"WHAT!" Draco exclaimed.
"So, you up to it then?" Blaise asked.
"Why would I do such a thing? She's not even worth it." Draco argued.
"Plan's simple. You pretend to be nice to her, get her trust, and after that, who knows? Maybe she WILL fall for you." Blaise retorted teasingly.
"Of all the girls, why her?"
"She's the perfect one to prank. She's nothing but a know-it-all loser."
"What's in it for me then."
"Well," Blaise thought. "I'll be your lifetime slave."
"You already are." Malfoy smirked.
"Whatever. So, it's a bet?"
"I've got nothing to lose anyway. Besides, imagine what Potty and Weasel are gonna do. Ha!" They laughed.
This is going to be fun.
Hermione Granger sighed.
Its impossible, he is Draco Malfoy after all.. A conceited, tactless, proud little git.
She remembered the way Malfoy was so nice to her all of a sudden. He asked her to share a table in the library and he even sat next to her in Potions class! Her friends noticed too, of course. Ron was so protective as ever while Harry just glared at Malfoy whenever he got a chance.
"Its not like he likes you or anything," Harry said earlier.
"NEVER!" Ron exclaimed, spewing food all over.
"Ron!" The other two said in unison.
"Sorry," Ron swallowed. "Just sounded impossible."
"I still can't understand him! What the heck is wrong with that git?" Hermione caught Draco looking at her again. She just stared back.
When Harry and Ron noticed what was bothering Hermione, they shot daggers at Malfoy, who looked away.
"I'm going to the library." Hermione stood up.
"You didn't even finish your dinner yet." Harry argued.
"Oh, its ok. I can't eat with Malfoy gawking at me anyway."
She went out the doors and up the stairs to the library. She felt someone following her. As she reached the library, she heard the voice she least wanted to hear.
"Hey, Granger."
"What do you need now Malfoy?"
"I just wanted to study with you, that's all. Here, come sit." He politely pulled a chair for her.
"There's something bloody wrong with you, Malfoy. I'm serious."
She went to another table at the other corner of the room. She decided to do the Potions essay first. She took out a parchment and realized that she forgot to bring her quill.
"Damn, where's my quill?" She fidgeted through her school bag, but no avail.
"Here, you can borrow mine." Malfoy offered his quill. It was a long blue-black peacock quill. Hermione's positive that its very expensive.
"Um, thanks." Since she doesn't have any choice, she took the quill and started to write.
Hermione felt Malfoy sitting across the table. She sighed and ignored him.
He's just here to make fun of me again. She thought.
But, why isn't his friends here to back him up?
She looked around for signs of Crabbe and Goyle.
Weird. He's up to something, I know it.
She continued to write.
The Properties of Vermeil stone
Lustre is Adamantine.
Color is reddish brown.
Formula is…
She thought for a while. She forgot the formula of Vermeil.
"Mercury sulfide?" Malfoy suggested.
"Right, thanks."
"No problem."
He smiled at her.
When Hermione looked up to see Malfoy smiling at her, she noticed that it wasn't the infamous Draco Malfoy smirk. It was his genuine smile.
He's so handsome when he's nice.. Hermione smiled at the thought.
"You look pretty when you smile." Malfoy complimented.
Even though it was part of the plan, he meant what he said. Hermione really is pretty. Malfoy realized it just now. How her long wavy brown hair smelled like strawberries and cream, and how her auburn eyes were full of enthusiasm.
Hermione was confused. She couldn't believe her ears.
"W-what?"
"I said, you look pretty when you smile." Malfoy said slowly and clearly.
"uh, th-thanks." That was all Hermione could say.
"Pity you hang out with Potty and Weasel. It makes you look like a total geek."
"They're my friends. You know why? Because they're nice to me. And oh, they don't call me mudblood." She retorted. She made sure she emphasized the last word.
"Well…"
"Well what?"
"Nothing."
Hermione just rolled her eyes. She knows he can't apologize to her. It will ruin his oh-so-perfect reputation.
"Well, they DO ask you to do their homework. And notice how that weasel stuffs his mouth like there's no tomorrow." Malfoy argued back.
She laughed at this. It was true.
Malfoy smiled. He liked how Hermione laughed. Everytime she does, her chestnut curls bounce with life and her eyes twinkle like stars.
What are you thinking Draco! She's a mudblood, for heaven's sake. He thought.
But he can't help it. Hermione IS beautiful, smart and really nice. Even though she is his rival's bestfriend, Malfoy can't help but appreciate her.
They talked for a while. She laughed at his jokes. She never knew Malfoy was so funny and easy to talk to. He even helped her with her homework. Believe it or not, Hermione actually got along with Draco Malfoy.
It was about 8:30 when they finished their homework.
"Oh shit, Harry and Ron must be looking for me now. I have to go."
"Wait!" Draco called.
"What?"
"Uh, I just wanted to say that I had fun with you. I never knew you were like this, you know. Thanks."
Hermione couldn't answer. She watched Draco, rather, Malfoy walk away. She looked at his well-toned body. His blonde hair shone against the light, and his handsome face has the commanding prescence and determination. A trait from his father.
She went back to the Gryffindor common room. She found Harry and Ron sitting by the fireplace, doing homework.
"Hey guys.''
"Hey Hermione." They said together.
"So, did Malfoy do something weird again?" Harry asked.
"No," she lied.
She just didn't want them fussing over Malfoy. Besides, Malfoy is really nice to her. And she knows that they're not going to believe that.
"Oh, good." Harry replied.
She remembered Malfoy. How he made her laugh earlier this evening and how he's so fun to be with. He's different from Harry and Ron. She's sure he'll never ask her to do her homework, or argue about her studying habits. For some reason, she didn't hate Malfoy that much anymore.
"Earth to Hermione!" Ron said.
"Oh, sorry, I was thinking."
"You done with your homework?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, we need some help with the Potions essay."
Hermione sighed.
"Fine, let me have them."'
"Thanks Hermione! You're the best!"
While Hermione re-wrote their essays and thinking about Malfoy, they left her by the fireplace and went to bed.