Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Author's Note: Brilliant! As I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with this chapter I remembered a small detail that I just threw in the last chapter. And guess what? It gave me a whole new angle on this story. I'm so excited because now I have a direction to take the story. I can't wing if forever, haha! Ok here it is….

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That night Hermione had a strange dream. She didn't remember much of it the next morning except that she was running through a maze of underground passages.

She kept looking behind her but she didn't know what for. She didn't see anything. As she ran she kept seeing Viridis written on the walls around her. Then she woke up.

The next few weeks passed without much event. Hermione made no more expeditions to the Slytherin common room door, or anywhere else for that matter. It was now early December.

Ron was Ron, of course. But Hermione, having successfully wriggled free from his grasp, avoided detection, and returned safely, felt a small speck of hope, and just the smallest sense of power. Maybe she could beat him at his own dominant game.

She hadn't seen much of Draco, except at mealtimes. They didn't patrol anymore, for now at least. Professor McGonnagall was having sixth year prefects patrol now. It was customary for sixth years to hold the bulk of the patrolling after all.

The reason for this was it was thought that the Head boy and girl, being seventh years, had enough on their plate (especially as the year progressed) to be getting on with; what with N.E.W.T.s, critical career decisions, and the usual mass amount of homework.

Draco and Hermione still had the use of the workroom though. They had various duties they were still responsible for besides patrolling.

The workroom was where Hermione happened to be at this moment, during a free period.

Next to the library, the workroom was Hermione's favorite place. It was quiet; there was usually no one there. She could work in peace. And she didn't have to worry about Ron coming in.

He still didn't know about the workroom, for which Hermione was grateful.

Hermione was working on an essay for History of Magic. Eliminating dragon hunting in Britain took a notoriously long time. Explain.

It was supposed to be eight inches. Hermione had six and was quickly coming up on seven.

The portrait of Sertia the Snide opened and Draco walked in.

He saw Hermione and faltered, then continued on to a chair by the fire.

He had a book with him. It looked like something for Astronomy. He opened it and started to read.

Hermione had stopped writing and watched him as he came in. She was now scribbling away quick as ever. Seven and a half inches.

Draco read the same paragraph four times without taking in a word.

At nearly eight inches, Hermione paused and pretended to think. She knew exactly what she wanted to write. She just didn't know what she was going to do when she was finished. Should she strike up a conversation? Should she walk out of the room in silence? Should she stare at him like an idiot until he got scared and ran out of the room?

"It's kind of nice not having to patrol three times a week." Hermione suddenly said before she could think about it decide not to.

Draco looked up. "Yeah, I didn't mind it though." His ears suddenly turned pink and he looked down at the book again.

"Hmm. Well, I suppose I'll head out now then. See you later." Hermione said wishing she could think up a reason to stay.

Draco looked up and said, "Oh ok bye."

Hermione walked out of the portrait hole and down the hall.

She sighed loudly and started down the hall. "Shouldn't you be in class?" she asked to a boy she didn't know well. She thought she recognized his face from Ravenclaw, a fourth year maybe? He appeared to be having a hard time with his wand.

"I was, uh, on my way to the Hospital Wing." The boy said.

Hermione frowned. "You don't look hurt."

And indeed he looked in perfect health.

"I don't feel well." The boy said looking nervous and angry at the same time.

"Hmm. Well hurry along then." She said.

The boy left and Hermione walked back up to Gryffindor tower. She had to hurry because the current period would be ending soon and Ron would want to know where she was.

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