A/N: So I did a little bit of editing and adding to the last chapter. It's nothing super important that influences this chapter really but yeah, I'm a bit happier with it now.
The Hogwarts library was silent as Hermione ventured in at ten to seven on the Wednesday night. As usual Madame Pince was running a tight ship and not a word was uttered amongst the aisles as she travelled down through to a quiet and secluded corner in the back. Naturally she thought her study partner for the evening wouldn't be too keen on sitting front of view for the gossipers to start whispers so she retired to one of her favourite sections and set up her study material on the small table. Inhaling deeply, Hermione pondered the way the night could possibly go and ended up daydreaming about long drawn out arguments dredging up old memories and pains or surprisingly enough an unexpected truce which led to permanent civility. It was completely irrational and utterly strange. Where were these sudden thoughts coming from? She contemplated blaming Ginny for such madness as the fiery red-head had made a compelling argument as to his slight change in personality and perhaps lack of responsibility for the madness he participated in creating in regards to the war.
The sound of a throat being cleared drew Hermione's attention back to her surroundings just as a body fell into the seat beside her. A flash of blonde hair indicated her companion had arrived and she exhaled slowly in preparation for the trauma to begin. Mildly glancing at her watch, she noted he was perfectly on time and was surprised that his lax attitude wasn't also extending into his time keeping.
"Didn't think I'd be late, did you Granger?" Flicking her gaze to his, she raised an eyebrow to convey her surprise and he rolled his eyes in irritation. "I happen to value punctuality." He insisted, pulling textbooks and parchment from his bag before grabbing a quill. "Now, where should we begin?" Recognising his clear disregard for pleasantries, Hermione flicked through her copy of Numerology and Grammatica while asking about his issues with the subject of Arithmancy. Being in unsafe territory with Draco Malfoy of all people gave her the urge to cling to something she knew well and her favourite subject seemed the most helpful course of action.
Malfoy had certainly made a wise decision in calling upon her assistance in particular and he was rather confident in her ability to help him successfully raise his grade. He'd sat in many periods of class with Professor Vector quietly praising the witch and whenever he glanced over in her direction, she would have a slight crinkle in her forehead while puzzling through a question before a triumphant little smirk would grace her features as she solved it. He never was sure why he noticed her insignificant little tendencies or why he felt the need to look at her in the first place but he was convinced this time it would be benefiting him.
After half an hour of efficient work, Draco sat back and stretched his previously hunched shoulders, expelling a satisfactory moan in the process. Hermione's eyes widened slightly at the sound but she hurriedly turned to organising her notes before the Slytherin could spot her stare.
"Perhaps a break, eh Granger? I daresay I could ace the exam if I took it tomorrow." With an affirming nod from his study partner, Malfoy pushed back his chair and scoured through his bag before returning triumphantly with a delicious shiny green apple then slumping down into a more comfortable position as he observed Hermione shuffling through her numerous bits of parchment.
So far the evening had been more than useful and he could already see his own improvement in understanding simply by her explaining concepts in differing ways to his professor. Hermione Granger really was a remarkable tool for studying. Draco had also found he rather enjoyed the quiet privacy their corner space provided and closed his eyes momentarily to soak in the barely audible ruffling of pages or slight mumbling of other students. However, only minutes later a strange silence settled over the corner and he sensed her gaze on him. Turning his head, he met those whiskey coloured eyes and saw curiosity swirling in them. Biting into his snack, he raised an eyebrow in question and waited for the inquisition to begin.
"Can I ask you something?" She asked tentatively, waiting for a possible snarky reply along the lines of 'shove off'.
"I suppose you can." He replied evenly, disguising slight uncertainty at what she could possibly want to know.
"You said you need an Outstanding and that scraping an Exceeds Expectations wasn't enough. But the subject is Arithmancy, what do you need it for?"
"Clever, Granger. You really never do take things at face value and I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you figured it out. Let's just say I have something to prove and you're helping me achieve that."
"But for what purpose?" She stressed, leaning forward intently in hopes of an answer. For a moment she waited on him replying but he merely smirked before it suddenly dawned on her and she barely managed to avoid squeaking as she spoke. "Oh Merlin… are you… are you trying to get into the auror training program?" Now, Malfoys were most definitely creatures of etiquette and manners and just darn right classiness but the snort that issued from the Malfoy heir caught Hermione totally off-guard and she withdrew in shock.
"Brightest Witch of Our Age - my arse. Honestly girl, I could go to hell and back, dragging a troll and riding a dragon all with the most perfect grades imaginable and the Minister of Magic would probably still laugh so hard at the notion of me becoming an auror that the man would fall out of his chair in hysterics." While Draco rolled his eyes in both hilarity and sarcasm, Hermione cringed in her seat. He was right. After the war, there was no chance the Minister was likely to hire him in such a high powered and dangerous role, especially when there would be uprising from the other two members of the Golden Trio and quite possibly the rest of the Magical Law Enforcement department as well. "Let's just leave some things as a mystery for now, eh Granger? Maybe if I pass I'll let you in on the reason but I hardly think you need to be privy to it at this particular moment."
Hermione supposed it was the best she could hope for. She also reasoned if he wasn't planning on joining the aurors, it also seemed rather unlikely he was attempting to acquire a job in another Ministry Department. She simply couldn't imagine the proud Pureblood Slytherin sitting behind a desk titled Misuse of Muggle Artefacts, International Magical Co-operation or Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. For as long as she could remember, Hermione had been under the impression that Malfoy would either follow his talents and become a Quidditch player or follow in his father's footsteps and join the family company before eventually taking over after his father retired. At that moment, Lucius Malfoy was rotting in a hole in the ground and the business somewhat disbanded due to the large amount of shady, dangerous or darn right illegal contracts with less than model members of society.
Finally devouring the last of his fruit, Draco discarded the core and stretched once more before tucking his seat back in at the table and turning to his study partner. "Ready for your lesson then, Granger?" Hermione nodded her affirmation, tidied away her notes on Arithmancy and pulled forward her parchment on Potions. "Right, we need some background basis before you deduce the most successful way of concocting the most accurate potion possible. I suggest we go over what you've got and your plan before we investigate how to improve it."
His business like but not harsh choice of tone made the brunette witch think he'd make a rather effective tutor or teacher and she momentarily felt like she'd made a rather brilliant decision in accepting his help and odd proposition. At this rate, they'd both improve and perhaps even develop a civil relationship.
The comfortable environment in which the two students worked continued uninterrupted for the remainder of the evening. The library's inhabitants had slowly begun to dissipate as it closed in on ten o'clock and when Hermione finally glanced up from her scroll of parchment and neat notes, she noted they were two of only four other students.
"It's getting rather late, Malfoy. Perhaps we should call it a night, we've achieved a great deal." She volunteered, placing down her quill and stretching out her cramped hand. The blond Slytherin groaned a positive reply and uncurled his shoulders, a slight clicking emanating from his back.
"You're definitely right; we've been at it for ages. Let's head back to our common rooms and we can pick this up again in a few days." Gathering up his parchment, quills and books, Draco replaced his supplies in his satchel and tucked in his chair. With her head preoccupied with school work and rummaging through her bag, Hermione failed to notice as her counterpart waited patiently by the edge of the table. Finally turning, a quiet 'oh' escaped her as she picked up her bag and stood from her chair. Placing any books back in their respective places, the pair passed quietly by Madame Pince's desk and out into the considerably chillier hallway.
"Well, have a nice evening, Granger. Thanks for your help." With that parting note, he shoved his hands into his pockets and started down the corridor toward the Slytherin Dungeons. Hermione stood in the midst of the light draft of cold air, watching as he turned a corner and disappeared from sight before turning her attention back to thoughts of the cosy warmth of Gryffindor tower. Swift paced and mind focussed on talking with Ginny, the brunette witch was almost in the face of someone walking the opposite way before realising their abrupt crossing of paths.
"Oh, I'm so- Parkinson." Stiffening immediately, Hermione straightened her shoulders and prepared for the usual slew of colourful nicknames from the other girl. It was evident from their position on the left side of the hall, Pansy had in fact walked purposefully into her and the smirk she was sporting was a dead giveaway to an agenda.
"Granger, I was just about to dissect the library for you but it seems, you've made it easy for me. We need to talk."
A/N: So yes, I have been busy and this is ridiculously later than I promised but surprise an update! I definitely can't promise regular updates but I certainly am hoping to get another chapter out by next week. Happy reading lovely people!
