That night Hermione had actively avoided Malfoy, she took some books to the Gryffindor common room and sat, helping Harry and Ron with their paper, studying healing spells next to them. It was a peaceful distraction, even the playful back and forth bickering of her two friends couldn't take away her calm, at least they weren't kissing her.
Ginny wasn't around, and Hermione didn't know where exactly her friend was, but she didn't want to let Ginny know what had happened, she'd only push her to get it on with Malfoy, and she would rather fail than go through with that idea. So near the end of the curfew Hermione hurried back to her shared common room and nervously spoke the password.
Fortunately for Hermione he wasn't there when she walked in, so she quickly shuffled up the stairs and into her room, it was going to be torture trying to avoid someone she lived with.

The next morning Hermione woke as early as possibly, she showered, changed and dried her hair with a simple spell. She was out of the common room in record time, and she'd managed to do it without bumping into Malfoy. She kept her head down throughout all meals in the Great Hall and convinced herself that Malfoy would never do anything to her, even if she continued to pursue Cody. The next day she'd continue, she was adamant about that. It only took until lunch for Ginny to catch up to Hermione whilst walking to the Hall, she pulled her aside, red hair whipping into Hermione's face and spoke frantically.
"So, how'd it go? I saw you speak to that quiet Slytherin, what's his name? And then Malfoy interrupted and followed you out the Hall, what is going on?" her words were fast and excited, but hushed so passers-by couldn't hear, Hermione rolled her eyes, knowing if she could confide in anyone it would be Ginny, even if there would be endless teasing. She whispered back the story of yesterday, completely forgetting to mention Hermione and Malfoy's 'moment' in the hallway and passing it off as just a talk, briefly covering what he'd said. Ginny's expressions stayed on the wavelength of shocked and amused and she seemed delighted by the end of her story.
"Well just sleep with Malfoy then!" Hermione blanched "Come on, he's offering it you, you can't just say no, that's a perfect chance to complete the tattoo!" but Hermione shook her head,
"Of course it is, but it's Malfoy, I don't want to have sex with him. I'm sure he wasn't serious anyway just pulling another prank."
"But he looked pretty serious in the hall yesterday, like he wanted to jinx Cody's head off just because you spoke to him. I think you just don't want to admit there could be some tension there and you're attracted to him. Just because he's arrogant doesn't mean he's all that bad."
"He's also racist." She added raising an eyebrow at Ginny.
"Some people can't help but follow what their parents preach to them, Malfoy doesn't really seem like he believes in it, and honestly I've seen him check out muggle born girls before, I've seen him check out you too – plenty of times. I think he just acts the way he thinks he should."
"That doesn't give him any right to act like he does towards me," she huffed and crossed her arms, furrowing her brow and readjusting her heavy bag to the other shoulder. "Look I honestly don't think he likes me, and I certainly don't like him. He's arrogant, and self-righteous and a downright douche. I'm gonna continue trying with Cody." She gave Ginny a look that dared her to argue, but Ginny was a Gryffindor through and through, "Well you're making a mistake! It's just going to rile Malfoy more if you do that, I think he just doesn't want to admit he may actually like you, so he's being a dick to cover up for that. Either way, he's your chance to complete the challenge, maybe the only one you'll get. Just think about it." Ending their conversation similarly to the way Malfoy had, Ginny moved away blending with crowd, before Hermione could argue back.

Another night passed with Hermione avoiding Malfoy, spending it again in the Gryffindor common room, watching yet another barbaric game of Wizard's Chess, this time she also avoided Ginny's gaze and brushed off her friend's questions. She told them she was tired, and over-run with work – which was true, but not the whole story. However much she hated lying to Ron and Harry they definitely wouldn't understand this, they were all for no house unity with the Slytherin's and she didn't know how she could ever convince them otherwise.

It took Hermione a week to find the courage to start trying to talk to Cody again, this time she thought better of making a public scene by talking to him in the Great Hall. There was the possibility of Potions class, but Malfoy was there to brush off her attempts at conversation. She had to somehow speak to him between classes, whilst she was thinking that very thought she glanced up from the floor to see Cody passing straight by her, glancing anywhere but her way.
"Cody! Hi," she blurted before thinking through what to say. "Look I'm sorry about the other week, but you can just ignore Malfoy, are you sure you don't want to go out some time? I heard there's a Hogsmeade trip planned next week…" She exerted a bubbly persona, one very unlike her usually reserved personality and gave him a quick smile. Cody only blushed and darted his eyes up and down the hallway, seemingly nervous.
"Hey, Hermione, that would be great-"
"Becket. I said leave her alone. Did you not hear me?" Draco Malfoy's voice was hard and cold and Hermione spun to face him.
"What the hell do you think you're playing at?" She demanded, her voice was a harsh whisper so as not to attract attention but Malfoy did that anyway. "It is none of your business who I choose to ask out, and it certainly isn't your job to scare them away from me." His eyes were narrow slits as he moved closer towards her, looking down upon her fearsome face.
"It may not be my job, but it what's best for you, not to interfere with the Slytherin's publicly. Are you aware of the ridicule you would receive? And him I guess," He added, waving a hand towards Cody "but I'm sure he can handle that anyway, the problem is you think you can meddle with how the houses work and you can't. Okay?"
She stared right back at him, but there was a small part of her brain thinking, is he actually looking out for me? That is ridiculous!
"Malfoy if you were so concerned about me not interfering with your house, then why did you offer to…" Hermione's voice was already hushed but she paused to look around and lowered her voice even further when finishing "…sleep with me?" He only laughed in reply.
"Granger, that was just sex. I wasn't offering to date you. Maybe you don't see a difference, but you don't have to date someone to shag them." Once again it was Hermione's turn to blush, as she replied frostily.
"What makes you think I want to date Cody? Maybe I'm just looking for someone to hook up with!" and surprisingly that was the truth. If it wasn't for this Challenge and her drive to win, she wouldn't even be contemplating the idea of fucking Malfoy. No, wait - Cody. That's who she wanted to sleep with. Hermione felt a smug warmth fall over her at Malfoy's stunned expression as she revealed her intentions. She glanced over her shoulder to see that Cody has scattered the scene as soon as Malfoy had moved in towards Hermione and they were now alone in the corridor.
"Fine, have it your way." Malfoy snarled, his eyebrows drawn together and fingers curling dangerously into clenched fists.

Once she'd returned to the Head Common room that evening she was surprised to see Malfoy, sat brooding on the sofa. He was writing furiously on a piece of parchment and even as she watched the nib snapped and spill of ink bloomed across his work. Cursing he stood up trying not to get any on his clothes and shoved the quill and parchment away from him on the glossy oak table opposite the sofa and crossed his arms. She was witness to this whole scene and laughed as he blew a piece of hair that had fallen over his eyes, away. He moved his head to look at her but didn't speak, he seemed to be sulking about their conversation earlier and as Hermione curled once more into her squishy red armchair she began to wonder if maybe it would be easier to seduce Malfoy after all…