Last time:

"Twitchy ferret, he may be, but I now have a reason to spend time with you."

"I'm failing to see why I would want to spend time with you, Zabini."

"What did I tell you about insulting those who possess the information you desire?"

"Zabini, if you don't tell me what in hell you're talking about, so help me Merlin, I'll hex you senseless. Because, unfortunately for you I'm just fed up, and considering that you're the only one in this room…" By then she had her wand out, and Blaise didn't want her to continue.

"Okay, okay, Hermione. Temper, temper."

She glared at him and he took a step back, one which she matched in moving forward.

"Well since Draco, the good guy that he is, has spread thiscreativerumor we might as well use it to our advantage."

Hermione just stared at him, "Creative? Is that some kind of underhanded insult?"

"Only if you want it to be, Hermione. I only meant that I would…you know…but…ahem…you, probably wouldn't."

"Ah yes. The 'do you know where that's been' factor. Of course."

"Clever." He grinned.

"I know."

"Now back to what I was saying before you got all insecure, Hermione."

She moved to object (she wasn't insecure), but he never let her. "Since everyone thinks we're…well, you know…we can use the time that they think we're using for…you know…to study."

"I never figured you for a shy one, Zabini." She smiled, "And I don't need a study buddy."

"Oh, on the contrary... You see, Hermione, you don't understand a particular book-" she raised her eyebrows, her not understand a book? That was absurd.

"-A book which I understand quite well…" he paused, hoping to see some kind of recognition in her eyes, "-you know, the book I took out of the library for you."

"Oh…The Unf- …oh." She paused, "That's brilliant. That's absolutely brilliant."

"Of course it is."

She gave him a pointed look, but he just smiled back. Unbeknownst to either of the two the door to dormitory had opened, although the visitor had yet to announce themselves.

She frowned then, apparently thinking of something. "But, I don't know, Zabini. This might not be a good idea…"

"We should try, at least. If you don't like it, we'll stop, Hermione." He smiled at her while she considered the option.

"Alright." She said, although she gave him a questioning look.

"Oh honestly!" Blaise and Hermione turned toward the source of the exclamation and found Goyle standing in the doorway. Hermione supposed he was coming to collect his things for class.

"You know, Zabini" he said, "if you're going to do i that /i in i here /i then please, post up a sign or something. I'm going to have to ask Draco to obliviate that conversation from my memory. If you want to discuss your sexual escap-…escapa-…esc-...games do it somewhere else, for Merlin's sake!"

Hermione looked practically mortified at this remark; Goyle had thought that they'd been talking about…oh Merlin! Blaise, however, looked rather amused that Goyle couldn't seem to pronounce 'escapades' and that he'd chosen such a moment to walk in on.

It was then that Crabbe stuck his head through the door, apparently hearing enough of the commotion to comprehend what was going on. Or what Goyle thought was going on.

Blaise just grinned and turned to Hermione. "I'll see you later then." He told her, and then proceeded to shower her with unnecessary displays of affection, for the sake of Crabbe and Goyle.

She made her way through the door, although the two heavyweights didn't make it easy. Crabbe called behind her, "Better be careful, Granger. A goody-goody Gryffindor all alone in the Slytherin Common Room, who knows, she might get frightened and take an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs."

After that remark, Blaise was quick to follow her and escort her into primarily neutral territory in the corridors. He was sure to leave her in view of plenty of Gryffindors. Although he wasn't too sure how they'd take to her now that their 'extra-curricular activities' had been exposed.

Hermione found her way to the Potions room in a daze. She'd seen some first years pointing at her and whispering. One very brave third year Slytherin dared approach her, but by the time the girl had finished making her snide remark she had grown fins, a nose much like the Muggle idea of a witch and ears which weighed her head down so much that her friends had to assist her.

She took her seat in the first row of the Potions room, just as she had for the past six years. The first potions class they'd had she'd arrived before Harry and Ron in order to ensure herself their customary table. Today, however the Dim Duo had reclaimed the table.

Without a second thought Hermione walked the aisle down the center of the dungeon to the two boys. When she reached the table she placed her books down and stared pointedly at them, tapping her foot.

"So you've decided to sit with us, then?" Harry asked, almost hopeful.

Hermione scoffed, "Hardly."

"Then what is it, Hermione?" Ron asked.

"You're sitting in my seat, you twit."

"Bloody hell, I am, woman!" Ron said, standing.

Hermione had already begun Windgardium Leviosa-ing their books to the table behind her when Professor Snape found his way to the doorway of the dungeon.

"Why do you have to be so difficult all the time?" Ron asked, looking to Harry for support, but the raven-haired boy stayed silent.

Hermione proceeded to ignore Ron's remarks until he started to use unnecessary 'adjectives'.

"And honestly, Hermione" he went on, "I never liked when you got called a Mudblood, and Mum hates the word, but you know if you're i this /i obnoxious around him then maybe you deserved it."

Malfoy, in true fashion, looked up upon hearing his name and called out across the dungeons at this, "Hey Weasley, I don't need you to suck up now that the dark is winning the war, we're going to kill you no matter what. In fact, we might Avada you before the Mudblood, just so we can watch her cry."

Hermione proceeded to scoff at this remark and collective gasps were heard across the room. Hermione could've sworn she heard someone whisper, "She wouldn't be upset? So it's true then…"

Severus Snape felt that this may be the best time to intercede. He walked quickly to the front of the dungeon and upon reaching it, turned smartly on his heel and addressed the Gryffindorks.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Weasley?"

"No, sir."

"Then you wouldn't know anything about a voice - which sounds quite similar to yours - shout the derogatory term for a Muggleborn, several moments ago?"

Ron looked shamefaced. "Sorry, sir."

"Of course, you are. You're always sorry, Weasley. Or rather, you always say you're sorry, but do you ever mean it?" Snape asked, rather wickedly, giving a pointed look to Hermione.

Ron looked confused. Snape, not giving him any time to answer, if he was intent on answering at all, smiled cruelly. "Detention, Mr. Weasley."

"But, sir..."

"Silence, Mr. Weasley, or I'll add another for every word you say."

Ron fell silent, much to the Slytherins' disappointment, as well as Hermione's. Snape adjusted something on his desk and allowed himself a grin, or something resembling one.

"Now, Miss Granger, there seems to be the problem of you needing a partner. I assume that both Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley are out of the question. And it appears as though every other Gryffindor has a partner, how unfortunate. Although I do see that Mr. Malfoy has two partners, both Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Goyle."

Hermione frowned at the idea of working with Crabbe or Goyle, especially with the incidences of the previous hour.

"That's a no then? Well, I suppose there's always Mr. Malfoy, himself."

Author's Note: I am incredibly sorry for the delay of this. I've just been oh-so-busy.

Yes, I realize that the last time I updated was in July, but my family went on vacation and my chapters were deleted from my computer. Then school started and I take AP classes which are swamping me, plus sports. But the other day I logged on and read all of your wonderful reviews and felt like giving you something to read. Plus I've been feeling inspired writing-wise. Even my original fiction is moving along. Although I haven't written a one-shot for anything (mostly other TV shows) since the end of September.

As for Crabbe and Goyle, I never saw them walking around saying "duh" all the time, they had to pick up something from Malfoy, and they are Slytherins. They're not completely dim. So that's my portrayal of them.

The "creative" comment and the conversation ensuing is my attempt at humor. Some of you will get it. Others maybe not. Basically Hermione remarks about how Blaise used the words 'creative rumor', she asks him if he meant that he'd never even consider doing what it is Draco thinks they're doing. Blaise then says that he would do that (he's joking) but Hermione wouldn't (he's calling her a prude). Hermione then goes on to say that she wouldn't only because Blaise has slept with lots of people. I hope you can follow the rest…

I know that this is a disappointingly short chapter, but I wanted to leave it there. Plus, I'm saving some good stuff for the next chapter…which I've already started! Yay