Chapter Five: Day one

Around lunchtime, Draco was shaken roughly awake. She turned over to blink foggily up at Madame Pomfrey.

"Come on, you. Up you get" She hauled the bedclothes back, making Draco cringe"You're to go to class straight after you eat, so you best be getting up and dressed."

Draco shot up, horror evident on her face"No! I can't go back to class like this! It's embarrassing!"

Madame Pomfrey gave her a sympathetic look, but kept with what she was doing, setting a neatly folded pile of clothes on a nearby bunk" There are your clothes. They've been altered to fit you now, and the Headmaster says you're to be allowed to wear the boy's uniform for awhile yet. Your things have been moved into the girl's half of the dormitory, as well.

"Umm...Madame Pomfrey" Draco asked in a small voice"What do I do with...these" she indicated her chest.

The older woman turned"For today, there's nothing you can do. Tonight after dinner, Hermione Granger has agreed to meet you to...explain some things."

Draco's upper lip curled into a tiny sneer"Why her? Couldn't someone else?..."

"Not unless you fancy being laughed at all night."

Hermione stepped forward as the door swung shut behind her- Draco was really beginning to hate that door. Madame Pomfrey bustled out, leaving the two girls glaring at each other.

Finally, Hermione broke the silence"I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart, Malfoy. And I'm telling you right now" she strode over to Draco, bending until their faces were inches apart" if you aren't a little nicer to me, I'll walk away and leave you to fend for yourself."

Draco laughed"And what makes you think I wouldn't be better off? It can't be that hard- I mean, women have survived this long, haven't they"

"Somehow, Malfoy, I don't think you'll last two days without my help. There are a few facts about being a woman that may come as a…" Hermione grinned rather evilly"nasty…surprise if you're not prepared."

Draco stared wide-eyed up at the other girl"Wow, no wonder there are so many frightened Gryffindor first-years. I'm serious, that was a nearly Malfoy level of evil."

Hermione straightened"Why thank you. Now" she scooped up the pile of clothes and dumped them on Draco's lap"get dressed. You'll be late for class."+

Hermione tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for Draco to finish dressing. She was taking so long! At this rate, both girls really would be late for class. The bell rang then, echoing Hermione's thoughts. She hummphed and turned, seeing Draco emerge cautiously from the infirmary.

She looked a bit worse for the wear-her clothes were hanging askew and her hair was mussed. A giggle escaped despite Hermoine's best intentions when Draco's hair caught the door latch and refused to let go. She struggled with the blonde strands for a bit before finally just tugging them free, leaving a few behind. A scowl marred her otherwise surprisingly pretty face as Draco attempted to fling the mass behind her. Hermione took pity on the poor girl who seemed to be getting more and more irritated.

"Here, try this" she held out a plain rubber band, pushing it into Draco's hand when she didn't immediately take it.

The other girl looked down at her hand with a scowl, before transferring her scowl to Hermione"You actually expect me to know what to do with this"

"Fine! I'll do it then" she yanked the band out of Draco's fingers, causing them to sting when the band snapped back on them.

Hermione moved around until she stood behind her"What are you doing" Hermione reached up to grasp the tangled mane, but Draco was having none of it.

At the first touch of Hermione's hands, she jerked away, but only succeeded in pulling her own hair.

"Just hold still! It will be over in a moment"

"No! You're messing it up"

"You messed it up yourself! Now just hang on..."

A brush materialized in Hermione's hand and she began running it mercilessly through Draco's wild hair. A few yelps and additional bruises (on Draco) later, she stepped back and looked at her handiwork. All the rats had disappeared and the unmanageable hair had been tamed into a simple ponytail.

Draco glared at Hermione and massaged a particularly sore spot on her scalp. When she realized she wasn't having to wage World War III just to free her fingers, the glare turned into a look of amazement. That was quickly squashed, to be replaced by the trademark Malfoy scowl.

"Let's go."

The two girls traveled the empty corridors, Draco's new ponytail bobbling as she grumbled under her breath about masochist females. When they arrived at the door to the History of Magic classroom, Hermione handed Draco a large stack of textbooks.

"Here are your things. I'll come and pick you up at the end of class to take you to your next one."

Draco scowled at her, "What makes you think I need an escort! My body may have undergone a drastic, unwilling change-but I am still Draco Malfoy!" she flung the door wide and strode in, head held high and nose in the air.

The door burst open, spilling young wizards into the hall. Hermione leaned against the wall, her books clutched to her chest. Many of the students filing out of the classroom were snickering, while some of the others simply looked horrified. Draco walked out with the stream, seeming a bit put out. She immediately spotted Hermione and turned to glare at her.

"Walk."

The other girl pushed herself off the wall and started down the now teeming corridor, a fuming blonde following close behind.

"I told you I didn't need you to walk me to class. In fact, I'd prefer if no one knew I even had to speak to you," Draco stumbled along.

"My, aren't we in a snippy mood today? Fine," Hermione tossed her hair behind her shoulder, " If you find it so detestable to walk with me, I'll not pick you up after your next class period. We'll see what happens to you without the benefit of my protection."

"Your protection? Are you crazy? You couldn't protect a fly from a spider's web," she sped up, quickly losing the other girl in the bustle of the hallways.

Hermione didn't even try to catch up, and actually slowed down, a wicked smile playing over her features.

Disclaimer: You know the drill, anything you recognize belongs to the rabid squirrels-oops, I mean to Ms. Rowling…

A/N: Oh holy monkey crackers! I about passed out from joy at all the reviews from my last chapter! You guys rock! Just don't go silent on me again….