I hope you enjoy this chapter! I apologize in advance for any mistakes or spelling errors in this chapter/story. I am sorry that this update took so long; thank you to everyone who reviewed. It brightens my day when I read them.

Anyway on with the story! Enjoy!


Hermione walked into the Great Hall and immediately took a seat next to Harry and Ron. It became rather apparent that they were both having a heated debate about quidditch. Which really wasn't very unusual, both boys very huge fans of the sport and were even players for the house team.

"Hey Mione, how was your first study session with Malfoy?" Harry inquired.

"It was okay, it could have been a lot worse. What about you and Parvati."

"Good, we're meeting again tonight" He replied simply.

"Malfoy didn't try anything did he?" Ron asked abruptly.

"No, he was just the same jerk he's always been" Hermione replied plainly.

"Well if he does then you just tell me and Ill. . . . "

"Ron, I can take care of myself okay." Hermione replied firmly. She was certainly capable of looking after herself. Especially when it came to people such as Draco Malfoy.

"But Mione. . ." Ron moaned.

"I'll be fine, anyway how are things going with Pansy?" Hermione questioned, pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice.

Ron groaned and buried his head in his hands.

"That bad." She asked.

"That woman is awful; I don't know how Malfoy puts up with her. She screams like a bloody banshee." He complained, it was obvious that Ron was upset over his partnership with Pansy Parkinson. But who could blame him?

"Got a strong arm too, eh Ron" Snickered Harry, nudging his friend in the side with his elbow.

"What?" Hermione asked, her entire face instantly creased in confusion and puzzlement.

"Ron didn't tell you?" Asked a very flabbergasted Harry.

"Tell me what?"

"There's nothing to tell." Ron cried quickly, obviously embarrassed about the current topic that was being discussed.

"Pansy punched him." Harry exclaimed.

"What? When?"

"Yesterday. Remember how they were arguing?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"Well Ron sort of made a comment about her appearance and well . . . she punched him. Actually she broke his nose, he had to go to the infirmary and see Madame Pomfrey."

Hermione laughed on hearing this and nearly chocked on her drink in the process.

"Shut up its not funny. It's bad enough I got hit by a girl, its even worse that it caused me to get detention with Snape tonight" He muttered, running a hand through his usually neat red hair.

"What are you going to do about patrolling tonight? Aren't you scheduled to do it with Blaise Zabini?" She asked curiously.

"Shit! I completely forgot. Hermione could you do it for me?"

"Ron you know I would but I have to study with Malfoy tonight."

"Come on Hermione, please! You can meet up with that ferret another time." Begged Ron.

"No. I have plans."

"Fine I'll ask Harry to fill in for me." He replied stubbornly.

"But he's not a prefect and you will both get into trouble." Hermione snapped.

"Then there's no one else but you, Please." Ron pleaded.

"Ron, I can't."

"Fine, I'll find someone else to do it then." He mumbled angrily.

Hermione groaned in frustration and said the three little words she knew Ron wanted to hear.

"I'll do it."

His head instantly shot up when he heard Hermione's words, a huge smile gracing his features.

"What? You will?"

"Yeah, I can meet up with Malfoy another time." Hermione replied rather hesitantly. She really didn't want to do patrol duty tonight, she had homework to finish and she desperately needed Malfoy's help on a arithmancy assignment. Not that she would ever admit to needing help. But she knew if she didn't do patrol duty for Ron that she would feel awful for the rest of the day. The worst part was that she would have to speak to Malfoy again so that they could organize another time to get together.

"Thanks Mione, I owe you one." Ron replied happily before picking up his fork and finishing his breakfast.


"Hey Draco wait up."

Draco quickly turned around at the sound of his name. He could see Blaise running towards him, waving his arms about in a frantic attempt to get his attention.

"Draco, I need you to do me a favour." Blaise asked breathlessly.

"Hello to you to Zabini." Draco replied sarcastically.

"Whatever, can you?"

"What kind of favour Blaise?" Draco asked.

"I need you to do patrol duty for me tonight."

"Why? I thought you were doing it with Weasley." Draco retorted.

"Yeah I am, but I have plans if you know what I mean." Blaise replied indicating towards a pretty blonde girl across the hall. He caught her gaze and winked at her; she turned bright red and smiled at him in return. Draco immediately knew what "Plans" Blaise had for the evening and he couldn't blame him for wanting to skip patrol duty.

"Sorry Zabini, can't. I have to meet Granger tonight." Smirked Draco, just because Blaise had "plans" didn't mean he would cancel his study "date" with Hermione. He had been looking forward to it the entire day.

"Come on Draco, you can study with Granger anytime."

"Blaise I can't okay!" Draco replied in a huff.

"Please! Come on how many times have I done shit like this for you."

Draco groaned and nodded reluctantly. Blaise had always been there for him and if he didn't do this he knew Blaise would hold it against him for the rest of his life.

He was pretty pissed that he would have to cancel his date with Hermione but he would just have to get together with her tomorrow night instead.

"Thanks mate, don't worry all you have to do is meet Weasley at the entrance of the Great Hall tonight at nine."


At lunch that day Draco planned to tell Hermione that he couldn't make their study session that evening. Unfortunately he was unable to find her, he searched everywhere the library, the kitchens and in classrooms. Draco even asked Harry and Ron if they knew where she was. Ron immediately accused Draco of being up to something.

"Stay the hell away from Hermione Malfoy." Ron threatened whipping out his wand.

"With pleasure Weasley, there's no way in hell I would touch a filthy mudblood like her."

"Take that back Malfoy!" Harry ordered.

"Or what Potter? You'll hex me into oblivion. Just tell Granger that fortunately I will not be able to make our little meeting tonight." With that he turned on his heel and left.


"Who does that bloody git think he is?" Ron demanded on entering the Gryffindor common room.

"It just makes you sick doesn't it?" Harry replied.

"What are you two on about?" Asked a familiar voice.

Looking up Ron and Harry saw Hermione sitting on a red armchair in the middle of the common room surrounded by various books and scrolls.

"Malfoy, that bloody git is so full of it." Ron replied angrily.

Rolling her eyes Hermione directed her attention back to the book she was reading.

"By the way Mione, Malfoy said he won't be able to make it to your study session tonight" Said Harry sitting down on a sofa opposite her.

Hermione's head instantaneously shot up and met Harry's gaze.

"He said he couldn't make it? Did he say why?"

Harry shook his head in reply and then asked "You don't think he's up to anything do you?"

"Harry we are not doing this again. Every time something happens we always jump to conclusions." Hermione scolded.

"Yeah you're right. He probably just had something else to do." Harry muttered.

Turning to Ron he asked "Do you wanna play a game of chess?"

Ron nodded in reply and walked upstairs to retrieve his chess set. When Ron returned the two boys began to play and Harry soon forgot the conversation he and Hermione previously had.

While they played and talked Hermione couldn't help but wonder whether or not Harry was right, and that Draco Malfoy could possibly be up to something. She didn't know what it could be but she had her suspicions. She quickly pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind and continued reading. There was nothing to worry about she was just being paranoid.


Well another chapter done. I'm sorry for not updating sooner, I did write this chapter a week or so ago but my computer got a virus and it had to be defragged and all sorts so I lost all my work. I know some of you were looking forward to Draco and Hermione in the Room of Requirements, I'm really sorry I didn't write about it this chapter but they will go there eventually.

On a last note I just brought Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. I've finished reading the novel on the 16th. The same day it was released and it took me six hours! J.K. Rowling really has out done herself this time, fabulous read. Even though I loved the book I thought it lacked something but I'm not sure what. I was completely lost for words when I finished it and was in complete shock. I urge everyone to go buy a copy of Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince! Events that occur in the novel may conflict with my story.

Anyway Review, Review and Review!