A/N: I'm such a bad writer…I've been forgetting my disclaimer which I should probably have. I'm sure most of you noticed that I've changed my summary. Well, I kind of reached a writer's block, but I've got some new ideas so just work with me. Also, I'm extremely sorry about the delays in posting. I won't give excuses, but I hope to have another chapter up before my spring break is over.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Too bad.

Chapter 3 - New Assignments

Down at breakfast the next morning, Hermione, Harry, and Ron were looking over there schedules and talking about the classes that they were taking for their seventh year, but of course Hermione couldn't wait to get back to the books so she left for the library before their first class.

"She's crazy that one," Ron said shoving more food in his mouth. Harry just nodded and kept on eating his eggs.

Meanwhile, Hermione was making her way up the stairs to the second floor library. When she arrived, she was happy to find that the library was practically deserted. All except for a certain boy sitting in the back that Hermione hadn't noticed. She sat down with her back to him and pulled out her Standard Book of Spells: Level 7 and started reading where she had left off in chapter 9.

Across the room that certain boy was watching her. 'What a little bookworm, already reading the textbooks on the first day. Stupid mudblood.' He slowly put his books away into his bag and made his way over to her.

"Hello mudblood. Reading already? What good will it do for a little know-it-all like you?" He drawled.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Hermione said not looking up.

"I wanted to let you know I'm not going to be second best this year. Your days of being on top are over."

"Really? Well I'm up for a little competition considering you haven't beaten me so far," she said still reading.

"Yea sure mudblood, well good luck this year, you'll need it." And with that he turned and walked out of the library toward his first class.

Hermione watched as Malfoy left surprised that they had a semi-civil conversation.

After Arthimacy, Hermione met Harry and Ron for lunch in the Great Hall before going to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"It's a shame Snape didn't get the boot for the incident last year," Ron complained while eating his potatoes.

"Ron, nothing happened that could get him fired, it all was just a misunderstanding," Hermione said exasperated at the fact he could not let it go.

"Still, he was doing something against the Order and you know it," he said glaring at her.

"Ron, I think it would be best if you would just drop it," Harry said seeing the look on Hermione's face.

Hermione gave Harry a thankful look while Ron just muttered something obscene under his breath. Hermione rolled her eyes at him and continued eating her lunch.

At Defense Against the Dark Arts the three Gryffindors got the usual treatment by their least favorite professor. When tormented, they lost points and gained detentions for acting like "smart alecks". The class seemed to pass quickly along with the rest of the day and before they knew it, the students were eating dinner and heading to their common rooms.

Back in the head's suite, Hermione was studying for her Transfiguration class when in walked Zabini and Malfoy along with their two dumb followers. Hermione started packing up her things to go up to her room, but not before being bothered by the bullies.

"Hey mudblood, where you heading?" Malfoy asked as he plopped himself in a squishy armchair.

"I'm heading up to my room to study where I don't have unwelcome guests distracting me."

"Shut up Granger. I can have friends in my room without you having any right to get rid of them," Zabini stated.

"I'm not trying to get rid of them Zabini, I'm merely getting out of the company of a bunch of idiots, now if you will, I'm leaving, good night."

Malfoy chuckled at Zabini for seeming flustered for not coming up with a reply before Hermione's bedroom door slammed shut. Malfoy got a steady glare before he finally shut himself up. "What mate? It was funny." Zabini didn't reply and just laid back into the comfortable sofa.

"So what do you have your sites set on this year man?" Zabini asked Malfoy.

"What are you talking about?"

"Ah come on, don't play dumb with me. What girl are you shooting for? This is the last chance, better pick someone good. What about that Drake girl, what's her name? Eliza or Elizabeth….no, no wait its Emily…"

"It's Elisha, dude, and no."

"Well then who?"

"I don't know, I've kind of out grown that man. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like a nice lay, but I got more important things on my mind this year."

"Oh, I gotcha, some stuff for the Dark Lord again?"

"Uh, sure, but anyways, I gotta get going."

"Yea sure dude, see you tomorrow."

Later down in the dungeons, Draco was working on his studies trying to keep things off his mind when he was interrupted by an owl tapping outside his tiny window. He moved to the window and unlatched it, letting in the beautiful eagle owl. Immediately he knew the letter was from his father, but what could he want. He's only been away for two days. Draco unfolded the letter and was shocked by its message. 'This has to be some kind of joke', he thought. With what happened last year, they weren't going to try and pull anything else around here were they?

A/N: Sorry, but it must be done. I thank all my reviewers for commenting my story, but I'm a little confused. You see, how is it that I'm not getting as many reviews that I hoped for, but yet I still have over 500 hits on my story. If I have that many people checking it out why can't you review! The least you could do is at least give me some input if you like it or not! I love writing, but I'm very insecure about it. I don't let anyone else read it except complete strangers. If no one's reading, why post?