Disclaimer: Draco Malfoy Owns. Fact. So obviously I can't own him…or any other part of this story!

This chapter has some action sequences in it…I really want to know if I made it clear what is happening, since I've never really written a scene like that before! So…Please R&R!

On the topic of Reviews… so many great ones for the last chappie! Thanks to:

ygirl: Thank you!! I'm glad you like the dialogue…I wasn't sure how it turned out! And, well, I guess I'd put the next chappie up if u sent six reviews! It means a lot that you like the story that much:D

Amber1993: Thank you for reviewing! Here's the update…

Zizibona: Yay! Thank you for saying it's interesting!

HP. loser .freak: I'm glad you like it! And yeah… it definitely is difficult to start something new!

MilkMustache: thank you so much for saying it's going at a good pace! This chapter has more Dramione interaction in it. Of course, I'd love it if you did review every chappie:D

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"Talking"

Thinking (or a letter or dreaming)

…

Hermione sat behind the counter at Flourish and Blotts, a dusty shaft of sunlight streaming through the window onto the open book in her lap.

She stifled a yawn as the doorbell jingled, and a tall man walked in. Brushing invisible specks from her jeans, and she stood up to greet the customer, closing her book and placing it neatly on the counter.

"Can I help you sir?" she asked politely.

The man took a step closer, and she recognized him. In her head, she screamed in frustration. Why do I keep running into this man?!? Literally, sometimes…

"Granger. Shacklebolt told me I might find you here." Hermione gave a curt nod, and he continued."What are you reading?"

"Nothing at all!" she cried, lunging for the book. Unfortunately, his seeker reflexes came in handy: he reached the hefty volume first. Why does he keep stalking what I'm reading???

"Quidditch Through The Ages? What is with you and Quidditch, Granger?" he smirked at her infuriatingly.

"Harry recommended it, said I should read it," she lied stiffly.

"Potter indeed. You make quite the effort to please your little friends."

"Well, with true friends you support them and show interest in what they like! But I suppose you wouldn't know."

"My friends like all the same things as me."

"That's why you're a boring, stuck up, selfish person! But why do you care what I read?"

"I don't," Malfoy drawled. "You're simply too much fun to tease, Granger."

Hermione sighed. She still had a headache (although her concussion had been more than 24 hours ago), and Malfoy's presence certainly wasn't helping.

"Why did Kingsley send you, anyway?"

"He wanted me to bring you your schedule for training. We have a combat class today at 6."

Malfoy handed Hermione her new schedule. With that, he turned on his heel, silver cloak billowing, and swept out of the shop. With a flourish, he held the door for a tall, pretty blond girl who giggled and batted her eyelashes at him.

Stupid ferret. Thinks he's so handsome and charming. Why couldn't he just tell me why he came strait off, anyway? She thought angrily, as she observed his ridiculous antics.

…

Hermione arrived at auror training at 6 o'clock sharp, dressed in leggings which accentuated her long, slim legs and a violet Weasley sweater.

The paper Draco had given her told her when and what her lessons were:

Monday, 6 pm: advanced combat classes

Tuesday, 6 pm: advanced combat classes

Wednesday: no scheduled courses

Thursday, 6 pm: advanced combat classes

Friday: advanced stealth and spying

Saturday, 12 noon: weekly auror meeting, evaluation, required dueling and magic practice

Sunday: no scheduled courses

Aurors please note: You may chose not to attend one class per month if you must make an engagement. Please be sure to chose the same day as your partner not to attend, and not miss the same lesson multiple times. Sincerely, the Auror Department.

Today (Monday) she had her first combat class. She had to admit, she was he was excited. It's almost like being back at Hogwarts! She thought happily. But I get to skiv off every now and then! Freedom from the ferret!

She and Malfoy had signed up for combat and stealth, as they'd agreed.

The classes went on for two months: after that, they would be given a practical test. Each pair would have to take classes where they struggled during the test, or progress to new courses.

Walking purposefully towards the elevator, Hermione spotted Neville and Padma.

"Hey Hermione!" Nevilled called, striding towards her. "You here for classes?"

"Yep. Advanced Combat with the ferret."

"Aw, too bad, we're in Advanced Applications of Divination," Neville responded. Hermione thought she saw a hint of a frown on his handsome face. I guess Padma picked that one! She thought, coughing to disguise her snort.

After checking in at the Auror department, Hermione parted ways with Neville and Padma, heading down to the first floor, where her combat class would take place.

Entering a large, open arena, she noted a tall man with dark, flashing eyes and a bright smile standing in the center of the room.

"Ms. Granger!" He called enthusiastically. He turned back to the rest of the class, and counted. "Good. Everyone is here."

Hermione was shocked: besides Draco, only four people stood in the room. Blaise was chatting with Draco, while Luna talked to Hester. Oliver stood back a few feet, looking a bit lost. Hermione smiled at him. Hmm… everyone in this class is from our newby group! she realized.

"My name is Auror Fultur. Today, we will be working on man-to-man wandless combat. You know most of the basics from your preliminary training. Please place padding enchantments on your hands and feet, but still don't aim to hurt: no injuries, please. I want to see where all of you are, and I will be coaching you," the teacher continued.

Hermione glanced at Malfoy with a steely glint in her usually warm brown eyes. He's going down!

Malfoy returned her look with a sneer.

"Alright, find your partners, you should know who they are!" Auror Fultur barked with friendly vigor.

Malfoy strutted over to Hermione, stripping his sweatshirt off. He was baggy grey sweatpants with a tight, white beater.

Whoa! Hermione thought. I so didn't need to see that! He's paler than the Bloody Baron! All the same, she grudgingly admitted he had a nice body. His top showed off his leaned but well-muscled arms, and she could see his toned chest and six pack abs through the thin shirt.

Hermione pulled her sweater over he head and straightened the navy blue, tight-fitting workout top she wore underneath. Glancing up at her 'opponent,' Hermione noticed how tall Malfoy was. He must be 6' 4"! This really isn't fair!

But Hermione wasn't one to give up. They both murmured the padding charms required, before facing off.

Bouncing on the balls of their feet, she and Malfoy circled. Malfoy feinted a punch to her left side, before going for her right. She saw through his plan and dodged, bending and spinning with one leg extended. Her ankle caught Malfoy's, and he stumbled but managed to catch his balance.

"That was for snooping, and being a general prat," Hermione hissed malevolently.

Malfoy growled, and aimed a chop at her head just as Hermione sprung into the air with a kicked. Her leg hit his arm: Malfoy braced himself and took the impact, while Hermione twisted in the air and landed lightly on her feet, agile as a cat. Crouching, Hermione aimed another kick, this time where it would hurt most.

Malfoy bent double, groaning in pain.

"That was for calling me Mudblood," she spat, pleased.

They circled again. Malfoy lunged forward swiftly, jumping and kicking her in the shoulder.

Ouch! That'll bruise tomorrow! Hermione realized. Hiding all signs of pain, Hermione blocked his next punch. She buffeted Malfoy full in the face as he crouched low for a kick-spin: he toppled to the ground.

"That was for all the times you've dissed my friends," she said. Then, with one swift chop, she tackled him, and pinned him with her foot.

"But on the other hand, we really should be nicer to each other. These training sessions are supposed to be bonding experiences! So let's not argue any more, shall we Malfoy?" She finished, smiling sweetly. Malfoy glowered stormily. He'd been royally owned. He opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by Auror Fultur.

"A little less talking, you two!" He reprimanded them. "But lovely pin, Ms. Granger!"

…

Over the next two hours, Malfoy didn't get his revenge: despite his obvious fitness and agility, he only pinned Hermione twice.

I got him first, and many many times after that! Hermione thought happily, albeit smugly, as gathered her belongings. Time for a nice shower and a warm bed!

As Hermione reached the apparition point, she heard footsteps echoing in the otherwise deserted hall behind her. Spinning around, she spotted Malfoy.

"Good lesson, eh, Malfoy?" She couldn't help but taunt. Well, he would taunt me if I stunk! she justified herself, feeling a twinge of guilt. It had to be a bit embarrassing: being pinned by a female a good bit smaller than you, on your first day of lessons, in front of two fellow male aurors-in-training who had no problems beating their partners.

"Don't be so cocky, Bushybrain," Malfoy sneered. "I don't like knocking girls out, but I'll bring it on next time."

Hermione snorted.

"Don't feel bad: it's not your fault you were brought up to be a wand-reliant wussy."

"I am not a wussy. I'm a charming gentleman!" Malfoyed argued, frowning stormily. "I don't hit girls."

"You hit me an awful lot today, and didn't mind, but it didn't do you much good!" Hermione pointed out, massaging her shoulder ruefully. "But I suppose you don't have any experience with hand-to-hand combat."

Malfoy snorted.

"And you, the frizzy-headed bookworm, do?"

"I've taken martial arts summer-camp since I was seven."

"Martial arts? What kind of muggle crap is that?"

"Well, you may call it crap, it did me a lot of good," Hermione retorted. "It's a form of self-defense. And attack."

"You're simply a lucky mud-- muggleborn beaver." Malfoy stated venomously. But he didn't call me mudblood! Hermione realized. If he wasn't such a selfish prat and sore loser (and he called me a beaver!) I'd be touched!

"No, I've learned advanced non-magic techniques to predict my opponents next move, then use my opponents weight against them and while putting my own agility to its best advantage."

A sly smile spread across Malfoy's flushed face.

"Looks like I've learned your secret to fighting, Granger," Malfoy stated smugly. "Just another series of bookish tricks. I should've known."

If I know a thing about Malfoy, he won't be able to bear losing, and will find someone to teach him how to counteract my techniques as much as possible! Hermione realized. Crap! Now it'll be much harder to beat him…

Suddenly, the future didn't look so bright for Hermione. It looked… painful.

…

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