That Monday started in Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Snape introducing nonverbal spells. Hermione had been excited to finally and formally learn these. She'd of course known of several before and had even attempted a few, however, she was sure in-class instruction would help apply that knowledge.

Throughout the class, She noticed Harry staring daggers at Malfoy. Every once in a while he would be forced to look away to perform a spell or respond to one of Snape's questions but would turn right back to Malfoy. Harry watched his every move to the point that even Ron noticed, despite his constant efforts to perform a wordless variation of Lumos.

"He alright?" Ron asked in a whisper, motioning toward Harry.

Hermione sighed, "I think he's just being paranoid about Malfoy again."

Ron grimaced worriedly but nodded and returned to his spell.

After class, Hermione confronted Harry to check up on him, hoping he hadn't already begun planning their annual scheme. Every year things got more dangerous, and she just wished the Ministry could take care of Voldemort and the Death Eaters for a while. Though knowing their track record, that seemed unlikely.

"Harry? Is everything alright?"

Harry shook his head slightly, "I just know he's up to something. Something's been off about him all year".

"Well, for one, we're not too far into the year yet. And maybe it's just that he's out of sorts because of last year, and what happened to his father."

Harry turned his glare to Hermione, "You were with us at Borgin and Burkes! We know something happened there. He's definitely up to something. I just don't know what yet."

The day continued like this, and Hermione was glad when Transfiguration was over and she could leave Harry and Ron for the library. Quidditch tryouts were next week, and Ron had been practicing with Harry in hopes of becoming Gryffindor keeper. For some reason, they believed they would get all their studying done after practice, despite Hermione's opposition.

This was fine with her though, finally some peace and quiet. Only books, distant whispers, and the smell of parchment surrounding her.

Upon entering the library, she headed straight for the back near the section on Medical Oddities, where there was a nice medium-sized, and usually empty, oak table.

Turning past one of the shelves, she heard rustling. Out of mild curiosity, she peered through the books, just above eye level, and saw the back of someone's head on the other side. She immediately knew who it was. No one else had that slick white-blonde hair.

Turning her gaze back in front of her, Hermione stood there biting her lip and contemplating her next decision. She had just come here to study, and if she was lucky, for a bit of light reading. But this might be the only time she had to speak with him before they were on patrol together in about a week. Harry would certainly want her to dig for information, even if there was nothing to be found.

She closed her eyes and sighed, the worst-case scenario I get moved higher up on his 'mudbloods to kill' list, best-case scenario, he gives away his plans without realizing it, and I still have enough time to work.

She opened her eyes and decided, That's it then, and began around the bookshelf.

But he wasn't there. Confused, she scanned the surrounding area. Nothing. Half disappointed and half relieved, she continued back to her table. And there sat none other than Draco Malfoy engrossed in a textbook.

Hermione grimaced, this is less than ideal, but I guess I can always just go back to the Gryffindor common room to study. She sighed again, for what felt like the hundredth time that day, and walked over to him.

He looked up, a mixture of confusion, suspicion, and mild disgust played across his face.

"What do you want?" it sounded more like an accusation than a question.

With some difficulty, she pushed down her pride and her already rising desire to huff and storm off, beginning, "We're both having problems in potions, I thought if we, being the top students, worked together, we could surely help each other."

Malfoy scoffed, his face becoming more outright disgusted.

Her frustration boiling over, she burst out, "You know, you may be apathetic towards everyone, and not care whether this school and everything it stands for will fall, and-" she scoffed, "seemingly would be fine if the world ended today, but most people don't think that way. I, for one, cannot think that way. I'm going to try to constantly do my best and prove people like you and Parkinson, and whoever else doubts my abilities, wrong."

Malfoy looked startled but remained silent.

Hermione relaxed her hands that had been balled in fists before continuing more calmly, "I just want to do well. And I assumed you might too. Again, something I thought we could help each other with. Because I try to give people the benefit of the doubt"

Malfoy cleared his throat, clearly a bit unsettled. Hermione herself was surprised at her outburst but glad to have finally said some of the thoughts that had been plaguing her mind to one of the very people who had caused so much of her turmoil.

But as neither of them said a word, she decided hope was lost.

"Alright, we'll both just fail our newts then," she said, turning sharply, nails dug into her hands from embarrassment at the entire situation, and walked off.

"Wait" she heard the begrudging voice behind her. Turning again, she saw Malfoy, hand gripping the side of his head, clearly frustrated.

It was Hermione's turn to raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to say something.

He groaned a bit before continuing painfully, "You're… right. If I- I can't fail potions."

Hermione forced a smile and walked back. She set her bag down across the table from Malfoy and began to take out some books.

"Just really- don't breathe a word of this to anyone" he muttered.

"Of course not. You're not the only one with a reputation to protect" she responded with mild snark.

Hermione sat down, already thinking of their potions assignments and how to integrate some more probing questions into the discussion when Malfoy said, "Obviously I don't want that."

"What?" she replied, caught off guard.

"All those things you said that could happen to people, and the school. I'm not apathetic. Obviously, I don't want those things to happen."

Grimacing slightly in suspicion Hermione said, "Then why do you act the way you do?."

Immediately he retorted, "That's none of your business."

After a couple of seconds of silence, he continued, "We all just have our parts to play. That's all."

Hermione wondered what he could mean by that suspiciously ambiguous comment, but felt a touch of guilt too. It seemed he was truly struggling with something. She decided that was quite enough arguing for the day. So from that point on, they just worked on their potions essays. They would quietly exchange books or help when necessary, and in all Hermione was able to complete the section she was working on likely a full hour earlier than she would have otherwise.

Of course the entire time they listened intently to the sound of the library, making sure no one could stumble upon the unlikely partnership.

One time they thought someone was walking around the corner but it turned out to be the portrait of Emeric Switch. He had decided to stroll about in a nearby painting of some potted hydrangeas, square in the center of a lavish living room.

Hermione made him promise not to say anything, and he replied simply, "My dear, I have no one with whom I wish to speak at all, let alone to gossip about the lives of children."

When Harry and Ron finally returned to the Common room, she helped Harry do a bit of his essay, while Ron, Ginny, and Neville sat on the sofa and chatted about something or other.

It had certainly been stressful but all in all, not a bad day.