Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter!

For those of you who sent me reviews, I really appreciate it, and please continue to review. The more reviews I receive, the greater motivation I have to write more.

Anyway, I was very pleased with the way this chapter turned out even though I rewrote it close to ten times. I hope you guys like it as well.

A big thanks goes out to my beta, who has to deal with my incessant nagging ("please beta my chapter!") So, here goes…

Chapter One

Potions. It was an intriguing subject and practically all of the students' attention remained fixated on the material they were covering. Though it was more likely that Professor Severus Snape was the one that reserved all of the attention. He possessed an undeniably vast knowledge of the subject and was quite skilled where potion brewing was concerned. How could one be inattentive when Snape was in front of the class? His imposing presence had no difficulty in grasping a person's attention. He encompassed the ability to draw everyone's eyes to himself when he so desired, and to shrink away in the shadows at will. It was truly a gift; one she wished to possess. And if his presence and the material were not enough to permanently detain a students' interest, then indisputably the threat of losing house points or a detention would suffice. Yet, despite all of this, she felt her attentiveness slipping away to the other side of the classroom.

Her eyes consequently drifted to the opposite side of the classroom where Draco Malfoy was seated with a group of Slytherins. It had been nearly two weeks since the Daily Prophet had printed the article containing vindictive accusations against him and he seemed relatively unaffected. Then again, lately, little affected him at all. Ministry officials had questioned him, but they had no solid proof that he had any involvement in the murder. It was only because Malfoy was near the crime scene that he was suspected at all. Or rather, because he was the only Death Eater's son in the vicinity, and naturally a suspect was needed to calm the media to some extent.

She had already made a silent vow to find out the truth no matter what the consequences.

All the members of the Order of the Phoenix had risked so much in order to fight against Voldemort and protect muggle-born witches and wizards. If she were truly as intelligent a witch as everyone claimed, then surely this would present no challenge. It was time she made some contributions of her own to the Order. Maybe this discovery could assist in defeating Voldemort. She doubted it, but at least it would quell her growing curiosity, and it might help ease everyone else's building tension of not knowing as well.

She began her observations of Malfoy roughly one week ago. It was quite astonishing to see how much he had changed. The Slytherin house practically worshipped him and showed him nothing but the utmost respect. In fact, it was not only Slytherin, but members of other houses as well. They treated him as if he were a god. She suspected it was largely because of the fear that most held for him. He would simply glare, and everyone would stand down.

There was no doubt in her mind that he was a powerful and influential wizard. He was very intelligent, his marks being only second to hers. She had rarely ever seen him study and she felt alarmed at times because it was very likely he could surpass her if her attention began to falter. Which was precisely what she was allowing to happen at the moment.

She briefly tuned back into what Snape was saying only to find that she was well aware of the potion he was covering today.

She glanced back at Malfoy who was lazily drawing circles with his quill on a piece of parchment. It infuriated her how he was not even bothering to take notes, and he actually had the nerve to look bored! Then again, didn't he always look bored? She couldn't grasp why Dumbledore decided to make him Headboy if he couldn't even pay attention in class. Though at that very moment, she was being a hypocrite. That was irrelevant. He was probably thinking about Quidditch while she was trying to solve a murder! Her lack of awareness was justified, in her opinion.

She noticed that he seemed to interact more with Blaise Zabini of late. That was odd since he never liked the boy before. And now, they were inseparable. Why would Malfoy want to be friends with such a quiet and reserved boy anyway? She was aware that he was clever. Maybe Malfoy longed for some intelligent company, since Crabbe and Goyle were rather dull characters.

Her train of thought was interrupted by Neville seating himself next to her.

"Can we be partners again Hermione?"

It must have been that time of class where students were required to brew the potions that they were just lectured on. She nodded to Neville and then proceeded to scan the directions on the board. This would not present much of a challenge, that is, unless Neville decided to destroy the potion like last time.

"Can you go collect the ingredients please?" she inquired politely.

When Neville finally returned, Hermione spared a glance at Harry and Ron to see them partnered, before she fully immersed herself in brewing the potion. She barely registered brewing the potion before she was handing a vial to Professor Snape to grade. Harry and Ron were still cleaning up and Neville had muddled a few phrases about lunch before departing to eat. She had no option but to patiently wait outside for her friends to finish.

She stood alone in the corridor for a few minutes and looked up as she heard students exiting. It was Malfoy and Zabini. Just bloody wonderful! She waited for a taunt, a sneer or the usual "Move Mudblood", but it never came.

Malfoy gracefully strode towards her and positioned himself directly in front of her. She straightened up to her full height as she looked up into his calm, steel gray eyes. Unfortunately, her full height was to be nothing compared to his. He must have been at least six feet tall, if not more. She could not deceive herself; she was intimidated.

"What do you want Malfoy?" she sighed.

His layered, shoulder-length white-blonde locks fell into his eyes, as he looked her over. He looked like a replica of Lucius now, and it wasn't solely based on appearance. His demeanor was no longer that of the boy she despised for the past six years. It was of a wealthy, refined adult.

Zabini stood next to him, a tad shorter, but still quite tall. He did not hold the presence that Malfoy did, but it was clear that Zabini was brought up among the same social circle of aristocratic purebloods as Malfoy. His countenance expressed irritation for some reason. His bright blue eyes trailed over her for a moment before he said, "Let's just go Draco."

Malfoy regarded her a moment longer and smirked before saying, "See you around Granger". He turned and strode away with Zabini in tow. Zabini was talking quickly to him in a hushed voice about something as they walked in the direction of the Great Hall. Clearly he was angry with Malfoy for some reason unbeknownst to her. She had a feeling, however, it concerned her.

She was thoroughly perplexed. Malfoy just looked at her and walked away without a single insult uttered? Before she could even begin to fathom what had just occurred, Harry and Ron walked out of the classroom.

Ron hastily muttered something about being ravenous and requiring lunch before walking towards the Great Hall. Harry was about to follow when he saw her expression.

"Everything okay Hermione?" He looked a bit concerned.

She forced her expression into something more neutral prior to replying, "Fine. Let's go get something to eat."

For the sake of normalcy she decided to throw in a, "How did you guys do on the potion?"

She heard a groan from Ron and received a smile from Harry before hearing Ron say, "We did fine, now let's just get some food."

A/N: Chapter two is nearly complete. It should be up within the next few days.