AN: This is a story I wrote a couple of years ago. This is my first DRAMIONE story and I hope I do justice. I've been looking forward to putting this on ff but I was busy to do it. I'll try to update every 2 weeks though I couldn't promise anything. Please do leave reviews and some sort because it would really make my day and comments or suggestions or constructive criticisms are pretty much welcome.

I do not own anything only the wonderful J.K. Rowling does -.- except maybe some characters I make up. Oh and another thing Snape isn't dead. :)

Well on with the story.

Weeks passed by and nothing eventful happened.

Snape entered the room cloak billowing before him, students of both Gryffindor and Slytherin took their respective seats not wanting to anger the Head of Slytherin. Hermione who was running late because of her head duties was left without one.

"Ah, Miss Granger do you intend to stand for the entire time?" he inquired. Snape was still his usual self – though more relaxed – after the war. He was still biased when taking points from Gryffindors but he was more lenient now.

"I'm sorry sir" she quickly searched for a seat but the only available slot was with Malfoy, she quickly went over to him.

"Open your books to page 349 and I want you to brew me a bottle of an Elixir to Induce Euphoria, it is a highly advance potion to which people who do not have the proper knowledge to brew would have a cauldron blew up his/her face. This would be a test if you are ready for your N.E.W.T.S, your partner would be the one who you're seated with, now get working."

Hermione wasn't that good in potions so she was a little worried when Snape mentioned the word N.E.W.T.S.

"Granger stop dazing around I want to finish this early." Malfoy said while he was preparing the cauldron, she nodded and went to stock room to collect the ingredients, when she was done they started making their potions quietly without bothering each other. At one point Hermione was having a hard time peeling the skin of one of the ingredients

"Granger that's not how you do it, you'll lose the most important part of the fruit. You need to use the knife vertical at this kind of angle or else our potion wouldn't be that successful." He then proceeded to peel the fruit in the manner in which he specified and she could see what he was talking about.

"Okay, thank you" she said quietly. It was the first time Malfoy talked to her without any remark and/or tone of hatred or coldness.

They were the first one to finish the task and as usual Malfoy received an O while Hermione had an E. Class went by usual - by usual meaning - one of the cauldron blew at Seamus' face and Neville passing out.

"'Mione?" Harry questioned. "Hey" he waved his hand in front of her face.

"hmmm?" her mind was wandering off.

"What are you thinking off you've been far off from us" she quickly dismissed the thought forming inside her head.

"N.E.W.T.S is coming up and you know how bad I am in potions. If it wasn't for Malfoy today I wouldn't have gotten an E" Harry just nodded.

"I know you and Malfoy aren't on such good terms 'Mione but why don't you ask him for help" piped Ginny. Harry looked at her as if she was losing her mind. Harry and Malfoy had been civil to each other after the war and they could be called "acquaintances" because Harry was a prefect now and they were mostly the one talking about violators and what not.

"Gin if they were to work together we might need to find a place for a new Hogwarts to be built-in" He laughed.

"You never know Harry" Ginny said with a glint on her eyes. Ginny and Harry were still friends despite their breakup it was like there was nothing wrong to begin with. Ron wasn't still welcomed in the group for what he said to her.

Hermione was on patrol duty with Malfoy tonight and she reflected on what Ginny said.

"Granger come, we need to do the rounds" Malfoy strode forward leaving her behind. They were on the Slytherin part of the castle when Hermione tried to broach the subject.

"Hey Malfoy" she tested if he was in the talking mood.

"What?" He was.

"Uhmm, You – I cause, potions" she was having a hard time trying to formulate a sentence. This was the first time she was asking him a favor

"Granger, Sentences if you can" He smirked at her which made her irritated a little.

"Can you help me at potions?" an 'ahh' was all the replied she got.

She waited for him to elaborate his response to her, but after 5 minutes she concluded that he will not pursue it further and Hermione was a little impatient.

"Well?" she piped.

"I don't know Granger, what's in it for me?" He was clearly having fun making her squirm.

"What do you want?"She snapped.

"Tsk tsk Granger is that how you speak to the person you're asking for a favor?" he tried to hide the smirk but Hermione could see it, so she glared at him.

"You do know Granger that if I tutor you, you will owe me a favor, could your conscience stomach that?" He asked.

"I think so, just no naked photographs or anything sexual then I'm good to go, why did you want something from me?" A owing him a favor wouldn't be that bad she thought.

"No just testing the boundaries." Hermione tried to think of a good favor.

"Hmmm , let's see, do you need tutoring in some of your subjects?" He scoffed.

"Unlike you Granger I excel at everything" He smiled devilishly at her.

"Please you're only good at being a pain in the ass and being a bouncing ferret" She laughed at the memory of him being turned into one.

"Hey why let me remember that embarrassing moment." He did the most unexpected thing for Hermione, He laughed, an honest to goodness laugh, well it was merely a chuckle but it was so unlike him that Hermione did a double take on looking at him.

"You know, you look good when you laugh, you should do it more often" He became silent after the comment. She didn't know what came over her for saying something like that to him. The rest of the trip remained silent and she was mentally kicking herself for saying something so personal. They were now in their shared common room and Hermione didn't know what to say.

"Give me your schedule so I could see if we have the same breaks, Granger." He was about to leave but Hermione thought of something to make them a bit comfortable with each other.

"You know, since we're going to be working together might I suggest that you call me Hermione 'cause Granger is to formal for my cup of tea." He turned around surprised at what she was asking.

Hermione

"Well if you suggest it then you can call me Draco if you like" he considered a little unsure.

"I like that" she was actually having progress in making friends with Draco - though she didn't know when she started prioritizing being friends with him. It was very unusual for her to say it but she did like saying his name.

He stood close to her. "Goodnight Hermione" He said with the most alluring voice Hermione has ever heard. Turned back, went upstairs, and left her standing in their common room.

'That bloody fuck' was all the words that came out of Hermione's mouth.

The tutoring session wasn't that of a success for both. Hermione and Draco would always bicker and fight resulting to either of them walking out on the said session.

"Why do I even bother asking that git to teach me, clearly he doesn't know how to be an instructor." Hermione flopped on the couch of the Gryffindor's common room.

"What is it about now, 'Mione?" Ginny asked, getting used to her showing up suddenly at their common room ranting about how Malfoy was a bad teacher.

"Told you they wouldn't work together" Harry looked knowingly at Ginny.

"I was stirring the spoon 'clockwise'" she imitated Draco's voice "I reached for the wrong ingredient, and then poof the mixture started to foam and then it turned green. It was a mess Gin" she said slowly rising from her seat as she continued with her speech.

"I said I couldn't see the difference and then he goes on and on belittling me. Imagine him saying that I was a know it all who doesn't know it all." by this time Hermione was standing fully.

"Hey, don't worry if he can't teach you I'm sure we can manage helping each other" Harry said looking up from his book.

"It's not that Harry. It's my pride, I mean I should be good at this it's simple as muggle baking but I just can't seem to get the hang of it." She started pacing around the Gryffindor room. Ginny was a little upset at how their attitude towards each other hadn't change.

"And to let somebody you despise before tutor you, how can you concentrate" Hermione was sure that, that was the reason she couldn't concentrate and not because of how Malfoy good looked when his sleeves were pushed to his elbows and how elegant his hands were. Ok she needed to have a girl talk with Ginny.

"I think you should cool your head first 'Mione, I mean all this negativity is affecting you, why don't you take a nap or a shower" Harry suggested.

Ginny just nodded along with him. "Think of it as a time of relaxation, your alone time, maybe even Malfoy wouldn't ruin what's left in your day" she smiled at her.

Hermione couldn't argue with them being outnumbered she accepted, told her goodbyes and exited the Gryffindor's common room.

Hermione didn't know where to go and began wandering around Hogwarts. She was sure she didn't want to go Head's Common Room 'cause Draco would be there, she wouldn't want to have a row with him again. The library would be full at this time of day because of students rushing to finish their papers to meet the deadline - of course Hermione finished hers a week ago.

She was lost in thought when a flash of blonde hair caught her attention, feeling curious she followed the owner of the said blonde hair. Hermione remained at least 15 feet away so he wouldn't notice her following him, when he stopped she quickly went hid in the corner of an alcove.

Hearing two voices, she tried peeking to see who the female voiced belonged to, to Hermione's surprise it belonged to Astoria Greengrass.

"Draco why keep fighting 'us'?" she could hear Draco snorting.

"Stop, Astoria, what your mother told you anything about arranged marriage or what is not going to happen"

"Draco, Draco, Draco, When will you learn? It will turn out the way I plan it. If you wouldn't accept it you know what will happen" she smiled coldly at Draco, even Hermione had chills run down her spine.

"Please Greengrass keep you threats to yourself, it wouldn't do you any good or any closer to my family's fortune. Isn't that why you keep on bothering me?" even though Hermione couldn't see Draco she could imagine Draco looking bored in every possible way.

"Why Draco you do always see me in the greatest light, I feel flattered." She put her hands in her heart.

"Shut it, Astoria. Don't even think of pursuing me or anything that is related to me. I know you, I know what type of person you are and I know how to bring you down, don't ever forget that." Astoria went red after hearing Draco's comment. After a few seconds she composed herself and smiled at him.

"Ohh Draco aren't we a bit feisty. I do love a little heat mixed in our relationship. Though did you happen to forget the clause on the deal?" Astoria tilted her head to the side as if she thought Draco to be daft.

"Let me remind you of that clause, Draco It seems you've forgotten. Let see, if you do not marry by the age of 21 you'll lose all of your inheritance, we both know that would be a huge problem, now won't you be a good grandson and just marry me, after all why do we need to delay the inevitable and as far as I know you're not in a relationship or even dating anyone." She laughed evilly.

"Now Astoria, that's the part where you're wrong."Draco smirked which made Astoria pause in bewilderment.

"What are you getting at Draco?" Astoria asked him rather furious.

"Well, I'd rather you meet her" Draco paused. "Hermione, Darling why don't you come out of that alcove, I want you to personally meet Astoria Greengrass." Hermione's eyes widened he found out, fuck.

See you next chapter! -

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