Well, thank you all so much for the fabulous response to my fanfic. Oh, and I hope you've all realized that this fanfic is written as if HBP never happened. I started writing this before I had read the 6th book, and felt inclined to not change it after I'd read it. So, no spoilers or anything, and for those of you who have read it, assume their sixth year in this fanfic went mostly uneventfully.
And now, without further ado, the next chapter!


Chapter Two: Occupy Your Mind

Occupy your mind
On your way out
would you shut my mind, it's open
and there's a draft
Figure this out
You say no thank you
I'll figure this out myself

-"Occupy Your Mind": Jayne Sachs Band

Draco raised an eyebrow from his spot on a comfy chair as Hermione came into the dormitory they shared, letting the painting slam shut. She looked at him angrily.

"What? That stupid painting of a lecher was being vulgar again!" she snapped, before going over to the couch and collapsing onto it.

"I didn't ask." muttered Malfoy snidely, looking back down at his book. Hermione didn't respond, choosing to interest herself in the pile of books she had brought in with her. There was silence in the room until Hermione got to her feet, stretching luxuriously, and yawning.

Draco glanced up and was met with a nice view that informed him of the obvious fact that Hermione Granger was not the eleven year old girl that came to Hogwarts all those years ago. No longer was her hair bushy, now it fell to the middle of her back in a tangle of waves, and she had the curves of a late seventeen year old girl. Malfoy quickly averted his gaze, looking back at his book on Transfiguration. So he could recognize a girl. It just meant he wasn't blind. Or gay.

"Okay, so I'm going to bed. Not that you care of course," said Hermione brusquely

"Yep. You'd be correct on that assumption." replied Malfoy, not raising his eyes from the book. His familiar feeling of annoyance informed him of the fact that she could still piss him off, even if she did have any sort of womanly attributes. And that pleased him. Stupid Gryffindor.

She let out a heavy sigh and stormed over to her room, opening the door sharply, closing it behind her. Draco smirked before continuing his reading.

Hermione sat down slowly at the Gryffindor table the next morning, stifling a yawn and looking at the array of food set out. So far, Harry and Ron had not arrived, but they were not morning people. She nabbed a piece of toast and started on it when someone's hands wrapped around her head, covering her eyes.

"Hey 'Mione! Guess who!"

"Gee…there are only two people in this entire school that call me 'Mione. And only one would play such an idiotic…'joke' on me, if you could even call it that." She said wryly, setting down her toast. Ron released her and took a seat at the long bench-like table.

"Fine fine, Hermione. You're no fun." He grumbled, before filling his plate fully. She sighed as Harry appeared, sitting next to her, though scooting a little ways down. She gave him a questioning glance when Ron's sister, Ginny, sat in between Harry and her, and beamed at Hermione. She smiled back.

"Morning Hermione!" said the cheery redheaded girl.

"Good morning Ginny. Didn't see you on the train here."

"Oh yes. I was…uh…" she trailed off as a light blush appeared on her face and she looked down. Ron made a scoffing sound.

"She was breaking up with…oh hell, who was your most recent boyfriend, Gin?"

"Dean."

"Right. Dean. Breaking up with…him…" He glared at his eggs for a moment, before smiling at Hermione. "So how did your first night go?"

"Fine. I have an absolutely beastly painting but otherwise…well…the woman's okay. But the man…" she shuddered, causing both Ron and Harry to frown.

"What man?" demanded Ron. Hermione shrugged.

"Apollo. Greek god. According to his sister, Artemis, he rather likes…erm…girls He makes a rather lot of vulgar comments. Which Malfoy finds hilarious."

"The painting has been hitting on you?" asked Ginny, a grin appearing on her face. The other redhead didn't look so pleased.

"Why don't you ask Dumbledore for a different painting if it's being such a git?" He inquired, not so gently.

"Oh, it isn't that bad…" murmured Hermione, taking a gulp of coffee to give herself a jolt before she stood up abruptly. "I'm going to grab my stuff; I'll meet you guys at…" She racked her brain.

"Charms." supplied Harry.

"Oh yes. Charms." She didn't ponder as to why she couldn't remember the first class of her last year.

"Bye 'Mione." called Ron, and Harry and Ginny said something to that effect as Hermione left the Great Hall.

Hermione tapped her quill against the parchment for the fourth time during Charms. She, for the life of her, could not get Draco Malfoy out of her head. The image of him looking down at his hands on the train, so forlornly. It was pitiful, really. But amazing. She'd never seen him so…human. Heaving a great sigh, she quickly scribbled down something Professor Flickwick was saying.

It didn't make any sense. She still knew that Malfoy was a complete prat, but at the same time…

"Grrr!" she huffed, causing a couple people, including Ron, to look at her with curiosity. Harry was too wrapped up in watching Flickwick explain the Impertureable charm they were to be practicing.

"Hermione?" whispered Ron, and the girl blinked and glanced over at him.

"Oh. Sorry…uh…frustrating…" she didn't specify exactly what was frustrating, but Ron seemed to assume it was the charm and nodded with sympathy. Which was wasted when, two minutes later, Hermione was the only one to achieve it perfectly.

This confused Ron greatly. Though Ronald Weasley was not a particularly intelligent boy, his was pretty sure that Hermione had not been frustrated with Charms. Was something else bothering her? He decided to see if he could find out. He followed her to the library, where she spent her time when she wasn't in class or eating. She sat down and flinched when Ron sat next to her.

"Uh…Ron? Do you need some help on some homework? I could help you later, in the Great Hall. I know how you don't like the library." She said, a bit pompously. He glared at her for a second.

"It isn't that bad. And I don't need your help on homework! I was wondering what was going on in Charms. You obviously weren't worried about the Impertureable charm."

"Ah…no." she said slowly, thinking of a way to distract Ron without lying directly. "I…uh…was thinking about…" she blinked, like a deer caught in headlights. "Uh…erm…you…uh…" She stopped as Ron stared at her in utter astonishment. Wait. What had she just said?

"You were…thinking about me?" asked Ron in shock. Hermione blinked again. Had she said that? She ran her words through her head and realized that it did indeed sound as if she had said she was thinking about Ron. Well. That wasn't a bad thing. She still didn't want to lie though, so she just smiled at him. He turned bright red and looked at everything but Hermione. Finally he met her gaze before slowly lowering his eyes to the floor. Hermione resisted the urge to sigh as she remembered how easily embarrassed Ron became. She'd be surprised if he talked to her before Christmas.

"Hey you two, what's going on?"

They both turned sharply to see Harry looking at them with a smile. Hermione smiled back, but Ron looked flabbergasted. And a bit disappointed.

"Harry…what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Um. Hanging out with my two best friends? I figured Hermione was in the library, though I'm surprised you're here Ron." replied Harry with a raised eyebrow. "Did…I miss something?"

He could still see the faint pink on Ron's cheeks and rephrased his question,

"Or…interrupt something?" Hermione shrugged her shoulders, getting to her feet and grabbing her bag.

"You're fine Harry. Don't worry about it. Ron and I can finish our discussion later. I need to grab a book that I left in my room, so I'll meet you two in Herbology, okay?" she asked, rushing from the room.

Harry turned to Ron and opened his mouth to say something, but Ron raised his hand.

"It's okay Harry…"

"You two just…had a moment or something, didn't you?" said Harry, with some regret, "Sorry Ron."

"Actually, Harry, you might have saved me."

"Was she mad?"

"No."

Harry hesitated a moment.

"There was an awkward silence because you wouldn't say anything, wasn't there?"

"Shut up Harry." snapped Ron, punching him on the shoulder roughly, as they stood and starting walking leisurely to Herbology, Ron filling Harry in on what he had 'interrupted'.

"Well well, Miss Granger. It seems you come to your room a lot…that could be useful." Unfortunately for Hermione, Artemis was no where in sight.

"Apollo…I don't have time for this. I might be late for my next class." Why did she continue to leave books in her room?

"All it takes is seven minutes…tops." He said grinning, "After all, I am a god."

"Granger isn't worth two minutes." came a sour voice and Hermione didn't even turn around.

"The password is arrows." She growled, and the painting swung open. She climbed in and tried to shut it in Malfoy's face, but he was too strong for her. "Forget your books too?" She said, deciding to cover her weak upper body strength with "casual conversation".

"No. I have a free period." He said, going over to a table and setting his bag down, digging out a book and some parchment. "I was going to work on a paper. Unless it bothers you, Granger." He said sarcastically. "After all, I wouldn't want to screw up your only chance to shag. Even if it is with a painting." He finished rudely.

"Shut up Malfoy."

"Oh, great come back."

"I'm not trying to play your insult game. I'm getting a book and then I'm going to my next class."

"Oh. Then you'll come back to shag with the god-painting." He said as she went into her room.

"You're just jealous because Artemis refuses to even look your way!" yelled Hermione over her shoulder, as she grabbed her book and came back into the common room. Malfoy was smirking at her.

"Oh Granger, Granger. You are so naïve." He chuckled. Hermione stopped in front of the doorway, the painting half-way open. What ever did he mean? Was he already shagging the painting or something?

"What do you mean Malfoy?" she asked carefully, knowing she was probably falling into some sort of trap.

"Artemis doesn't like boys." He said, "Though of course…I'm sure I could make her reconsider. A Malfoy could make even a lesbian goddess go straight. At least for a night." He said, snickering. Hermione shuddered and practically ran to Herbology.

Has a heart. Right. If Malfoy ever thought with anything but his…crotch, Hermione would kiss him on the spot. Insensitive git.

Ron wrinkled his nose at the smelly plant in front of him. This could cure insomnia? Harry reached out slowly to pluck a leaf and deposit it into the bucket they had between the four of them. Hermione exchanged a glance with Neville who was laughing slightly.

"It isn't that bad." He said, snatching a handful of leaves at once, putting them into the bucket. Hermione was writing down the different qualities of the Somnus plant. Ron gave Harry a significant look and the raven haired boy nodded in understanding, reaching over to pull Neville over towards him. Ron scooted closer to Hermione.

"Hey…uh, 'Mione?" he asked quietly. She looked up at him, her eyebrows furrowed. She was still fuming about Malfoy. Ron seemed taken aback.

"Oh, sorry Ron." She mumbled, quickly changing her expression to one of sincere interest. "What's up?"

"Um…well…I was wondering if…you would be interested in…um…" He stuttered, and Hermione raised an eyebrow. What would Ron want to say that would give him such difficulty? He murmured something and Hermione's eyes fluttered.

"Um. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." She said apologetically.

"I said will you go out with me!" he nearly shrieked, before his eyes widening in horror. She took a step back in surprise as five or six people looked in their direction. Harry was smiling and Hermione took a deep breath. She considered it a second. She did rather like Ron. He could be a git at times. Many times. But he could also be quite sweet. She smiled and could see Ron relaxing, knowing her answer before she responded.

"Yes, Ron. I'd love to." He grinned at her and she let out a quiet giggle.

"Nice." said Harry, "Although…finally." That earned him a glare from Ron and a light smack from Hermione. Neville looked nervous and fidgety.

"Um…we should probably finish this up…" he muttered and the Golden trio agreed. Ron looked like he'd killed Voldemort single handedly and Hermione looked content. For now.

Spitting again, Hermione put her toothbrush away and pulled out her hairbrush, running it through her tangled locks repeatedly. The door to her left opened suddenly and Malfoy hesitated in the doorway. This gave Hermione a chance to look at him. And learn what he wore to bed.

Boxers.

That was it.

She blinked at him a couple times, her cheeks turning a light pink before Malfoy crossed his arms over his bare chest.

"Good lord, Granger. You'd think I was completely naked. I figured you would lock the bathroom if you were in it."

"I uh…was just brushing my hair and stuff, so I didn't see a need to…though for future reference…" she mumbled, looking back at her sink. Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Uh huh. Are you done yet?" he demanded

"Yes." She snapped, putting her brush away sharply and turning around, hands on her hips. "You do not own this bathroom. And you do have to share it. And there are two sinks." She said savagely, pointing at the sink closer to his door. And mostly naked form. She swallowed.

"I don't want to be anywhere near a mudblood when I'm brushing my teeth and stuff." He spat and Hermione dropped her arms. She thought he had been done with the nasty name calling. Apparently not.

"Oh, nothing will get your rodent teeth clean, Ferret boy." She retorted, before leaving the bathroom angrily. She tried to think of her and Ron. They were together.

But somehow, her worst enemy's nicely toned body kept popping into her mind.

This was going to be a long year.