Authors note: Hey guys! Well, here we are, from the last chapter, Draco and Hermione made some sort of silent agreement not to 'hate' each other. This following chapter is a bit tricky. I needed something that would help at least begin somewhat of a small friendship...more of an aquaintance. Hence, the 'telescope'. I needed something that would bring the two slightly closer together when they wouldn't notice it. Something that would distract them. Anyway, i've said too much...enjoy!

p.s. i like reviews

Hermione

"-- That's wonderful Tinky. Don't forget, try to keep your quill as straight as you can. Hold it steady—oh there you go! See, that wasn't so hard!"

" Ok now Olfie, you don't need to press so hard, that's why you have so many holes in your parchment. You needn't use that much ink as well. If you use too much, it'll turn blotchy and unreadable-yes that should be the right amount."

Hermione looked happily as the two little house elves bent low over the parchments, trying to write their ABCs. Although she would never admit it, she absolutely loved watching them screw their faces up in concentration and see their little tongues poking out in the corner of their mouths. Surprisingly, Tinky and Olfie learned very quickly. They had already learned the whole alphabet, and were learning how to distinguish between capital letters and lower case letters. All within three days.

"Ok! That should be enough for now. You guys have really improved greatly!" The house elves beamed. "Homework will be the same as the other nights. Recite the alphabet ten times, five times in the morning, and five times in the afternoon. Then write the alphabet four times total, both lower case and upper case this time." Hermione saw Tinky and Olfie both begin to round up the many parchments, flashcards, quills, and inkbottles that were sprawled on the floor. Lugging herself up from lying on her stomach, she stretched. "See you two at dinner!"

Hermione headed back upstairs in her room. She saw the letters she received yesterday from her parents, Ron, and Harry. They all were filled with the same thing, sympathies, groaning, complaints, words of support, and from Ron and Harry, several threats toward the Malfoy family. Her mother and father also sent some hope-you-feel-better cookies, which Hermione had saved as prizes for Olfie and Tinky with an exception of the three cookies she ate herself. Glancing outside, Hermione sighed. Rain poured and splattered all over the windows, casting her bedroom a dark and meager look. Thunder rumbled and boomed over her head while lightning lit her room up in a ghastly light for several seconds. She stood in the middle of her room for a second, not entirely sure what to do. Hermione supposed she went to her room to continue with her new book, but the gloominess of the day dampened her spirits. Finally giving up, she headed back out her door and headed towards the stairs, only to bump into Draco who was leaping each step two at a time.

"Hey watch it, Granger." Draco gruffed. She gave him a look. "Oh right- Hermione." Hermione let out an exasperated sigh, and then caught the questioning look from Malfoy. "Oh, sorry. I didn't meant to get annoyed. I'm just, I don't know, really bored!" She finally said. "Draco, what do you do at your house? Don't you see friends? Do you ever go out? What do you do for fun?" She questioned.

Draco leaned against the top stair railing, looking up at the ceiling. "Well, Hermione, I usually go outside and practice quidditch or horseback riding. Sometimes I swim, sometimes I practice archery." Hermione gave him a surprised look. "On days like this," Draco continued, "not much really. Laze around the house, I try to finish homework, I dunno, read, play chess, send owls, the usual." Draco shrugged. Then continued past her and headed towards his room. Hermione watched him go. Sighing for the umpteenth time, she headed back down the stairs.

Time slowly passed, as Hermione grew more and more restless. She continued to wander around in the large house, occasionally wondering what Narcissa did all day. She stopped and talked to the house elves for a bit, then attempted to reply her letters. The rest of the day continued dreadfully. Dinner was the only event that happened that night; even then most of the energy was sucked from the room. The thunderstorm stopped late in the evening, however to Hermione, the house seemed eerily quiet. Finally, she decided to go to the library. Passing several rooms, she was surprised that she heard a soft creaking noise in one of them. Curious, or just so bored out of her mind that she had nothing better to do, Hermione slowly opened the door, peering inside.

"Close the door, quick," Draco said, in a quite but surprisingly sharp voice. Hermione quickly stepped in and closed the door. "What are you doing?" She said, but was answered by a loud "Shhh!" Draco waved for her to be quiet. The room was very dark, and it took a while for Hermione's eyes to adjust. When it did, she found herself in the stargazing room. Draco sat at the telescope, squinting and peering into the sky. Not a light was on in the the room, and a cold chill hung in the air from the open window. Hermione quietly pushed an armchair next to Draco's and sat, gazing at the sky.

"Wow," she murmured quietly, "Sky looks different tonight."

"It usually does after a thunderstorm." was all Draco said. The sky was an eerie black with a strange bluish blend. Shadows of clouds and their dark shades could be seen looming in the sky, covering up the stars and moon. Strangely enough, it reminded Hermione of pastel pictures, or thick paintings. She shivered. "Draco?" She whispered. "Do you mind if I light the fire place? It's quite cold in here." Malfoy didn't answer right away, but finally mumbled a distracted "go ahead," as he continued looking at the sky.

Hermione stepped up to the small fireplace, "incendio" she whispered. Warmth filled her body and softly lighted the room. Looking, she could see a lunascope, an astronomical model, and a pair of omnioculars. The floor was made of wood, with a large white rug in the middle. A comfy sofa lined the wall and a desk was in the corner. Draco stood up and stretched. "Stars should be out soon." He said.

"Since when have you been interested in stargazing, Draco?" Hermione sat on the couch.

"I'm not. Only after storms, that's when they're interesting." He shrugged, "go ahead and take a look. I've been staring for almost an hour." He rubbed his eyes. Gingerly, Hermione approached the telescope and looked into the eyepiece. Focusing, she could see several of meek stars peeping through.

"Moon probably won't come out tonight. I think it's New Moon." She heard Draco said behind her on the couch, yawning.

"Oh that's right. There was a crescent moon the night before I left home-" Hermione let her voice trail off as she adjusted her telescope. "Stars are out now, by the way." She said after a while.

"My turn then" Draco said, coming up to her chair. Hermione eased herself out and let her eyes adjust again to the room. She heard the steady creak of the telescope as he adjusted and moved it. She sat on the couch. Time passed as she thought," Well, I guess this is better than sitting in my room bored to death. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures, even if it does lead you to have a half-way decent conversation with Malfoy, and sharing a telescope with him."

Draco

"Do you look at stars at your house?" Draco asked absentmindedly. "Hermione."

"Huh? What, um, not really. I left my window open that night and I couldn't sleep. But I usually don't." Hermione answered. Draco began looking for star constellations.

"Oh there you are." He mumbled 10 min. later, zooming in on Orion's belt.

"Have you ever used Hogwart's telescopes in the Astronomy tower and look at the stars from there?" Hermione asked.

"Nope." Draco said simply. "My telescope is better. You can see tons better with this one then with any of Hogwarts's. They wouldn't let me use mine on the O.W.L's though. Thought I would cheat or something. Not that I would need to." He smirked.

"What did you get then?" Hermione asked.

"I got all Os on my O.W.L.s." Was all Draco said. "Believe it or not, Gra-Hermione. You're not the only smart student in Hogwarts, even if you are the only one the teachers recognize."

"Hey I don't believe that!" Hermione challenged. Draco leaned back from his telescope and turned to face her. "There are plenty of smart students at Hogwarts I just happen to work really hard, and the teachers notice!" she said defensively.

"Yea, and I bet being friends with Weasel King and Potty head helps your image." Draco smirked, he couldn't help himself.

"Well look who's talking, I'm not friends with Dumb and Dumber." Hermione retaliated. Malfoy just turned around and looked again through the telescope. "Besides, it's not like I'm their favorite. Look at you and Snape." She continued.

"Well then, according to you, I work really hard and Snape just happens to notice." Malfoy mimicked, still peering in the telescope, not really focusing. "Plus, for your information, I happen to like Potions. I don't try hard because I'm a show-off.

"I am not a show off!"

"Whatever you say." Draco said, turning off his telescope. "All I'm saying is that there are smart students besides you in Hogwarts."

Hermione scowled. "Draco, if you're trying to get me to admit that you're smart, bringing me down really isn't the way to go."

Draco let out an amused smile, not his usual smirk. "Everyone knows you're a show off Hermione. It's just pure knowledge." He enjoyed watching her argue. Hermione always held back Ron and Harry when he taunted them, but now it was fun to watch her bicker back.

Hermione saw the smile and realized where the conversation was going. "Oh, haha Draco. If I'm the class showoff, then you're the class arrogant. So there. I'm going to bed." She said smiling, heading towards the door.

"Whatever you say." Draco repeated, heading out behind her.

authors note: HEY YOU! yea you! come back over here. hehe, now that i have your attention, i would like to take this moment to say there is a lovely text box that would loved to be filled. with comments. about the story. hahaha. Personally, i felt that this chapter wasn't as good as my other chapters. In fact, i felt that my best chapter was the first one, and i steadily went downhill from there. Anywhoo..i'd apprecitate it if you gave me some constructive cristism, especially on how to keep my characters 'in character'. Remember, this is my first fanfic...so please be nice! thanks so much