AN: Again, a big thank you to those who reviewed. If anyone has any specific questions I'll try to answer them next time. Chapter 4 might take a little longer to get up. Midterms are starting and I'm already feeling the heat. I hope this one is alright. I know it might seem like things are moving a little too fast but I wanted to get this one scene out of the way before I slow things down.

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

Chapter 3

She didn't trust Malfoy as far as she could hex him but they did form a casual sort of relationship. Hermione wouldn't call it a friendship though since one usually trusted those they befriended. Talking to him relieved the tedium of the detentions and they managed to get along fairly well most of the time.

"All I'm saying is that servitude is what they're made for, the reason for their existence. So why stop them?" Malfoy shrugged and continued indifferently, "I mean, would you stop a muggle toaster from making toast simply because it could be doing something else?"

Hermione looked aghast. "That's not even… They're beings, not appliances! How you could even think -" She launched into another long-winded, passionate rant about house elves and Draco tuned her out. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in what Hermione had to say because she did actually make a few good points. All of which he countered and the two had come to an intellectual impasse. They'd been debating this issue for the past hour and he was bored with it.

"Okay, Hermione, calm down. I hear you." She looked dubious. "Really," he assured her as he cast a glance at McGonagall's office door. If she heard them arguing they'd just land themselves in more trouble. "I just don't happen to share your views and since neither of us seems willing to change our minds we'll have to agree to disagree."

"Hmph," Hermione muttered, feathers still ruffled by his toaster comparison. But of course, it was Draco. Only he could be so callous at times.

"So it's Friday and our very last night of torture," Draco reminded her in hopes of changing the subject. "Have you decided yet?"

"I don't know if I'll have the time," she said testily. "I might have to make some toast."

Malfoy had to repress the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said to appease her. She didn't look convinced and he sighed inwardly. He really disliked backing down but if he was going to win her over he would have to put some sincerity into his apology… and he couldn't remember the last time he ever did that.

He set down his polishing rag and looked over at Hermione next to him. Draco looked directly into her eyes and arranged his face into what he hoped would pass for a contrite expression. "I really am sorry about what I said. Not actually about my view on the matter, mind you," he added. "Only the fact that it upset you. I didn't mean to."

His apology made the corner's of Hermione's mouth twitch though she wouldn't allow herself to smile. He could be a charming sort of bastard and she couldn't admit that she liked it. Just using the word 'like' in relation to Malfoy was unfathomable but she really was beginning to like the Draco she'd been stuck with for the past week. She figured he'd go back to the cold-hearted prick he used to be as soon as this night was over.

But maybe he wouldn't if you said yes, a little voice in the back of her mind suggested. Hermione broke the eye contact for a moment; his grey depths were too distracting when she was trying to think. It was early in the year, still September, so she wouldn't have to sacrifice much to help him. Plus, the extra studying could benefit her as well.

"Alright," she agreed, meeting his gaze again. "But you are going to owe me, I have to think of what I want. And only for a couple of months. After Christmas I'll be too busy with my own studies."

"That'll be fine." He would be finished with her by then, thank Merlin. "Thank you. Now we just have one small problem."

"What?"

"Where are we going to study?"

"The library," answered Hermione promptly.

He looked at her skeptically. "Right and if Potter and Weasley see us?Or someone else does and tells them, what then? They hate me and they'll get angry at you for helping me… Not to mention if my own friends saw us. I have a reputation to uphold."

This time she did laugh but it was derisive. As if being seen with a rat like Malfoy wouldn't damage her reputation? It was good that she couldn't care less about that kind of thing. However, she did worry about Harry and Ron; they would be devastated if they ever found out. Just the thought of how furious they would be made her shudder.

"You have a point. I guess we'll just have to meet in empty classrooms," replied Hermione, not looking forward to lugging all those books around. "There's one on the fourth floor near the library. Right beside the that portrait of Bridget Wenlock. Do you know it?"

He had to think for a moment but he thought he remembered where that was. And if not, it wouldn't be too hard to find. "Yeah. Meet you there around the same time as detention about twice a week? Say… Wednesday and Friday?"

McGonagall entered the room then to return their wands and send them off with a warning that she didn't want to see them back there again for the rest of the term. With a mumbled "Yes Professor," the duo left the room quickly.

In the hall Hermione said, "Make it Wednesday and Saturday and you have a deal. See you then. Don't be late," she added sternly. "I haven't got all night."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied with a small smile as they walked together with a reasonable distance between them. "See you tomorrow then."

Hermione stopped at the end of the hall. "Tomorrow?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes." He paused beside her, Draco's smile widening at the look on her face. "You said Saturday, didn't you?"

"Well I meant next week… I didn't think that-" With him smiling at her like that, there was an unwelcome flutter in her stomach. Hermione swallowed to banish the nasty little butterflies and found herself agreeing. "Yeah, okay. Tomorrow then. Um, goodnight." She headed upstairs for the Gryffindor tower.

"Good night," he called after her. "Sweet dreams." Feeling immensely pleased with himself, Draco went down to the dungeons to revel in his bit of success.

The gloating was not going so well with Theo laughing at him. "So let me get this straight- you're going to study with her? And then what, seduce her on a pile of books? Hah, that money is as good as mine," he sneered.

"I can't rush things," Draco replied defensively, leaning against the cool stone wall at the mouth of the passageway that lead to the boys dormitory. "Granger is smart and she'll get suspicious if I move too fast. So don't count your dragons before they're hatched, Nott."

"Sure," Theodore snickered. "Whatever you say. Good luck with that little plan of yours, stud." He clapped Malfoy on the shoulder and moved past him. The dark-haired boy swaggered into the common room and folded his lanky frame into a chair by the fire with Draco's friends. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he watched Blaise laugh at something Nott said.

"Crabbe. Goyle. We're going to bed," Draco snapped.

The two large boys scrambled to follow his command but he didn't follow them down the hall to the dorm. He stood in the entranceway with his arms crossed and stared pointedly at the few people still scattered around the room. They all got the hint rather quickly and disappeared down the halls in ones and twos. Soon the only person left was Nott who glared malevolently at him from the green armchair.

"You-Know-Who favors my family so don't forget who holds the power here," Malfoy said coolly with only slight menace in his tone.

"And don't think that you're better than everyone else just because of that!" Theo shot back angrily.

Draco merely smiled before turning his back and heading down the hall to his room. He could practically feel Nott fuming behind him and it made his smile broaden. There's nothing wrong with a little in-house competition, he thought cheerfully as he reclined regally on his emerald sheets. And winning will really put him in his place. One should never underestimate a Malfoy.

"Will you please pay attention?" said Hermione with annoyance, slamming her Potions book shut. Draco jumped. He really hadn't listened to her at all and was mostly watching the play of colors in her brown hair in the soft light. Among the light chestnut base of her curls there were hues of reddish-brown and gold that shimmered every time she moved.

"I- I was paying attention," Draco quickly replied. A light flush colored his pale cheeks though he wasn't sure why he was embarrassed. Maybe because he was supposed to make her fall in love with him and here he was staring at her like a moron.

"Oh really?" she replied, raising one eyebrow skeptically. "Then what did I just say about Strengthening Solutions?"

He sighed and grumbled, "Fine. I wasn't listening. So hex me. I can't help that this is boring."

"Honestly!" Hermione got up and began cramming books into her bag. Several of them were strewn about the table they'd set up at. The classroom was small and rather unused, dust gathered in the corners of it and it held only three rickety tables. The only light in the room was the glow of the lantern's she'd conjured for them to read by. That was obviously a moot point.

She was mad at him for wasting her time and angry with herself for ever bothering to do this. "You tell me you want help and yet you sit here not listening to a single thing I say. I can't believe ever thought you wanted to learn-"

"Ok, you're right! I didn't want to learn," he cut in, jumping up and grabbing her wrist to stop her from putting things away. "I just… wanted to… spend time with you."

Hermione glared at him. "Oh very funny. First you waste my time and then you make jokes at my expense. Thanks a lot," she snapped and tried to yank her arm out of his grasp. His grip wasn't tight or painful but it was firm enough for her not to break free. She raised her wand threateningly. "Let go!"

"Not until you listen to me," insisted Malfoy. His mind raced as he tried to think of something to say that would make her stay. She seemed to grow impatient waiting for him to speak so he blurted out, "I really meant what I said. You're different. I don't have to pretend to be anything but myself around you and even if I did, you'd see right through it anyway. And I think I kind of like that."

He seemed to be saying the right things because her brown eyes were gentle and full of surprise. Hermione lowered her wand and tilted her head to peer more fully into his face. Draco wanted to squirm under her intense gaze but he managed to keep himself still. He was suddenly aware of the fact that he still held her arm and quickly released her.

She didn't move back when he let her go but she did replace her wand in her robe pocket. "I don't understand you at all," Hermione finally said. "You've always hated me. You think mudbloods are beneath you. Obviously one is not friendly with those they consider lesser. So why the change of heart?"

This was going to be tiring. He had to employ every acting skill he possessed to look shamefaced in that moment. "I didn't know you before. I never realized you could actually be somewhat appealing and good to talk to. You're brilliant and you're… real. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense but-"

Hermione held up a hand to halt the flow of words . Although part of her was still tempted to dose him with veritaserum, she couldn't help believing. "Alright. I get it. Thank you… But I just don't think I can do this."

"What?" he asked in astonishment.

"I can't be friends with someone I don't trust," Hermione said quietly, looking into his grey eyes. "I want to," she added quickly. "It's been nice getting to know you and I wish that I could know more but…" She wrung her hands guiltily. "It would be too hard. Everyone we know hates each other and we'd have to hide just like we did with the studying. I can't keep lying. I'm sorry," she whispered, raising one hand and brushing it against his cheek.

He slapped it away. "So you're telling me that after all your talk about being a good person, you aren't willing to take a chance on me because it's too hard?" asked Draco angrily. The rejection in his eyes was painful and she looked away.

"I- I don't want to talk about this." Hermione lunged for her bag and hurried out of the room. She didn't make it far when she felt his firm grip on her arm as he shoved her into a little alcove beside a suit of armor. Draco followed her in and with the two of them, the space was cramped with only a scant 6 inches of distance between them.

"I opened up to you. At the very least you owe me an honest answer," he said quietly, crossing his arms and looking down at her accusingly. Hermione looked chagrined and her breathing was heavier than necessary.

Her own temper flared and she raised her chin defiantly. "Okay, you're right. It's not only that it'll be hard but… it's also that… I-" The little alcove was too warm and Hermione's heart was beating wildly; she had to get out of there now. She tried to push past Malfoy but his arm shot out and blocked her path.

"You didn't answer my question," he sneered. This confrontation was counter-productive but he was angry that his plans were not going the way he'd wanted.

"Malfoy…" she hissed angrily, slipping a hand into her pocket to clutch her wand.

Suddenly his arrogantly beautiful face was directly before hers, his sweet breath mingling with her own. "What, Granger?" Malfoy snarled back, his voice holding more venom than hers ever could.

She was furious, burning with anger, positively burning… "I-," Hermione couldn't force out more than that before some psychotic, self-destructive urge shoved her forward those last few inches. Her mouth crashed against Draco's and for a sickening moment his lips were still and unyielding against hers.

What she did was the absolute last thing he expected so it took him a moment to respond before he kissed her back fiercely, tangling one hand in her curly brown hair. He forced his tongue past her lips and kissed her deeper, harder. She was malleable and yielding under his hands. Draco's eyes closed as he lost himself in the fiery passion of their kiss.

The only point that their bodies met was at the mouth but Hermione could feel him as solidly as if he touched her. Tension crackled between them pressing down on her almost painfully and she arched her back, wanting more of him against her to ease the ache. Draco slid an arm around her waist to pull her against him.

Though the blood was rushing to her head she still heard the approaching footsteps. Panic rushed through her and she reacted instinctively, pulling out the wand still clutched in her hand and muttering a spell against his mouth. Malfoy flew backwards into the hallway and Hermione heard a startled "Oh!" that could not have come from him.

Meekly she moved into view herself while raking a nervous hand through her mussed curls. To her immense relief she saw only Luna Lovegood. "You know Malfoy," she said with a shrug to explain the situation. The excuse was thin but with her lips still tingling from his kisses she couldn't think of anything else and her face was burning with embarrassment.

"What a jerk. Well, goodnight Luna." Hermione stepped over Draco's unconscious body and prayed that she hadn't hurt him badly. Luna seemed too surprised to comment on the whole thing and she hoped that the Ravenclaw wouldn't ever bring it up. Once she was around the corner she ran all the way back to the Gryffindor common room with one hand pressed to her traitorous mouth.