Chapter 5:
Over the next few days, little progress was made during potions. Draco and Hermione finished their daily work quickly and without difficulty, while the rest of the class had a different experience entirely. In fact, after a week, Hermione was still the only person that new what the potion was. Monday morning, exactly a week after the seventh years started their potions project, they found out what they would be doing.
"The potion we have been working week is called the Ahuv Potion," said Snape while writing on the blackboard. Looks of realization filled the faces of many students. One of them was Draco Malfoy, who suddenly understood the outburst his partner had made a week earlier (wrapped up in thought, the insult made at the same time was overlooked).
"It is one of the strongest love potions known to the Wizarding World." Now all the previously blank faces were filled with the same look as those who understood before them.
Once he was sure his words had sunk in, Snape continued. "Now that you have all written down and prepared your ingredients, I would like each of you to open up your books to page 462, and follow the directions precisely."
"Malfoy,please measure the dried lacewing beetles." Hermione took the lead mostly because she didn't trust Malfoy, but also because she knew he would hate being told what to do.
"Yes Ma'am!" he replied mockingly. Although Hermione wished her pertner would minimize the drama, at least he was being agreeable. "Anything else Your Highness?" hissed Draco. So much for cooperation. It was just a stupid act.
"Malfoy, can we please just work?"
"Since when were you in charge Mudblood? Snape might have paired us up to punish me for something but that doesn't mean you're in charge. If we're stuck working together, we're doing it my way!" Not in the mood to argue, Hermione agreed to let him take the lead. Surprizingly, he was almost as good at potions as she was.
After completing the first three steps of the potion (three times the amount of work due that day), they were still the first group done giving them plenty of time to spare. Hermione was one to learn from her mistakes, so she kept to herself until just before the end of class. When there were only five minutes left of class, she started a conversation.
"Malfoy?"
Surprized that Granger actually dared to talk to him, he raized his head and glared at her. "What do you want Mudblood!"
"Well, I know your going to think this is a stupid idea but I'd like to call a truce. As much as I dislike you, I find it extremely difficult to accomplish anything when we can't stop insulting each other long enough to have a civilized conversation."
"Fine."
"It will only be for during Potions but- Wait, did you just agree with me?" Hermione thought that it was going to be a lot harder than that.
"Yes. I did. Let's call a truce. I promise to act civilized during Potions, but only during Potions."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," replied Hermione, who still couldn't believe Malfoy had agreed so quickly.
"Fine then. See you tomorrow in class Mud- I mean Granger." The bell rang, and Malfoy left without a backwards glance.
