A/N: I'd tell you all the reasons this is late, but I'm just going to say LIFE. Let's get back to our regularly scheduled viewing.


The following day was one of the coldest of the year so far, and the lack of temperature was visible throughout the castle. Along hallways, in classrooms and even in some common rooms, the students were scrabbling for the toasty warmth of autumn that had somehow dispersed overnight. Numerous cloaks were draped over shoulders, hordes of housemates were huddled around the common room fireplaces and the few that had no classes all morning or even day, curled up under the thick duvets in their dorm room and revelled in the cosiness.

Hermione Granger was no exception.

Up in the girl's dorm of Gryffindor tower, the brunette witch shared with other returning students and the current seventh years, she was cocooned in her blankets and quilt, enjoying her free morning of no classes. Naturally weeks ahead in her homework and revision, she could afford to take a morning off and savour the notion that other students need battle the fierce chill on their way to lessons.

Waking mid-morning, Hermione laid day-dreaming as she waited for Ginny's return to the dorm. The youngest Weasley was known to spend Thursday mornings at Quidditch practice with the current house team and as a firm and skilled Captain, Gryffindor House were consistently top of the standings. Hermione herself was pondering over the events of the previous evening, trying to comprehend everything that had occurred. The two students had been totally unwaveringly civil the entire session, achieved a great deal in terms of understanding the two subjects and moreover, had managed to hold a conversation out with 'excuse me, are you using this?'. The evening had been a success and while they hadn't arranged for another meeting in the future, she was to see the blond Slytherin that afternoon in class. As to their future etiquette, she was rather unsure. While she wasn't likely to simply greet him with a warm 'hello' and park herself down in the seat beside him, were they on amicable enough terms to interact or even acknowledge the other's existence?

Perhaps she was overthinking things.

Her unlikely interaction with Pansy then came to the forefront of her mind. Still an unpleasant character, having mostly been unaffected by the war, Hermione continued to feel mild distaste for the girl. However, the reason Pansy had sought her out the previous evening was one of pure selflessness and the Gryffindor had been greatly taken aback in surprise.


"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."

"This ought to be good, Parkinson." Hermione adjusted her bag on her shoulder, shifting her weight uncomfortably. While she had no doubt she could hold her own in a wand fight against the Slytherin, she had no desire to do so and even the prospect of a conversation was unsettling.

Pansy straightened up before responding carefully. "How was your study session with Draco?"

"What?" She blurted out before she could halt herself then shook her head. "Why do you care?"

"Draco happens to be my friend."

"Certainly doesn't seem that way."

The dark-haired Slytherin's eyes narrowed and when she spoke it was evident she was suppressing a growl. "You know absolutely nothing about our friendship. Don't try analysing other people, Granger; it won't win you any favours." Taking a breath, she took a step closer and Hermione had to resist the urge to take one backward in response. "Draco is under the impression you're going to solve all his problems. I want to make sure you're not screwing him around."

Hermione mulled over her words for several seconds, why of all people did Malfoy have so much faith in her and what exactly is it that he wanted? "Why would I mess with him? I have nothing to gain from that. He offered me a fair deal, Pansy."

"He's done…bad things. It would be easy for you to ruin his life a little more. I just hoped you were above that." She relaxed slightly, easing away from the Gryffindor.

"I am above that." Hermione adjusted her bag again, picking at the leather with her nail. "Alright, look, you have nothing to worry about, Pansy. I'm going to help him. He's been civil and helpful, I have no issues whatsoever."

"Wonderful. He certainly wants this to succeed and I'm glad you feel the same. Still, if you try to sabotage him, you'll have more than just me to deal with and you no longer have those two idiots to cover your ass." Turning on her heel, the Slytherin strode away purposefully and left Hermione alone in the corridor with just her rattled thoughts for company.


"Hey, Hermione."

"Ginny?" The older witch groaned, rolling over to look at the door, the redhead had just entered through wearing her quidditch gear. "Don't tell me it's time to get up already. It's bloody freezing."

The youngest Weasley laughed, patting Hermione's duvet covered leg. "I need to shower and change first so you enjoy that warmth a little longer." She gratefully snuggled back down as the other girl headed to the bathroom.

When Ginny finally emerged, Hermione had begrudgingly exited the warmth of her bed and was dressed and waiting for her. The brunette was lost in her thoughts however and didn't notice until the younger was beside her.

"Still thinking about Parkinson?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, sort of. She made it sound like I'd have the entirety of Slytherin house after me, if I screw things up for him, yet I've only ever seen Malfoy with a handful of his housemates." The two girls descended the stairs and left through the portrait hole, heading for the Great Hall.

"He's not exactly in favour down in the dungeons." Ginny revealed, lowering her voice as several sixth year students passed by them on the staircase. "Despite popular opinion, not every pure-blood Slytherin was linked with Voldemort. Plenty of them had a hard time dealing with all the hate from students of other houses. Not to mention, Death Eaters came knocking for a good number of them. When it became a heavy rumour that he'd become Voldemort's pawn within Hogwarts, the majority of his housemates distanced themselves from him."

"Pansy stuck around evidently." Hermione voiced a mix of confusion and distaste.

"Maybe Pugface is right; we don't really have a grasp on their relationship. Perhaps she really does care about him." The two exchanged sceptical glances but Hermione shrugged, turning the corner before she was wrenched backwards abruptly. She almost fell into her counterpart as Ginny stared fixatedly down the corridor.

"What the…?"

"Hermione, look."

Among a small throng of people, she made out the figures of Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson leaving a classroom at the end of the hall and heading towards the stairs that led to the dungeons.

"That's Muggle Studies." The brunette witch hissed to her companion, before pulling her back along toward the Great Hall, out of earshot of passing students. "What on earth are those two doing taking that class?"

"Well, it hardly seems like they're thrilled. You saw them sneaking away."

Hermione frowned at her friend, taking a seat upon a bench at the Gryffindor table. "So…what? They want to take it but have no one know? Otherwise, why be there at all? Unless…could they have to take the class?"

"Like a punishment?" Ginny asked, grabbing a chocolate muffin and plopping it down on her plate.

"Rehabilitation." Hermione offered, mirroring her friend with an apple instead.

Ginny's nose wrinkled as she considered the notion. "I mean, some muggle stuff is cool. Just listen to my dad talk for ten minutes. But, no offence, I can't imagine having to learn a bunch of stuff I have no concept of. You and Harry talk about plenty of things from the muggle world that me and my brothers will likely never see or understand. I don't even like History of Magic but I've at least vaguely heard of most of the great wizarding achievements. Imagine having to learn about people and events you've been completely oblivious to…" Finally catching on to her friend's unimpressed expression, the redhead laughed sheepishly, a blush creeping up her face. "Right, yeah, sorry."

"Anyway." Retorting pointedly, she rolled her eyes. "I'm sure it'll do them the world of good. Maybe seeing how things work outside of their own bubble will open their minds to accepting muggles and muggle-borns."


The Slytherin common room, adorned as ever in emerald, was remarkably empty. Only a few students remained with noses deep in books or scribbling with quills in an attempt to complete assignments. One such student, Theodore Nott, glanced up from his parchment as his two close friends entered through the brick wall. "How was your lesson today?" He quipped, smirking widely as Pansy sneered at him.

"Muggles are bloody weird. It's a wonder they've survived this long."

"Pansy." Draco warned as he slid into the seat opposite the older boy at a desk by the corner. The raven-haired girl merely shrugged and started up the stairs to the dormitories.

"You know it's going to be a miracle if she passes, Draco." Theo continued, turning his attention back to him for a moment before lowering his gaze to his own Transfiguration essay.

Sliding further down in his chair, Malfoy sighed knowing his friend was right. "I think she still believes she can buy her way out of this mess." He was rewarded with only a snort. "I can tell McGonagall isn't impressed. Although, she's made me an interesting proposition."

Hazel eyes greeted grey, Nott's interest piqued. "Proposition?"

"She's agreed to write me a letter of recommendation for any job I want, as long as I get the necessary grades and at least an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Muggle Studies."

Theo could see the seriousness in his friend's gaze and moreover, a glint of hope. He understood well that Draco was silently terrified of where he would go after school, with everyone aware of what he'd participated in; he was hardly in anyone's favour. "Can you do it?"

Teeth gnawed at his bottom lip as Malfoy considered the question for a few seconds. "You know, I really think I can." The older boy broke into a grin as Draco himself chuckled slightly. Finally, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.


A/N: Hot waffles, it is good to be back. Update next week!