Disclaimer:

Me: Can't you be nice to me one time, just one time!

JK: Not in that tone of voice, no. (Pushes button under desk)

Me: You have no soul!

Security: (Takes me away)

Me: Damn it.

Still not my characters.

Reviewer shout out: I love yalls reviews. I got three new reviewers! I'm sorry it's been long, but I've had finals and projects. Don't wanna fail this far in the year. Anyways, I've been wondering if you have noticed (in the 4th chapter) some hints that Hermione has a secret past that caused her to accept the bet. I couldn't just have Hermione accept it out of the blue. Just wondering if you've noticed. I am also moving around mid-July, so don't get mad is I don't update for a week or so. Review for this chapter too. Here's you chappie!

Great Hall

"Did you finish your homework?" I asked immediately when the boys sat down.

"No," they replied in unison.

I groaned.

"You should've know that was coming," Harry said.

"Well, yeah. After all, you only threw away the planner I gave you twice," I accused.

"I-"

"Ok kids, let's go to Herbology," suggested Ron.

Harry and I both glared.

"Ok Ron, let's go to Herbology," he muttered to himself as he got up to leave.

Harry and I looked at each other and ran to catch up with Ron.

Herbology

"Good morning class!" yelled Professor Sprout. We always went through the cheery greetings. "Today, we will work on the Tranquita Plant. It's venom will cause you to die, but it has a unique property. Can anyone tell me what it is?"

I raised my hand automatically.

"Yes, Miss Granger."

"When the venom is mixed with two key ingredients, full moon mushrooms and wolfsbane, then it makes an effective healing serum," I answered.

"Very good. Five points to Gryffindor," she complimented.

Ron and Harry beamed at me. Well, actually, it was only Ron. Harry looked like he was daydreaming...about a good thing. I would have to tease him later.

10 minutes later

Professor Sprout partnered me with Neville. Bet wise this was a good thing. Academic wise...bad. We were currently trying to sooth it so we could extract venom.

"Neville, come on. It hasn't bitten me yet. Watch me get closer-"

"Hermione, NO! You are not dying! I will not let you die!" he screamed in horror. He no longer squealed because the manly voice had kicked in.

"Don't you think you're over dramatizing everything?"

"No."

I rolled my eyes. He apparently saw me, because he started inching towards it.

"This is for you, Hermione."

I smiled.

He moved closer yet again.

At this point, I was to busy coaxing him to realize I had stopped giving the plant the soothing gas. When Neville got really close, the plant lashed out at him. He didn't get bitten, but the venom from the plant's mouth leaked onto his hand.

Professor Sprout heard me screaming. "Get him to the hospital wing, Miss Granger. If the venom gets through his finger nails, it could spread."

Neville turned white.

"It's okay. Neville, don't faint on me now," I whispered while I lead him out of the greenhouse.

Hospital Wing

"Oh, the poor dear," whispered Madame Pomfrey. She turned to me. "Thank goodness you brought him here. The poor boy could've died."

I heard a clash on Neville's bed. He apparently woke up from his state of shock, heard Madame Pomfrey, and fainted again.

"Maybe you should leave. I need to take care of him," suggested Madame Pomfrey.

"Ok. I will bring his work up later," I replied.

Lunch

"Is Neville ok?" Asked Harry as I sat down.

"He's only in shock. I'm just glad the venom didn't go inside of him," I sighed with relief.

"That's good. Poor Neville. He didn't ask to be practically cursed," Ron said in sympathy. "BUT..... Harry has a secret."

I turned towards Harry. "Do tell."

"I do not have a secret, Ron!" yelled Harry as he pushed Ron.

"Oh yes you doooooooo!" accused Ron in his Pansy imitation.

"Stop!"

"Ok ladies. Let's not get our panty hose in a bunch," I said pulling them apart. Harry winced at the mental image.

Ron responded with a, "Panty what?"

"Women's clothing," Harry and I said in unison. See, Harry and I can do the unison thing too.

Ron cringed and proceeded eating his fish. Harry and I immediately felt sorry for it...the fish not Ron.

"Guys, I'm leaving," I said after getting disgusted of seeing Ron eat.

Ron immediately wiped his mouth and Harry asked, "Why? You just got here."

"I know. But I feel bad. I'm the one that traumatized Neville."

"How?" they asked in unison.

"I stopped the soothing gas." Harry and Ron stared at me opened mouthed. "I was trying to coax him towards it. We had to do our work some how."

They were still gaping at me.

"You know what. I will be eating my lunch with Neville," I said, excusing myself.

Hospital Wing

"Hey Neville," I whispered while soothing his hair back. I was being so selfish. I knew that I shouldn't be using his time of pain for my benefit, but it was Malfoy and the bet and that stupid summer experience. I will win. I know that for sure. I'm just not going to concentrate on the bet. Instead, I will concentrate on Neville, as my friend, not my assignment.

He opened his eyes and grabbed my hand gently with the hand that was not infected.

"I brought you lunch," I said offering him his sandwich. The fish we had was too heavy for him to eat.

He took it generously.

I continued talking. "Well, Neville. You did one good thing. You got us no homework in Herbology.

"Really?" he asked.

Good, he wasn't mad at me. "Yeah. I want to help you with your homework for the rest of this week and next week as well."

"Hermione, you don't have-"

"Yeas, I do!" He stared at me in shock. That came out a little fiercer than it intended to be. "I'm sorry Neville. It's just... I feel so bad that I practically fed you to a plant."

He smiled. "Things like that always happen to me. You know that right?"

I smiled back. "Of course. But you're my friend, and I want to help you feel better."

He hesitated. "Well, if you're sure-"

"I'm positive."

"Then, yes. I will only allow you to help me in Potions and Charms however. Herbology comes easy to me, even though I'm afraid of venomous plants," he said cheerfully.

"When Madame Pomfrey lets you out, come look for me," I instructed.

He nodded before I left.

Gryffindor Common Room, After Dinner

"Harry tell us NOW!" demanded Ron. We were still on the subject of Harry's little secret.

"I don't have one!" he yelled back.

"Sure." Harry glared at me. "I saw you having a nice little daydream in Herbology."

"I have my proof!" yelled Ron happily.

"Who's the girl, Harry?" I asked.

"There is no-"

"Who's the girl?"

"There is no-"

"Who is it?"

"THERE IS NO GIRL!" yelled Harry.

Ron and I gave each other the "shall we investigate" look.

"Ok fine. No girl," Ron said with a tone of finality.

"Good-"

"Hey, Hermione."

I looked up to see who had interrupted us. It was Neville.

"Feeling better?" asked Harry.

"Yes. Madame Pomfrey asked me if I wanted to stay overnight, and I said no. She looked disappointed at me, but I didn't care. She gave me a counter venom potion just in case," he responded.

"You ready for the homework?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Let's go down to my workroom. It's much more quiet in there," I suggested. He nodded in agreement. "Don't wait up for me boys," I said to Harry and Ron. Harry nodded, and Ron simply stared. Weird.

Workroom

We walked down the Gryffindor entrance to the room. I opened the door and found Malfoy sitting there writing.

"Mudblood, you ruined the peace again," he snarled.

"It's your problem, not mine," I retorted.

He was about to retort, but he say Neville behind me.

"Maybe I should light out the candle so he doesn't burn anything," pondered Malfoy. He was worried. I could tell. Even though his face is still emotionless.

"Whatever. I'll just light mine," I said while muttering the spell. My candle lit up. "Grab a chair Neville."

"I'm leaving," declared Malfoy.

"Good."

Neville sighed in relief.

2 hours later

"So do you understand the concept of the Potion?" I asked.

He nodded. "Thanks for helping me with my homework."

"Your welcome."

He reached out and hugged me. I was trying not to think of the bet at a time like this, but this only spelt one thing for me...progress. He pulled back. I smiled at him, and we walked back to Gryffindor Tower together.

When we got to the top, Ron and Harry weren't there so we walked until the staircase parted ways. We said goodnight one last time, and I smiled at him before leaving him.

I opened the door to my room and looked around. Finally, quiet. I was so glad to be Head Girl this year. No daily gossip every single night for hours on end. I was about to get my pajamas, but something caught my eye. There was a figure in my room. It was curled up on my bed. I turned on the light and found...Crookshanks.

I stared in surprise.

Crookshanks immediately jumped in my arms.

"I thought I last you forever," I said hugging him.

Crookshanks purred.

"I will never do that to you again. I missed you. It wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth it at all," I said crying on his fur.

He licked my face.

"Let me feed you," I said while taking out his food from my trunk. When Crookshanks left me, I thought he would never come back. But there was always that little chance, so I kept everything he owned.

Crookshanks happily dug in. He officially made my day.

Chapter explanation: I hope I didn't take to long. At the beginning of the chapter, I didn't make Hermione have that school obsessed moment, because I wanted her attitude to change. I wanted to let everyone know that she was grouchy because of the bet. I didn't put as much humor in this chapter as I wanted to, which is why I wanted to annoy Harry. I also added pieces to Hermione's past, which gives her insecurities, which is why she is in the bet in the first place. Crookshanks also had something to do with it. I didn't just add him in with the story because I forgot about him. Hermione is also not as cold hearted as to use Neville in his time of pain, so there was hardly any determination from Hermione in this chappie. Thank you for reading, and send your lovely reviews. Constructive criticism is welcomed.

Sixth Chapter Preview: Prefects meeting. More homework time with Neville and Hermione. Definite DADA, and I might try to squeeze in Potions. Draco updates on his side of the bet.