Chapter Six

Partners?

"Hermione! Wait! Please! I didn't mean it mate. Please don't be upset" Draco yelled chasing Hermione downstairs to the Slytherin dormitories. "Could you just listen to me? I would never hurt you on purpose. I swear, I didn't mean anything."

"Leave me alone Malfoy," Hermione scolded, obviously still upset from the incident in the great hall.

"What can I do, Mione? What can I do to prove that I am terribly sorry? I'll do anything! Anything!" He begged desperately. His eyes were filled with emotion. Regret in particular. The young witch paused. She turned to see how upset and apologetic he looked.

"Please,"

She considered her options for a couple seconds.

"Draco, if you really cared you would just leave."

The blond looked crushed. I'm an idiot. How could I have been so stupid to go and make fun of her like that? I shouldn't even joke around. I'll be lucky if she even comes around to forgive me this year!

"If that's what you want then… I guess I'll be leaving now. I'm sorry." He said sadly as he re-traced his steps, going back the way he came. Hermione felt bad about being so cold, but she did not have the patience to deal with anyone at the moment. I know. I'll go talk to Jo. She thought while entering the common room.

She opened the door to the seventh year girl's dormitories.

"Bloody hell Jo! What's going on here? Guys aren't even allowed in here!" Hermione said, shocked to see her sister spending a little intimate time with her boyfriend Kaleb. In other words they were having a full-blown make out session on Jo's bed.

"W-what are you doing here, sis?" she asked, pushing Kaleb off her immediately.

"I wanted to talk to you alone, but I see I've interrupted something, so forget it." She returned bitterly.

"No, no, now's a perfect time to chat. Kaleb sweetie, you need to get going now." She said almost getting carried away again with a good-bye kiss.

"First off all, you make me sick." Hermione laughed.

"Your welcome! But really, what did you want to talk about? Don't tell me you stopped me for nothing!"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to do that Princess Josephine. I kind of wanted your help with something. I don't know if you heard about my production of stupidity during lunch,"

"I was there. It did seem pretty embarrassing."

"Uh YEAH! Draco was making fun of me, the next thing I know I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, and then I was talking… I was talking to Potter! And we sort of became friends in a weird conversation, and now Draco is trying to apologize and I just want to scream!" blurted Hermione, her cheeks still stained from the tears.

"Hey. Calm down. People will get over it. It's no big deal, except for the being friend's with Potter part. I don't get that. Explain. I'm all ears." Jo said eagerly. Whoa. There's that phrase again! 'I'm all ears'. Weird. Hermione shortly put her thoughts past her and quickly explained the scene.

"Okay. Well first off all, for some insane reason we got paired up together in Defence class. By the way have you met the new teacher? She's okay. But back to the story…"

The younger sibling continued telling the story for about ten minutes. Jo responded with a couple "Mmhmm"s "weird"s and "hmm"s.

"And then he asked me to race him back to the castle. I didn't feel like flying so I told him that I would walk back. He almost seemed nice. I couldn't believe how oddly he was acting.

"Wow. He is a Gryffindor. What'd you expect?"

"I don't know," Hermione admitted. "He's always been like an enemy to me. He's been such a bastard lately too."

"That's because we, my friend, are in Slytherin. And Gryffindorks don't like us. It's as simple as that."

"Whatever. I better be going. We really should be getting to class. Thanks for letting me vent out my frustration."

"No problem. I'll be here for you all the time, to listen or give advice,"

"I probably wouldn't take your advice, especially on guys," Hermione smirked. "But thanks for listening."

Thanks for listening. Feeling a lot better the brunette moved towards her next class, Herbology.

The rest of the day was a walk in the park. Herbology was simple, all they did was listen to Professor Sprout explain the plants that they would work with throughout the year. Potions with Snape followed. It wasn't exactly Hermione's favourite class, but Snape always asked her questions to gain house points.

Harry had not stopped thinking about his conversation with Hermione since it occurred. He still regretted calling her a bitch. It looked like it hurt her feelings quite badly. Remember, your still not 'friends' with Granger, you're simply her partner in one, single, measly class.

At the moment he was sitting in the common room, relaxing. Ginny was sitting in the armchair across from him. Harry removed his robes, revealing his maroon v-neck sweater. He delicately placed them on the back of the chair and laid back in comfort.

"So Harry, what were you looking for in the library?" Ginny asked.

"Oh nothing, just a quidditch book," he quickly recovered.

"Sounds cool! Which one? Maybe I should have a look!" the redhead said hopefully. Ginny always acted as though she was extremely excited about quidditch. She played as a beater, like Fred and George used to be. She wasn't as good as Ron had become, but she served her purpose.

"I uh, forgot the name," he lied.

"That's too bad."

"I think I'm gonna hit the sac now Gin. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Harry."

Harry failed to respond as he nearly crawled up the stairs to the boy's dormitory. It seemed really early still, but he was too tired to socialize.

The week passed by quickly for Harry. So far, he had no partner action in Tonks' class. Everything was going smoothly as well. He hardly had any homework. It was now Monday again, and the students had filled the dungeons for potions class. It was also a double with Slytherin. Harry had taken one of the seats near the back of the room.

Snape was in an unusually good mood.

"Today, we are going to learn the ingredients and effects of a few simple potions. One being a…"

Snape's voice drifted off as Harry looked around the dark room. Beside him sat Ron, who was hardly paying attention. In front of him was Millicent Bulstrode. She was sitting alone. No one would want to sit next to her, even if it was the only option! At the very front desk sat Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy… But that's where Hermione usually sits He thought. He looked around again, trying to find her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

I spoke too soon the wizard thought as Hermione came stumbling into the class, looking quite flustered.

"Er- sorry I'm late, Professor,"

"It's fine. Lets not make this a habit Miss Granger," Snape replied, not wanting to deduct points from his own house. Hermione glanced around, looking for a spot. Well its either Millicent Bulstrode, or Pansy Parkinson. I'd take Parkinson any day! She quickly sat down beside Pansy. Now she was on the other side of Harry. The brunette hastily tried to sort out her books, which ended up on the floor. Snape didn't seem to care. She reached down to grab them, when she suddenly felt a warm tingly feeling shoot up her arm. Hermione saw the hand on hers. She looked up and saw Harry, looking at her, his eyes intense as ever.

"I don't need your help, Potter," She nagged coldly, shooting daggers with her eyes.

"Sorry Granger, I was trying to do you a bloody favour," He hissed back. He sat back up and tried to forget she was even there. It seemed impossible. She was always in the back of her mind, rolling around in there somewhere. The wizard hated it. He felt as though he couldn't control himself.

Harry ignored her for the next few weeks, until double potions came around about three weeks later. They sat on desk apart again, strangely on their own free will. Oh Merlin, what am I doing! I shouldn't sit here! Hermione tried to change seats inconspicuously, but Snape began a new lecture. Shit. They had recently had Defence with Tonks. It was brutal. They were working in partners, trying to put simple hexes on one another. Harry was extremely powerful, and got her every time. She became jealous and responded with angry remarks and comments, each one she regretted.

"What was that all about last class, Granger. Why do you have to be like that? It's like you're constantly trying to be better than me. What is your deal?" Harry said, reading her like an open book. He was leaning over slightly, hoping not to catch Snape's attention.

"It's nothing Potter, now stop bloody talking to me. I'm trying to pay attention. You know, it actually takes work to have the best grades in the year-"

"Yeah whatever Granger. How about quidditch? Try that once in a while. Or I know! How about having nearly been killed by Voldemort and then being chased by the stupid git for your entire life so far. See how simple that is."

Hermione winced at his words. A very angry and annoyed Professor Snape soon stopped their bickering.

"Potter. Granger. I've had enough of you two. You're constantly disrupting my class. Twenty points from Slytherin and Gryffindor. You can continue on with your little conversation in at the end of the week in detention. As I was saying,"

Both Harry and Hermione cursed Snape under their breath and sat back in their seats. This was brilliant.

It's going to be a long week.

"Harry! We are going to have a quidditch tryout on Friday, Right after classes until four-thirty or five. You're going to be there right?" asked Ron hopefully.

"For sure… Wait… no I can't Ron. I have a bloody detention with Snape. And if that's not enough Granger's going to be there too. Blimey. She was blabbing on in class and the next thing I know Snape's telling us off," Harry said, still quite bitter about the whole thing.

"That's too bad. But no worries mate, you'll be on the team anyway. I don't think anyone could replace you. Not even Krum himself!" Ron smiled.

"Thanks Ron. I'll probably make it to the next one."

Harry and Ron continued walking around the castle. Hermione passed by and shot Harry a death glare, but he merely ignored her.

"Whoa. She looks pretty pissed off. What did you do?"

"Nothing. She's just a stupid Slytherin. They're always mad at somebody."

"True. Hey, have you heard about the new transfer student? The person will be the first transfer that Hogwarts has ever had. Hope it's a girl." Ron sighed blushing.

"You would like that wouldn't you!" Harry laughed. "I actually have not heard of that yet. Should be very interesting. Might shake things up a bit around here."

A/N: Sooooo. How was that? I found it quite amusing. Little bit of Harry Hermione action that i could squish in there. But now, gasp, Hermione has detention with the person she despises? OR SO SHE THINKS! MUAHHAHA. Jk ppl. Im not that crazy. Kinda. Tell me what ya thought. Read and Review. Thanks :D