A/N: A bit of a filler chapter, nothing really happens, but it's a nice chapter.

Chapter 4

Looking at the weather as he cut across the courtyard, Draco was disappointed to note that the sun was shinning and no rain clouds were in sight.

He suspected that Potter would only seek him out for their strange one-on-one talks when it is raining. They weren't friends yet so Draco knew he shouldn't feel slightly hurt that Potter would avoid him at any other time. He wasn't rude to him, or insulting. He said hello and good morning, but never stopped to chat.

A few days of sunshine and Draco had decided he liked that their meetings were in the rain only. Only meeting when it rained, made it special and personal to the two of them. That's what he told himself as a coping mechanism – he wasn't missing Potter, well maybe a little.

A week later and it had hardly rained, just a drizzle really. It was once again hot out and Draco was sat under a tree doing homework. He had a weird sense of Deja Vu as Dean Thomas walked over to his friends, football in hand. Soon a group got up to play. Draco cast a shield charm, one that was timed to stay in place for an hour – that should stop any stray footballs hitting him.

He forced himself to read the first paragraph on Switching Spells in his 'A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration' and managed to read it without looking up to locate Potter's whereabouts.

His resolve didn't last long, halfway through the second paragraph he looked up and scanned the group of players. He spotted Potter and saw he had managed to tackle the ball away from an annoyed looking Ron. He reached the goal and kicked it, Seamus dived the wrong way and the ball went through the goal.

Potter grinned, and in what seemed to be the groups celebratory tradition, Potter lifted his t-shirt over his head, stretched his arms above his head and ran around shouting 'Goaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllll'. Draco was staring, there was no denying that one. He couldn't help it. Potter wasn't some Adonis, but he was nicely built, with a flat stomach and nice curves and muscles. Draco suspected once Potter started working out and training when he becomes an Auror – his body would transform into that of a sex god. Draco could see the potential, and for his age, and considering he didn't really work out he had a very nice body.

Draco sighed and flicked his eyes back to his book. He knew his own body wasn't as nice as Potter's, he didn't work out and Quidditch doesn't exactly make you into a jock. It was sitting on a broom and flying, you weren't working on creating a six pack exactly. Yes it helped him stay relatively fit and helped shape his body somewhat, but if he wanted to define his muscles he needed to work out. Draco decided he would see if the Room of Requirement still functioned properly, and maybe ask for a place he could work out. If he wanted a better body he would have to work to achieve it.

Cursing his chicken legs and slim frame Draco was determined to at least improve himself. When he looked back up Potter had lowered his shirt and was high fiving Neville. Feeling a bit down after his negative thoughts about his body, Draco packed up his bag. Removed the shield spell and headed in to the castle. He didn't see Harry watching him leave, with a look of disappointment on his face.

Draco headed for the library, on a whim he had decided if he could find a spell that would help forecast the weather. He was being obsessive, but he wanted to know when it was likely to rain next.

He'd been searching for over half an hour with no luck. Someone coughed next to him and he looked up to see Granger watching him.

"May I help you?" He asked, he no longer called her Granger, or any other insulting name. Often when he spoke he just omitted to refer to her as anything.

"I wanted a favour," She asked without hesitation.

Draco arched an eyebrow, "Right, and what favour might that be?" He coolly asked. He wouldn't say no immediately, he had learnt to tolerate her.

"I seem to have misplaced my notes for Wednesday's Arithmancy class, and I was wondering if I could make a copy of yours. None of my friends take Arithmancy NEWT. It would be much appreciated." She added.

Draco couldn't see any reason to deny her, it was only a few notes after all. "Sure. I'll get them later and give them to you over dinner." He replied.

She smiled at him and then looked at the array of books on his table, "Oh that looks interesting what are you doing?"

Before Draco would have been irritated at her nosiness and told her to get lost. Now he knew she just had a thirst for knowledge and she was intrigued by what Draco was doing.

Draco huffed, "Well I am trying to find a spell that can forecast the weather. I'm not having much luck." He admitted.

She looked as if she was itching to help, Draco smiled a small smile, "Have you heard of anything like that?"

She shook her head and sat in a chair opposite Draco. Pulled a book towards her, "I'm sure we can find something. Now you mention it, it would be quite a useful thing to know."

Draco's smile grew, with Granger's help he was bound to find something.

"You know the Muggles have weathermen, who tell the Muggles everyday what the weather will be like that day, and for the rest of the week. It's actually fascinating how they forecast the weather..."

Draco tuned her out he wasn't interested in how the Muggles predicted the weather.

"Weather forecasts are made by collecting quantitative data about the current state of the atmosphere on a given place and using scientific understanding of atmospheric processes to project how the atmosphere will evolve on that place." Granger droned on.

"Really that is fascinating." Draco sarcastically mumbled, she was oblivious to his boredom.

Eventually Granger exhausted herself on the Muggles and weathermen. Now they were working in silence, looking through various books.

"There has to be something. We don't need to know what the weather will be like next week, just that day or the following day. It is relativity simple." She groaned, after an hour of searching.

Draco wasn't the type to give up, his sixth year proved as much. Once he set his mind on something he did it. It took him ages to repair that vanishing cabinet but he did it. He was determined now to find a weather forecasting spell, he wasn't going to have wasted half his day for nothing.

Granger stood, "I'm going to find some more books." She explained and disappeared.

Draco put away the books they had already looked through and waited for her to return with some new books. She returned with a stack of books and Draco took the top one.

"Thank you for your help. I know that this has taken up a lot of time, you're welcome to leave." Draco politely offered, even though he wanted her to stay.

She looked up at him and frowned, "Well your lending me your notes. See it as me returning the favour if you like. Besides my curiosity is piqued and now I need to find that spell. If I don't it will be driving me crazy, and I won't be able to concentrate on anything else."

Draco could understand that, they were similar in many ways, not like he'd ever admit that to her.

"Do wizards use barometers?" She was intrigued.

Draco frowned, "Uh no what's that?" He wondered if he should have asked, he didn't want another lecture about weather forecasting.

To his surprise her answer was simple.

"A barometer measures the change in pressure. The larger the change in pressure, the larger the change in weather can be expected. If the pressure drop is rapid, a low pressure system is approaching, and there is a greater chance of rain. Rapid pressure rises are associated with improving weather conditions, such as clearing skies." She informed him.

"Oh that's clever. What do they look like?" He was actually intrigued. He might purchase a barometer for his mother. She wouldn't mind if it was muggle, as long as it was the best barometer money could buy. She would find it rather useful, and novel.

"Well you can get many different types. But I always remember my Grandfather having a lovely one, it was set on beautiful dark wood, and had solid silver parts – it was from the 18th century. They are difficult to explain, if I remember I will find a picture out for you." She kindly offered.

Draco smiled, "I'd like that. I was thinking of getting an antique one for mothers birthday."

Hermione grinned, "Sounds wonderful."

They returned to their research, both secretly releived that they were getting on. Neither wanted to continue their petty rivalry. Hermione could tell that Draco had grown up and changed, she was willing to give him a chance. She also saw the way Harry stared at Draco, knowing he had always been obsessed with him Hermione suspected that Draco would be in Harry's future somehow. It would be easier for Harry to admit his feelings if he saw that his friends would be accepting of Draco.

Another thirty minutes and Draco was ready to call it a day and try again tomorrow.

"Yes I found something," Hermione called in triumph, adding, "I knew we would. The library never lets me down."

Draco looked at the open page that Hermione tilted towards him.

"Sounds promising." He casually said.

Hermione grinned, "How about I check this book out and read up on it. We go our separate ways, have dinner. Then later this evening meet me back here and I can show you the wand movement to cast the spell, and you can give me your notes." She sounded hopeful.

Draco could use her help learning the spell, and he had to give her his notes. "Sure. Say back here at 8pm?"

"Okay. Bye." She stood grabbed the book and headed to the check out desk.

Draco grumbled about being left to put away all the books, but he did it anyway. He went straight to the great hall, to get dinner. He was early and not many people had come down yet, all making the most of the sunshine outside. After dinner he left, just as Potter was coming in with his friends. He smiled at Potter and said 'good evening', Potter replied with, 'It is now' and then strolled off before Draco could see if he was being sarcastic or flirting.

One quick glance over at Harry at the Gryfindor table, showed he was laughing and joking with Ron. Draco noticed that Granger had her face buried in the book that she found the weather forecasting spell in. She is one committed person. He thought as he left the great hall to fetch his Arithmancy notes, and his homework for DADA. He was planning on heading to the library early, to get some quite time away from his housemates. He told himself it was to give him a better environment to do his homework in. In reality he was drifting away from his housemates and former friends.

Harry looked at Hermione, "What's that?" He pointed to her book, "Doesn't look like any of our books for our lessons." he observed.

She looked up from her reading, "That's because it's not." She returned to her reading.

Ron screwed up his nose, "You mean you are actually studying something that we don't need to learn, and won't be on our exams. You're voluntarily reading that gigantic book." He said shocked.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Yes Ronald I am. I enjoy learning new things, I am not going to limit myself to the subjects taught at school. Besides its a favour for Draco."

Ron's mouth fell open and some peas fell out. Harry choked on his water, and both stared at her.

"A favour for Malfoy!" Ron echoed.

"Yes that's what I said. A favour for Draco." She made sure to put emphasis on Draco.

"Why are you doing favours for him for anyway?" Ron demanded.

Hermione marked her page and closed her book, "He is lending me some notes, and he wanted to find a spell that forecasts the weather. He wasn't having any luck. To return the favour he has done for me I helped find one. I am about to go meet him in the library to show him what I have found."

Ron stared stunned at her, Harry was just as shocked, but at least he managed to keep his mouth closed.

"You're meeting the ferret in the library alone." Ron was scandalised.

"Oh grow up Ron. He has changed, and I for one am willing to have a truce. He isn't doing anything wrong." She defended.

"But you're my girlfriend and it's Saturday night. You're choosing to spend it with that git instead of me?" He was getting worked up now.

Hermione stood and collected her things, "The only person being a git right now is you. I am only going to be gone an hour or so. You're welcome to join us, it isn't limited to just us two."

Ron shook his head, "No way am I giving up my Saturday night to learn some stupid weather spell."

Hermione turned to Harry, "What about you? I know you like to sit out in the rain. It might be useful to cast a spell and know when it was going to rain." She innocently asked.

Harry shifted in his seat. On one hand he wanted to learn the spell, it did actually sound helpful. On the other hand he wasn't sure if he could be casual and false with Draco. On the occasions they have talked, they were alone together and it was different somehow. To try and act normal around him with Hermione, who picks up on everything would be difficult.

"Honestly Harry, Draco isn't going to start duelling you. It's either come with me now to learn it, or not learn it at all. I am not going to repeat myself for your sake." She was getting irritated now.

"Um okay." Harry stood and Ron gawked at his two friends.

"What?" Ron asked puzzled.

"We're going to meet Draco in the library to learn a weather spell. See you later." With that Hermione stormed out.

"Must be her time of the month." Ron said shaking his head.

Harry rolled his eyes and went after Hermione. Lavender and Pavati started lecturing Ron about a women's monthly cycle and how making PMS jokes is tasteless and not funny.

Harry caught up with Hermione. "Ron's just in shock is all. He'll come around. If you're serious about being Malfoy's friend, or whatever then he will have to get used to it."

Hermione smiled at him, "I know. I'm not saying Draco and I will be best of friends, or friends even. But we can be polite to one another, and even help each other with homework. I believe he's changed and I'm not going to waste my life hating him. That will turn me bitter and I don't want to be bitter."

Harry slung and arm around her and hugged her briefly, "I always said you were a smart one. Thanks Hermione."

Harry and Hermione knew he was thanking her for more than just being civil to Draco.

Hermione headed to the same table they were working at earlier and saw that Draco was already here.

"Hello." She said as she sat down.

"Evening." Draco replied. If he was surprised to see Harry he masked it well, and Hermione couldn't tell.

"I hope you don't mind if Harry joins us. He showed an interest in learning the spell." She casually informed Draco.

"No not at all. Who am I to say one can't expand their knowledge." He drawled.

Harry loved that fucking drawl, it was like an aphrodisiac. He quickly took a seat the other side of Hermione, to avoid any embarrassment.

"Excellent," Hermione said happily.

She pulled the book out and a photo. It was a muggle photo, she handed it to Draco and explained.

"That's one type of barometer. That's me and my grandfather, the barometer is behind us on the wall." she pointed to it.

Draco looked at the picture, it was in colour but completely still. Granger was about five in the picture and she was grinning so wide. Her grandfather was crouched down, she was sat on his leg and he had his arms wrapped around her to steady her.

"You're were a cute kid." He said as he returned the photo.

He wasn't lying she looked sweet and he could tell she loved her grandfather very much.

"Thanks. Did you like the barometer?" She wondered if Draco really wanted to get his mother one.

Harry looked between the two completely lost. He looked at the photo of Hermione and smiled, she really was a cute kid.

"Yes it looks fascinating. If I can find an antique one like that, I am sure mother would love it." He was sure of it. The one in the photo looked to be of high quality, made by the best craftsmen.

"I'm sure she will. It's not like she is going to be getting a gift like that everyday. It will be unique, and will show you have put a lot of thought into it. Most men just get perfume or something. I usually get books, but I love getting books so can't complain really." She babbled.

Harry and Draco suspected she was overcompensating, trying to make a real effort to be nice to Draco. Babbling nervously to prevent any awkward silences. Both Harry and Draco appreciated it.

Draco smiled, "I like getting books too. I always say, 'Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them. And it's much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world.' I think they make wonderful gifts."

Hermione grinned, feeling better about her boring idea of a gift. Harry grinned too, but not because of Draco's words. Because the effort Draco was making to be nice to Hermione.

Draco pulled out his Arithmancy notes and handed them to her. "Here I copied them already, these are yours to keep."

She took them and put them in her bag, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Draco was surprised to find it was easy to get on with Granger when he made an effort. It took a lot more effort to be spiteful and nasty. He decided then that he wouldn't go back to being mean to her, it wasn't worth the effort.

"So what spell did you find?" Harry spoke up.

Hermione opened the book at the relevant page, "It's a simple spell that can only really tell you about current changes, maybe enough to predict the following mornings weather, but not the following week. But if you cast it in the morning you might be able to read the results and learn that the day will be sunny, or rainy. It's for short term predictions. Also it may predict it's sunny, but there might be a sudden change in the atmosphere, and the spell won't show that, unless you happen to cast it just as the change was happening. It's not foolproof I guess is what I am trying to say."

Harry snorted, "Like the weathermen get it 100% right all the time. I lost count of how many times we heard on the weather forecast that it would be a heatwave and it rained, or something as equally incorrect."

Hermione smiled, "I know. When I was little I heard on the weather forecast that it was going to snow in our area. I got my gloves, scarf and coat on, sat in my back garden all day waiting. It never snowed, I was heartbroken. Mum said that the weathermen were making educated guesses, and cannot be correct all the time." She smiled at the memory.

Harry smiled too, "Is the spell easy to learn?" He prompted.

"Ah yes it's really simple." She pushed the book in the middle of the table so they all could read it.

Then she spent then next hour teaching them and they all practised it. By the end of the hour they had all cast successful spells, and knew that the weather tonight would be mild, no rain and a slight breeze.

Draco hid his disappointment at the fact that the weather was looking to be sunny tomorrow too. However Granger said the weather was unpredictable, so he would cast the spell regularly throughout the day to see if it was changing. It was a quick spell, and an easy one, so he didn't mind.

"Right so I better go find Ron. Think some quality time together is in order." She excused herself and left.

Harry put away the book she left and turned to face Draco. Draco spoke before Harry could.

"I do not want to think about the 'quality time' that those two will be having together." He shuddered.

Harry laughed, "No not if you want to keep your dinner down."

"Isn't Weasley missing you?" Draco asked.

Harry frowned, "No I saw Ron at dinner."

Draco packed his bag and slung it over his shoulder, "No I was referring to the female Weasley."

Harry shrugged one shoulder, "Probably not. She was sat on Dean's lap being taught all about football, when I left the common room." He replied.

Draco stared, "You let your girlfriend sit on another guys lap!" He was shocked.

"Don't be stupid, of course not. She's not my girlfriend. In fact I am sure that at this moment in time she is Dean's girlfriend." he said grinning, as Draco seemed happy about that revelation.

"I see. So no girlfriend getting jealous that you're spending time with me?" He pushed, just because Potter wasn't with Ginny Weasley, didn't mean he was single.

"Nope, no girlfriend." He confirmed.

"Not ready to put yourself out there yet?" Draco wondered, someone like Potter shouldn't be single.

"Sort of I guess. Maybe not how you think, but in a way I am not ready to start searching for a partner." He made sure not to say girlfriend, as he knew he meant boyfriend.

"Fair enough. Well I best be going I have some thinking to do regarding mothers birthday gift." He started walked towards the exit.

"Sure. Night." Harry called to his back.