Throughout the first week back at Hogwarts, Draco had toned down his friend act, not wanting to overwhelm Granger- or, more importantly, make her more suspicious. However, he did make it a point to smile at her every chance he got, and greet her good morning ever day and good night every evening. Draco figured that forming a habit this way, even as simple as this, could make her begin to think of him as something other than the bully who had tormented her and her friends the past five years.

Draco also made it a point to defend Potter whenever the subject came up, even when he wasn't around one of the trio, making sure his act seemed entirely wholesome. He couldn't have other Gryffindors running back to Granger- no, Hermione. He had to get used to thinking of her as Hermione every time he referred to her, that way he wouldn't slip up in person- anyway, he couldn't have anyone telling her that he had been Potter-bashing when she wasn't around. No, much the opposite. Everyone would hear about what a good person Draco was being, and how he hadn't even given a mean look since the start of term.

His fellow Slytherin were thrown for a loop, but he didn't care. He couldn't care. Once this was all over, and Harry Potter was in Voldemort's grasp, everyone would know what Draco had done and his reputation would be restored. However, it truly was taking it's toll on him. Draco had so quickly gone from the most popular Slytherin student to the bottom of the food chain, sitting at the end of the house table with only Crabbe and Goyle by his side. Even his long time admirer, Pansy Parkinson, had given up on him- though, this was more of a gift than a shame. Draco held strong, though, telling himself that it was all worth it. He would save his family and himself and be a hero in the eyes of all Death Eaters- the greatest honor for a pure-blood.

Towards the end of September, Draco decided to make another move. He had received an owl from his father asking about how his studies were going, though, of course, he had been really inquiring about the mission without actually writing it. His father had never cared before to ask about his studies, and he certainly wouldn't now. No, dear old father just wanted to know how quickly Draco's mission was failing. He figured he'd better get a move on proving him wrong- proving everyone wrong.

So one day in Arithmancy, one of the only classes that he had with Hermione and not the rest of the Golden Trio, Draco decided he would make a simple but very bold move. He sat in the seat next to her this class, earning himself many strange looks. However, he simply gave her a small smile and continued on as he usually would.

In fact, he was the perfect student that he always was, in hopes to make her think that he wasn't up to anything. He didn't even pay her another glance until the class was over. "Didn't your friend miss you back there?" Hermione asked him, referring to Blaise Zabini, who he usually sat with this lesson.

Draco shrugged. "It didn't bother you, did it?" he asked, ignoring her question. He repressed a chuckle at the puzzled look on her face. "I can move back tomorrow if you'd like." Draco offered, packing up his things.

"What?" Hermione asked. It seemed as though she couldn't fathom him taking her feelings into consideration, and Draco felt a small pang in his chest at that. Sure, he was mean to her, but he hadn't thought he had been that bad. He poked fun at her and her mates, but, that was just it- it had been fun to him. It never really occurred to him that calling her "mud-blood" and other foul names might not be seen as him trying to have fun in her eyes.

"I want to sit here, for a few reasons, actually. But I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I'll move back to my regular seat tomorrow." Draco told her, still giving her a kind smile.

The brunette seemed to ponder this while putting her large book back into her bag. "Why do you want to sit here?" she asked quietly, not looking at him. This took Draco by surprise. He had assumed she would just let him leave without saying anything else and be rid of him. Draco thought for a moment.

"Blaise and I aren't exactly speaking at the moment." Draco admitted, his smile falling in a very real way. Of course, he was playing this up in hopes to tug on Hermione's heartstrings. However, it was true. Blaise was one of the Slytherin who didn't take kindly to blood traitors, which his whole house was beginning to think of him as since he was suddenly sticking up for Harry Potter and refusing to bully anyone.

Hermione looked at him. "You can sit here." she told him, though her face looked stern. "But that's it. We aren't mates, we don't work together, you can't copy my homework or notes, and you can keep all your pouty faces and pity stories to yourself because I'm not interested." she snapped, throwing her bag over her shoulder and leaving the classroom, not even giving him time to fight.

"Thank you!" he called to her retreating figure, grinning to himself. That had gone better than he had ever expected.

Another week came and went, and Draco felt that it wouldn't be very long now before Hermione caved. Each day in Arithmancy he continued to be a model student, hoping that if the Gryffindor knew how seriously he took his studies, she might have more respect for him. Once they had gotten their first few batches of homework back, homework that he received top marks on, she seemed to have dropped her suspicion a bit. At least, she no longer was worried about him copying off of her assignments or trying to cheat in any way.

On October the 1st, Draco felt he had reached a checkpoint in his mission. Before he had the chance to greet Hermione when passing by her in the hall, she gave him a small smile. "Good morning." she said. A wide grin cracked across his face, and he returned her greeting.

"How are you this morning?" Draco asked, noticing that she had actually stopped to speak to him and internally rejoicing.

"I'm well. And you?" she returned. She seemed a bit strange to him, but then again, the fact that the two were purposely stopping to chat in the hall was indeed strange.

Draco's smile grew. "You're speaking to me of your own accord, so I'd have to say I'm doing fantastic."

Hermione's smile faltered. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Draco." And she turned to walk away.

"Be that as it may, something I've done must have gotten me in your good graces." his voice was sing-song-y and she turned back to look at him, eyebrows raised. "You've never called me Draco before."

Hermione's eyes widened. It seemed she hadn't even noticed she'd used his first name. How cute… no. Not cute. How stupid. She was supposed to be the smart one, and yet she didn't even know what she said to him? Pathetic, really.

"Oh, stuff it. It's nothing you've done. I've just- well, I've spent almost a month in class next to you. Hearing Professor Vector calling you by your first name for an hour each day takes it's toll, apparently." Hermione defended herself, and it was quite a good excuse, too. So good, in fact, that he probably would have believed it if she hadn't been blushing.

However, since he was being nice now, he gave her mercy. "That makes sense. I'm sorry I teased you for it." he looked down at his shoes in remorse. "But… I did like it. You using my first name, I mean." he continued, glancing up at her pretending to be bashful.

"Well, I'm sorry to say that it won't be happening again. I'll see you in Arithmancy." she rushed off quickly, clearly afraid he'd try to call her back yet again.

Draco stood there for another moment, smirking to himself. He was quite pleased. Not only had she greeted him first and initiated a conversation, but she had called him "Draco". And it wasn't even 8 in the morning yet! It really was turning out to be a fantastic day.