Draco Malfoy knew it was a bad idea.

He had told himself it was a bad idea.

He was, blast his head to smithereens, apparently going to do it anyway.

The library was a bookish place, filled with the scent of dust, and old, nearly decaying books. Which, in some strange way, was why he liked it. But he wasn't here for the giant treasure trove of knowledge. No, not today. Today, he was unsettled, nearly agitated. And that was why he was gliding, smoothly through the stacks.

Granger had stood up just minutes ago, and had not quite gotten back to her seat just yet.

Which, while it wasn't planned on his part, was certainly convenient.

When he came on her, trying to pull yet another book into her already stacked arms (her breasts tantalizingly above the books), Draco Malfoy smirked.

"Granger, what a surprise." Turning, he looked at the books. Wizarding Law. "Here I'd have thought you'd be compulsively working on schoolwork, not on extra credit."

"It's hardly extra credit to be working to free an entire race," Hermione Granger said primly.

"Of course not," Draco mocked with a wry chuckle, "But you'll need something harder than Wizarding Law if you expect them to listen."

"I don't know why I even bother listening to you..." Granger said, moving to step by him.

"Why, I suppose it's my sparkling wit and charming personality." Malfoy said, his voice the epitome of sincerity.

Granger looked at him askance, and then replied, "That's what Pansy said, wasn't it?"

"I wouldn't know," Draco Malfoy responded, looking down at his knuckles. "I never listen to her anyway."

"Cad," Granger spat back.

"Filthy mudblood," Draco responded, saying, "But I repeat myself. It must really chafe your hide to be so green, doesn't it?"

"Green?" Granger said, her eyes nearly disappearing under her aggravated frown, trying to figure out exactly what Draco was getting at.

"Green as envy, jealousy - and just like a greenhorn."

"Why'd I ever possibly be jealous of you?" Granger spat back, her honest curiosity glinting in her eyes, suffused with anger.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because I know more than you ever will about this Wizarding world." Draco Malfoy said with a smirk, "And you're going to need what I know if you don't fancy breaking heads for a living."

"Why would you ever possibly think that?"

"Well, you do want to free the house elves. They're remarkably thick skulled. I bet you could manage to whack each on the head twice before they go unconscious."

Hermione turned, stomping off. "But," Malfoy continued, appreciating the curiousity that made her pause, and cautiously turn about, "If you don't want to hurt them, well, that's the realm of politics."

Hermione looked at him, up and down, "So?"

"Slytherins are the undisputed masters of politics. And if you ask a Slytherin, ask any Slytherin, you'll find my father at the top of the list." Draco Malfoy said smugly, and with more than a bit of pride.

"As if I would ever deign to ask you or your father for help." Hermione said, turning away.

"And that's why you're destined to fail." Draco Malfoy said, in a singsong voice, knowing that would get under her skin.

"I won't fail." Hermione Granger said, turning back.

"Maybe. Try picking up a hammer, it might help with your quest" The emphasis Draco put on the last word was ample evidence of his ridicule.

"Violence is never the answer." Hermione Granger shot back primly, and then turned and walked away, Draco Malfoy's dark chuckle following on her heels.

[a/n: Brick has been set. Reviews?]