Hey everyone. I'm sorry for the delay. I was obviously reading the sixth book, and now this fic is slightly AU.

Also, my beta bailed on me. She went for vacation, and after reading the sixth book herself, decided that she was no longer interested in reading fanfiction. So, now, I have a new beta: Hpmagik. Lots of thanks to her. So, anyway, if you guys catch any grammar errors, etc. I apologize ahead of time. Just let me know and I'll be glad to correct them. PLEASE REVIEW! They are greatly appreciated. Enjoy. 

Chapter Two

She was relieved that the conversation had ceased. She wanted some time to mull over Malfoy's bizarre behavior. He was being unusually decent to her since the term began a week ago. Well, not decent exactly. He hadn't called her a mudblood, and he chose to ignore her a majority of the time, which was definitely an improvement. He didn't affront Harry and Ron that much either, although a few verbal exchanges did occur.

Perhaps he was being more agreeable because they would be working together a great deal in the future as Headboy and Headgirl. She rarely saw him at their shared common room. Since they shared quarters, Ron and Harry were convinced he would attempt to play an offensive prank on her. She doubted he was juvenile enough to attempt that as a seventh year student. Not unless Fred or George polyjuiced into him, of course. She had greater concern for her safety and the possibility of Malfoy physically harming her. He was after all, a murder suspect. She had faith in her capability of defending herself, yet the prospect of Malfoy catching her off-guard was more than enough to keep her vigilant. Harry and Ron insisted that they would "Beat Malfoy into a bloody pulp" if he tried anything. Though she repeatedly told them Malfoy had not injured her in anyway, they seemed intent on believing he was up to something.

She was still lost in thought when the three of them neared the Gryffindor table to eat. She seated herself across from her two friends, and duplicated their actions of piling food onto their plates. She vaguely heard Ron chatter about some girl in Ravenclaw that he fancied while he stuffed food in his mouth. She commenced her meal as she noted that Harry was engrossed in conversation with Ron, and she used the opportunity to gaze across the Great Hall.

Her eyes fell on the Slytherin table; Malfoy was seated between Crabbe and Zabini, with Pansy seated across from him. Zabini was running his fingers through his short, curly black hair and in deep conversation with Malfoy and Pansy who were attentively listening. She grudgingly admitted to herself that Pansy was quite attractive now. Her straight black hair flowed to the middle of her back and her olive green eyes accentuated her features nicely. Her attractiveness, nonetheless, did not excuse her rude or whore-like behavior. It was a well-known fact that Pansy had bedded a majority of the seventh year Slytherin boys. Yet, somehow, she always managed to remain loyal to Malfoy.

Hermione threw her waist-length, brown curls over her shoulder while continuing to consume her lunch. She sipped at her pumpkin juice as she directed her attention a few seats to her left. Lavender and Parvati were sitting beside one another, but they were making no attempt to lower their voices. Coincidentally, their gossip was voicing her very thoughts.

"Pansy is so pretty now," Parvati said as she looked over at Pansy with eyes full of envy. "She's lucky she got a chance to shag Malfoy and Zabini! I mean look at Malfoy; he's gorgeous!"

She scowled. Yes, Malfoy was a bit attractive, but he was, by no means, gorgeous. Sometime during sixth year, Parvati, Lavender, and a majority of the female students in Hogwarts had developed a sort of obsession for Malfoy. Apparently, now was an opportune moment for another rant. It allowed for others in Gryffindor to join the conversation and insert their own remarks.

She took another sip from her goblet and managed to see Malfoy exiting the Great Hall alone. Her opportunity to study Malfoy further had just presented itself.

Ron and Harry were still chatting about girls as she gathered her things to leave. "Ron, Harry, I have to complete some research in the library." She detested lying, but she had urgent matters to attend to.

"But we just got here a few minutes ago Hermione," Ron moaned. Harry swallowed his food and nodded his head in agreement.

"I know, but this is important. I'll see you two in class," she replied.

She flashed them both a quick smile and hastily departed. As soon as she exited the Great Hall, she jogged in the direction she presumed Malfoy had taken. Thank Merlin she chose the correct corridor. She barely managed to catch up to Malfoy, and she did her best to inconspicuously pursue him. She trailed behind him for brief period of time before she recognized the course they were taking. Since when did Malfoy make trips to the library?

Malfoy walked through the large, intricately carved doors she was so accustomed to seeing. She waited a few seconds before slipping in herself. There was a scarce amount of people inside, largely because most of the students were still dining. She saw a blond head disappear in an aisle to her left. She noiselessly followed being sure to keep her distance. Malfoy turned into another aisle she immediately recognized. They were in the section of the library where books on the dark arts were kept. Needless to say, she was not surprised.

As soon as she turned into the next aisle, however, he was gone. She took a furtive glance in both directions before spotting a book lying in the middle of the aisle. She crept towards it and looked at the title Witches, Wizards, and the Dark Arts since 1200. She slowly moved to retrieve it when she heard a voice behind her.

"Well, well Granger, reading up on the Dark Arts are we? I'm sure your friends would be quite displeased."

Hermione had not anticipated a situation that comprised of him finding her. Her heartbeat quickened as it dawned upon her. She had allowed herself to be in a very compromising situation given that they were both here alone. She straightened her posture as she racked her brains for a witty comeback. She would not show that she was intimidated, so she turned around, faced him and replied "What are you doing here Malfoy? I wasn't aware that the library held your interest."

He was standing less than five feet from her. She grew nervous and instinctively fingered the wand in her robes. He looked so different now; his expression was unreadable, but with him standing so close, she was able to see things that were indecipherable before. He looked aged, like he had seen immense horrors in his short life, and his gray eyes were cold, as if they had never known love. His lean, athletic body rested lightly against the bookshelf next to him. The dim light in the back of the library made his skin appear paler than she was accustomed to seeing. Suddenly she found it difficult to contradict Parvati's assertion of his attractiveness.

There was a pause before he replied in a low voice, "No Granger, you hold my interest."

Unwillingly, she felt her heart skip a beat. Her breath hitched in her throat, and for a moment she wasn't sure she heard him correctly. He was looking at her differently now, eying her as if she were some sort of specimen under a microscope. She shifted her position as a result of discomfort, but refused to back down. "Excuse me?" She gripped her wand tightly in her hand. What in Merlin's name was he implying?

He sighed. His expression reverted to boredom again. "No point in pretending to be dense, Granger. I am fully aware that, as of late, you have been inattentive in your lessons. As an alternative to focusing on the material, I have found that you would prefer to observe me. I know that you find me attractive, but stalking is a tad much, wouldn't you agree?" He looked very smug at this point.

She couldn't hide it from her features. She was shocked and absolutely livid! Firstly, how did he know she was staring at him? She was very cautious whenever she was observing him. And secondly, how dare he accuse her of being attracted to him? "I do believe you are mistaken! I am not one of the love-struck girls who follow you around and ogle at your arse!"

He was clearly amused at her unexpected outburst, and his amusement only served to annoy her. Apparently, some things never changed. He was still a conceited and obnoxious git. "I had the notion that you were labeled as the smartest witch of the century because of knowledge that wasn't entirely derived from books. While it's true that a person can learn things from a book," she saw him make a pointed glance at the book on the floor before continuing, "Sometimes literal application is necessary to learn properly." He looked at her seriously for a moment as if contemplating something before withdrawing his weight from the bookshelf. He turned to walk away before he called over his shoulder, "Oh and by the way Granger, I already know you aren't one of those girls". His robes billowed behind him as he disappeared down the next aisle.

She was finally allowed herself to take a deep breath, as she turned her body to slump against the enormous bookshelf containing books on the dark arts. She had to take a few more deep breaths before her heartbeat returned to normal. That encounter had accomplished nothing further than additional confusion. She gazed unblinkingly at the book lying on the royal blue carpet of the library. The book had a worn, plain, brown cover with the title written in the center in gold script. Hermione leaned over to retrieve it and deposited it in her bag. A long sigh escaped her lips. She would no doubt be up late tonight trying to decipher non-existent hidden meanings in the things Malfoy had just told her. She tended to read far too much into things that were straightforward. She needed to look at this book as well. She gathered her things before opting to head back to her dormitory. She only prayed that Malfoy would follow his ritual of being absent.

A/N: I am working on the third chapter; it'll be up soon.

Oh, and to Inkedwallpaper: Thanks for the review and good observation, though I can't say Lucius is necessarily his role model. You will all find out in due time. Patience.