Hermione could hardly believe it. She had expected their lessons to be bad, but that was positively abysmal. They each knew the right buttons to push and had no problems pushing them. Her little tantrum could have lost her Head Girl and she couldn't risk that happening. She forcefully swallowed her pride and turned around.

Draco got over his fit of laughter and went back to his dorm, the scene replaying in his mind. He was debating if he should find a professor; after all, they didn't really complete the lesson. However, he had said something rather nasty to her and decided she got one more try. He was stretched out on his bed when an owl flew in and landed on his stomach. He took the note and pushed the bird off, which earned him an indignant hoot.

Malfoy, I am sincerely sorry about tonight. I was a little... irate about your comment...at any rate, I hope you haven't said anything, and I hope to see you next week. -Granger

He chuckled as he shut the curtains on his bed and fell asleep.

The next morning at breakfast, Hermione watched the door for any sign of Draco. She hadn't gotten in trouble, so she could only assume that he hadn't said anything. Regardless, at every look from a teacher, every entrance of a professor, Hermione braced herself for a lecture. Finally, a sleek blonde boy stepped into the hall, catching Hermione's eye and nodding at her. Draco had accepted her apology.

Nothing truly eventful happened until Saturday night. It was a Hogsmeade day, and they were allowed to stay in town until eleven. The common room was fairly vacant except for a handful of first and second years, and Seamus, who was studying for the upcoming Herbology exam. Lavender and Parvati had Padma in the sixth year girl's dorm room, and Neville was in bed sleeping. Ron and Hermione used the chance to have some quiet time to themselves, but it wasn't going the way Hermione wanted.

"Hermione, come on, we can tell them to bugger off." Ron pointed at Seamus and the younger students.

"Ron, really, it's not our common room, besides it's not private… what do you think would happen if someone came in? You're just asking to be caught."

"Fine then, we can go up to my dorm."

"Ron, Neville's asleep up there."

"Your point?"

"Ron Weasley!"

"What! The kid sleeps like a rock, he wakes for absolutely nothing."

She gave him a disapproving look. "Ronald..." she lowered her voice letting him know he was entering a dangerous zone.

"Fine, what about your dorm? We can tell the girls to clear off, all they're doing is gossiping."

"Ron, really, why does it matter this much?"

"Because we're probably the only sixth years who haven't done it yet Hermione!" Ron leapt off the couch and raised his voice. The first years looked scandalized, the second years all laughed, and Seamus looked both shocked and amused. "What are you all looking at?"

"Look, Ron, maybe I don't want to, maybe I've changed my mind, can't you just leave it alone?" Hermione left a confused and hurt Ron to go to the library.

Hermione walked down the empty halls; it seemed like the entire castle had gone to Hogsmeade. She muttered the password to the Prefect's library and crawled in through the opening. She was hoping that she could be alone with her thoughts and maybe a good book; Hogwarts, A History most likely. Unfortunately, it was looking like tonight's plans had gone awry. Draco Malfoy was curled up in a puffy armchair, and Hermione couldn't decide if he was reading or writing. He looked up and quickly shut the book he had been writing in, which she thought to be a journal.

"Can I help you, Granger?"

"I was just going to read or something… is that a problem?"

He shook his head and continued to read the book in his lap. She pretended to be looking at the shelves behind him with interest, but in reality she was attempting to read over his shoulder. He snapped the book shut and held it to his chest protectively.

"You know that's really annoying... reading over someone's shoulder, I mean."

"I... I wasn't... that is I was...," Hermione tried to sputter out a cover.

He un-tucked his legs from under him, stretched, gave a large yawn, and gathered his things to leave. "As enthralling as this has been, I'm going to my dorm. See you Wednesday night, Granger." She stared after him as he left, wondering why he was so protective over his books.

Ron apologized when she got back, telling her he didn't want to pressure her into anything, and they were back to normal again. Before she knew it, it was Wednesday night and she was face to face with Draco again. The lesson was going better than the first; Hermione was a bit more patient and Draco gave a bit more effort. She pulled a small cup out of her bag towards the end of the lesson and conjured some tea.

"Hey," Draco was distracted from his spell. "Can I have some? I am rather parched." He flashed what he obviously thought to be a winning grin at Hermione. She conjured another cup and handed it to him. He let his fingers linger on hers for a little too long and smirked at her. She thrust the tea at him and pulled her hand away scowling.

"Listen, Draco... I wanted to make one request… could you not mention this lesson stuff to anyone? I don't want Ron or Harry to find out, they'd go ballistic."

"Why are you hiding something from your boy toy and best friend?"

"I don't see why that's any of your business... listen, can you just do that for me?"

"Yea well, it wasn't like I wanted anyone in Slytherin to find out about this either. It wouldn't do for my image."

"What's so wrong with being around me?"

"Oh come off it Granger, I'm in Slytherin, you're in Gryffindor, you're a notorious teacher's pet and you're a mudblood, I'd think you'd have that one figured out."

She gathered her things. "So because I'm smart and not of pure blood, I'm suddenly trash?"

"Well hey you didn't want people to know either!"

"Yea, because Ron and Harry would freak! They'd kill you or disown me, and you'd probably snitch on Ron and me if anything happened. That's different from you being concerned about your little Death Eater image."

"You know what, you know nothing about me... you shouldn't be so judgmental."

"Sod off Malfoy, you practically admitted to it."

"You think you know everything don't you?" He spilled his tea as he leapt up in anger. "Well this is one thing you know NOTHING about so keep your nose in your precious books and out of my business."

She felt hurt and angry for some reason. "I hope you fall off your broom on Saturday, Malfoy." And with that, she left. Draco sat back down with a heavy sigh. In the hallway, Hermione let out a grunt of aggravation.

Just when they thought things might actually be pleasant, they were back at the beginning.