A/N: thanks for the reviews!! Don't worry these first few chapters work up to the main plot... so keep on reading. I also prefer to keep my chapters short so sorry about that

Chapter 3: Potions

Disclaimer: I don't own HP... but I wish I did.

Hermione woke up early the next day, despite the fact that she didn't get enough sleep. She went to the prefects' bathroom ('lemon breeze') and took a nice hot bath. She also put her hair up like she did in the Yule Ball, except in a more casual way. She emerged from the bathroom with sleek, shiny hair and a big smile.

She went back to the common room and found Harry and Ron waiting for her by the fire.

"What took you so long?" asked Ron, "And what happened to your hair? If you hadn't noticed, Krum left already so— ""Shut it," Harry warned, looking at Hermione. "I just want to look good for the first day of classes", said Hermione, glaring at Ron. "Whatever", Ron muttered, picking up his schoolbag. "Potions first thing in the morning", said Harry, sighing.

Draco opened his eyes and closed them again. He forced himself to wake up. He felt groggy and drowsy, having stayed up late.

He took a quick shower and dried up. He pulled his hand through his hair and checked the mirror on top of the vanity table. He was too sleepy. He couldn't go to classes, not even Potions. "Wake up!" said a voice, "We're late". "Come on", Draco told Blaise, and they ran to the dungeons where the potions master, Snape, was impatiently waiting for them.

"Late, Mr. Malfoy", Snape said, "I expect better from students of my own house...Blaise too"

"Sorry Professor", mumbled Draco.

"See to it that this does not happen again"

Draco and Blaise nodded and took their seats. They noticed that all the students in their year were in the dungeon. Malfoy didn't dare ask why.

"As I was saying, the ministry has decided to start a new program", said Snape, "This program aims to promote teamwork between different houses. In every class, there will be various activities. In these activities, you will be working with only one partner for the rest of the year. As I call your names, you will work at the cauldron of the male partner. Bring your things. I suggest you get to know each other"

"Potter and Bulstrode"

"Ugh--"

"No!"

"Weasley and Abbot"

"Well—"

"--I guess"

"Zabini and Brown"

"Damn—"

"—can't believe"

Snape read the rest of the list, and more and more people decided that they were paired up with all the wrong people.

"Malfoy and...well, well, well...Miss Granger", said Snape "I trust that you will learn to work together"

Hermione stared in disbelief. "You're kidding", she said. "There must be a mistake professor", Malfoy spoke up.

"The ministry thinks that it would be good for you"

Malfoy and Hermione tried to protest, but Snape gave them a look that clearly said "don't even try". Hermione sighed and took her things to Malfoy's cauldron. She ignored his "Mudblood Granger" and took down notes.

"Can anyone explain this potion?" Snape asked, pointing at the words on the board. To no one's surprise, Hermione raised her hand. "I suppose", Snape said, "The ministry has instructed us to give you the opportunity to explain the ingredients, measurements and the procedure in full detail" Hermione walked to the front of the class and started explaining the lesson.

Draco rolled his eyes. "The mudblood, teaching", said Draco, "what next?" "Shut up", Harry said. Ron glared. Draco looked back at Hermione. Her hair. Her hair was sleek and shiny. He had the butterflies again. He ignored the feeling, but he smiled; the first genuine smile he ever made in a long time.

Hermione kept on explaining until the class was half over. "Well Miss Granger, I feel a bit generous today. Five points to Gryffindor". Hermione smiled, pleased with herself. Draco noticed her smile. He felt like he wanted to smile back, but he held himself back. "Partners is enough...I don't need a mudblood crush"

Hermione saw Draco's smile while she was explaining. She felt her heart beating faster and faster. She smiled inside, her eyes sparkling. "...five points" She smiled. She didn't smile because of that; she smiled because she had this tingling feeling. "It couldn't be love", she thought, "I despise him". Yet, she couldn't help herself. She thought about Draco for the rest of the class. "I still despise him though"