Chapter 4

A/n: I only own a pad of paper, a pencil, and a pen. I do not own anything HP or its affiliates.

I also just realized that Harry and Ron have not been seen in this fic yet. So here ya go!

(Revised and expanded on March 3, 2006.)

x-x-x-x-x-x-

Hermione sat down at her usual spot at the Gryffindor table. She tried very hard to avoid looking at Malfoy, but she could feel his gaze upon her.

Harry and Ron arrived about five minutes later and sat on the bench across from her.

"Oy, 'Mione! Where you been all bloody day?" Ron said, his mouth already full of mashed potato.

"Didn't Ginny give you my message?"

"No mate. Haven't seen the girl all bloody day either!"

"Oh. Well, she was supposed to tell you that I would not see you until dinner. I had to go to Hogsmeade for the day."

"Why?" Harry asked curiously.

"Just had to get some information."

The two boys nodded as if they understood. Though of course, they didn't.

Hermione delicately finished her Shepherd's Pie, fully aware of the stormy grey eyes that were watching her, not leaving her for more than five seconds at a time. She excused herself and went up to her room.

She found Ginny in the corner, bawling her eyes out.

"Virginia! What's the matter dear?" Hermione quickly comforted and hugged her.

"It's S-S-Seamus." She sobbed. "H-H-He broke up with me!"

"Oh! I'm so sorry!"

Ginny quieted down after a while, reduced to hiccups.

"Gin love, I need to go take a shower, okay? If you need anything though, don't hesitate to come bang on the door."

"Alright." A ghost of a smile lit up her face.

x-x-x-x-x-x-

Hermione stood, wrapped in a towel, in front of her armoire. She could not think of anything to wear. After ten minutes of deliberating, she finally picked a short grey ruffle cotton skirt and a white camisole. It was only Malfoy, no need to impress.

But something in the back of her mind said she really wanted to have him like her. So she put on some jewelry and sat down and did her homework until about eleven-thirty.

Then she slipped on some grey and blue tweed ballet flats and went down to the Room of Requirement. She followed the necessary procedure to gain entry, and went inside.

Draco was already there. He was lighting the hundreds of candles placed around the room. There were books on the shelves, probably pertaining to their current misfortune, and about a dozen rolls of parchment, quills, and inkwells on a table between two armchairs placed side by side in front of a warm fire. There was also a smaller table off to the side with a plate of fruit, vegetables, and cheese and a pitcher, with two tumblers, of ice water.

"So, Mister Malfoy, why am I here at Midnight when I should be getting my beauty sleep?"

"You don't need it." Hermione didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult.

"Well, let's get started." She sat down sideways in an armchair, and let her legs hang over the arm. She slipped her flats off and let them fall to the ground.

"Let's see. I wrote down these questions and we both answer them on the paper. Then we switch and read each other's responses. We do need to get to know each other after all." He handed her a roll of parchment and a quill.

Rolling her caramel eyes and opening the scroll, Hermione began to answer.

Full name: Hermione Jane Granger
D.O.B: September 10th, 1980
Current Residence (Away from school): A flat in London
Relationship Status: Single
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 118
Eye color: Light brown
Hair color: Brown
Pets: Cat (Crookshanks)
Hobbies: Reading, spending time with friends/family/cat, creating new potions.
Favorite subject and why: Potions, because it's a challenge
Favorite color: Red
Favorite Professor: Sprout
Best Friends: Harry Potter, Ronald Weasly, Ginny Weasly
Worst Enemies: Draco Malfoy (pending), Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle

"I'm finished, Draco. Are you?" She asked.

"Almost." He scrawled one last thing on his paper, then exchanged with Hermione.

Draco's read:

Full name: Draco Matthias Malfoy
D.O.B: September 10th, 1980
Current Residence (Away from school): Malfoy Manor
Relationship Status: Single
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 160
Eye color: Grey-blue
Hair color: Light Blonde
Pets: Owl (Stormy), Horse (Jackpot), and Dog (Ranlo)
Hobbies: Torturing first years, playing quidditch, spending time with friends, riding horses
Favorite subject and why: Astronomy, because you get to work with the night sky
Favorite color: Silver
Favorite Professor: Snape
Best Friends: Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Viktor Krum
Worst Enemies: Harry Potter, Weasly clan, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall.

"You know Viktor?" Hermione asked with surprise.

"Yes... He's been my best friend for a long time."

"Oh."

"How do you know him?"

"That's a story for a different day, Draco."

They read for a bit more in silence.

"I didn't think you liked potions!" Draco said.

"Oh! I love them! It's just more nerve-wracking when there is a professor who doesn't like you standing over your shoulder."

"Yes, I know what you mean."

"I thought your favorite teacher was Snape!"

"I wasn't referring to him."

"Oh."

"I'm still one of your worst enemies?"

"No."

"Then why'd you write it?"

"Habit, I suppose. I'm sorry."

Silence.

"Can you dance, Hermione?"

"Somewhat I suppose."

"Ugh! I cannot spend my life with a woman who cannot dance! Come on!"

Music began playing out of thin air, and Draco grabbed Hermione's arms and pulled her into a standing position.

They started with a waltz, which was fairly easy. Then it got more complicated and Hermione tripped over her feet several times.

"Become one with the music Granger."

She tried, but it just was not working. In fact, it made it worse. She fell, but Draco caught her inches from the ground. Unfortunately, the momentum of her fall caused the two of them to drop to the floor.

Hermione landed on top of Draco with "Oof". It was rather comfortable, but it was still awkward. She looked down at Draco to see how he was doing, and looked straight into an intense pair of grey-blue eyes.

x-x-x-x-x-

Cliffy! And if you have not read my other fics... You'll soon learn it's my trademark.