"So, how exactly are we to go about studying and answering the question and whatnot..?" Draco asked the next morning.

"We should study each other, as well another pair of students, one muggleborn and one pureblood who have about the same skill level. That way it can be fair." Hermione suggested.

"If they're the same skill level, then there's no point. That'd be like watching us two again."

"Hah!" Hermione burst out, grinning madly. "You just admitted that I'm just as good as you are!"

"Oh shove off." Draco grumbled. "In magic and spells, perhaps we are. In social skills and upbringing, not so much."

"Look, the point is, you said it. No need to look all embarrassed. You've probably thought so from the beginning haven't you? Just would never admit it?" She asked nosily. He looked furious. "Ah. Fifty five, it is." She added, doing a brilliant impression of his signature smirk.

"Ah, and you've taken quite a liking to my smirk, I see." He put in, attempting to get points. He was right, of course. She had, unfortunately, found it rather attractive as the years went on. "Fifty five for me as well, then." He said, catching her moment of shock and the blush that stained her cheeks.

"In that case," Hermione said, attempting to revert back to the earlier conversation, "We'll draw names at random of the muggle borns and purebloods who consent to being part of our observation and study."

"Nice vocabulary. Look words up in your extra time?" He teased.

"Of course not!" She answered, too quickly. Mentally slapping herself, she scowled as he added his extra five percent. She needed to become better at observing him. Good thing, then, that this project would let her do just that.

"Agreed." He said, in response to her suggestion. "I'll get a list of purebloods interested, if you get muggleborns."

Rolling her eyes, Hermione agreed. He was so stubborn. "Very well, let's meet for our study period in-"

"The library." He supplied. "Surprise surprise. Sixty five."

Later that day, Hermione had a list of about ten muggle borns who would let the partners use them for their tests. She had been sitting in the library for a good twenty minutes, reading Hogwarts: A History before he ambled in, not minding his lateness. In his hand, he held a crumpled piece of paper with names on it. It was much longer than hers.

"What did you do, threaten them?" She asked, surprised at his list. No one in Slytherin would have complied, but she noticed they were all named. Glancing at him, she saw him confused but guilty expression. "You're horrible at hiding things. You look far too smug to have just given me five percent, you know." He frowned, but sat down next to her anyway.

"Let's just get on with this." He muttered irritably.

Hermione pulled out her wand, and wordlessly flicked it at the paper. It tore itself into pieces between each name, and lifted all the pieces into a bag she'd brought along. "Care to do the honors?" She asked, holding the bag open to him, figuring he'd want to choose the pureblood in on the project.

"Nah, you should." He shrugged. "We should trade so it's more 'fair' or whatever you'd call it." He added, using air quotes.

"Fifty-five." She murmured, reaching inside the bag.

"Who'd have guessed good-two-shoes Granger would willingly deduct points when I didn't know?" He asked sarcastically.

"Next time, I'll just add points then, ferret." She snapped, her head whipping up so she could meet his eyes. "You don't seem too interested in the flying idea. Oh, and look, your half of the punishment walks this way right now." She said, looking over his shoulder. Pansy was bounding over, looking a bit too much like the pug everyone called her, what with her odd puppy-like energy she currently possessed.

"Drakie!" Pansy cried shrilly, causing Madame Pince to lean around one of the shelves and hiss at her to be quiet. Pansy just rolled her eyes, however, and sat herself down on Draco's lap.

"Damn it all, Parkinson. I'm working here. Shoo!" He said, flailing his arms fruitlessly.

"But Drakie, why would you work with this Mudblood?" She asked, obviously failing to note the project announcement for Malfoy and Hermione.

"I'm right here, pug-face." Hermione pointed out.

Pouting, Pansy turned back to Draco saying, "Drakie, make her be nice."

"Merlin, Pansy. I swear, if you don't let me be, I'll hex you." He said angrily. "Now… be gone!"

"Fine." She replied stiffly, standing up. "I'll see you at dinner."

"Well, I can see why you want rid of her. There's just one thing I don't get.." Hermione said, tilting her head to the side as she watched Pansy leave the library. She could've sworn she heard Madame Pince say some sort of thanks to Merlin as the door closed.

"What's that?" He asked absently, tearing up the list of Muggleborn names so he could draw one.

"Why on Earth would she want you?" She asked, completely seriously. Seeing his injured expression, she laughed aloud.

A/N: Sorry it's so short. I'm on a tight schedule, but y'all asked for an update, so here you go! Love you (and reviews ;) ) lots! -Mitchie