The first day of class was going smooth, and for the most part everyone was still sitting with their respective house friends even though all classes had been integrated.

Draco was very much looking forward to heading up to the library for some quiet time to get started on the mound of work that had been allocated ahead of their N.E.W.T.S for the semester. Sitting towards the back of the potion's classroom, he looked around for Hermione wondering how eager she would be to get started on their study hours. In that moment he realized he wasn't quite sure what she even looked like; he had only known to spot her by her voice- usually answering questions in call.

"Good Afternoon Class!" Slughorn greeted them, with mumbled replies. "Welcome to Advanced Potions! Now I'm just going to dive in with you all, you're old enough to catch on. We're going to attempt the Draught of Living Death! Everyone grab your ingredients and- "

He was cut off by the screeching of a chair going back "Ah ah Granger" he wagged his finger at her. Draco leaned over to see her from behind the cauldron in front of him, tight dirty blonde curls bouncing about her head. "Not so fast. Everyone should be working with their partner given by Professor McGonagall, so get your partner and your ingredients and let's get going"

"Everyone got up and started to find their partners. As Draco approached Hermione, she did not move or look up from her textbook where she was writing on the margins of the potion. He didn't realize why he reached his hand out, but he put his hand on her shoulder as he said her name "Hermione."

"She jumped back clearly startled. "Sorry" she laughed it off "I was very focused."

"Draco cracked a small smile- rare for him Hermione noted. "Let's grab the ingredients."

"Draco stepped aside letting her walk ahead of him.

"So, we need wormwood…" Hermione looked around for it, Draco realizing it was on the top shelf reached above her head to grab it, allowing her to inspect it before moving on.

"powdered root of asphodel and sloth brain" Hermione grabbed both.

"I'll get the Sopophorous bean"

"make sure it has the darkest- "

"skin" Draco finished her sentence, showing her the proper bean.

"perfect" she stated, clearly impressed.

As they began to work together, Hermione was surprised at Malfoy's skill at the cauldron. She knew he was smart but kept low expectations of him- better than to be disappointed.

"Okay so we added the wormwood, asphodel, and sloth brain." Hermione checked off aloud to her partner.

"So, we just need to add the bean's juice." Draco noted, and reached for the knife at the same time as Hermione, their hands grazing each other before Draco pulled away. However, before Hermione went to cut the bean Draco stopped her "crush it, don't cut it".

"the directions say cut."

"trust me." Draco replies confidently.

So confidently that Hermione listens.

As their potion brews Hermione wipes the sweat off her brow. The room was very hot from all the cauldrons going at once, but Hermione noted that Draco looked unphased. All the other boys in the room had their sleeves rolled up, sweating as she was. He was very in his element, although he listened to Hermione's directions, he clearly didn't need them. Hermione didn't even notice how long she was staring at him until he coughed, and she looked away feeling her cheeks get beet red.

Slughorn came around checking everyone's cauldrons and was very surprised at how nearly perfect their potion was. "Seems like we have a good team over here in you two. Good job Granger, Malfoy."

As the class packed up, Hermione looked up at Draco "seems like you were right about crushing instead of cutting."

"I had some experience." Draco said off handed as he continued to pack up. Experience? In making a Draught of living death? Curious.

"So…" Draco continued "How do you want to work these study hours?"

"Well I'm normally in the library in the evening after dinner, or after class when we get out earlier. So, you're welcome to join me whenever. I'm sure we'll be fine."

"Brilliant. I was planning to go to the library tonight anyway, so I'll see you there Granger"

"There was a lot about Malfoy that raised the hair on the back of her neck, but also, he was slowly seeming not to be as she expected. Curiosity was getting the better of her.

"As the crowds poured into the great hall for dinner, Hermione was on the hunt to find the infamous chosen one. She caught up to him as he approached the Gryffindor table.

"Harry!"

"Hermione is everything okay?" he asked as she caught up to him.

"I just have something to talked to you… in private" She added noting Weasley being very nosy. "Meet me near the restricted section after dinner?"

He nodded and headed to join his buddies.

Hermione dumped her books at a table and ventured into the back on the library stacks, noting to pretend to look for something as she waited for Harry.

Being apart of the DA wasn't something she quite expected. Growing up she was taught to say out of the spotlight and anything "political" or "dangerous" as she was often a target, by bad people and the press. Unlike her brother, the heir and the infamous Slytherin quidditch player who was always in the limelight, Hermione tended to stay to the back, do things her own way, and generally be unproblematic. In fact, they were so different that most people, excluding a few one being harry, at Hogwarts although they know her brother do not even realize they are related let alone siblings. However, after the Tri-Wizards tournament, and the rise of Umbridge, Hermione knew that she had to get involved even if it was under the table and forced Harry to include her.

Harry slid down the aisle and checked that no one was in ear shot before he approached Hermione.

"Hermione."

"Harry." She said acknowledging him "I have a suspicion. Not sure if its creditable, but just wanted to see what you thought."

"Go on."

"So, I have a feeling that Malfoy has been initiated as a death eater, or if not is close."

"I have the same feeling. One day as his partner and you already think that? Why?"

"So today in potions, it was thousand degrees in the room, right? Every guy in the room had his sleeves rolled up right- except him. Which I know is just a basic suspicion, but he also made a comment about having made the Draught of Living Death before- like who makes that casually in their free time? And knows that it works?"

Harry nodded taking in what she said.

"am I crazy?"

"no not at all" Harry paused before continuing "Ron and I were in Diagon Alley a few days before school started, and we saw Malfoy clearly not wanting to be followed."

"and you followed him?"

"of course. He went down Knockturn Alley, which is sketchy in itself, and into Borgin and Burkes."

"Interesting, not a place you do light shopping."

"Exactly. Either way we need to keep an eye on him. Don't let him realize that you're onto him."

"Of course not." Hermione said exhaling a deep breath.

"Anyway, how was your summer? Didn't see you in the papers much."

"Thank god- I've been avoiding being seen in public, by either magical or muggle papers. Ever since rumors swirled that my brother was going to propose paparazzi has been everywhere."

"The new hair helps. Very Peyton in One Tree Hill of you" He said pointing to her curls.

The comment made her smile "See you later Potter."

As she headed out of the bookshelves, she noticed she had a friend sitting at her table. "Malfoy."

"Granger." He acknowledged her not looking up from his ancient ruins' homework. "Your secret boyfriend Potter put that smile on your face?"

"Huh?" she responded startled at his question.

"Potter." He said looking up "were you not just giggling back there with him?"

"Giggling is a strong word, and not my secret boyfriend. I have no boyfriends and definitely not any secret ones with dents in their heads" She said as she opened up her textbook to join him in getting ahead on their homework.

"Noted."