Chapter Three: fifteen years earlier

"M..M..Malfoy," Hermione managed to spit out finally from her library chair. She felt her cheeks burn and her palms grow sweaty at the idea of being overheard. "What…what are you doing in the library this early? Shouldn't you be at breakfast?"

Draco liked watching her squirm. She deserved it after the things she said about him. Comparing him to Weasley that way! Yes, it was a throwback to his old habits, but old habits certainly do die hard. Besides, he had to defend his honor. He couldn't let her speak of him that way. And what's more, he had just noticed that she was kind of pretty when she was flustered. It amused him. And Merlin knows not much had amused him as of late. No, he certainly wasn't ready to let this little bookworm off the hook that easily. "Worth ten of me, is he?" Draco asked, ignoring her question. "I'm crushed, really."

"Sorry?" she asked, hoping to play coy. Cursing her stupidity, she tried to calm the tremor that fought to rip through her. And, damn him, Draco noticed.

"You wouldn't be afraid of me, now would you, Hermione?" he asked as he leaned closer to her once more. Draco watched her eyes go from wide with feigned innocence to narrow with shrewd cunning. "After all," he continued, "I am just a boy." He emphasized the last word for effect. "Unless, of course, you really can't handle yourself around rude and arrogant me." He nearly laughed as her already red face darkened with her own words thrown back at her.

"Is there a point to this, Malfoy?" Her eyes snapped to match her voice. She may have been caught at a disadvantage, but she wouldn't let him have the satisfaction of winning this sparring match.

"Your conversation with Potter was truly enlightening," he said as he slid into a chair opposite her. He knew he shouldn't, but he gave in to the temptation to make her squirm a bit more. Yes, she was definitely pretty when flustered. "I never knew I could hold so much interest for you." He leaned back slightly and cocked one eyebrow before giving her a smug grin. "And here I thought Potter and Weasley would be enough for you. You must be quite something if you need to bring me into the mix as well!" He let his eyes wander over her form slightly before returning to her face. "Kinky, I suppose, but an idea not without it's merit."

Hermione fought the urge to slap him. "Again, Malfoy," she practically spit nails as she tried to change the subject, "your point?"

"Well," he began suddenly in a pleasant voice, sharply changing to the direct approach in an effort to throw her off. "I came to talk with you at Dumbledore's request." He watched her brow furrow in confusion at his change in tactics. "But it looks like I was right," he added with a small sigh for show. "Hell would have to freeze over before you assisted me in any way. I guess I'll just have to go back to him for another idea."

He made as if to leave before Hermione's curiosity got the better of her. Whatever Malfoy's attitude, Hermione couldn't let her Headmaster down. "Talk to me about what?"

"Well," he tried not to smile as he settled into his chair. "Dumbledore said that I should ask you to catch me up in his Battle Preparation Class. Not that I need your help with any of the actual spells, hexes or jinxes you have been learning. I'm sure I'm quite proficient in them all." He ignored her as she rolled her eyes heavenward. "He just thought you could go through your notes and tell me which of them he has already taught you. That way I could participate a bit more tonight. He doesn't want me to throw something at a poor unsuspecting student that hasn't already been taught. I do have quite the advantage, after all." He watched her role her eyes once more before she commenced chewing carelessly on her bottom lip as she considered his request. Watching her do that gave him a strange twitchy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Had she always done that? He couldn't say that he had ever noticed.

"I suppose that I could help you, since Dumbledore asked me to." She measured her words carefully as she spoke. She knew if she wanted to get to the bottom of the mysterious change in Malfoy she would have to make her move now. "But I don't have those notes with me. And we have classes in a few minutes."

"So," he leaned farther back to stretch triumphantly, happy that she was acquiescing so nicely to his request. "When can you get me the information?"

"After dinner," she said nonchalantly as she packed up her belongings. It meant putting off some much-needed study time, but she felt this was more important. "I'll meet you here just as soon as you can eat and get away."

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" Draco asked Hermione as she stood to leave.

"No," she pasted on her best smile. "That wasn't hard at all. But I forgot to mention my one condition." She felt like smirking as his eyes narrowed in suspicion. Instead she kept her face carefully neutral. "Dumbledore took you into his confidence easily enough but I want the truth for myself. You have to tell me what's really going on with you this year – before I give you the so-called assistance you require. And I want the whole story," she quickly added when he made to object. "Because if I don't get it, I'm not going to tell you anything either. And you can just go back to Dumbledore and tell him you failed to do as he asked."

She turned away again, only to stop once more at the corner of the stacks. "Oh, and Malfoy," she paused for effect before flashing him her brightest smile. "You may want to bring a sweater tonight. I hear it's going to be freezing." This time she couldn't help but laugh out loud as she heard him mutter what sounded distinctly like 'Bloody Hell!'