A/N: So here's a one shot that could turn into a longer story if it does well enough... right now I only have one scene playing out in my head, and a teeny tiny subplot. Not right well good enough for an actual story! Tell me what you think! Feedback greatly appreciated! PS, my first HP fanfiction ever... Not following the same story line as the book exactly, so don't get too confused... Enjoy! *:

Harry and Ron sat at their shared table in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, there were precisely two minutes and thirty four seconds until class would begin. This class, taught by Professor Severus Snape, was shared between the Gryffendor and Slytherin sixth year students. It was apparent to not only the two best friends, but the Gryffendor house as a whole, that what was originally a favorite class, was now a much dreaded prison. Every year this class had had a teacher that could not stay for longer than the semester, because they were either in some way evil, or just happened to be a werewolf. They now had ended up with Snape, a teacher hated by anyone who wasn't either Dumbledor or a Slytherin student.

Across from the boys, Hermione sat, quill ready, parchment unfolded and book opened to the page that she somehow knew to turn to. As more students shuffled in, the frizzy haired girl turned in her seat to find her friend Neville Longbottom, who she'd been tutoring for the past month and three quarters. As she grinned and waved him over, she was shocked and her smile faded, making way for dismay when a certain blond, who just so happened to not be Neville, sat down beside her. His appearance was casual as he bent down to remove his things from his bag, setting them out on the table carelessly.

She watched him for a moment, disbelief holding her mind. The rest of the class noticed as well, but were less determined to get to the bottom of this (Harry and Ron aside of course, who stared angrily at Draco Malfoy until the class had officially begun).

"What are you doing?" Hermione whispered angrily under her breath as Snape made the introduction to today's lesson.

Malfoy didn't answer her; instead he only glanced in her direction briefly in acknowledgement, no emotion present on his face, and returned his attention to Professor Snape, his personal favorite teacher.

Snape stood, speaking about Vampire's and how to fend them off, at the front of the class. Greasy black hair parted down the middle, large nose pointed slightly upward in an overly confident "better than you" sort of way. He seemed to not notice the two students at the front and center of the class not paying attention to a word he was saying.

"Why are you sitting here?" She whispered again, anger filling in for the shock.

Malfoy continued to ignore her, taking notes on what Snape was saying, ignoring the death glare coming from the heated girl beside him.

As the class went on, a note was slipped onto Hermione's notebook. A note from Draco which read Be careful.

"Be careful?" She whispered aloud. "Are you threatening me?" Her voice was too loud and Malfoy stomped down on her foot in efforts to silence her. Snape still appeared to take no notice of the two.

In seconds, another note was slipped in front of her. I can't explain now, you're in trouble.

Hermione felt a flash of cold run through her, settling in her stomach like ice, blood running cold. She stared at the note, face paled and eyes drying. Her attention was pulled away from it when she felt his pinky finger, ever so subtly so that no one else would notice, pressing down on her own pinky finger.

What do you mean? She wrote back, feeling her eyes prick with tears that she tried with great effort to hold back.

I just need you to trust me; don't go back to your common room tonight.

Suddenly even more suspicious, Hermione slapped the note back onto his half of the desk, and forcing her attention back to the lesson.

Please. Another note was placed in front of her. In response, she flung herself around to glare at him more sternly, an expression that might have intimidated even the most powerful of men, for an angry teenage girl is nothing to involve yourself with. Her warning almost fell when she saw Malfoy's own expression, concerned and pleading. He stared into her eyes as if he were begging, and for a moment she wondered if he truly were trying to help her. The thought was only brief though as she decided that he was probably trying to sabotage her or save his own skin.

They're planning something against you to get to Harry. Please listen.

More curious than anything, she wrote back. Talk.

She might have been mistaken, but she thought she heard the boy sigh from beside her, releasing the breath he appeared now to be holding.

I can't explain here. Hide in the Dark Forest tonight, we'll come find you when it's safe.

"Ridiculous," Hermione muttered to herself, rolling her eyes. Of course he'd want her to go there. Sabotage was right.

"Please," he whispered to her, voice desperate. For some reason, Hermione decided that she would listen. For whatever reason, she would not stay in her dorm tonight. But she sure as hell would not go into the forest.

I'll get you when it's safe. He wrote her, in hopes that she would do as he asked. Hermione smiled slightly in response, and his finger pressed down even harder on hers, a silent thanks.

Across from them, Harry and Ron tried to pay hear every word that was being passed between their friend and their enemy, with no luck at all. They were mumbling so quietly beneath Snape's curling ugly words. Rage filled them both as they watched, because for the rest of the class, even though Hermione focused on the lesson and took pages and pages of notes, Malfoy sat watching her, not very discretely, with barely concealed emotion on his face. Was that... Fear? Concern? What had they been speaking about?

Hermione finally met their gaze, and nodded, letting them know she'd tell them everything as soon as class was over and they were back in the common room.

Don't tell them. Draco wrote her again. No good will come to them if you say a word.

Fear encompassing her for the nth time in that hour, she nodded slightly, determined to keep her friends out of trouble even if it meant putting herself in danger. She didn't think for a second that they couldn't protect her, but with everything going on, she decided to take on this one battle on her own.

Thank you, you'll be safe I promise.

A/N: So there it is! Not too long, not too brief, hope you enjoyed it!