(This is first fanfic and I hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. The chapters are short, and the storyline isn't brilliant but it is okay for a first attempt I suppose.

I don't own the characters; they belong to JK Rowling and her fabulous imagination. The plotline is mine though, unfortunately.)

Chapter 4

After Hermione had finished her dinner she'd fallen straight back to sleep again. She didn't wake when Parvati and Lavender returned or when the other two occupants came to bed either. She slept deeply and awoke hours later, when the morning sunshine streamed in through the open window onto her face. Hermione yawned and stretched, pulling the covers of her fully-clothed body. She got out of bed and looked at her room-mates who were still asleep. She looked at her clock. No wonder they were asleep, it was very early. Hermione walked over to their en-suite bathroom, the soles of her feet padding along the soft carpet. She locked the door and proceeded to shower, clean her teeth and get dressed in a new set of robes. She left her old ones out for the house-elves to collect and clean, ashamed she was using them for such a task.

Then Hermione left the dormitory and walked down the stairs into the common room. No-one else was awake on this fine Tuesday morning. She walked to the portrait and walked out. A thought had occurred to her. That book she'd borrowed on Sunday was due back today because it was a two-night loan, and she'd left it somewhere. Swearing to herself she went off in search of it, a good idea where it was.

She walked to the corridor where Professor Malfoy had bumped into her and where she'd last had the book, and she fully expected it to be there. She looked around, scanning the area completely, but it was not there. At first she thought that was odd, but then realised that someone must have picked it up sometime yesterday, so she decided to visit the library to see if someone had taken it there as it was a library book. Madam Pince was awake and working when Hermione entered the library.

"Ah, Hermione. I see you're back now your 'ban' has been lifted." Madam Pince remarked, smiling at her favourite student. Hermione nodded.

"Yes Irma." Hermione replied, seeing as she was on first name terms with Madam Pince. "Although it wasn't really a ban. I just was told to stay in my dormitory all day."

Madam Pince smiled.

"Well of course dear. Now….what is it I can help you with?" Irma asked.

"Ah yes. It's just; when I left here on Sunday night I took a library book with me. On the way to Gryffindor tower though, I lost it. Oh don't worry." Hermione said hastily as an expression she'd never seen on Irma's face before appeared. "I know it will turn up, I just came here to ask if someone has handed it in."

"Oh I'm not worried." Irma laughed, and Hermione realised the expression had been one of amusement. "That book was returned early Monday morning by Professor Malfoy. He picked it up on his way back to his own living quarters and he returned it swiftly, not wanting you to get into trouble. Quite a sweet man, when he wants to be."

Hermione rolled her eyes; not another Lucius Malfoy fan. Irma didn't notice it though.

"Well that's brilliant! I'll thank him later!" Hermione exclaimed, again pleased that Lucius Malfoy would do something so kind on her behalf. "Right now though" Hermione continued, "Could I take that book out again?" Hermione asked tentatively, wondering if the book might be refused to her because she lost it last time. Instead Irma smiled and took the book out from under her desk where it had been. She handed it over to Hermione who smiled warmly. "Thank you Irma. I'll bring it back on Thursday."

"Oh, don't worry Hermione. I know it's a 2-night loan, but just this once…let's make it 3. See you on Friday." Irma replied kindly, even though she knew Hermione would be here every day before then and that'd she'd probably have finished the book by tomorrow. Hermione smiled brightly at the librarian. She knew this extra night was a big-deal by Madam Pince standards, and that Irma would never permit this sort of lineage for any other student. Hermione thanked her again then left the library, heading toward the Dungeons so she could thank Professor Malfoy, her heart beating ever slightly more rapidly than normal.