Chapter 3

(Rewritten July 06)

Hermione gently placed one hand upon her date's face and the other upon his mask. Slowly, her fingers gripped it's sides and she began to pull it off.

"No," the male demanded softly as he gingerly grabbed her wrists, "Not now. You'll know who I am soon enough but not quite yet. I must go now. Have a good night, Hermione."

Not even a freckle was exposed before the man stopped her and Hermione was disheartened as she watched him leave. Even with his back turned, he was elegant and sincere. All she needed now was a clue to his identity but he hadn't left her one. He was smart in that sense.

But all the same, Hermione needed to know, so desperately, who this was. If it wasn't Dean, well, she didn't know what was going to happen. Maybe this person would be the first man in a while to banish Dean from her thoughts. Maybe it's something she needed. Just maybe.

Hermione sighed and lifted her dress as she walked back towards the castle and to her dorm. When she arrived, Draco was laying on the couch with a book on his chest and candles still lit. Feeling slightly remorseful, Hermione grabbed Draco's book, placed it on the nearby table and doused all the candles.

This was her first act of kindness towards Draco Malfoy. She hadn't thought much of it as she collapsed upon her bed, dress and heels still on, and fell asleep.

The next morning was nothing out of the ordinary. Hermione sat between Ron and Harry at breakfast and listened to their bickering about Quidditch teams and who should have won last year's World Cup.

"You look tired, Hermione," Harry stated after Ron insisted on eating for the rest of breakfast instead of talking.

"Hm," Hermione questioned while Harry's inquiry registered, "Oh, I'm fine. Just a lot of studying."

"You know," Ron began between mouthfuls of pancake, "It's only the second day of school. Don't stress so much."

Hermione shrugged, "Well, this is our most important year. If I want to study early, I will study early."

"Yes, but, I bet you studied all summer break," Ron pointed out. Hermione pursed her lips.

"Did not," she retorted.

"Alright, alright," Ron grumbled, "There's no need to get snippy."

Hermione raised an eyebrow and glanced down the table. At the other end she spotted Dean. He looked up and caught her eye and smiled. Hermione returned the favor.

This smile convinced Hermione that it was Dean last night.

'Oh,' she thought, 'This is wonderful.'

"Hermione," Harry shouted.

"Huh," she replied in a tizzy.

"Ron has a question."

"Oh, sorry, what is it, Ronald?"

"First off," he began, "Don't call me Ronald."

"Ronald," Ginny shouted from three seats down.

"Very funny," Ron yelled at her. "Anyways, what was our Transfiguration homework."

Harry and Hermione both paused then rolled their eyes.

"Oh, Ron," Hermione laughed, "Maybe you should start paying more attention. We didn't have any homework last night."

"Right," Ron nodded sheepishly.

Near the end of breakfast, but before everyone was ready to leave, the three of them headed out. Hermione already had her books so she went with Harry and Ron to fetch their's. Half way there, though, Ron explained that he had forgotten a book in the library and left, leaving only Harry and Hermione.

The two arrived in Harry's dorm which was relatively clean, considering four teenage boys resided there. Hermione grinned and laid down upon Harry's bed as he searched his room for his stuff.

"Ah, damn," Harry muttered to himself, "I'll be right back, Hermione. I have to run down to the common room."

Hermione nodded. She sat up and went to look out the window where an early Quidditch practice was ending just in time for classes. As Hermione turned to reconquer her spot on the bed, she spotted blue - blue velvet.

She bent down and felt it. It was the exact fabric from last night.

"Bloody hell," she whispered, "No way, it couldn't be Harry. It's just a mistake. Yeah..."

Hermione stomped her foot and grabbed her bag and raced down the stairs to the common room where Harry had just found his Potions book.

"Shit, we need to go," He cried, "Snape's going to kill us."

Hermione and Harry arrived just in time, seconds before Snape and Draco's gang of goons made their entrance. They quickly sat next to Ron as Draco strode in with a smirk on his face and took his seat at the front of the class.

He immediately turned to face them with a smirk and hateful eyes. Harry and Ron returned the glare. Draco's eyes then reached Hermione, but instead of the usual glare and 'mudblood' insults, he smiled, only slightly, but enough for her to catch it.

"Merlin," Hermione breathed.

"Don't worry about it," Harry whispered, "He's an arse."

Hermione nodded but Draco's glares aren't what bothered her. It was his smile.

'Ha, what the hell is going on,' she thought.

But there was no time to dwindle on this as Snape slammed the door and began class.

"What the hell. I can't believe you have detention tonight," Ron exclaimed while they were at dinner.

"I know," Hermione sighed, "Snape was spiteful today. Didn't you see the way he smirked as he paired me with Neville? I have nothing against the boy, but Snape set us up for disaster with that potion..."

"If anybody, Malfoy should be receiving that detention. I swear he has an infatuation with the man," Harry said with a laugh, "And Crabbe really ruined their potion, more so than yours."

"That's very true," Ron retorted with a grin. Hermione smiled too.

"If only I hadn't let Neville touch one of the ingredients. You know, he slipped and accidentally threw it in there."

"Listen, it'll be fine," Harry explained, "Ron and I have had plenty of these detentions. The worst part is spending it with that greaseball.

Hermione smiled. Dinner ended far too quickly for her and the stone corridor leading to the dungeons wasn't quite long enough either. Seeing Snape at such a late hour wasn't something anyone could stomach, well, perhaps Malfoy could.

"Miss Granger," Snape drawled. He was seated behind his desk. "I'm glad you made it. Oh, you're even early. How kind of you."

Hermione grimaced.

"Once your partner arrives, you'll be able to begin your detention," Snape continued. He smirked slightly.

"Partner," Hermione questioned, "I wasn't aware that I'd need one to complete a detention.

Snape snickered, "For this one you will. That's why I asked Malfoy to assist you. I assume you won't mind working together."

"Are you kidding me," Hermione spat, "You can't be serious, Professor. Malfoy and I don't get along, we still don't, even with our shared duty as Head Boy and Girl. Please, I think I can complete this myself."

"Are you questioning my authority?"

"No, Professor, it's just that every time that bloody fer-"

"-bloody ferret, arrogant bastard, son of a bitch is near me, he ruins everything," Draco finished as he leaned on the side of the door frame, "Yes Granger, I've heard it all."

Hermione glared at him.

"Nice of you to arrive on time, Mr. Malfoy," Snape drawled as he rose from his desk.

"It's not a problem, Professor. I didn't have any women to attend to this evening."

Hermione gagged.

"Is there a problem, Granger," Draco asked menacingly.

"I believe that's a self-explanatory question, Malfoy," Hermione retorted.

Draco made a face.

"Stop it," Snape demanded. His voice echoed through out the dungeons, "You can bicker once you're away from me. Now, listen. I'm not repeating myself."

He then explained that Draco and Hermione were required to go to the center of the Forbidden Forest to retrieve some Bargustaus Branches for tomorrow's class and that they only have until tomorrow morning to give them to him. Both students nodded their heads.

"Are you sure we're allowed to do this, Professor," Hermione asked.

"What did I say before, Ms. Granger? Do not question my authority."

Hermione nodded sheepishly and Draco smirked.

"Now go," Snape demanded and pushed them out of his classroom. The slamming of his door echoed loudly down the corridor.

All that was left to do now was to enter the forest...