Chapter 5

Hermione and Draco both had sour looks on their faces as they received their instructions from Dumbledore the next morning.

"You are to keep Harry in sight at all times," Dumbledore told them. "Always be ready with a good defensive spell. The reason I have chosen you both for this is because of your skills in spellcasting, so do not fail me."

"Um, Professor? Harry has got classes that are different from ours," Hermione piped up.

"Please. I'm sure Potty-boy can survive one class on his own," Draco replied scathingly.

Hermione clenched her fists.

"Enough, Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger." Dumbledore looked bored. "Regarding that matter, however, Mr. Weasley will be helping to keep an eye on Harry. Besides, well, Mr. Malfoy is not wrong. I'm quite certain Harry will be all right."

"Don't worry, Granger. The little lap dog will keep him safe for you," Draco muttered.

"But the moment he steps out of his classroom, the mission is to resume," Dumbledore continued, speaking over Draco. "I have spoken to Professor Vector. You will be dismissed fifteen minutes earlier from class so that you may get ready and/or discuss ideas and strategies." The great wizard rose from his chair. "That's it."

Hermione and Draco exited the small study, walking as far apart as possible but close enough that they could still talk.

"What's the plan?" Hermione asked in a very clipped tone.

"Why ask me? I thought thinking was your forte." Draco's voice was equally glacial.

Hermione struggled to bite back the diatribe she longed to hurl at him.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" Draco smoothed his pale blond hair, clearly relishing his victory.

In a flash, Hermione's wand was at his throat. Draco twitched slightly, but willed himself to keep his cool. Instead, he regarded the Gryffindor with calm gray eyes.

"Always so physical. Can't you be a little more civilized?"

Hermione pressed the tip of the wand into his skin.

"Not all fights involve wand power, Granger," he continued, unruffled. "Ever heard of a debate? Or are you not as brilliant as everyone thinks you are?"

"I simply do not want to scream swear words at you when Professor Dumbledore is within earshot," she retorted.

"From which cave did you come from? Who says you have to swear in a debate? We use euphemisms for that."

Hermione was beaten. She lowered her wand slowly.

"That's good." Draco flicked imaginary lint off his robes. "Well, beating you was extremely satisfying. We ought to do that again." He sauntered off.

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Hermione was still reviewing the details of that "debate" in her head a half-hour later, wondering how she could've let Draco psych her out. Hermione could debate very well normally. But she had somehow lost her ability to think clearly then. She was infuriated—and baffled.

"Hermione?" Harry's voice broke into her thoughts.

"What?" Hermione jumped.

"You've been a real basket case these past few minutes," the lanky green-eyed boy informed her. "I've been calling you for—how many times, Ron?"

"Twenty-three," Ron supplied.

"I'm sorry, Harry—just been thinking about something else," Hermione explained.

"I can see that," Harry remarked. "Not about school, I hope."

"What have you been doing?" Hermione asked, trying to get back into the swing of things.

"We've been talking about Fred and George. They're busy inventing again—something Dumbledore commissioned them to make," Ron reported.

"Dumbledore asked Fred and George to make a joke product? What's that got to do with the Order?"

"Loads, 'Mione. Dumbledore's been using Fred and George's stuff to spy on You-Know-Who's side."
"You are joking."

"No, I'm not! Those Extendable Ears supposedly helped him find out about last ni—a lot of stuff."

Harry's eyebrows rose, indicating that he had heard Ron's slip.

But he decided not to say anything.

xxxxxxxxxx

Hermione read while Harry and Ron played chess. Her mind was finally at rest and relaxing. She smiled contently as she shifted position on her armchair and allowed herself to just sink into the Muggle novel she was perusing.

"Ha!" Ron yelled for the umpteenth time as he checkmated Harry.

"Not again!" Harry cried.

They started another game.

After five minutes, Ron glanced at the pieces on the chessboard. "I'll have you checkmated in three moves."

"How'd you know what moves I'm going to make?"

"You always make the same mistakes." Ron grinned wickedly. "I may have to start looking for some real competition."

"I'll take that challenge," drawled an all too familiar voice.

Hermione groaned.

Draco swaggered into the room, completely unconcerned by the three incinerating glares shot his way.

Harry reached for his wand.

"I'd advise you to put that away, Potter. Not doing anything wrong here, am I?"

Harry's fingers twitched, but he had to admit that Draco was right. Technically, Harry had no grounds to hex him.

Not that he would ever tell it to Ferret-Boy's face.

Draco folded his long, lean body into a chair. "Well? What do you say, Weasel?"

"I will beat your pantyhose off," Ron replied.

Draco gritted his teeth. Hermione and Harry grinned triumphantly at each other as Harry vacated his seat.

Draco dusted off the chair Harry had sat in before sinking into it.

Ron set up the pieces.

The match was on.

XXXXX

A/N: TO GOD BE GREAT THANKS FOR GIVING US THIS NEW YEAR OF HOPE!

To my reviewers:

Delayed Action Ninja- Thanks! :)

Alcapacien- Thanks! :) It's not going to be the end of Harry's mourning over Sirius—he'll still have his sad moments—but you can bet he'll have his comfort. :)

Crimson Girl- Thanks! :) Won't disappoint you, I hope.

Laughing Fountain- Thanks! :) I can assure you that there will be more Harry/Ginny and Weasley products. :)

FoolishlyBraveDarkStar- Thanks! :)

Hihi- Thanks! :)

Flavagurl- Oh, lucky you! I was only stuck at home—and with no Internet because our phone lines got knocked out and the DSL was wrecked. :( I certainly hope your head has been reattached! :D Thanks! :)

SwTnDrEaMyPnAy03- Thanks! :)

Avadne- Thanks! I was really surprised so many of you liked that knocking-out thing…I only made it up at the spur of the moment because I decided that the ending line of my first draft sucked. And yes, there will be quite a bit of Harry/Ginny. :)

The fly on the wall- Thanks! :)

Ehlonna- Thanks! :) I'm glad you liked how I portrayed Ginny—I wanted to show that she has become this mature, insightful person and it's time Harry saw that side of her. :) As for Draco and Hermione, well, the shock of knowing that you'll be spending pretty much every spare minute of your time with your worst enemy can be a really big shock… ;)

LaxGoalie- Thanks! :)

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Immaculate;Inanimate- Thanks! :) I'm glad you liked it! :)

Gopha-gurl- Thanks! :) You may have to wait a bit for the fluff, but it will be delivered! :)

Hope you all had a great holiday! :)