Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters or places, those belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: I want to thank all my wonderful reviewers, I'm glad to hear that you are liking the story so far! You guys are the best!!

And to anyone who is reading and not reviewing, I already have the story written, and I am presently editing it in responce to the reviews I get, so the more you review, the faster I'll update! (hint hint). Anyway, I hope you continue to enjoy the story and I welcome your comments and criticism!

I have decided to increase the rating of the story to PG-13 for things that happen in later chapters, I hope that doesn't cause a problem for anyone. Now, on with the story . . .

Chapter 4: More Good News

 The following morning, Hermione awoke happy and refreshed; completely forgetting how mad she had been the night before. She got ready, and met Harry, Ron, and Ginny in the common room to head down to breakfast. They chatted merrily about how happy they were for the weekend to be so near until the bell rang, which reminded them that they still had one whole day of classes left. "Can't believe our rotten luck," Ron complained, "the last day of the week and we have to start it with Divination, and end it with Potions! Do you think anything could be more torture than that?"

"No," Harry and Hermione said in unison.

"At least you don't have to sit through Trelawney rambling all morning, Hermione," mumbled Harry, he hated sitting through Divination and being told he was about to die during every class.

"True," agreed Hermione, "but I have to sit through Arithmancy." "I thought you liked Arithmancy," mocked Ron.

"I do, but Malfoy's in that class, I can't stand it, I always feel like he's gonna hex when I'm not looking. Plus, I still detest the idea of ending the week with Potions," she moaned. "Well, I'll see you later!" she called to the boys as she walked down the hall to Arithmancy. She reached the classroom, and headed to her seat in the very front, she was joined a moment later by Dean Thomas, a fellow Gryffindor. Shortly afterward, a few Ravenclaws, and one Hufflepuff entered the classroom. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief when the bell rang, she was happy because Malfoy had not shown up, and if he wasn't in Arithmancy, then maybe he wouldn't be in potions either. With that thought, Hermione turned her attention to professor Vector, delighted at the idea of a Malfoy free day. She absolutely hated being in so many of his classes, plus she was not keen on seeing him after what happened the night before.

"Well class, I have graded you first quizzes, and I must say I was rather disappointed with how little everyone seems to have retained over the summer." Professor Vector proceeded to talk to the class while walking through their desks handing back their papers. "I see we have a lot of work ahead of us. I hope you are all prepared for a difficult year, preparing for your NEWTS!" Professor Vector reached Hermione's paper and whispered, "Well done Miss Granger." Professor Vector looked at the last paper, "Ah and where is Mr. Malfoy?"

The students all looked at one another, as none of them were in Slytherin, they did not know where Malfoy was. At that moment, much to Hermione's dismay, Draco walked in. He brought a note to professor Vector, "Sorry I'm late professor." Professor Vector read the note, nodded and said "no problem Mr. Malfoy, here is your quiz." She handed Draco his quiz and walked back to her desk while Draco went to his seat.

After an hour and a half of taking notes, mostly going over things from last year, the class got up to leave, "Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Granger, can I see you both up here for a moment?" professor Vector asked as the students shuffled out of the room. The two students walked up to professor Vector, I'm sure it's no surprise to either of you that the rest of the class is far behind where we should be. I would feel completely awful having the both of you sitting here reviewing, when you could be doing much more productive things. I have heard that you are working on an additional project for Professor Snape's class, and I have agreed to allow you both to work on that project until the class have caught up with you.

Hermione reacted to this news with revulsion, "but, but professor, what about class? Surely you need me here?"

"No Miss Granger, I have discussed the matter with the other teachers and we all agree that your time would be better spent working on the potions project, so for next class, Madame Pince will be expecting you in the library."

"Yes professor," mumbled Hermione dejectedly. She then turned and stalked out of the room and headed to Transfiguration.

Draco had merely nodded at professor Vector's instructions, and then followed Hermione out of the room. He watched her scurrying off to class with a scowl on his face, 'great' he thought; 'now I actually have to spend time with that stinking mudblood'. And with that thought, he made his way to Charms.

Half a day later it was time for potions class. Harry, Ron and Hermione shuffled into class as late as they possibly could and made their way to the very back of the room. Professor Snape swept in the moment the bell rang, and so began their final 45 minutes of torture before they were free for the weekend. They spent all lesson taking notes on Veritaserum and how it is able to make people tell the truth. At the end of the lesson, professor Snape told them they would be concocting a milder form of truth potion that though not nearly as powerful, has the same general effect as Veritaserum. "Malfoy, Granger, to my desk now," professor Snape snarled at the end of his lesson, "I trust that professor Vector informed you two that you will spend her class time working on you potion?" They both nodded. "I expect you two to come up with a list of ingredients by the first Hogsmeade weekend so you can shop at the apothecary for them, understood."

They both nodded again, then Hermione rushed out of the classroom where Harry and Ron were waiting for her, and Draco meandered to the Slytherin common room.

The weekend passed without incident, and Monday arrived much too quickly in the opinion of the students. Hermione didn't even glance in Draco's direction during potions, and as she made her way to the library during Arithmancy class, she braced herself for the worst. Draco was already there when she arrived, and Madame Pince led her to the very back of the Library where they could study without distraction. Draco was already absorbed in a book when she sat down. And rather than speak, she chose to pick up a book and begin researching for herself. She spent a lot of time reading without finding anything, yet Malfoy, she noticed, seemed to be finding a lot, he was continually writing notes. She watched him working, he was completely oblivious to her, and she couldn't help but feel the butterflies return to her stomach as it again dawned on her how good looking Draco was when he wasn't being a git.

Gradually, Draco realized Hermione was watching him, he looked at her quickly, and she immediately focused her attention back on her reading. Draco stared at her for a moment, noting that her face had turned slightly pink, and he wondered how long she had been watching him. Not wanting her to think that he was looking at her, he returned to his work, jotting down ingredients they would need as well as notes for their essay.

After about an hour of not finding anything and seeing Draco constantly writing Hermione threw her book down and said "what are you writing?"

Draco looked up annoyed by the interruption replied, "For your information, I'm writing the ingredients we're going to need to make this potion."

"But where are you finding them? I've been looking for ages in every notable book I can find, and I haven't even found a single mention of any ingredients used for the revival drought!" said Hermione.

"They're all right here in Ancient and Forgotten Spells, Potions, and Charms" he answered coolly.

"Why would it be in there? For such an important potion wouldn't the ingredients be in a more important and noteworthy book?" she questioned.

"You would think so, since the potion is so powerful, but it's incredibly difficult and time consuming to make, and according to this book, it requires an ingredient that is extremely rare, yet absolutely essential. It doesn't list what that is as far as I can tell though."

"Peculiar" mumbled Hermione more to herself than to Draco. She became lost in thought, totally unaware of the world around her.

Draco watched her as she thought, despite himself he couldn't help but notice that her hair seemed to have tamed itself a bit over the summer and she had grown taller and more womanly as well. He was amused by the gleam in her eye as she thought deep and hard. "Maybe we should just ask Madame Pince if she has any suggestions for where it might be," she suggested.

"Draco Malfoy does not ask for help, I can find it on my own if you're not going to look for it."

Hermione was insulted, "I was merely suggesting that we ask for help since we have a deadline to consider, I will not fail this assignment just because you're too stubborn to ask for help."

Draco started, he leaned over the desk inches away from Hermione's face, she was startled, but refused to back away. "I have never failed anything in my life, nor have I asked for help, and I'm not about to start doing either now," growled Draco. With that, the bell rang to signal the end of class, and Draco threw the book he was reading in his bag and stormed out of the library, leaving Hermione sitting speechless in her seat.