A/N: Sorry its taken so long to get this up, but i've been super busy w/ school and they're totally blastin us w/ homework. just wanna say thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, especially luv-bug21 and WWRYbabe cuz they've been reviewing from the very start. :) i luv u guys. and im sorry i've kinda been forgettin bout harry and ron lately, but they're in this chapter, and ill try to remember them from now on. btw, hermione's hair is brown, not red. sorry bout that mistake (thx for pointing it out back pantha). dont forget to tell me wat u think, i live for ur reviews! the longer the better!

Disclaimer: hehe, do i own them? i mite. u never know. ;)

When Draco woke up the next morning his bed was empty and he could hear the shower running next door. He stretched and got up, pulling on some fresh clothes as his mind raced back to the night before. As much as he'd wanted to have crazy sex with Hermione, he'd stopped himself. She'd just been through a lot of trauma, and the last thing he wanted was to be associated with it. So they'd cuddled and kissed and fallen asleep together. And somehow that was enough. For once, sex wasn't the only thing on his mind. He was more concerned with Hermione's feelings.

Fully dressed, he gathered his books and left for class before he could see her and change his mind.

Hermione stepped out of the steaming hot shower and wrapped herself in a towel as she walked into her room. Her hair was dripping all over the floor but for once she didn't care. Her head was spinning and she wasn't sure what to think. Part of her was relieved that she hadn't had sex with Malfoy, but another part of her wished she had. She knew she was attracted to him, but did he feel the same way? She wasn't a slut that slept around with anybody. If she was gonna fuck him, she was gonna make damn sure that there was some commitment there. She wasn't about to lose her virginity to someone who was gonna dump her on her ass afterwards. And she didn't completely trust him.

She dried off and got dressed, still thinking hard about Draco. By the time she was done she'd decided to pretend last night hadn't even happened. If he wants something from me, then he can make the first move. Until then, nothing's changed between us.

She gathered her books and left for class.

For a while, things stayed normal. A week passed by and Hermione and Draco ignored each other. They only talked when they had to, and they avoided eye contact. Hermione wished they could discuss what had happened but she was afraid to bring it up. So they pretended everything was fine, and the peace lasted.

Hermione had a bad feeling as she walked into Potions the following week. She sat down at her usual seat between Harry and Ron and looked around suspiciously.

"Um, why does Snape have such a big smile on his face?" she questioned Harry quietly.

He glanced up and frowned. "I don't know, but it's probably something bad."

Ron scowled. "He's probably gonna make us drink poison or something, so he can study how fast we die. Bet that would make him happy."

Hermione glanced up at him with an alarmed expression. "He wouldn't really do that, would he? I mean that's illegal, even if he had an antidote, he wouldn't dare poison us, right?"

Ron chuckled at the look on her face. "I was only joking, of course he wouldn't. Calm down."

She glared at him. "I knew that." Harry grinned. "Shut up. I did."

"No you didn't."

"Yes I did."

"Didn't."

"Did."

"Didn't."

"Did."

"You thought he was gonna poison us."

"No I didn't."

Ron snorted with laughter. "Hermione thought she was gonna die."

"NO I DIDN'T!"

"Miss Granger, please contain yourself while in my class. That'll be 10 points from Gryffindor."

Hermione quickly shut her mouth as Harry and Ron glared at Snape. Seemingly oblivious to their death looks, he looked around the silent class, smiling evilly.

"Today we will be starting a new project to encourage Inter-House unity. You will each be paired up with a member of another House. In this case, Slytherins will be paired up with Gryffindors. For the next two weeks, you'll be working together on all your potions in this class, and you'll be getting the same grade. I've already chosen partners, and there will be no switching around." He chuckled softly. "Though I'm sure there will be many complaints." He pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket and started reading out names of partners.

"Neville Longbottom and Gregory Goyle."

Neville's face paled as Goyle cracked his knuckles threateningly.

"Lavender Brown and Millicent Bulstrode."

Lavender looked over fearfully at Millicent and gulped loudly.

"Ronald Weasley and Vincent Crabbe."

Ron glared at Crabbe, who looked confused.

"Harry Potter and Pansy Parkinson."

Harry cursed under his breath and Pansy shrieked in outrage.

Snape kept calling out partners until he'd reached the end of his list. He looked up and gave a small smile. Hermione's stomach plummeted. She knew what was coming next.

"And finally, Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy. Since you already share a common room, I assume you will work well together." Hermione glanced over at Malfoy, but he was pointedly avoiding her gaze. She turned back to Professor Snape who had continued to talk.

"All partnerships are final. There will be no exceptions." He waved his hand as the class broke out in loud indignant voices. "Silence!" he yelled and they quieted down. "As I was saying, there are no exceptions. Your grade in this class will depend on how well you work together on this project. And to help you get along," he gave his wand a quick flick and a glass full of purple liquid appeared in front of each student. "You will all be drinking this."

Hermione stared apprehensively at the potion, which was now bubbling softly. She raised her hand slowly.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?" Snape snapped irritably.

"Well, I was just wondering what this potion does." Hermione said quietly.

Snape looked at her coldly. "If you were to allow me to continue without interruption, I might be able to explain."

Hermione flushed and a few students chuckled.

"What you see in front of you is a very complex potion known as a Harkinsonk Brew. To put it simply, it forces you to be civil to your partner. Every time you try to insult them or argue with them, your voice will go out for a brief amount of time. If you were about to say something exceptionally rude, you won't be able to speak for a longer amount of time. For some of you, this will mean you won't be talking again for quite a while," Snape gave Harry a vicious look. "Though that may be an improvement."

Hermione glanced at Malfoy from the corner of her eye. How the hell can I be expected to work with him? We won't be able to get anything done if neither of us can talk half the time. And there's no way I'm sacrificing my Potions grade just because of one stupid project.

A/N: this one's nice and long, doesn't that rock? i think so.