Chapter III

"No! This is absurd," Lucius Malfoy was shouting at Dumbledore's office. "I can't allow that girl to be my son's tutor". Lucius cannot believe that his wife has chosen Hermione to be his son's tutor.

"Why not? Huh, Lucius? Why not?" Narcissa was starting a very hot argument. "She's a filthy mudblood! That's why" Dumbledore suddenly spoke up with a serious tone in his voice, "Now, Now…we don't need to use harsh words here" Lucius looked at him and said "I don't care. I can say what I want to say".

Dumbledore took a deep breath and said, "Now Lucius, theres no need to be upset. We have to discuss things sensibly". "Sensibly? Do you think that choosing HER as my son's tutor is sensible?" Lucius will not make it easy for Dumbledore. "I will not let that mudblood teach nor go near my son!" He stood up and prepared to leave, but Dumbledore has more to say.

"Lucius please. Sit down and let us resolve this matter in an orderly way" He grudgingly sat down and crossed his arms. "Very well…You know that Miss Granger is the best student in Hogwarts. Being your son's tutor will demand a lot of time, skill and effort. We only thought of Miss Granger since she is the only student who can effectively teach Mr. Malfoy without sacrificing her own grades. Choosing another student will not be as smart as choosing Miss Granger. So you have no choice but to agree with us."

Lucius was debating with himself whether he will agree with the headmaster or just get the hell out of there. It was true that Hermione IS a mudblood but his son's education is at stake. He knows that Hermione IS the best after all.

Lucius finally spoke, "Very well Hermione Granger will be my son's tutor"

After Lucius had left Narcissa turned to Dumbledore and said, "Thank you headmaster for helping me tell my husband. I'm afraid to tell him all by myself". "Narcissa I know it's for Draco's best".

It was 9:00 am and Hermione was in the middle of potion class when she was called to go to the headmaster's office. "Very well Miss Granger, go. We will take up what you will miss this lunch" said Snape without even looking at her. "Thank you professor" and she left. "See you later Hermione" Ron told her as she stood up. "Ok…later…"

"Oi! Harry, what do you think is going on?" Ron asked Harry looking at Hermione leave the room. "Going on? What are you talking about?" He said looking weirdly at Ron.

"Haven't you notice" Ron paused for a while. "Notice what?"

"Hermione being called to go to the headmaster, Snape will GIVE HERMIONE a catch up lesson at lunch. It is usually, "I will not be responsible for anything you miss" sort of thing for Snape" Ron looked at Snape suspiciously.

"You're being delirious again," Harry said shaking his head. "Maybe it's some Important business that they need her help and maybe Dumbledore told Snape about it and ask him to let her have a special lesson" He said, looking at Ron smiling.

"I don't know. But what ever it is I want to find out." Ron said seriously.

As she walked toward the gargoyle where Dumbledore's office is hidden she hissed, "Gnome juice" and the gargoyle went to life and stepped aside allowing her to pass through.

She gently tapped on the door. Soft knocks were heard outside Dumbledore's office.

"Come in come in," he said cheerfully. "Would you like a lemon drop" he asked Hermione in a joyous tone. "Um no thanks."

"You called for me headmaster?" Hermione asked but she was guessing that this has something to do with Draco. "Uh yes…I suppose you were informed what have happened to Draco Malfoy?" he asked her in a gentle voice.

"Yes professor. But I already agreed to tutor him" she told him while looking at all the books around the room.

"Yes… I talked to Mr. Lucius Malfoy last night and made him agree to our conditions here. I will just tell you some reminders." He said to her. "You have to keep this in deep secrecy. You cannot tell anyone about what has happened to Draco." He said in a serious tone.

"I Fully understand professor" she replied in a dignified voice.

"So I think we fully understand each other. Now you may go and see him" She was shocked at what he had just said.

SEE DRACO…NOW. She can't believe that she was actually seeing Draco NOW.