The Beginning

Hermione Granger emerged from her seat in response to the sudden noise of footsteps echoing throughout the hallway. "Miss Granger, thank you for waiting so patiently, dear." Madam Pomfrey bustled into the Nursing Wing with Dumbledore, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy hurrying in behind her. Hermione rolled her eyes when she noticed Draco was lying on a stretcher, groaning through clenched teach. "Mr. Malfoy was attacked by a centaur when he was passing by near the Forbidden Forest," Madam Pomfrey explained to no one in particular. "What he was doing there, I don't know." She shot the blonde a tedious look before running around her desk for the proper materials to mend his broken leg. "Since you are the Head Girl with excelling grades, I wanted to know if you could lend me a hand during your first period classes of the day." Hermione wrung her hands uncertainly, eyeing the Slytherin wearily. "Okay, Professor," She breathed. But I can't say I'll like it. She thought furiously.

"I need another pillow for my leg…" Draco drawled, rising his arm pathetically as he moaned softly. "Granger, could you be…so kind as to get one for me?" He asked innocently, raising an eyebrow to the oblivious Poppy Pomfrey leaning over files at her desk. Hermione brought him a pillow, propping his leg against it with a sigh. "Malfoy, could I ask what you were doing behind the castle?" Draco yawned, shrugging. "Not that it's any of your damn business, Granger, but me and my boys were adding some 'pizzazz' to the old building." Hermione shot him an uncertain glare. "How so?" She inquired. "We were spray painting, Granger." Draco inflected, removing a ball of fuzz off of his winter sweater.

"Why would you ever even think to spray paint the castle, Malfoy?" She snarled. "Relax, relax, it didn't work anyway. I guess it has a magical shield or something." Draco said ruefully, flicking the fuzz across the room. "I knew that. Everyone who read Hogwarts a History should know that." Draco closed his eyes, suddenly extremely bored. "I don't read, Granger. While you're spending hours away in that God-forsaken library that's a bloody sanctuary to you, I'm busying myself with other things." Hermione smirked. "Like what?" Draco let out a long breath of air. "Well if you must know," He said, shaking his head. "Quidditch, sex, parties, sleep, food. Things you're unfamiliar with. Do you even sleep, Granger?" Hermione turned her back to him, walking across the room to a nearby bench. "Maybe that's what you should do now. Sleep. Goodnight, Malfoy." Draco flipped onto his stomach, grinning. "Goodnight Granger." He said, and shut his eyes.


Eight Days a Week

By stefaniaangelone

Chapter 1Transactions and Tutors

"You build me up

You knock me down

Provoke a smile

And make me frown

You are the queen of runaround

You know it's true."

Maroon 5, Shiver

Review Responses: OPEN

Chapter Rating: PG-13 for language and brief sexuality

Credits: No one

"Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars."
Henry Van Dyke


Draco found Hermione sitting on a branch hung low above the ground during lunch a few hours later. Snowflakes burrowed into her ponytail as he traced her footprints through the snow. "So I'm guessing you don't eat either?" He said, smirking and leaning against the tree. She gasped, looking up from her book and casting Draco a hateful glare. "I'm not hungry. I thought you ate. I recall you happily adding food to your 'I'd-rather-do-this-than-read-list.'" Draco bent over and scratched his leg. "Yeah well, I forgot to say I love to get as much room away from my fucking idiots-of-friends too." Hermione smiled. "But then you still manage to break your leg with them. Maybe you should find new friends." Draco cocked an eyebrow. "Are you saying you could be that new friend?" Hermione laughed. "That's not what I was saying but if you drop that fake bad-ass attitude and show some respect for a lady then maybe I'll consider it."

"What makes you think I want to be your friend?" Hermione looked at him. "It might have been the way you're speaking a few inches away from my face." Draco stepped backwards, smiling. "What if I was getting ready to attack you?" Hermione sat confidently, speaking in a soft syrupy voice. "You don't hit girls." Draco rested his hands in the pockets of his baggy black uniform pants. "That's only respect, right?" Hermione's straightened bangs fell over her face. "Of course," Draco rested against the branch next to the one where she sat. "You must be a damn good friend if those are your requirements." Hermione grinned, closing her book and resting it on her lap. "Well what can I say…" She teased, noticing how tall Draco really was. She was almost a foot off the ground and Draco still managed to snag a few inches on her.

Hermione raised her face to find a students bursting through the front doors, and diving into the newly-fallen snow. "I've got to find Ron and Harry." Hermione suddenly remembered, hopping off the branch and brushing the snow off of her robes. "Remember respect, Malfoy." Hermione said walking away, smirking to herself as she felt Draco's eyes linger on her ass. "And the dropping of the 'fake bad-ass attitude.'" Draco added, calling after her. She nodded, laughing. "Exactly," She said, wandering inside the castle.

"Hermione!" Hermione focused her eyes on two pathetically awkward boys scrambling down the hallway, racing to catch up with her. "Where've you been?" Ron questioned, panting to catch his breath. "You weren't at Transfiguration, Arithmancy, or lunch!" Hermione sucked in a breath, her nose shining pink and her cheeks flushed. Her hair was damp and there were occasional snowflakes lingering on a few strands. "Were you outside or are you seriously sick?" Harry asked. Hermione sighed, smiling brightly. "I was outside, you guys. What's with all the questions? I wasn't present at my first period classes because I was helping Madam Pomfrey nurse a student."

Ron cocked an eyebrow, slipping his hands into his gloves and clenching them into fists. "Who were you helping?" Hermione frowned. "Malfoy. Actually, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." She smirked. "He's actually…charming at times." Harry and Ron exchanged glances of horror as Hermione continued her way down the corridor. "Are you mad? Malfoy—charming? Oh fuck, Hermione—he hasn't honestly captured you too, has he? What about Ja-" Hermione whirled around, her mouth hanging open. "Captured me? I'm not that thick, Ron—you're the one that's mad!"

"Well, aren't you coming outside with us?" Harry inquired hopefully before either of them could get into another fight. "I was just out there." She fingered the band of her gloves. "But I suppose I could get another breath of fresh air with you too." Ron furrowed his eyebrows. "Well who were you out with last time? Don't tell me it was Malfoy—" "Honestly Ron, you make it seem like I'm his friend or something. I was doing Madam Pomfrey a favor as Head Girl. Not for Malfoy," She said, biting down on her lower lip. "Never for Malfoy."

"I really should be starting that essay Professor Flitwick assigned about Storm Charms." Hermione began nervously as the trio padded around the castle courtyard, tracing the pathways that bent around the frozen lake. "That's due in three weeks!" Hermione shook her head, exasperated. "Two weeks, Ron. Besides, he wants two-parchments of information for the essay. I promised myself that I'd double the amount of work expected by the professors this year as Head Girl. It's only right." Ron sighed. "Yeah, and I promised myself that I'd try to do at least half of the requirements."

"Hey—isn't that Crookshanks chasing that gangly small black cat?" Harry said, pointing at the pair of cats zooming about, occasionally letting out a small hiss. "Yes—why is he chasing that poor thing?" Hermione watched as Draco appeared with his group of friends, and tackling the black cat before Crookshanks could rip it to pieces. "Granger—" Draco gasped, approaching her with the cat in his arms as Crookshanks brushed up against her leg. "Your fucking overgrown rat almost ate my cat!" Hermione swallowed down the fit of giggles bubbling violently in her throat. "You have a…cat?" She let out, covering her mouth as she laughed out loud. Draco rolled his eyes, brushing his hand over the cat's head. "Yes, an owl and a cat."

Hermione grinned. "I see where you're coming from. You can't cuddle an owl, right Mr. Feminine?" She scooped Crookshanks up into her arms and smiled broadly. "You should really get a cat that can fend for himself," She scratched Crookshank's back, which caused a loud purr to suddenly emit from him. "'Bye Malfoy." She said, turning around and making her way inside with Harry and Ron hurrying in after her.

"Was that supposed to prove something?" Ron asked, glancing uncertainly at the very spoiled cat in Hermione's arms. "Prove what?" Hermione asked, looking at him as they walked through the hall. "That you're not okay with Malfoy?" Hermione laughed. "I don't need to prove anything to you. I'm not okay with Malfoy but who says I can't be?" Harry frowned. "I'm sure his friends will, not to mention Ron." Ron's ears turned red as he folded his arms. "I'm sure you'd mind too, Harry! That would be a betrayal to the whole house—and all the Slytherin folk will try to hurt you."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine, Ronald." She said, stroking her purring cat lazily. "I better put Crookshanks in his bed—I'll be right down so we can go to Potions." She ran through the Heads' Dormitory portrait hole and returned only a few minutes later with her books. "Ready?" She said cheerfully and they headed down to Potions, Ron's ears still flaming red.

"Were you making out with Granger?" Blaise Zabini hissed, tossing a crumpled piece of paper behind him, in Draco's direction. Draco's eyes hung heavy as he sat in Potions class, bored out of his mind as Professor Snape's lazy drawl was almost singing him to sleep. He spread out the paper and began writing back with his feather quill, Whoa. When? Blaise snatched the note and wrote back a reply: When you were in the nursing wing. You fucking pimp. Draco had to hold his breath to keep himself for laughing. That's bullshit, man. I didn't even touch her. Blaise grinned. I can hardly believe that. Just look at that ass, don't tell me you haven't felt her bare skin.

Draco flickered his eyes in Hermione's direction, watching the way she slowly pulled the tip of her quill in and out of her mouth as she listened intently to Snape's lesson. I swear I haven't yet. Blaise smirked, shaking his head. Yet? Is this your new mission? Poor Janie, she can actually love a cold-hearted asshole like you but you still want to throw her away. Draco was in trance, eyeing the large fold in her skirt as she crossed her legs. Maybe he could get a quick peep of her knickers. Maybe a thong? His adrenaline surprised him as he began to lean over…

Thud

Draco smashed into the floor as his seat slipped over from under him. The class was silent as they turned their heads to find Draco sprawled on the floor, looking up at Snape, horrified. Then, everyone erupted with laughter and even Hermione smirked as Draco scrambled to his feet, finding his seat again. "Sorry Professor." He muttered before Snape could open his mouth. He sat for a moment before opening the note and writing back to Blaise: Janie and I both know that we're only dating for sex. We're kind of like sex buddies. Blaise smiled. I need myself one of those. How about you give me Janie and I'll give you five hundred galleons if you can get Granger in the sack with you willingly.

Draco hesitated at first, then: Give me one more night with Janie so I can refuel. After that, it's a fucking deal, bitch. Blaise drummed his fingers on his desk, holding back his laughter. Who's skirt where you looking up this time? Draco smirked. Honestly? I can give you a hint and it's definitely not Janie.

"Damn Draco, you did me like it was our last night together or something." Janie Disello gasped, closing her green eyes as Draco rolled off her and took in a deep breath. "That's what I needed to talk to you about," He whispered, lying in the sweat-drenched bed uncomfortably. "This thing that we have—how we're together only for the sex—it's kind of getting to my head." Janie flipped onto her stomach, snuggling up to Draco and running her fingers down his bare chest. "Aw baby, I know it's rough."

Draco sighed, closing his eyes. "It's not like that, Janie." He said softly. "I mean, there's someone else that I can actually see myself having a relationship with." Janie perked up, her eyes wide and filling with tears. "Wait—what? Baby, I love you. When we make love it doesn't mean anything to you?" Draco was seriously feeling bad. He didn't actually think he'd feel sorry for her but he did. "Janie—" "Are you serious? If this is one of your mean jokes—" Draco fell back against his pillow, letting out a cloud of air.

"Could you just wait and listen for a second?" Janie's lip quivered and she removed herself from their embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Forget it. You're a hell of a good sex buddy, Malfoy, but as a boyfriend—even as a person—you suck so badly, you shallow bastard. You can kiss my ass if you want to give me any lame excuses." She paced around his room, gathering her boots and clothing, slipping them on. "I'll see you around." She murmured, turning around and storming out.

After pulling on some jeans, not bothering to even zipper them, Draco padded into the bathroom that he shared with Hermione, connecting their bedrooms together. He flipped on the light switch and groaned, leaning over the sink and splashing his face with cold water. "Did you just break up with your girlfriend?" A familiar feminine voice startled him and he looked up to see Hermione leaning against the counter beside him. Draco scratched the back of his neck, furrowing his eyebrows with a frown. "Uh…yeah, kind of." He murmured.

Hermione was silent as she watched him dry off his face with a washcloth. "Why are you still awake?" He asked and she shrugged, running her nail around the marble patterns on the counter, eyeing his Quidditch-toned body. "I could ask the same of you…but I know the answer." Draco felt his cheeks grow red, his lips tugging up into a smile as he studied her lacy nighty that would be extremely sexy if she'd only ask him to take it off for her. "You seem happy about it." She said and he laughed softly. "I am a little, actually. We were going out for the wrong reasons."

"I hadn't a clue you knew right from wrong, Malfoy." She whispered, smiling. "Ouch—shouldn't I get a little respect too?" Draco asked, pretending to be seriously hurt by her comment. Hermione giggled, nodding her head. "You're right, I'm sorry. A little bit of respect goes for you too." Draco watched Hermione boost herself up onto the counter. "Hey since you're getting all this respect and I'm adapting so we can be 'okay' shouldn't I get something from you too?" Hermione's eyes were blank as she listened. "What are you implying?" She asked, her lips fixed slightly apart. "You should do me a little favor," He said. "Since you love your damn books so much why don't you put them to use for someone?" Hermione smiled. "Do you want me to tutor you, Malfoy?" Draco nodded. "Would you?" Hermione thought for a moment, before giving in, "Okay." She said.

"I thought we could start with Transfiguration since that's my favourite subject," Hermione pulled open the heavy Transfiguration textbook, turning to face Draco as they sat alone in the library early the next morning. "I'm assuming you know the basics like turning a feather to a bird?" Draco leaned on his arm, frowning slightly. "I guess you could say that. I know how to conjure a sleeping draft." Hermione laughed, leaning back in her seat. "That's a totally different subject, Malfoy. If you want to start with Potions so badly I guess we could." She wandered across the library, heading into the STUDYING section where she put away the Transfiguration book in search for a Potions one.

Draco followed her, deep within the shelves. He found her squatting down, skimming through the lowest shelves in the P section. "You must be in here alone all the time." Draco said, watching her snatch a few books off the shelves and stand up straight, brushing off the dust on her knees. "All the time," She admitted, smiling. "But it doesn't bother me. I get silence for studying." She brought the books back to their table and Draco plopped down on his seat, eyeing the thick textbooks. "It's Saturday morning and I could be doing a girl in the alleyway of Hogsmead right now but I'm in a library with a Gryffindor being tutored."

Hermione shook her head. "Ha. Ha. But it was your choice. Take it or leave it." She studied him. "You can back out now, you know. You can run off free in search for that lucky lady." Draco scooted his chair in, grinning. "I'm fine here. Let's start." Hermione nodded. "All right. Let's start with defensive and curing potions—" "Hermione we need to start heading down to—Malfoy?" Harry paused in the doorway, his eyes focused on the blonde casually sitting next to his best friend like it was a normal thing to be doing. "Leave her alone, you bastard!" He snarled, grabbing for his wand and pointing it at Draco's head.

"Harry! Stop that—I'm helping him study." Harry lowered his wand, glaring furiously at the pleased Slytherin. Hermione pressed her lips together, for Harry's bemused face was somewhat amusing. His hair was ruffled as usual and his green eyes were blank and angry. "I don't get you, Hermione." He said numbly. "Why the hell are you helping this prick? All he is to you is rude—especially to me and Ron. By helping him you're just saying you don't care." Hermione lowered her eyes to the floor, exhaling slowly. "You can't choose whom I'm friends with. And who even says we're friends? There's nothing personal about tutoring someone, Harry. Just get over it. You and Ron have been hammering me for something that's not even worth making a big fuss about. You can go to Hogsmead alone."

She darted her eyes away from him and looked at Draco, her fingers uncertainly tapping against the table. "I should hire a cheerleading team for you, Granger. You love to tell people off, don't you?" Draco asked, grinning, as soon as Harry stormed away. "I just defend myself, Malfoy. I can't let people walk all over me." Draco turned to the doorway where Harry was once standing. "It looks like they have been." He said and Hermione rolled her eyes. "They have not. They're just a little overprotective." Draco laughed. "They're nosy if you ask me." Hermione cringed. "Yeah, well I didn't. Besides, we're completely off topic now. If I'm going to spend time helping you it might as well be about schoolwork, right?" Draco sat back in his seat and stretched. "Right. It's not like we have anything else in common anyway."


There it was. Chapter numero uno of Eight Days a Week. ) SQUEE. Review and I'll give ya some candies – holds out bag – now please? I'll cry if you don't SOB.