A/N: Yep, it's J.K. Rowling's, except the plot. Just in case you forgot or anything.
"Malfoy is really beginning to affect my schoolwork. It's like every time I'm doing well and getting all caught up, he calls for me or something happens involving him and I have to concentrate all over again. It's not even like we're friends, so I don't even know why I'm letting his breakup get to me so much."
"Mudbl- Granger."
Hermione smiled at his recovery. Muttering the password, she closed the journal and went over to him.
"What, Malfoy?" she asked, a little more politely than usual.
"About the project." His voice still held disdain, but Hermione noted a slight bit less.
"Right."
"Have you worked on it?" It was a full sentence, in a somewhat humane tone of voice. Not much, but it was a start.
"Yes," Hermione responded.
"How much?"
"Almost finished with my part," she responded. "Or what you gave me, anyway."
His eyes went wide. "Wow. I almost forgot that overachiever thing."
Hermione laughed. Catching herself halfway through, she quickly straightened up. "Right then," she said stiffly. "Is there anything else?"
Malfoy opened his mouth as though he were going to say one more thing, but quickly shut it. "Nothing else," he said.
"Right," she said quickly, turning to leave.
"Hey Malfoy," she said, before thinking.
"What."
"Are you doing all right?" She nearly clasped her hand over her mouth even as she said the words, but she knew that'd make it all the more awkward.
Malfoy faultered for a split second, blinking at her. He eyed her suspiciously as though searching for her intentions. "I'm fine, Granger," he said finally.
Without another word, she went to her spot in the library to work.
It was the first time since they had been assigned that she didn't leave the library immediately after speaking to him. Then again, this was the first time they'd spoken to one another in the morning. They both had a free hour after breakfast on days they shared Potions class. Until that day, they'd always worked in silence for that hour, then discussed the project while they studied after lessons. Hermione supposed Malfoy had just wanted to compare notes in case Snape asked any questions. He'd been looking rather suspiciously at the pair since he assigned the project.
Hermione continued her work until she saw Malfoy leave for class. Taking his cue, she followed him out of the library.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, ten points from Gryffindor each for your tardiness," were the first words from Snape. Hermione sighed. Yet again, those two were costing the house more points.
Ignoring the grumbles of the two students, Snape addressed the class. "For today," he began, "I'd like to see each of you sitting with his or her partner. This will be an important work day for you all." He paused, waiting for them to comply.
Further grumbling ensued as the students did as he asked.
"Further, you should be well on your way to researching the ingredients on the lists I gave you last week. Today, you will learn which potion your ingredients will make. You will compile your information to describe, in detail, exactly how your potion works. You will also include a detailed description of exactly how to obtain your ingredients in their natural setting. You should already have most of this information, and if you don't, I suggest you get a move on it." His evil glare swept the classroom. He continued, "Then, at the end of the semester, each pair will make the potions and present their findings to the class. Understood?"
The class was silent, each student too afraid to ask questions lest he deduct more house points.
Hermione understood, of course; she was just glad Snape had finally explained the entire project. Now she could work ahead, so she wouldn't have to cram everything in at the last of the semester.
He brought around slips of parchment to each table, each saying which potion the students would create. When he reached their table, Snape leaned over to them. "Now," he said, "I usually don't approve of this type of potion. Unfortunately, however, it's the last one where all ingredients are on hand. Here." He handed the slip to Malfoy, then continued on.
Malfoy's eyes went wide in disbelief. "There's no way," he muttered as soon as Snape was out of hearing range.
He handed the slip to Hermione, whose eyes widened all the more. Two words, scrawled in messy writing, stood out against the parchment: Love Potion. Her mouth formed into a slight "O," and she quickly tossed the parchment onto the table as though that might make it untrue.
As business-like as they tried to make it, Potions class had just gotten much more interesting.
"Ginny," Hermione said after class, "this is just dreadful." Her bottom lip extended forward ina full pout. It was not a common look for her, but she went with it.
"What's wrong, Hermione?" Ginny asked, putting a calming hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Snape's project," Hermione grumbled.
"The Malfoy part?"
"No," Hermione said, exasperated. "Dealing with Malfoy is bad enough, but now we have to make..." She cringed even at the thought of all the things that could go wrong.
"Make what, 'Mione?"
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "A love potion."
As that, Ginny burst into a fit of laughter. "You... Malfoy... love potion?" were a few key words Hermione could make out from between laughs. Gaining a bit of composure, Ginny gasped, "Has Snape gone mad?"
"More mad than usual, even," Hermione said. "I mean, of course we can figure out all the ingredients, and I knew I had seen them before somewhere, so we have the making part down just fine. And of course we get all the theoretical part as well because if nothing else I know I can do that."
Ginny nodded.
"But that's just..." Hermione searched for the right word. "That's just... awkward."
Ginny laughed again. "That it is," she agreed.
"And you know me," Hermione said, beginning to slowly pace the floor. "I usually flourish in school... I even get excited at the idea of projects."
Ginny rolled her eyes in agreement.
"But this project just... from the beginning, I just can't get excited."
"Hmm," Ginny said. Then her eyes suddenly lit up and she tapped Hermione playfully on the arm. "Maybe you could fall for Malfoy, eh?"
Hermione's death glare earned her hearty laughter.
"Well," Ginny said, "I've heard he's a real catch." The mischievous glint in her eye betrayed the seeming sincerity in her voice.
"Whatever, Gin," Hermione replied, shaking her head and allowing a small smile. "I have work to do."
With that, Hermione left the common room for the library. She stayed there all night, finally without interruption. The quiet of the room always allowed her such peace to study... when Malfoy wasn't around, that is.
Then she realized she hadn't seen Malfoy after classes this time. Telling herself she didn't care if he studied or not, Hermione went back to her own books. She had a lot of catching up to do.
A/N: Thanks for all the good reviews, everyone. Let me know what you think of this one, too!