.

Draco scowled at her in a manner that would crumble most. Hermione was used to it.

"Enough of this. If you have any sense at all you'll stay away from Leo, understand Granger? I don't want you going anywhere near him."

"What on earth are you talking about Malfoy, I never -ugh- would you please come down from there, I can't speak to you like this," she ordered. "It's killing my neck to keep looking up at you like this."

"It's good practice. You're always going to look up to me in some form, whether you like it or not."

"Yeah, but at least when you're on the ground I have the option of kicking you in the ankle."

Draco sneered, "I would have you on the ground helpless before you could get close."

"Oooh, how manly of you to threaten a girl who weighs half as much as you do."

"Are you calling me fat?"

"Malfoy! I'm not here to spar endlessly with you until we both grow old and crusty, so would you please come down here, and sit with me at the table so we can discuss this matter. I have too much to do, and no time to waste talking to you."

Draco shrugged nonchalantly, and made a movement to jump down. She was partially right. The sooner they dealt with this mess, the sooner they could part ways.

"Wait!" Hermione yelled, "Isn't there a way to get down off that statue without jumping?"

"Why yes there is, but I left the inflatable broom in the other robe. Really, Granger, I think hanging around with Potweas has made you dumber."

"Potweas?"

"Yeah, it's a fusion of the names Potter and Weasley… it's become really taxing to come up with new insults for them every day."

"But... Potweas?"

"Would you prefer Weasotter? I'm pretty flexible on this."

"Malfoy don't be a git, and back to the point, it's really too high to jump of the statue."

"I don't need you to concern yourself with my welfare," Draco replied.

"I wouldn't. I just don't want to be the one to run to Filch and tell him that he needs to scrape what's left of you off the ground," Hermione spat at the insinuation.

"Then I free you from the responsibility. If I fall and die, I give you permission to just leave me here."

"Whatever. Go ahead and jump. Just let me get out of the way first. This robe is new. I don't want to have your blood splattered all over it," she stated, taking a few large steps back.

"It's beautiful blood. You might learn something from it."

"Yes, well I also might catch something from it."

Draco shook his head, then swiftly leaped to the snow covered ground in a cat-like motion. He landed effortlessly with a soft crunch of snow, failing to catch the glimmer of surprise that passed over Hermione's features as he rose to his feet and dusted off his gray jersey.

"So are we going to do this, or are you going to stand there and fantasize about me all day?" He asked dryly.

"Oh... pfft en uh," Hermione spluttered, unable to think of a response scathing enough to wipe that arrogant smirk off his face.

"That's what I thought," Draco said, dropping into the cold seat at the lightly snow covered table.

So far things were not working out well. He'd deduced long ago that Leo was aware of Hermione's Mudblood status... but for some strange reason his cousin didn't seem to care. Draco was at a loss to figure out what Leo saw in the Head Girl. She was obstinate, condescending, and prudish. Not the elements of a woman that any Malfoy would desire. Maybe Leo's attraction to Granger was purely physical... that would make the most sense. It's not like he'd found out her favorite color before launching after her. At the thought of Leo actually succeeding, a strange feeling began to simmer within Draco. It was probably indigestion from the terrible breakfast, but he couldn't be certain.

Hermione cleared her throat, deciding to take the high road on this one, and quickly sat in the chair opposite her despised foe.

Silence.

"This is the part where you start bitching at me Granger. Then we get into a fight, I verbally crush you, then you leave in an angry fit." Draco prompted.

"I plan on a little more civility this time, and I hope you'll do the same. You and your cousin are up to something. I want to know what it is, and why you asked me to stay away from him when he was clearly the one who approached us in the first place." Hermione asked, folding her hands together and placing them on the table.

"Is that all?" Draco asked, raising a platinum eyebrow.

"No. I want a real explanation. I mean your cousin was so… friendly." She said the word with loathing,  "He was flattering Ron and Harry who were completely falling for his little act. Merlin- I thought Ron was going to promise to name his firstborn after Leo, the way they were carrying on. The balance at Hogwarts has been tipped. We can't even call Leo –or you for that matter- 'Malfoy', since there are two of you now."

"Are you done?" Draco asked, partly amused, partly riled.

"Yes."

"Good. I realize that as a Gryffindor you are naturally attracted to a conspiracy, but, unfortunately you won't find one here. The regrettable truth is that Leo wants you."

"Wants me?"

"Correct."

"As in he 'wants me' to help him adjust to Hogwarts life?"

"No... as in he 'wants you' to help him adjust his tie after he's nailed you several times."

"Oh." Hermione said with understanding, a strong color rising to her cheeks, "He, uh, wants me."

"Like candy. His love for you burns like a fiery flame, consuming all in it's path. His words, not mine."

"That's ridiculous. Really."

"Exactly what I said, Granger."

"Why on earth would I want a Malfoy?!"

"And why on earth would a Malfoy want a Mudblood?"

"No wonder he was giving me the look before…" Hermione shuddered.

"The look?" Draco asked curiously.

"Yeah, you know... that look that males have. They open one eye really wide so it slightly bulges and squint the other, then paste on this toothy grin- apparently its supposed to be attractive way for a guy to pick up a girl.

"Apparently it sounds like this guy is expecting to pay the girl at the end of the night."

"Well of course that's the first place your mind would run off to. Then again, it's not that surprising considering who your friends are."

"What's that supposed to mean? Do you think Potweas would still be your friend if you didn't look half decent in a skirt? I'm still surprised they'd bother with a Mudblood."

"Way to change the subject Malfoy."

"You changed it first Mudblood."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did"

"No I didn't."

"I could go all night with this Granger!"

"So could I Malfoy! Ugh! You know, I don't really want to argue with you, but you make it so difficult. I know you're not ignorant enough to truly believe that my biological makeup makes me beneath you, it's something else that makes you hate me so much…"

There was a frigid silence that filled the courtyard, before Hermione ventured to break it.

"Can't we have a real discussion for once... can't you tell me what makes you want to cut me down whenever you see me?"

The Slytherin wrestled with what to say, and released a frustrated sigh. She'd tired him out again with her verbal assault. He glanced up into her genuine brown eyes, shining with intensity. She wasn't going to settle for anything less than the truth.

"Granger… I'm going to try out this honesty shit, just this once, and tell you exactly why I hate you."  His voice softened slightly, very slightly.

"I'm listening," She urged, leaning over the stone table.

"It's your hair." He said earnestly.

"What?!"

"Your hair Granger. It's big, and wild, and flies all over the place when you get mad. To be perfectly honest, it scares me little."

"Argh! Why do I even bother?" Hermione growled, leaping to her feet.

"See, this is why I don't open up to people. I bear my soul to you, and get nothing in return." Draco said, years of emotion-resistance training kicked in allowing him to keep a straight face.

"You're an inconsiderate, arrogant little inbred, who does not deserve my time or my patience Malfoy!"

"Granger, don't make such a fuss-"

"Don't speak to me- and keep that git of a cousin the hell away from me! We're done here!" Hermione snapped, before storming towards the door, much angrier than she'd been before walking in.

"As long as you promise to stay away from him too, I see no problem," Draco called after her, but doubted that she'd heard. So much for mutual civility… then again, that had never been a part of their violent chemistry. At least he'd gotten what he'd came for… proof that Hermione did not return his cousin's affections. It was beyond him why the Mudblood would refuse a prize catch of a Malfoy, but he did not question it. He was merely grateful that he would be avoiding an uncomfortable conversation with Lucius, seeing as how Leo had no opening with Granger. They didn't even have any classes together... classes... Class! Arithmancy! He was late again.

Draco snatched his robe and shot out of the winter courtyard, back into his reality.

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