Wow, haven't posted in a while. Sorry guys. It was my birthday yesterday, so of course i had to party hardy, lol, plus i had sports a lot. So I'm sorry. Hope you can all forgive me! If you forgive me enough to read this, i think you'll find some parts pretty funny, and remember, viva DMHG! lol, read on and review!

Chapter 3

[Previously]

Hermione bolted upright, a tear falling gently down her cheek, cold sweat beading on her forehead. She hunched forward and brushed away the perspiration.

She turned her head and glanced at a small grandfather clock next to her nightstand. The clock read 5:57AM. Her alarm was about to go off anyways, so she turned it off. She swung her legs out of the covers and touched the bare wood floor with her feet. She shivered slightly as sweat ran down the arch of her spine.

'What was that?' She thought.

[End]

Hermione scrubbed at her eyes with her hands and stood up. She felt a little sick and disturbed from the dream. She slowly padded out of the room and into the common room. On the couch was Draco, asleep on his side, his head resting on his silver pillow. For some reason she wanted to wake him up and tell him about her dream, but she figured it was brought on by Draco's own nightmare.

She slowly made her way over to him, and sat down next to him on the couch, setting her clothes on the coffee table. He stirred at the weight next to him, but didn't wake up. Hermione shook him gently, and he began to wake up. He opened up his eyes and yawned.

"Morning,"

"Mmm...what time is it?"

"A little after 6," Hermione answered softly. Draco groaned and slowly sat up. Hermione looked at him. He badly needed to shave, and his eyes had considerable bags under his eyes.

"What're you looking at mudblood?" Draco muttered irritably. Hermione stood up, cold anger in her eyes.

"I was trying to be nice, but you know what? I don't see the point. I'll forever be just 'mudblood' to you. And you know else? LADIES FIRST!" Hermione yelled, slamming the bathroom door.

Hermione swiftly scrubbed her teeth and face, changed quickly, and before Draco knew what hit him, she brushed past him and out of the portrait hole.

"Wonder what crawled up her ass and died?" Draco wondered aloud, closing the bathroom door. He meandered over towards the urinal and loosened his boxers. He idly looked around, and his eyes fell upon the contents of the trash can.

"Aghhhhh!" he yelled, backing away from the urinal, nearly tripping on his boxers. He ran over to the sink and scrubbed his face, rubbing his eyes extra hard.

"Stupid mudblood, trying to disgust me with her stupid 'feminine hygiene products'!" Draco muttered angrily.

He stalked back to his room and put on his robes, then made his way down to the great hall.

Meanwhile, Hermione was already seated across from Harry and Ron, and to her right sat Ginny.

"So how was your first night?" Harry asked, trying to make conversation with the tense brunette across from him.

"That ferret didn't try anything did he? Cus if he did..." Ron threatened, bitterly stuffing a spoonful of cereal into his mouth.

"As a matter of fact, he didn't. But that's not to say he wasn't being the usual ass that he always is," Hermione said through gritted teeth.

"No offense, Hermione, but didn't we agree to try to be nice?"

"Frankly, I don't give a damn. He's a completely narcissistic jerk who only calls me derogatory names. I don't see why I should be nice to him if he won't be nice back!"

Meanwhile, everyone in a 10 foot radius was now nodding their heads in agreement.

"Well, Hermione, how bout after this week's classes, we go to Hogsmeade. We can shop and stuff. Just hang out. Get your mind off him," Ginny said, jerking her thumb in the general direction of the Slytherin table.

"That sounds nice," Hermione said, finally relaxing enough to crack a weak smile.

"Come on, Hermione, we should go. Potions class starts in 15 minutes," Harry said, as he and Ron rose from the bench.

"Alright. I'll talk to you later, Ginny," Hermione said as she grabbed her books and walked out of the Great Hall.

The Golden Trio, as they were called, were the first to arrive outside the door to Potions. Hermione tried to pry open the door, but apparently, Snape was still enjoying breakfast. While they waited, Hermione told Harry and Ron all about how much it sucked to share the same bathroom with Draco.

"Remember how he'd gel his hair in our first two years? I'm guessing he used a pound of gel each day," Hermione said, eliciting a chuckle from the boys. Suddenly they heard steps approaching.

Down the torch-lit corridor walked Malfoy, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. They stopped a few feet in front of the Hermione and the boys.

"Hanging out with your boyfriends, Granger?"

"Hanging out with yours, Malfoy?"

"Touche, Granger," Malfoy muttered as he brushed past them and stalked into a corner across from them.

"Jerk," Hermione hissed. Ron and Harry could feel that something wasn't quite right, and judging by the tension in the air, they really didn't want to know. They exchanged knowing glances, and kept quiet.

More footsteps sounded down the hall as Snape strode up and led the class inside.

"Open your books to page three ninety four," he said curtly addressing the class which bustled in to seat themselves.
Snape continued to cover the dangers posed by such things as the Chimera and Lethifold. Most of the students only payed a small amount of attention. Others trained themselves to sleep with their eyes open. Hermione just stared blankly at Snape, her eye twitching occasionally.

Some say that she tries not to blink so she can take in as much information as possible, but the truth, is that Hermione was just ticked off...extremely ticked off. Even she herself wasn't quite sure why. Partially Draco Malfoy, part hormones, part...anger. Hermione sighed and her face relaxed. She had discovered long ago that she bottled up her serious emotions. So 29 days out of a normal month she was chipper and happy, but for one day she would bawl or threaten everyone in sight.

Apparently, she was in a threatening mood. Fellow peers backed off, and even Snape didn't call on her for answers.

After what seemed like an eternity of white knuckles about to snap the rim of the desk off, class was dismissed.

Hermione stalked out of the room. She had advanced arithmancy next, and she really wasn't looking forward to sitting around being lectured by Professor Vector. Not only that, but a few certain Slytherin cads were in her class and she was definitely not going to take it lightly if Crabbe burped on her from behind AGAIN.

Hermione rubbed her stomach and decided maybe a little food would make her feel better, so she made a b-line for the kitchens to snag a muffin.

She burst through the kitchen doors, startling a few raggedly dressed house elves. A tiny female padded over to her.

"Can me be of service missus?" the tiny elf squeaked.

"Banana nut muffin...Please," Hermione said, trying not to be too irritable, especially towards the creatures she (for the past few years) had been trying desperately to help. The elf nodded and ran off.

Another house elf walked by with a tray full of what appeared to be earl gray tea. She reached down and snagged a white ceramic mug and brought it up to her nose. The strong, hot steam billowed up into her nostrils. The hot earthy smell relaxed her, and she was only brought back to reality when the little female house elf pulled on her robes.

"Your muffin, missus," she squeaked, handing the muffin up to Hermione. Hermione took it and nodded in thanks. She glanced at a large hourglass on top of a table and sighed. She only had a few minutes to get to advanced arithmancy. Taking a long sip of tea, she set it on a counter and ran out of the kitchens.

Hermione arrived just in time, as the professor looked about to start the class. Hermione opened up 'Numerology and Grammatica,' and looked up at Professor Vector.

"Cut it close there, Miss Granger," Professor Vector said, looking down on her, her arms folded on her chest. She would have looked intimidating if a small smile was not playing across her lips.

"Sorry. Got a case of the munchies," Hermione explained as she flipped to page two hundred and twelve. The professor nodded and addressed the class.

"Today class, you will be paired up with a partner from another house, and together you will write an essay on the magical properties of the number seven, and the woman who discovered those properties,"

She paused to listen to the groans of the class.

"Come now, do you really expect to improve house relations by pairing up with people from your own house? Oh that reminds me, the pairs will consist of a male, and a female. Now, let's begin!"

Hermione sat gaping in her seat. The essay would have been easy, but why oh why did it have to be a group essay? She knew she couldn't depend on anyone else to produce the quality of work she expected...except if he just happened to be that new Ravenclaw boy.

His name was Eric, and he had short dark brown hair, olive skin, and striking blue eyes. He sat at the front of the class, and didn't talk much. But when he did speak, his voice sounded soft and sweet, like an angel.

'He looks like a model,' Hermione thought, practically drooling.

"Blaise and Parvati, Eric and..." Professor Vector called out.

'Eric and Hermione! Eric and Hermione! Eric and Hermione!' Hermione thought as she crossed her fingers and repeated her mantra in her head.

"Eric and Lavender!" the teacher decided. Hermione cursed Lavender under her breath. She always had the best luck and was always paired with the cute and smart boys in their many classes together. It's not like she needed the luck anyways. Her skin was flawless and dewey, and her hair looked and felt like spun gold. (Hermione had had the opportunity to help braid it when Parvati was out with a cold.)

"Hermione and...Draco!" Professor called out again.

Hermione felt like slamming her head into the desk. Why her? Why him? WHY?!

Draco didn't seem too appeased either. He was trying to look calm, but anyone could tell he was holding in his disgust.

"Alright. Now, will everyone please sit with their partners. I'll be giving you the whole class time to do research. Some research books are on my desk, but you might want to plan out the essay before you do the research," Professor Vector suggested as she sat down at her desk and started reading.

Draco sat down next to Hermione. Neither made eye contact as Hermione brought out a scroll of parchment from her book bag.

"Well I suppose we should get down to it then. Right, I'll chart out how we should do the essay, and you research Bridget Wenlock," Hermione said, as she dipped her quill in her inkpot.

"Wait, wait, wait. Why am I doing the dirty work? How about you do the research and I'll chart out the essay," Draco said condescendingly.

"I don't know about you, but I actually want to get a good grade on this assignment," Hermione said bitterly.

"And what's that supposed to mean? Are you calling me dumb, mudblood?" Draco said, his voice raising as he stood up. Hermione stood up as well. He was still taller.

"What if I am?" Hermione countered.

"Enough!" Professor Vector's voice rang out in the classroom. All eyes that had been watching the skirmish develop turned towards the professor.

"Miss Granger! Mister Malfoy! Come here!" Vector demanded. The two Heads made their way up to Professor Vector's desk.

"Now listen close. I put you two together because you both are very intelligent people. I was looking forward to reading an essay from my two brightest students. Not only that, but you two are the Heads of the school! What kind of example are you setting, fighting over an arithmancy essay! Now then. Play nice, or I'll be forced to put some extra strict guidelines on you two...So get back to work!" The professor hissed her lecture.

Hermione and Draco skulked back towards their seats.

"Alright, let's try this again...How about we do this together, that way we can both make sure the essay gets done right!"

"Fine," Draco agreed begrudgingly.

The two worked the rest of the class period together, getting in small squabbles from time to time, but a harsh look from Professor Vector shut them up right quick.

Hermione plopped down on the Gryffindor bench in the Great Hall.

"I'm so...exhausted," Hermione said, for lack of a better word.

"Why? Were all your advanced classes a little too hard for our genius?" Ginny said, almost sounding like she was trying to egg her friend on.

"You try working with Draco Malfoy. He's incorrigible!" Hermione sated bitterly.

"What'd he do now?" Harry asked as he sat himself across from Hermione, Ron following suit to his left.

"He thinks he's so good; but he's not! And of course Professor Vector has us doing an essay together! I told him to do some research while I plan out the essay itself, but no! That's too hard for our poor little Drakie-pooh!" Hermione mocked.

"Well of course he thinks he's better. He's a Malfoy!" Ron said, picking up a cornbread muffin and examining it before taking a bite out of it.

"Bah, he could choose to be nicer. It's not like he has to be a jerk!" Hermione said as she too picked up a cornbread muffin and bit into it. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at herself.

'Muffins. The other, other yellow bread. Also known as my new food staple,' she thought sarcastically.

"Don't forget about our Hogsmeade trip this weekend, Hermione," Ginny said, changing the subject.

"How could I forget with you reminding me every meal time," Hermione said, smiling.

Pretty soon laughter rang out from the Gryffindor table as Hermione sank back into one of her normal moods. Talking with friends had always eased her mind, not to mention all the food. If she wasn't careful, she'd gain a few unnecessary pounds, and she definitely didn't want to leave Hogwarts as a pudgy know-it-all. Hermione shuddered at the thought.

The day went on as normal as it had gone all seven years they had attended Hogwarts. After classes had ended, Hermione went out and watched Harry and Ron fly about, practicing quidditch on their brooms. She sat below them, on the cool, manicured grass and watched as her friends flew about, tossing a quaffle back and forth, looking like moving black dots against a clear blue sky.

She sat below them for well over an hour, and had started to become bored.

"I'm heading in boys! I'll see you at dinner!" Hermione called up to her friends, rising from the grass. She looked down and frowned at the large body print she had made. But she shook her head of those thoughts. She was -not- fat!

"Alright!" She could hear the boys yell in unison. She picked up her school bag and walked towards the tall stone towers and buildings ahead of her.

Once inside the entrance hall, she just made her way towards Gryffindor Tower. She looked around and smiled fondly at her surroundings. Hermione was going to miss this place when she graduated. Hufflepuff boys and girls flirted with each other at the foot of the grand staircase, while a small gathering of first year Ravenclaw boys stood huddle together, comparing cards they had gotten from chocolate frog boxes. Hermione laughed; collecting wizard cards was like a cult, it seemed.

Hermione was too busy people watching as she walked, she walked straight into the back of a tall, lanky boy. Hermione dropped the book she was carrying, (her arithmancy book to be exact) and the boy managed to stumble over them.

"I'm terribly sorry!" Hermione sputtered, as she bent down to pick up her things. Right when she reached for her book, their hands met. It was like all of the corny movies and romance novels she had read. She straightened, as did he. Hermione looked into the face of the boy holding her book. It was Eric, the Ravenclaw in her advanced arithmancy class!

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going!" Hermione explained as she took the book from his out held hand.

"It's quite alright. I was walking a little too slowly anyways," he said, his blue eyes twinkling. He brushed his hair back with his fingers and smiled.

"What's this? Cheating on Potty and Weasel are you Mudblood?" Draco cut in. Hermione spun around to look at him.

"Would you just SHUT UP you stupid little prat! I don't have a boyfriend! Ron, Harry, and I are just friends!" Hermione yelled angrily.

"Umm. I have to go Hermione, I'll see you and your friend later," Eric said, as he retreated towards some other 7th year Ravenclaw boys.

"We're not friends!" Hermione and Draco yelled in unison. They looked at each other and glared.

"So, have you done any research yet, Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

"As a matter of fact, I haven't. What about you? Have you done any work?" Draco quipped, raising an eyebrow.

"Well...erm...no," Hermione said, admitting that she hadn't even cracked open a book since her advanced charms class. Potions, advanced arithmancy and advanced charms all in one day had made her weary of books, at least for the time being.

"Then don't go about chastising me if you don't do any work yourself, you hypocritical girl!"

'Deep cleansing breaths,' her mind said slowly.

"Fine. Since the essay is due by Friday, we should start working,"

"I suppose so," Draco said, sighing.

"Good! Now let's go to the library!" Hermione said, feeling utterly cheerful at bringing his spirits down. She grabbed his hand and led him towards the library. She smiled at the touch. Eric's hand was warm, but that was it. Just warm. Draco's hand was warm and...she felt safe holding it. Of course these were all subconscious findings. If only Hermione knew...

Hope you liked it! If you did..leave a niiiiiice lonnnnnnnng review. I have some good stuff cooked up for some later chapters, so stay tuned kids! Lots of love to everyone!
English-Foxlette