Classes had become quite grueling as the students prepared to take their 7th year NEWTS. As much as Hermione hated to admit it, Potions had become a bit more challenging for her. It wasn't that she was bad at it, it was just that it didn't come quite as naturally to her as so many other things did. It also happened to be the only class she had with Draco Malfoy.
Hermione took copious notes and paid avid attention to Professor Slughorn when he talked. One day he announced to the class, "I have a very special end of the year project planned for you. It will be difficult, but if it is completed correctly it will be very rewarding. To help you out I will allow you to work in pairs."
Hermione bit her lip and Harry looked away from both Ron and Hermione. Since the three were best friends one would have to be left out. Hermione assumed Harry and Ron would work together, and she didn't really mind it. She supposed her partner would be Ernie MacMillian, since he sat at their table.
She didn't really mind Ernie. He could be very pompous and aggravating sometimes, but he was intelligent. She would probably be better off with him on a challenging potions project than with Harry or especially Ron.
As the voices trying to seek out partners got louder, Professor Slughorn attempted to quiet them down. He chuckled and said, "Let me continue. You will work in pairs, but not pairs of your own choosing. I will be picking your partners."
A few people murmured to their neighbors, and Malfoy looked outraged. Harry looked a bit relieved at not having to choose between Hermione and Ron.
"Not only have I already decided who will be partners, I've done a pretty good job of it. I've assessed your skills and weaknesses and matched you up with a person who will balance you. Trust me, the project will be much easier this way."
It didn't sound too bad to Hermione. It might actually be nice to find the person to balance her.
Slughorn cleared his throat and began to read the list aloud. Hermione listened anxiously until she heard her own name. "Hermione Granger- Draco Malfoy."
No. It couldn't be. Of all the people she could have been partners with, this was the last one she wanted. No way was Draco going to help her in any way with this project. Knowing him, he'd probably make her do the whole thing. She knew it was going to be a nightmare.
Draco looked just as angry as Hermione. He swore and muttered to his friends about the unfairness of it all, and Hermione was certain she had heard him mention that he shouldn't have to take this because of his connections.
As Slughorn finished reading the list, he said, "You may have noticed that there are an odd number of students in this class, and Harry Potter has not been given a partner."
"He could work with us in a group of three," Hermione said quickly, eager for someone to keep her company when she would be forced to work with Malfoy.
Slughorn shook his head. "No, no, Miss Granger, a team like yours certainly doesn't need any outside help. Harry Potter shall be working with me."
Harry's face turned pale at the thought of having to spend too much free time with Slughorn, and Hermione protested, "That's not really fair. After all, you're the teacher, of course you're going to know how to do it. Harry's guaranteed a perfect grade."
"Now, now, what do you take me for? I'm not going to do the project for him. I'll just assist him if he needs any help."
Despite Slughorn's insistence, everyone knew that Harry had lucked out. Everyone, that is, except for Harry, who felt he had the worst deal since he would have to spend so much time with Slughorn and listen to all his stories.
Slughorn continued, "You have about ten minutes left of class now. Get together with your partners and discuss what you're doing to do and when. The instructions are on page 610 of your textbooks."
Everyone began shifting around and started talking quietly. Malfoy made no effort to move anywhere, so Hermione timidly approached him herself.
"Look, I don't like this any more than you do," she said rapidly, "but we're going to have to get this done, so we might as well talk to each other."
"I don't enjoy conversing with mudbloods."
She glared at him. "You'll have to. When do you want to meet?"
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I suppose I'm free Thursday evenings."
"Fine. In the library?"
"Why not? No one that matters goes in there anyway, so it won't hurt my reputation to much to be seen with you."
Hermione rolled her eyes and stalked away, determined to speak to him as little as possible. Professor Slughorn had no idea how much he had just complicated her life.
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Hermione had to admit that she was a bit nervous when she had to go meet Draco in the library for the first time. To her surprise he wasn't as vicious as he normally was. He wasn't exactly friendly, but he was a bit more bearable than his usual self.
Hermione had made the mistake of staying up late the night before to study for an important Transfiguration test, and the lack of sleep was beginning to be apparent to her. She struggled to keep her eyes open and on any other night she would've gone to bed immediately, but since she had to meet Draco and work on the project she forced herself to stay up.
"Hi," Draco said sullenly, seated at one of the tables. Hermione waited for a caustic remark, but it never came.
She began to outline her plan for the project and pulled out her notes. Draco held up a hand to stop her and said, "Don't bother talking. I don't need to hear you go on and on. Just give me your notes and I'll look through them. There's no need for us to talk more than we have to."
Hermione obeyed and handed over the parchment. She sat back in her chair and watched him reading over her neat handwriting. After a few minutes Hermione realized it would take him awhile to read everything she had written, so she figured it wouldn't hurt to close her eyes for a couple of minutes.
Before she knew it Hermione had drifted into a sort of half sleep. Without quite knowing how it happened, she felt her head drop onto Draco's shoulder. She realized with terror that she should lift her head immediately before he got really angry, but her eyes felt so heavy that she couldn't bear to move an inch.
Once she realized her head was on his shoulder, she was shocked he hadn't shoved her off or even said anything. When he realized she wasn't asleep he gave her a forceful shove and muttered, "What the heck do you think you're doing? I'm not your personal pillow." He brushed off his shoulder and muttered, "Ew, mudblood germs."
Hermione turned red and gathered up her things. "I'm tired," she mumbled. "I think it would be better if I left now and we met again next week."
He nodded and she left as soon as possible. She was embarrassed and strangely anxious. There was a feeling in the pit of her stomach that she just couldn't place, and she didn't like it. Especially not in connection with Draco Malfoy.
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A/N: Hope you liked the chapter. I always reply to reviewer's comments through the reply button, but there was something I wanted to make clear to everyone, involving updates and chapter lengths. I will update regularly every weekend, with the exception of last weekend due to my school play. This is more often than most authors update, from what I've seen. Due to this, my chapters are also a little shorter than average. If you want longer chapters, they will be less frequently. I personally like this setup, and I hope you guys don't mind it either. Thanks for all your comments!