Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: I will try to make this one a little longer than before, kay?
Chapter Thirteen
Hermione and Seamus walked to Arithmancy the next day together, talking about the latest Hogsmeade trip. They entered the classroom and found good seats. Hermione pulled out a loose-leaf notebook, quills, ink, and her Arithmancy book and set them nicely on her desk. Seamus took out a few sheets of parchment, a quill and ink, and his rather ratty looking Arithmancy book, and put them on the table. He smiled at Hermione, who smiled back, but returned to looking at Professor Vector. Seamus, though, didn't take his gaze away from Hermione.
He had always had a thing for her, and, after her makeover, Seamus had felt an even stronger attraction to Hermione. He knew he couldn't do anything about it, for he knew that she had enough boy troubles without adding him to the mixture, but that didn't stop him from flirting.
"Hey, Hermione," he whispered into her ear in a husky voice. "You look really good today."
Hermione blushed. "Thanks. You do, too."
Seamus smiled. "I was actually wondering if you could help me with some Charms homework. I'm really stuck on this one problem, and I figured I'd go to the smartest person in Hogwarts to help. Besides Dumbledore, of course."
Hermione smiled. "I'll help you. Meet me in the library around 9ish?"
"Perfect," Seamus said. "Like you," he added in a whisper, making Hermione blush again.
Draco watch the whole escapade, his arms crossed, a scowl across his handsome features. How she could let that scum flirt with her and actually look like she enjoyed it, but whenever he flirted with her, she looked like she wanted to murder him was beyond Draco's knowledge.
"Quiet down, people," Professor Vector said, clapping his hands, then started the lesson.
About an hour later, Professor Vector ended the class, and, after not paying attention and watching Hermione, but happy about the study session later on, Draco and Seamus sadly left Hermione to Professor Vector, who had asked her to stay behind.
"Miss Granger," the professor said. "You are the best student in this class, in many of your classes, and actually enjoy it, and I like teaching students who are excited about learning what I have to offer."
"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said, beaming.
"But, there are some students who, no matter how hard they try, just don't have your perseverance. There is one student in particular who came to me, asking for help." Draco had asked the professor to keep his identity and the fact that he had asked for Hermione specifically a secret, for he didn't think Hermione would do it if she knew who was behind it. "I offered this student a tutor, and he did not protest. He was very happy to have a tutor, for he hoped that it would improve his grades. I did tell him that you would be tutoring him, but he wanted to keep his identity a secret to, um, surprise you. How is 7, in the library?"
Hermione thought for a second. She didn't know how stupid this guy was, and if it was going to run into her studying time with Seamus, but she figured if the guy was smart enough to get into Arithmancy, then it wouldn't take to long.
"I'd love to tutor this mystery man," Hermione said, smiling.
"Excellent," Professor Vector said. "Just between you and me, I already told the poor soul that you had said yes when he approached me this morning, so it would've been rather messy if you had said no." Hermione smiled.
"Well, I better get to my next class," Hermione said, "or this whole tutoring thing would be kind of a waste."
"Let me write you a note." Professor Vector gave her a slip of paper, then said good bye.
The day went by rather quickly, and soon it was dinner. Hermione dropped off her things in her room, then walked with Ginny to the Great Hall. Hermione took her place next to Harry and began eating and conversing with Lavender. She felt someone looking at her, but, after a quick scan, she couldn't see who it was, so she just ignored it.
"Hermione." Ginny tapped her on the shoulder. "Why is Malfoy staring at you?" she whispered, so Harry and Ron couldn't hear. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin table, and Draco was indeed looking at her. When she looked at him, though, he looked away, and laughed at something Goyle had said, although Goyle looked very confused.
"I dunno," Hermione said. "Just being Malfoy, I guess."
"Yeah," Harry said, "a total ass." Ron and Harry laughed at his stupid joke, and Hermione smiled weakly.
"Um, h-hey, H-Hermione." Hermione turned around, and saw Seamus standing behind her.
"Hey, Seamus," she said, smiling.
"Are we still on for tonight?" he asked bashfully.
"Oh, yeah," Hermione said. "I do have something to do before, but I promise I'll be there."
"Great," Seamus said, smiling. "Well, I better go. Later."
"What was that all about?" Ginny asked after Seamus had left.
"What?" Hermione asked, taking some mashed potatoes. "I'm just helping Seamus with some Charms homework." Harry burst out laughing. "Is something the matter, Harry?" Hermione asked, in an annoyed voice.
"I'm sorry, 'Mione," Harry apologized. "It's just-"
"Seamus is the best in Charms, after you," Ron finished. "Why would he need you to tutor him?"
"I dunno," Hermione said, a confused look on her face.
"He likes you!" Harry, Ron and Ginny chorused.
"WHAT!" Hermione cried, then lowered her voice. "Seamus Finnigan does not like me," she hissed to her friends.
"He so does," Lavender said, as she had overheard (eavesdropped on) their conversation. "I mean, he's always staring at you, and talking about you. It's so obvious."
"No, he doesn't," Hermione said.
"What is it that you have to do before your make out, I mean, study session," Harry corrected himself, "with Seamus?"
Hermione glared at Harry. "Professor Vector wants me to tutor some kid in our Arithmancy class."
"Do you know who it is?" Ginny asked.
"No idea," Hermione said.
She finished up eating, then went back to her room, and filled her bag with Charms and Arithmancy books, tons of parchment and quills and ink and the novel she was reading in case she got bored. She brushed out her hair, applied some lip gloss, spritzed on some Water Lily & Honeysuckle, then took the most direct route to the library.
Not sure where she was meeting this mysterious person, Hermione took a seat in one of the more quiet sections of the library, pulled out her novel and began reading. She was barely done with the page when she heard someone sit down and rustle some papers.
"Let's get to work, Granger," Draco said.
"I have to tutor you?" Hermione cried. Madame Prince hushed her. "Who says I'm gonna tutor you?" she hissed.
"Because," Draco said, taking out his book, "you told Professor Vector you would, and I think he would be very disappointed if his prize student was to disobey him just because of your loathing of the pupil. And, I need help. So, let's get started."
Hermione sighed, but opened up her book to the right page.
-&-&-&-
"I don't get number five," Draco said.
Hermione explained the problem, and an easy way to get the solution, without giving away the answer.
It was about an hour later, and Hermione had given Draco a test. And he wasn't doing to good. It wasn't Draco's fault. He was normally really good at Arithmancy (I know, you're wondering why he needs a tutor, but he's just kidding, remember? Just to get closer to Hermione), but sitting so close to Hermione wasn't helping any.
"Why don't you just give me the answers?" Draco asked. "We could get through this so much faster."
"If I gave you the answers, you wouldn't be learning anything," Hermione said, clearly agitated. She looked at her watch. "Look, hurry up. I need to be somewhere else, and you aren't helping any."
Draco looked at her, really looked at her, and, no matter how hard Hermione tried to hold his gaze, she had to look away. "Where do you have to be?" he asked.
"Somewhere," she mumbled.
"I didn't know you were such a social butterfly," Draco commented.
"Well, I guess you don't know me so well," Hermione sniffed. "Let's just get this over with. I promised Seamus I wouldn't be late." After she said those words, her hand instantly flew to her mouth.
"Ohhh," Draco said, smirking. "You have a date with Finnigan."
"I don't have a date with Seamus," Hermione said. "I'm helping him with his Charms homework."
Draco chuckled. "I thought you were smarter than that. Why are you even tutoring him?" After seeing her confused look, Draco continued. "Finnigan likes you! It's so obvious. He's the best in Charms. He's just trying to get closer to you."
"Whatever," Hermione said.
"You know it's true," Draco said, in a kinder tone.
"It's funny," Hermione said, smiling. "Ron, Harry, Ginny, and Lavender said exactly the same thing."
"I don't know if agreeing with your friends helps my reputation," Draco said, "but I must agree with them."
"Why do you guys even care? I mean, I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. If Seamus tries anything, then I will just tell him no, and if he really likes me, he will listen."
"Whatever you say," Draco said.
"Aren't you suppose to be taking a test?" Hermione asked.
About an twenty minutes later, Draco managed to finish his test, and get a 97.
"Well done, Malfoy," Hermione said. "I didn't know you had it in you." Hermione put away her things, then stood up. "C'mon," she said, after seeing Draco's confused look. "These chairs are so uncomfortable."
Draco stood up and followed Hermione even farther back into library, where a bunch of overstuffed, comfy chairs sat scattered around. A large fire crackled in the corner, farthest away from the books (duh).
"Where did you find this place?" Draco asked, looking around.
"I found while looking for a book. I love it, 'cause it is so secluded, and private," Hermione said, sitting down on a red loveseat with blue accent pillows.
"Of course you would make me sit on a couch that is red," Draco said, plopping down next to her.
"You don't have to sit here," Hermione said. "You can sit over there." She pointed to a couch on the other side of the room, colored in a deep emerald, with white pillows.
"But then I would have to leave you," Draco said, putting his arm around Hermione's shoulders (daring, I know).
"Oh? And why not?" Hermione asked, snuggling up against him (why don't you go skydiving! We wouldn't be as surprised).
"Because then I would have to leave you, and some ax-murderer could come, and I would be to far away to stop him." Draco began twirling her hair with his finger.
"But your forgetting that I am the best witch in our class," Hermione said, "and if an ax-murderer were to come, I could just hex him into oblivion."
"Ah, yes," Draco said, smiling, "but what if he is also a wizard, a very good one, and got you instead?"
"Oh, you mean someone like you?"
"Well, not exactly, because then you would think I was…"
Draco didn't get to finish his sentence, for Hermione's lips covered his mouth. Draco didn't hesitate. He deepened the kiss, and, to make it easier for them, pulled Hermione up onto his lap. Hermione, on accident, gave a slight moan, and Draco couldn't help but smirk. The kiss went on for a few more minutes, until it was interrupted by an unwanted presence.
"Hermione!" She looked up to see Seamus standing a few feet away. Hermione instantly pulled away from Draco.
"Seamus, it's not what you think-" she started.
"Like hell it's not," he interrupted. "Forget about tutoring. I've got other plans." Then Seamus was gone.
-&-&-&-
Totally cliffy! How is it? Is it still good and does it still have it's spark that it (hopefully) had in the beginning? Thanks to all my loyal reviewers, you guys rock and make me very happy. But everybody else can make me even more happy by reviewing. Thanks!