If you guys didn't re-read chapter 4, I'd appreciate it. I kind of screwed up the time changes and stuff. Heh. yeah. PLEASE REVIEW.

Hermione suddenly came out of her daydreamish state and checked the time. 9:50. Time to go.

Hermione crept downstairs, hoping nobody would be awake, even if it WAS only 10:00 pm. No such luck. Practically the whole house was in the Common Room, including, of course, Harry and Ron. She silently tip-toed behind the couch they were sitting on, then went to the portrait hole. CREAK The portrait had to pick this one time to creak. Loudly. "Oi! Hermione! Wait up!" With a cringe Hermione could hear Ron's voice.

"Oh, er...hey, uh...Ron..."

"Harry and I thought you'd gone to bed!"

"Well, I, er, um, well, you see..."

"Ron! Lay off! She probably just want to go for a walk or something, right, Hermione?"

"YES HARRY! That's it. I was going for a walk. And now I'm leaving." With that she darted out of the portrait hole leaving two very puzzled boys in the Common Room.

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(earlier)

Draco heard a tapping at his window. Quickly, his heart began to pick up the pace. STOP IT! He scolded himself. It's just Hermione! He quickly read the short note:

Meet me in the Room of Requirement at 10 pm.

TFM

He checked the time. 7:27. He had time to...think.

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He couldn't believe he had to stay in this dirty, cramped, filthy room. Why did Granger have to be so nice anyway...it's not like he did anything for her in the past. She's too soft because she was raised by muggles. That's it, Draco thought. It was the same thing every day: He would wake up around 8, get dressed with their filthy clothes, then go down to breakfast prepared by, yes, Mrs. Granger. He thought it was surprisingly good for someone without magic or house-elves. He never saw Granger when she was in her pajamas or out of sorts at all. Good thing, too, He thought.

They would let him go to Diagon Alley occasionally, but only if Mr. Granger pretended to be his father (The thought sickened Draco). Needless to say, he only went the few times he was desperately out of reading material.

Granger and her mom would always see that he drank a lot of water and ate whenever he was hungry. It was kind of nice, but annoying at the same time. They would always be popping their heads in his room to see if he needed anything. One time, Granger caught him reading Hogwarts: A History, 7th edition.

"How did you get that!" the bushy haired mess screamed, "I've been waiting for that edition to come out for months!"

"I have my ways, Granger."

"Oooooh, mysterious. Tell me."

"Fine, I ordered it in advance from Flourish And Blotts, obviously. I thought you were supposed to be smart."

"Oh...Do you know how many people are waiting...?" Hermione said hopefully.

"Oh, only about thousands. They make 300 every week."

A frown replaced Hermione's hopeful expression. Draco saw. "You could, you know, look at it if you, er, want..."

"Oh, really, Draco? Thanks!" She ran over to the bed and plopped down beside him. She didn't notice the use of his first name.

"I meant while I'm not...oh, well nevermind then." He gave up.

They were there for hours, reading the book that most would be bored to the bone with. They would even exclaim "wow..." or "that's amazing.." at the same time.

I can't believe I'm laying here with Granger reading a book... were Draco's thoughts.

I can't believe that there are now 26 secret rooms! Oh, and I'm laying next to Malfoy...reading about the newfound secrets! were Hermione's mixed thoughts.

A couple of times, Mrs. Granger would pop in and open her mouth to ask if Draco needed anything, but stopped when she saw them engrossed in a book.

That book was the first step to understanding.

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Draco was snapped out of it by Crabbe and Goyle walking...no, more like swaggering down the stairs. Goyle poked his head into their dorm. "Hey...uh, Malfoy...you weren't at dinner.." he said. He seemed to think it was inconceivable that anyone could miss a meal.

"Obviously, Goyle, I would know if I was at dinner or not. Did you need something?"

"Uh, no...sorry.." Goyle grumbled.

Draco rolled his eyes and checked the time. 9:50. Time to go.

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I know, it's shorter than the last one...I'm inconsistent, so sue me.

PLEASE r&r

Vannaaaaa