Being woken up by Ginny was not how Hermione had ever expected her day to start. She was by nature a light sleeper adding to that the trauma and fear that came from the war she was known to wake up at the slightest noise. "I'm sorry to wake you, especially since I know sleep doesn't come easy to you but you did skip dinner and now breakfast is almost finished." Hermione stared at her shocked. She had never slept so well. For a moment she wondered how Malfoy had made the potion so strong but that thought flew out of her mind as she rushed to get ready in time for breakfast.
In defense against the dark arts class, the chatter was about. Everyone was wondering who the next teacher would be. Hermione laughed in her head at the fact that every single year so far had brought a new teacher and every year they do not last. Quirrell was a dark lord follower, Lockhart a fake hero all about fame, and mad eye an imposter. Lupin. Oh, Lupin. She had to stop the tear that sprang to her eyes just remembering him in this very classroom. Lupin was a good man. He would be missed sorely.
A small man came into the room and everyone looked at him expectantly. "Good day class I am professor Douglas, and I am very honored to be your professor for the next year." His eyes roamed over the classroom until they found Hermione and then he repeated "Very honored indeed." This sent a chill down Hermione's spine. Most likely he was just being friendly and excited at meeting one of the golden trio but Hermione had learned from a young not to trust anyone in the wizarding world at first glance.
The first class ended with group assignments being handed out. 4 students per group. Each group was given a scenario and had to work out how they would defeat the enemy at hand. Easy enough she thought. "Lovegrove, Nott, Granger, and Malfoy. Your group can sit over here." The professor pointed at an open area and they all started moving toward there. Hermione's chest felt tight. She was in a group with 2 Slytherins who had never had anything nice to say about her or wizards with the same blood status as her. Luna greeted the whole group as old friends never being the type to hold anything against anyone. "Would you guys like to work on this assignment tonight? In the library just after dinner? " Hermione asked trying to make the best of this assignment. With a short nod from all parties involved they all returned to their seats.
That night after dinner Luna and Hermione walked happily towards the library but just before walking in Luna stopped dead in her tracks. "Hermione do you hear the cry of the small infant tree pixie nearby?' Hermione looked at Luna as if she had lost her mind but knew full well that Luna had special gifts when it came to creatures so she nodded along. " I must go find it. I will catch up with you in the library." And off she ran leaving Hermione alone to face the project. Upon entry she only found one man waiting. Malfoy sat at a table with his nose deep inside a book of defensive spells already.
"Where's Theodore?" She asked as she reached the table. "If you can get him to do work it would be even more impressive than teaching your weasel friend how to ace all the N.E.W.T exams." Hermione snorted for a moment before she pulled herself together again. "Are you already working on the project Malfoy?" He slowly brought the book down to the table. "Don't look so surprised. I am second in all the classes for grades." She looked at him shocked. How had she not known that? She knew he was bright but she had never checked what his grades were. She took the seat next to him and they started working on the list of scenarios. As the night grew later she noticed that he clutched his arm quite often while thinking much the same way she did where her scar was located. Did he have a dark mark? She wondered as she looked him up and down. Harry had thought so. He was sure about it but Hermione had always had her questions. She had not seen him without a long sleeve on in the past two years so anything was possible.