A/N: Thank you for everyone who favourited, followed and reviewed the last chapter:) I hope everyone enjoyed a flash back on how Hermione, Harry and Draco became friends:) Sorry this chapter is a bit late, but I hope you all enjoy it equally (even if it is a bit of a cheesy filler chapter...) Enjoy!

DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS

...

Draco sat in the Slytherin common room staring into space whilst Blaise and Harry argued about their favourite Quidditch for about the tenth time since he had been transported into this strange and confusing alternate universe.

He had to admit, being trapped in a parallel dimension where he was best friends with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger wasn't a bad thing at all. For starters, it meant that Pansy wasn't hanging all over him twenty four seven because he had apparently in the past made it very clear that Hermione was his best friend and he didn't want another girl hanging around all the time, plus, Hermione and Pansy were close friends and it seemed that the two girls did more together than he did with Harry.

Secondly, he didn't get blamed for everything since Hermione was still a favourite with all the Professors and Harry Potter was still the chosen one, despite their house Harry was still Dumbledore's golden boy so the three of them had gotten away with various shenanigans in the past, or so he had heard from his housemates.

Finally, being their best friend for the past few days had showed Draco that the three of them actually had a lot in common, the main thing being their ever growing hatred towards Weasley and his Gryffindor clan. Draco had actually laughed out loud when he heard that Hermione had cursed Ginny Weasley's pin straight hair to become matted, frizzy and make a noise that sounded like squeaking when the redhead had spat to Hermione that her hair was like living rats' tails.

Another thing he had known that he and Harry had always had in common, but not ever wanting to admit it in the other world, was their love for Quidditch. However, one thing was bugging Draco and that was that with Harry in Slytherin, Draco had been booted off the position of seeker and was now a chaser, which was great because he was still on the team but also worrying since their next practise was this Saturday and he had never played in the position of chaser before, always wanting to stick to seeking.

"If you boys are still arguing about that rubbish, you must've already finished your defence against the dark arts essay, am I correct?"

Blaise, Harry and Draco all looked up and over to where Pansy and Hermione were writing some kind of essay. Draco, just having arrived from an alternate universe, had no idea what she was talking about. Blaise and Harry however jumped up quickly, swearing their heads off and rushing over to Hermione. She smiled smugly when they started begging her for help.

"I thought as much," she smirked before peering over to look at Draco. "Do you not need my help Draco?"

Draco sat still, did he or didn't he? He couldn't exactly say that he had no idea what the homework was because that would raise suspicion and he had already been acting weird this past week. In the end he decided it would be best to stay silent.

It didn't work.

He knew the minute the chair scraped back that she was coming over. He entwined his fingers and twiddled his thumbs, racking his brain for an excuse that wouldn't sound as if he had just popped up out of nowhere and had actually been in the lesson.

"Draco?" Hermione asked, to his surprised she sounded more concerned than angry.

"Hmm," he looked up innocently, trying to hide the fact that he still found it extremely weird looking into her face without hatred bubbling inside of him.

"I said, do you not need any help with your homework? I'll help if you want."

Draco froze and looked into her chocolate eyes, she was standing over him, her arms crossed and her left foot tapping impatiently on the floor. Her bushy hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and frizzy tendrils framed her face. One of her eyebrows was raised as she continued to look at him intently.

He didn't know what else to do so let his shoulders shrug slowly, she sighed, rolling her eyes and snatching the parchment from the table beside him, her eyes widened to the size of golf balls when she saw it was blank.

"You haven't even started!" she chastised, her voice turning gradually sterner. Draco gulped, finally having the courage to admit the truth.

"I don't know what we're supposed to be writing about," he shrugged, trying to sound as if he didn't care.

Blaise and Harry began laughing but became silent when Hermione glared at them. Then she turned to Draco again.

"Were you not even listening to Professor Snape? Merlin, and here I was thinking that his lessons were your favourite."

"They are, I was just..."

"You were just being lazy?"

"No I…"

"Save your excuses, do you want help or not?"

Draco looked up at the brunette witch, her face was stern but her eyes were kind. He smiled weakly before nodding and accepting the parchment she was passing to him. She smiled back before taking the seat next to him and grabbing her own essay from the nearby table she and Pansy had been working at. Realising Hermione would be busy for a while, Blaise and Harry returned to their argument.

...

Draco slept deeply for the first time since he had arrived in this strange alternate universe that night, he was no longer stressed about catching up with his missing homework because he knew he had Hermione, he still had Blaise and Pansy and they were so much less annoying than before which was a huge bonus as well. The only thing he was worried about was Quidditch training which was coming up very soon. Harry had offered to give Draco a few pointers and so had a fellow Seventh Year chaser but Draco had refused all the offers, he wanted to go out there by himself and see how good he was at chasing even though he had never done it before. If he had been a Slytherin chaser since second year, which was when he had started according to Harry, he must be pretty talented.

Despite his constant denial to say so, Harry was certainly growing on him and Draco was beginning to question what the reason that he even hated Potter was. Perhaps the only reason that he had ever despised Potter was because of his close relationship with Weasley. The Weasley's and Malfoy's had been sworn enemies for years and it was obvious that in this universe life wasn't any different. For starters, Potter and Weasley seemed to hate each others guts and Hermione was keen on him either.

"…Ah finally, Defence against the Dark Arts with Professor Snape,"

Draco looked up in confusion when he realised whose mouth those words had come out of. Those were words that he had never expected Hermione Granger to say, ever.

Lunch had just finished and it was now the final lesson of the day, Defence against the Dark Arts with Professor Snape and the Gryffindors. Good because of the fact that Hermione was in their class, bad because Weasley and his gang were going to be hanging around.

"I've been waiting for this lesson all week, I hate that it's on Thursday's and then we have a double on Friday, we have to wait a whole week,"

"At least the only other lesson we have with the Gryffindors is Charms, we sit on opposite sides of the room in that," Blaise said absentmindedly, Pansy hit him across the arm hard and he hissed. "Hey, what was that for?"

"Perhaps for your Gryffindor best friend," Pansy hissed back, nodding in the direction of Hermione who was walking ahead of them with Harry.

"Oh yeah, forgot about her," Blaise said, his smile falling slightly. Then he cheekily winked and Pansy rolled her eyes.

"You're unbelievable."

The five of them arrived outside the Potions classroom just as Snape was inviting them in. Draco followed the group inside before stopping in the entrance. He had absolutely no idea where to sit. Students began to fill up the seats and Draco was just about to go look for one when a hand grasped his shoulder.

"Are you okay Mr Malfoy?"

It was Snape, Draco let out a sigh of relief before turning around. "Um… I had a fall at the weekend and my brain isn't working quite the way it should, can you tell me where I sit?" this had been his excuse for everything he had forgotten; if he brought the wrong book to class, forgot his seat, or forgot his homework he would always use the same excuse so that next time he would know what to bring, where to sit and what to do.

Snape nodded. "Of course, between Miss Granger and Mr Potter. And you're right; it was a nasty fall you experienced. Are you sure you're alright for training on Saturday?"

Draco gulped, cursing Harry for failing to mention Quidditch practise that was happening this week. Draco let out a small nod before walking towards the students and sitting down in his seat. The first thing Hermione's did when he had sat down was hand him a quill. He thanked her before pulling out his parchment and Defence against the Dark Arts book.

Snape's bat like figure swooped back to the front of the classroom and using his wand, he began to write on the chalkboard 'Patronus Charm'.

"Right class, today we are learning about the Patronus Charm, not that I'd expect many of you to be able to produce this charm," he sneered, smirking slightly at the confused looking Gryffindors in front of him. "Before I tell you everything, does anyone know anything about the Patronus Charm," his beady eyes scanned the room, as if he was daring someone to answer him. His eyes landed on Weasley.

"Weasley, the Patronus Charm?" he taunted, knowing the Gryffindor knew nothing about the charm.

"Er…um… it's a defensive charm?" Weasley finally let out after a brief pained silence.

"Yes Weasley, the Patronus Charm does offer defence, I should hope so since we are in Defence against the Dark Arts," he said sarcastically, his eyes flashing with amusement. Hermione and the Slytherins snickered from their side of the classroom as Weasley's ears turned beetroot.

Hermione's arm shot up in the air and Snape smiled slightly before giving her a nod of approval.

"The Patronus Charm, or Expecto Patronum, is an immensely complicated, very difficult spell that evokes a partially-tangible positive energy force known as a Patronus or Spirit Guardian. The charm was primarily designed for defence against Dementors and Lethifolds, against which there is no other protection," she recited word perfect from the closed book in front of her.

"Excellent Miss Granger, ten points to Gryffindor," he paused and turned to Weasley. "Five points from Gryffindor for pure stupidity Mr Weasley. You should apologise to Miss Granger for losing her well earned points!"

Weasley sunk lower in his chair as Hermione and Slytherins all turned to face him.

"Sorry," he made out, his ears turning red again.

"I didn't quite hear that Weasley," Snape teased, his face forming into a twisted smile as he watched Weasley suffer.

"I'm sorry Hermione, for losing five points for my stupidity," he was used to this kind of abuse in class and knew how to answer.

"That's better. Anyway, the Patronus Charm, as Miss Granger so rightly said, is a positive energy force that erupts from your wand to defend yourself against Dementors and Lethifolds. It usually takes the form of an animal that means something to you, for example, your favourite animal, a pet or just a animal that represents you as a human; for example Weasley, a pig perhaps?"

One side of the classroom laughed whilst the other glared back, Lavender stroked Ron's arm comfortingly but he pushed her off, turning to glare at Harry, Hermione and Draco.

"Perhaps Potter's will be a snake, since he is the heir of Slytherin,"

The Gryffindors laughed cruelly but Harry just smirked back in their faces. "Actually, I already managed to accomplish the Patronus Charm in my third year. It's a stag."

Weasley opened his mouth to respond but shut it quickly to avoid further humiliation.

Once the class was settled down Snape put them into groups of four and gave them each a box with a boggart inside. The boggart would take the shape of a Dementor and when hit by the Patronus would retreat back into the box. The class would then all line up and show each other their progress.

Draco remembered doing this at the start of his sixth year; the Gryffindors had all been amazing at it because they had learnt it in Dumbledore's Army but the rest of the class hadn't been very skilled in the art. He could do it because his mother and father had taught it to him during the summer, just before his Death Eaters initiation. His mother had stated that even though the Dementors were on Voldemort's side, they wouldn't fail to attack if they saw him alone.

Of course in this universe he watched as the Gryffindors in the room, bar Hermione, struggled to get a wisp out of their wand even when the boxes beside them were closed. He figured that since Harry and Hermione weren't friends with the other Gryffindors they would've never started Dumbledore's Army, resulting in the majority of them failing to perform the charm.

However, the Slytherins, who had been put in groups of four altogether, were already opening up their chests and getting started with the boggarts. Draco turned away from the Gryffindors just in time to see a wonderful stag burst out of Harry's wand and gallop around the room for a while before stopping just in front of the boggart and charging towards it, its antlers forward in attack. The second the two collided the boggart wailed and disappeared back into the trunk and the stag disappeared.

Seconds later a falcon flew over him, causing him to duck in shock and whizz around after the wispy bird, it pecked at Blaise's boggart before disappearing altogether. Blaise sent him a thumbs up at which Draco only nodded, confused at how the Slytherins were already managing a fully formed Patronus when they had only just started. He saw Pavarti Patil shoot a ball of white light, a minor patronus, at her boggart. It flinched but didn't go away, she yelped as it approached her and ran to hide behind Seamus and Dean. Just as the boggart was about to reach her a swirling otter swam through the air, coiling itself around the creature, causing the boggart and itself to vanish. Everyone looked around to see Hermione pointing her wand at the group of Gryffindors.

"If you're scared of a boggart, think how you'll be with the real thing," she said exasperatedly, rolling her eyes. Lavender stalked towards her, her hands on her hips.

"Don't say thank you then," Hermione drawled at Pavarti as she emerged from behind the two boys.

"We didn't need your help so we don't need to say thank you," Lavender spat defensively.

"That's not what it looked like from where I was standing," Hermione mumbled, turning away and walking back towards the Slytherins.

"Hey, I wasn't finished with you,"

"Well I'm finished with you," Hermione retorted

"Don't walk away from me mudblood," Lavender cried and the room went silent.

Draco didn't know what made him do it, maybe it was the tiny part of alternate Draco in his system or maybe it was just the pain he had felt from being called a Death Eater so often, but he threw himself at Lavender, his wand drawn and hatred in his eyes. But as she was thrown backwards he noticed that he had been beaten to it.

"Don't call her that!" Pansy seethed through gritted teeth, slapping and scratching as she held Lavender down using her legs.

"Get off me you crazy bitch!" Lavender screamed, pulling at Pansy's hair as the two girls rolled around on the floor. They continued fighting until Snape decided enough was enough and stepped in.

"Miss Parkinson, will you please withdraw yourself from Miss Brown," he said in a monotone. Pansy glared and shot Lavender a final look of loathing before letting go of her and standing up, brushing the creases from her uniform as she took her place next to Hermione.

"Ten points from Slytherin Miss Parkinson, for assaulting another pupil, fifteen points from Gryffindor Miss Brown for the same,"

"That's not fair! Parkinson started it!" Ron shouted out, pushing himself to the front of the Gryffindor crowd and glaring at Snape.

"Technically Miss Brown started it by calling Miss Granger 'mudblood'," Snape said dangerously, his eyes glaring down at the redhead. His greasy hair hung past his cheeks and the ends touched Ron's face, he stepped back in disgust.

"All three of you will receive detention with me tonight at eight thirty sharp, class dismissed," he droned before turning away from the students. The twenty students left the room in groups. Draco, Harry and Hermione were the last to leave, directly behind Blaise and Pansy.

"I am sick and tired of them calling you that word Hermione, they hang out with muggle-borns as well, they're just being hypocritical!"

"It's disgusting," Draco added, feeling as if he had to make a contribution. Hermione sent him a weak smile.

"Exactly, and they just walk around the school as if they are Merlin's gift to Hogwarts and it just…"

"Harry, just forget it okay, we've got a free period now, let's just go down to the lake since the weather's lovely," Hermione input, linking her arm through his. He smiled down at her before nodding.

"Yeah I'm sorry, you coming Draco?"

"Sure," he nodded, shifting his bag on his shoulder nervously. He had no idea what they did at the lake.

"Blaise, Pansy, you wanna come to the lake with us?"

They turned around and shot a smile at them. "Sure, I'll get Daphne and Theo to come as well!" Pansy said excitedly before her face fell. "We'll need a break after that outbreak in Snape's lesson, are you sure you're okay Hermione?"

Hermione gave her friend a brief hug. "I'm fine Pansy, but thank you,"

"Yeah, I'm just annoyed that I have to go to detention with Dracula and his wife!" Pansy sulked. Hermione snorted.

"I'm sure Snape will take pity on you and leave you to do whatever he's having you do by yourself."

Pansy grimaced. "I hope so, or maybe he'll take so much pity on me he'll let me go without doing detention."

Harry laughed. "As much as I'd love to agree with that, you did just pummel a girl on his classroom floor."

Draco let out a tiny smile as the group made their way towards the lake.

...

A/N 2: So just another Gryffindor v Slytherin chapter (minus Hermione of course - more like Gryffindor v Slytherin and Hermione) Next chapter is Draco's first Quidditch training session... and he isn't seeker like he's used to...

Thank you and review:)

Emma