Chapter 41

The next few days were awkward for both Hermione and Draco. Since the incident, neither had tried to talk to each other. Not that this seemed odd to anybody but themselves, Ginny and Blaise as they never usually sparked conversation before.

What was turning a few heads and causing a few raised eyebrows was the fact that even when Draco would accidentally bump into anybody he would say sorry. Not only that but once he was on his way to Charms class when Harry had ran right into him. Draco had apologised and stepped aside to continue walking.

Harry had just frozen and so had a few people surrounding them. That had caused a few murmurs and whispers but Draco had ignored them due to the fact that people could assume all they wanted but nobody would ever come close to guessing what he was going through.

Hermione had been using every excuse she could grasp at to get away from her friends. Ron and Harry swallowed them all without a second thought but Ginny knew that Hermione was purposefully trying to steer clear from them. From everybody actually.

Hermione had also gained a habit of snapping at people and having second to no patience with anybody. Since she knew she was way ahead of everybody anyway, she also rarely ever listened in class and hadn't put her hand up once to answer a question.

One in Potions, Snape had asked her a question and had had to say it twice as Hermione had been staring at the floor with a bored expression on her face.

"Miss Granger," Snape said for the second time with irritation clear in his tone. "I asked you to smell this potion," He gestured at a bubbling cauldron. "And tell me what was wrong with it."

Hermione did an over dramatic sigh, which the class heard and grudgingly made her way to the front of the class. Since she had been sitting in the back, practically every eye in the room had swiveled their eyes to her seat and were now following her with them, not wanting to miss it. It was clear as day that Hermione had been in rather a bad mood for a while but nobody had been brave enough to ask her about it or point it out.

Hermione smelled it and grimaced, the stench was awful.

"Well, Miss Granger?" Snape asked, more irritated than ever now.

"Could use some ketchup." The class gaped at her and Snape felt his mouth twitch ever so slightly. He coughed and raised his eyebrow. "Oh, I'm sorry. I meant mayo. You cannot possibly think of giving this to anybody without mayo. God, and to think I considered you one of the more sane teachers in this school."

There was an eerie silence before it was split with laughter. Everybody turned towards the source of the noise and were surprised to see Draco Malfoy clutching his stomach and laughing. Not the smug laugh that they were used to hearing but a genuine laugh. He was grinning too. Nobody had ever seen Draco Malfoy grin. Nor had they heard him laugh like he was currently doing so. Everybody stayed frozen in their seats until more people joined in with the laughter.

Hermione smirked to herself and stuck her hands in her trouser pockets. Ron, Harry and Snape were the only people in the room not laughing. Ron and Harry were grinning up until the point where she smirked. Even Professor Snape had to blink a few times. He had only seen that exact smirk on one other person, Draco.

Ron and Harry also noticed the similarities between the two's smirks. Although, Draco was still grinning and laughing, Harry caught him look up at Hermione and wink. He also noticed Hermione wink in return.

Harry did a double take. Wait, what? It couldn't be...could it? Could his 'Mione be trying to stay away from him and Ron to hang out with Malfoy!? He almost laughed at the idea but stopped himself. It made sense…

Hermione avoiding both he and Ron at all costs. Hermione using any excuse that was presented before her. Hermione always saying she was going to the library but then turning and walking in a different direction. Her sudden mean attitude towards others. Her snappish replies. Her skiving off class and when in class, not paying attention. Her smirk. Her knowledge of how to make Malfoy laugh. The winking. It all added up.

Snape and Ron were still staring at Hermione as though she had just sprouted a unicorn horn and elephant ears but Harry could tell that neither of them had seen the small exchange between the two students. Harry vowed to question Hermione later.

"Silence, otherwise detention for everybody for three months."Snape yelled over the noise and suddenly, the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. "Thirty points from Gryffindor for your cheek, Miss Granger and detention for three weeks."

All of the class saw Hermione roll her eyes and had to stifle a gasp, though they did exchange glances with one another. This was the bookworm, know-it-all, Golden Girl Hermione Granger! To say that they were shocked at her behaviour towards a teacher would be the largest understatement of the century.

What was on everybody's minds as Hermione trudged back into her seat and sat down, slouching and crossing her arms, glaring at all those who looked at her, what was wrong with Hermione Granger?

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