Snake Eyes - by sapphire serpent

This is my first fanfic, so please don't be too harsh when you review. I fully accept constructive criticism, but no extremely negative comments. Thank you and enjoy.

NOTE: All mentions of Harry Potter and anything from the Harry Potter stories is fully copyrighted to JK Rowling.
Also, Draco and Hermione may seem a little out of character in their letters, but that's for a reason. Because they don't know who's writing to them.

- - - Chapter Three

A small amount of sunlight shone through the Slytherin boy's dormitories the next morning, as Draco Malfoy woke up to his screeching eagle owl. Draco rubbed his eyes as he snatched a letter from his owl and tossed it a treat before it ventured back to the Owlery. He opened the letter with haste as he muttered the writing grumpily to himself.

Dear Draco,

It's a pleasure writing to you. I hope we become mutual friends through this programme, or atleast half tolerant of each other.
I'm also hoping to learn more about your personality, as I'm sure there's some good in you perhaps. Also, so I can buy an enjoyable gift come exchanging time after the first Hogsmeade weekend. Write soon.

Sincerely,
Your Secret Exchange Buddy

Draco sneered as he threw the note aside to his desk. Some good? He thought. What kind of rubbish is this? And they expect me, to write back? He shook his head in disgust while he laughed deviously and walked to breakfast after meeting Crabbe and Goyle.

- - -

As Hermione went to breakfast that morning, she didn't bother sitting with Harry and Ron. Instead, she took her meal to the opposite side of the table and ate her breakfast quickly, and alone. Many Gryffindor students asked why she hadn't sat with them, but she just ignored them and made her way to her classes.

Hermione suddenly fell to the floor as she got bumped into and her books fell all over the hall. Hermione looked up and felt her face getting hot.

"Watch it, mudblood," Draco's voice snarled at her quickly. He stepped on one of the books she was going to pick up.
"Move your foot, ferret," Hermione said loudly.
"Excuse me? Is that any way to treat your superiors?"
Hermione had then ripped her wand out of her robes and shouted a spell at Draco's feet. Draco's legs began to shake as he fell backwards. She'd put the Jelly-Legs Jinx on him.
"Brainless twit," Hermione muttered, taking her book and leaving Draco as he was. Draco cursed at her, struggling to get up.

Hermione walked at a fast pace to get to Arithmancy, but no matter how fast she walked, Malfoy had made her late. "Nice of you to join us, Miss Granger. Please take a seat. That'll be 5 points off you," Professor Vector spoke to her as the Slytherins snorted. Hermione sat down angrily. Could my year get any worse? Hermione thought to herself.

- - -

At lunch, Hermione met up with Ginny at the Gryffindor table, which was very pleasant to her, since she was longing for company. That engaged themselves into a deep conversation, which made Hermione feel better.

"So, how's the exchange programme coming along for you?" Ginny asked as she dug into a bowl of rice cakes.
Hermione shrugged. "It's...all right. And you?"
"I sent my letter to Lovegood the other day, got a response today. She wants me to join her silly club and take a survey about socks," Ginny answered.
Hermione was puzzled. "Socks? What kind of organization is she running?"
Ginny shook her head. "Not sure. Something about the Quibbler. She wants to raise money for it to stay up, says her father's business is going under."
"Can't imagine why," Hermione said sarcastically. Both girls laughed and enjoyed the rest of their lunch and continued to classes afterwards.

The end of the day neared as she ran to the dungeons for Potions class. All the seats were taken except the one beside Ron, and Harry hadn't shown up. Why?

Hermione wore a confused looked as she turned to Ron and whispered to him, making sure Snape wouldn't see them.

"Say Ron, why isn't Harry here?"
"Erm...busy." Ron had nervously began chopping up roots for the potion they were making together.
"Busy? With what? Harry wouldn't just miss Potions, he knows he's going to get points taken off him," Hermione said looking worried.
"Dunno, can we just make the potion and get out of here?" Ron muttered through the side of his mouth and continued chopping.

- - -

That evening in the dormitories, Hermione had received a letter from her secret exchange buddy. She smiled and hoped she'd find it was someone who was nice, or atleast a half decent Slytherin. The letter had been sent by a school owl, so the owl scooted away as Hermione unfastened the letter and read it to herself as soon as she made sure she was alone.

Dear Hermione Granger,

I see I have gotten you as an exchange buddy, and wanted to write to you to find out what kidn of things you like by the next gift exchange.
That's all I have to say for now, I hope to hear from you soon.

From,
Your Secret Exchange Buddy

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she took out her stationary things and wrote back quickly. She then blew out the candle which lit her desk up at night and went to sleep.
She was then awoken several hours later to a loud clang next to her.

Hermione and the other girls in the dormitory flung themselves out of bed to see what it was. They gasped as Ron was on the floor clutching his big toe his his hand.

"Ron! Get out!" Parvati Patil and Lavendar Brown shouted in unison. Hermione grabbed Ron's arm firmly and rushed out of the room, bringing him with her.

"Ron! What were you doing in there?!" Hermione whispered loudly.
"Erm...sleep walking," Ron replied hesitantly. Hermione gave him a fierce look.
"Oh really? Then why was my desk drawer open?" Hermione questioned angrily.
"I...erm..I-"
"I don't appreciate people sneaking through my things, especially when they have NO reason to!" Hermione interrupted hotly.
Ron gulped and looked down at the floor quickly. "Now go back to bed! And don't come in there again!" Hermione stomped off into the girl's dormitory once more, leaving Ron.

Hermione had flung herself back into bed as she calmed the rest of the girls down, and lied explaining that Ron was sleep walking. She punched her pillow once before dozing off.

- - -

FINITE. Please review!