AN: First of all, thanks to everyone who left reviews! Hope you all enjoy the second chapter is alright. I'll probably post the next one next weekend. I changed a few small details in the first chapter to try and fit the OotP time line better.

Also, J.K. Rowling owns all the characters... I'm just playing with them for awhile.

Chapter 2

She had been distracted while studying and knitting more hats for the house elves in the common room last night. Even this morning at breakfast her preoccupation continued. It was all just because she was being forced to be in the same room with him for a week. Once it was over, everything would go back to normal. She resisted the urge to look at the Slytherin table. Part of her wanted to see Draco's usual sneer and be reassured that last night they hadn't had what one could call a civil conversation.

"Hermione!" She jumped and looked around at Harry. "What?" she replied.

Harry peered at her seriously before repeating himself. "You aren't listening to us at all, are you? We were talking about Umbridge inspecting Divination the other day..."

"Oh really? I'm still shocked that you managed to land yourself in detention yet again. It's not that I don't think you shouldn't speak your mind but you've got to stop signing yourself up for her torture," she whispered.

"Yeah because he really does it for the fun of it 'Mione," Ron said. Hermione shrugged and pushed the eggs around on her plate and only half-listened to him and Ron harping about Umbridge again.

Draco watched Hermione, Potter, and the Weasel chatting with a scowl on his face. First he had been questioned about his detention with Hermione by Nott but he hadn't had anything very substantial to report. The gleeful grin Nott wore was infuriating. Then he'd slept badly, tormented by dreams that consisted of Hermione standing over him, torturing him with her wand and saying 'You have been accused of vileness and now you must pay.'

Malfoy rubbed his head, trying to dispel the disheartening image. This stupid bet was already giving him a headache. Pansy was chattering away and eventually she got on his last nerve. Draco got to his feet; Crabbe and Goyle rose as well and tried to gulp down a little more breakfast before he left. "Just stay," he snapped in annoyance and strode out of the hall. Even verbally abusing the two of them wouldn't improve his mood so they were useless to him.

Hermione looked up in time to watch Draco leave and as her head turned to follow his progress, she came face-to-face with Ron. "What do you think, Hermione?" he asked.

"Hmm? Oh, er- that's good. Sorry, I have to go. Arithmancy and... I need to go to the library." She gathered her things and tucked a lock of brown hair behind one ear. "See you in Transfiguration," she said brightly before scurrying off herself. She really couldn't wait until this week was over so that she could bury all thoughts of Draco Malfoy.

As she climbed the stairs heading for her Arithmancy class that she was about to be 20 minutes early for Hermione looked up and saw the back of a familiar blonde head on the landing above her. She froze, hoping that he hadn't heard her coming and would keep going. That hope went to hell when Hermione's heavy Arithmancy book slipped out of her arms and clunked onto the stairs. Brilliant... Why did her brain start malfunctioning around him?

He glanced over his shoulder and grey eyes met brown for a long second. Hermione reached down to reclaim her book but a pale, sophisticated hand beat hers there and once again she found herself accepting something she'd dropped from Draco. Only this time it was in public. Even as the two of them straightened on the stairs a few young Hufflepuffs walked past them.

"I never knew you were so uncoordinated Granger," Draco teased but she didn't sense any of the usual underlying menace. It was like the kind of good-natured joking she did with Ron or Harry. "Or do you just like to see me bend over?"

Hermione snorted derisively. "Oh yes, that's exactly it… Thanks," she said, brandishing her book. She meant to tell him goodbye but somehow Hermione blurted out, "So, how are you?" Then her brow furrowed. Was she truly trying to have a friendly conversation with Draco Malfoy? And was it really going somewhat okay? I am officially an idiot... or insane, Hermione decided.

"Fine, thank you," Draco replied graciously with a smile. He could tell that she hadn't meant to add the last bit and the fact that she had meant that what was distracting her thoughts was him. That was good. He needed to be on her mind. "Really looking forward to detention tonight," he added sarcastically. "How are you?"

"I've been better," she answered with a half shrug and a small smile of her own. Then it faded and she shook her head. Inwardly he cursed. He'd lost her. But still, it was another little moment of connection between them. Hermione said, "This is weird. I'm going now," and brushed past him. He watched her for a long moment and then continued on his own way, actually looking forward to detention tonight.

Hermione clambered up the rest of the stairs clutching the Arithmancy book to her chest in a vise-like grip and willing the bothersome butterflies in her stomach to disappear. She made it to class on time and managed to function as normally as possible during the rest of the day. Still she was somewhat off-balance. She'd felt that way since last night and although Ron was oblivious as usual, Harry's keen eyes were making her uncomfortable.

Neither of them would understand if she tried to explain what had happened. They'd both just tell her that she was mental and that Draco was foul. Rather than hear what she already knew, Hermione spent dinner in the library. Surrounded by stacks of books and caught up in her homework and the scratch of her quill against parchment, she began to feel normal again.

Draco was late. Pansy seemed to already have sensed his drawing away from her so all through dinner and afterwards she had clung to him pathetically, trying everything short of shoving her tongue down his throat to monopolize his attention. There was no shaking her and he'd finally had to get incredibly nasty. She'd ran off to the common room, tears gathering in her dark eyes and he'd fled for McGonagall's classroom.

Hermione had already been in the office for a good ten minutes discussing the Transfiguration homework with McGonagall while they waited for Draco. Finally the door opened and her stomach flip-flopped as the flushed Slytherin spilled into the room.

"Mr. Malfoy I am so glad you decided to grace us with your presence." Professor McGonagall's voice held a stormy edge, she was not pleased. "Since you seem unable to show up on time-"

"That was my fault," Hermione blurted out. McGonagall looked at her in surprise. Hermione had to think fast so she continued, "I... hexed him again." She hung her head and feigned shame. She didn't have to try too hard because she was already ashamed at herself for covering for him in the first place. "I'm very sorry Professor."

She stared at her feet and fervently wished she had that time turner again so she could go back and stop her foot before she inserted it into her mouth. Helping Draco was only going to her sentence extended. At least she's not carving you up like Umbridge would, Hermione thought gloomily.

If he wasn't so used to staying composed in the face of his father's long-winded rants then Draco's jaw would have hit the floor when Hermione defended him. McGonagall looked as surprised as he was, her head turning from one student to the other. "Well Miss Granger, if that is the case, then let me just say that I am extremely disappointed in you. I would have thought that -"

"I provoked her!" The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Normally Malfoy would happily have stayed quiet and let someone else take the blame. This time it was Hermione and their talk about selfless acts entered his mind. Of course what he was doing was entirely self-serving but she'd never have to know that.

Hermione's head snapped up and she looked at Draco incredulously. She'd helped him dodge a bullet and there he was stupidly jumping right back in front of it, this time trying to take the heat off of her... How incredibly unlike him. Suspicion, shock, gratitude and another emotion she was unwilling to identify warred inside of her.

McGonagall sighed and rested one hand against her temple, rubbing it slowly. "Obviously this detention has taught you two nothing and I honestly do not even see the point of adding on to it. Just go work on the telescopes and try to refrain from attacking each other for the rest of the week or I will be much harsher with the both of you."

It was a good thing that McGonagall didn't question them further because honestly she wouldn't have been able to form a coherent sentence. Once again she handed Professor McGonagall her wand and trudged into the Transfiguration classroom. She took up a polishing rag and pointedly looked only at the telescope in front of her. She had no idea what to say to Draco so she stayed silent as she cleaned.

Draco followed Hermione smugly, not even bothering to complain about cleaning the muggle way no matter how much he hated it. She never looked at him as she scrubbed at a brass telescope. "Thanks for that," he said, breaking the silence. Hermione glanced over at him. "It was really decent of you. If that's how nice you are to your enemies it makes me wonder what you're like as a friend."

Hermione continued to clean and her mind was almost detached from the motions of her body. Her thoughts were frantic, scrambling for some kind of answer for what she had done for Draco and a response to what he'd just said. Finally she tossed her rag on a desk and turned to face Malfoy, crossing her arms over her chest to protect herself.

Her response was terse. "You're welcome. Don't ask me why I did it though because I couldn't tell you. But you know what you can tell me?" demanded Hermione with a heated glare. "Why are we doing this? Why are we talking to each other without insulting each other? I never thought it would be possible," she muttered.

Draco blinked in surprise at this new outburst. He was used to her being calm, her insults carrying a icy ferocity that only came after deep thought. This was a different Hermione; she was bewildered by his actions. Even so, he knew that with her great intelligence she would be able to pick apart any plausible explanation he gave.

"I don't know Hermione," he replied with a noncommittal shrug, watching her cautiously and shrewdly. "Although I do tend to prefer polite conversation, I can insult you if you like. All you have to do is give me the motivation."

Hermione's face reddened. "That- That's not what I meant," she replied, running a hand through her brown curls. But would it really be such a bad thing to provoke him into a fight so things could go back to normal? That's all she really wanted. The confusing mixture of feelings she was beginning to have for him no longer included hate. "What do you want from me?" she asked, the exasperation clear in her tone.

"Nothing."

Hermione raised one eyebrow skeptically. "Please. You're not shy in expressing your beliefs that muggleborns are beneath you. Obviously one is not friendly with those they consider lesser." She tapped her fingers impatiently, her arms still crossed over her chest. "So I will ask you one last time before I stop speaking to you altogether. What do you want?"

"Fine. You're right. There is something," Draco began with the idea forming in his mind as he spoke it aloud. Hermione's expression was one of satisfaction and curiosity. "The O.W.L.s are this year and it's important for me to do very well on them. My parents expect me to do well. And I know it's early in the year but I was thinking that you could…"

"…be your tutor?" Hermione finished slowly. Malfoy nodded. It would be downright torture to have to study with the brainy mudblood but schoolwork was something that might entice her to spend more time with him. His hopes were dashed when she shook her head. "No. I don't see why you can't get one of your Slytherin cronies to help you."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Merlin, have you seen the people who I hang out with? I really am the brains of the operation. Besides, I really need the best and as much as it pains me to admit it, it's you Hermione. You're top in our year. It won't be for long. Just a couple of months. Please?" he added, looking at her imploringly.

"I… I don't know. I might not have the time," she answered honestly. "I'm a prefect now and I have studies of my own. Not to mention all the knitting I have to do for the house elves-"

"What?" Malfoy interrupted, confused.

Hermione flushed. "Long story. Don't ask. Anyway the point is, why should I do anything for you? You've been nothing but mean to me and everyone I care about."

Draco winced, though it had nothing to do with chagrin. Sucking up to Granger was downright humiliating so he was intensely glad they were alone. "I know. I'd apologize but I really wouldn't mean it and lying wouldn't help my cause at the moment."

She laughed. "You're forthright, I'll give you that."

He smirked and continued, "Look I know that you have no good reason to help me. But if you do, then I'll owe you a favor. Anything you want… though I hope we can exclude things that would humiliate me. I swear on my pride as a Slytherin that I would honor said non-embarrassing favor when asked to."

Hermione's amusement faded and she chewed her lip thoughtfully for a moment before she spoke. "The best I can do is tell you I'll think about it and give you the answer by the end of this week when detention is over."

Draco would have to be content with that response. They mostly went back to polishing, speaking only intermittently and mostly when Hermione posed questions about his schoolwork. McGonagall gave them a long lecture when she came in at the end of the hour to see how little progress they'd made. The two sped off in relief at the end of her lecture. When Draco reached the Slytherin common room he saw that Pansy was still sulking. Unwilling to deal with her, he went to bed early.

Hermione had finished her homework and was curled in a chair by the fire, knitting more hats for the house elves even though so far her plan of freeing them was unsuccessful. She didn't lose hope though. Eventually they would understand that she was trying to help them and gratefully take her little woven tickets to freedom.

Ron and Harry were darkly speculating on ways to knock off Umbridge so they could get back to really learning Defense Against the Dark Arts. That gave her an idea so Hermione cut in. "Harry, we're obviously not learning anything practical from that cow so why don't youteach us? You know loads of jinxes and counter-curses. You can produce a patronus. No one would be better for the job than you."

He considered her suggestion and asked, "Just you and Ron then?"

She shook her head. "Not quite. I figured it could be for anyone in Hogwarts who wanted to learn." Harry paled a little at that prospect "Just promise me you'll think about it?" she asked before heading off to bead. It was after midnight and she was exhausted.

On the way to lunch two days later Hermione ran into Ginny Weasley. The younger girl broke away from her other friends to fall into step with her. "What's eating you?" she asked, glancing up at her. Ginny was always too insightful for her own good. Hermione had been thinking about Draco again. Over the past couple of days detention had been a breeze. She and the Slytherin had kept up an easy banter as they worked and it all wasn't about schoolwork. Some of it was even about themselves.

"It's… Gin, I can't tell you. You wouldn't understand."

"I was possessed by an evil diary so I'd say that I'm pretty much open to anything. Just try me."

"Draco Malfoy asked me to tutor him and I think I'm going to do it."

Ginny laughed but it died quickly when she realized that Hermione wasn't making a joke. "Oh. You're really serious. Wow… And also eww!" the little redhead replied, wrinkling her nose. "Why on earth would you want to do that?"

Hermione shook her head, "I don't know. Because he's been sort of nice to me lately. We talk when we're in detention together and it's not bad. Kind of weird but... Plus, the way he asked to help him was sincere and again, almost nice. And so different. I just wonder…"

"What?" Ginny asked when she didn't continue.

"Well… That maybe if I spent some time with him, he would change more. Not be such a total wanker. I know it's silly to think you can change someone but part of me can't help wanting to try."

"I'm telling you as a friend that this isn't a good idea and I can't be behind you on this. It's Malfoy. He might be 'nice' to you now but attempting to befriend a guy like him will only come back to bite you in the ass one day."

She nodded. "Thanks for being honest. You're probably right." They were nearing the great hall and the flow of students began to thicken. Hermione glanced around and asked quietly, "Uhm… you aren't going to-"

"-tell Ron and Harry? Merlin, no. Just because you've gone bonkers doesn't mean I have," Ginny teased with a gentle smile. "Oops, incoming. I'll see you later. If you end up doing it anyway, let me know how it goes."

"I will. Thanks again," she replied. Ginny gave her arm a reassuring squeeze and headed toward the end of the Gryffindor table where the twins sat just as Harry and Ron appeared at her right elbow. Hermione smiled as if everything were normal and sat down for lunch with her best friends while their enemy was on her mind.