Hermione got a better sleep at Hogwarts than she had in years. She finally had a room to herself and not only did it have a double bed, she had her own desk and wardrobe instead of those drawers that crinkled her robes. Waking up bright and early she headed down the small hallway to the common room, deciding to write a list. A list of rules that would allow her to survive the next year without having to be admitted to St Mungo's mental ward. She smiled thinking of Malfoys reaction and scribbled down another condition as he stumbled down the hallway in what looked to be a fowl mood.
"As if this morning wasn't already bad enough" He mumbled under his breath as Hermione smiled brightly at him "Wipe that grin off you face, Mudblood." She quickly returned to scribbling down another rule.
Malfoy sat down of the couch adjacent to her and placed his coffee cup down, staring suspiciously as she continued to scrawl with fervour.
"Surely you can't be doing homework already Granger" He picked up his cup to take a sip "We haven't even had a class yet.
"No, Malfoy" She rolled her eyes and held back a smile "I'm writing down some rules for the two of us.
"What!" Draco almost spat his coffee across the room.
"Some rules, Draco" She said firmly, not surprised by his response "If we're going to survive the year we're going to have to set some boundaries." Looking up from the table she gauged his reaction
"Fine, whatever, Mudblood." He maintained his tough demeanour but hated to admit he did agree. If he was going to practically live with the mudblood there had to be rules.
"Rule number 1. No mudblood comments." Draco's face dropped.
"Rule number 2. No mudbloods." Draco retorted.
"Rule number 2" Hermione corrected "Feet off the table." Draco snorted but didn't budge so she decided to move on.

"Rule number 3. Clean up after your own mess." Draco rolled his eyes.

"What do you think I am, some sort of messy pig?"

"Well, yes. Rule number 4. No unexpected guests." Hermione couldn't believe a hex hadn't been thrown yet.

"Okay, whatever Furball, just leave the rules there and I'll look over them later, maybe add a few." Hermione nodded and Malfoy stood up and left. Furball? She'd have to add that to the list of insults not allowed.

"So, living with Malfoy..." Harry turned the page of the Daily prophet as they ate breakfast.
"We're not really living together, we share a common room, that's all" Hermione reached over for another crumpet.
"And the prefects bathroom!" Ginny reminded her. She gulped the last of her bite and some of the blood rushed away from her face. She'd almost forgotten, and she was planning on keeping it that way for as long as she could.
"It might not be so bad." Harry shifted in his seat "If anyone can survive living with Malfoy it's Hermione." Harry smiled and Ron turned his attention back to his breakfast.

"Besides," Ginny was grinning intently "slimy idiot he may be, but he's cute." Hermione raised an eyebrow and shook the thought from her mind.
"I'm hoping to avoid him where possible" Hermione looked down " And I've set up a some rules for us both." She could feel the blood rise in her cheeks at the thought of what had happened this morning. She was starting to regret it, but after all she had gotten the best of Malfoy for once. Harry raised an eyebrow.
"And he agreed?" Harry looked stunned and Hermione nodded. "Is that why he looked like he'd just seen Hagrids spider?" Ron was paying attention now.
"Sort of." Hermione stood up. "I'm going to head off to potions early." She smiled and turned around with a flick of her hair. Ron sighed dreamily, his eyes fixated on her as she walked out of the great hall.

Hermione sat lounged across the sofa. Her tie slewn across the lampshade and a book in hand. Malfoy still hadn't come back yet, and for once she was thankful for Quiddich practice. Wanting to make use of the peace before she would inevitably be driven back into her room, Hermione grudgingly got up to open to window for the tawny brown oul that was tapping furiously at the pane of glass. Hermione took the small package from its beak and it flew away. Hermione smiled. The distinct handwriting was clearly her mothers.

Thought you might miss it.

Xoxo Mum

Hermione laughed lightly and unwrapped the packaging. She'd left the MP3 player she'd received for her birthday at home. Smiling she put in the headphones and turned it on switching to a slow number. It would come in handy if she ever needed to block out Malfoy, which she would. She happily stepped back over to the couch and continued reading her charms textbook. Malfoy had walked up to his room unnoticed by Hermione. He spied the parchment stuck to his door and groaned.