Hermione laid her palms against the oak panels of the Entrance Hall door.Pleaseshe thought to herself,please don't be locked.She was desperate to sit outside, even just for a little while, before she had to face another patrol with Malfoy. To her relief, the heavy door creaked open, and she slipped between the gap out into the night air.

The stone steps of the castle were cool underneath Hermione. She wrapped her arms around her knees and stared across the grounds. Students were not supposed to be outside the castle after dark. Especially as a prefect, she ought to be setting a better example. She peered back at the door, a sliver of light escaping the crack she'd left. It was only a few yards. No teacher could begrudge her that. She was McGonagall's most trustworthy student after all, she thought bitterly.

What good did being responsible get her? She stayed on top of her homework, only to be belittled by Professor Snape whenever she answered a question. She helped Ron and Harry with their studies, only to be tossed aside for some scribbles in the margins of the textbook. She was just as ostracised in Ancient Runes as the Slytherins were. When Hermione had done patrols with Ron she was always relegated to bad cop. Having to dish out the discipline and confiscate banned items. The younger students loved Ron. Never mind that it was her and not him that would be able to reverse the effects of Weasley Wizarding Wheezes products, meaning she wouldn't have to alert the professors, preventing the student from gaining a detention.

Last, but certainly not least, being the "responsible" and "trustworthy" one had earned her Malfoy duty – permanently. Somehow, despite duelling his father in the Department of Mysteries it was Hermione who was willing to work with Malfoy. Despite being permanently scarred by one of Lucius' cronies, it was Hermione who could be trusted not to exact revenge. And the students who weren't out for Malfoy's blood – were afraid of him. So afraid that they refused to be paired with him.Cowards,she thought. She rested her forehead on her arms and let out a frustrated groan.

"I was about to say the same thing", came an all-too-familiar drawl from behind her. Her head snapped around. Hermione hadn't heard him exit the castle – but there he was. Malfoy stood, tall and imposing, hands in his pockets, his head cocked to the side, a self-satisfied smirk plastered on his pointy face. Hermione was out of patience.

"Go away Malfoy, there's at least 20 minutes until we need to start rounds", she spat. He took a couple of steps towards her like a cat that had caught its dinner.

"Uh, uh, uh, Granger. As a dutiful prefect I'm going to have to punish you for being out of bounds", he placed his hand dramatically on his chest.

"Opening the door to the Entrance Hall after dark – anyone could have got in!". Hermione said nothing, just gave him a withering glance. As if finally hearing what she had said he dropped his hand and frowned.

"What do you mean 'we'?" He asked darkly, "youwere on patrol last night and I don't remember you being punished for any rule breaking, though I suppose this might do the trick". Hermione pulled her robes tighter around her, fending off the cool air.

"Actually Malfoy, I'd quite like to be anywhere else rather than doing prefect duty with you, but unfortunately here I am", she said, gesturing to herself.

"Then why are you here?" He paused, "did you request to be with me Granger?" he said mockingly.

"What?! No!", she protested.

"Did Potter put you up to this?" He asked sternly. Hermione rolled her eyes. He took another dangerous step towards her. She stood up from the stairs.

"Gosh you think you're important, it must've stung today when Slughorn wouldn't even look at you", she retorted.

"Not as much as it hurt to be beat by Saint Potter, I'm sure", he said dryly. She flinched. He took another step forward; they were face to face now. Hermione wanted to step back but loathed the idea of backing down from Malfoy. Instead, she rested her hand on her wand inside her pocket.

"Why. Are. You. On. Duty?" He asked, with increasing irritation. His fingers twitched towards his own pocket. Hermione felt rage boil up inside her. All she wanted was to do her bloody Ancient Runes homework.

"BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS WILLING TO BE PAIRED WITH YOU!" She yelled in his face. It all came tumbling out.

"Half of the prefects are terrified of you, they think you're going to hex them, and the other half, they think if they get you alone in the castle, they might just be able to get a shot off on you, which quite frankly you probably deserve", she went on. Malfoy went to open his mouth, but she steamrolled ahead.

"So, McGonagall paired you with me: indefinitely. Because even though you broke Harry's nose, even though you call me a Mudblood and you'd prefer to see me dead, I apparently can be trusted not to hex you!" She didn't realise that she'd grabbed her wand out of the pocket of her robes, or that she was pointing it at him. But she was. There was a pause. Then, to her surprise, Malfoy threw his head back in laughter. It was clear, bright, and all things incredulous.

"Well that's just brilliant. That old bint really has flobberworms for brains doesn't she?" He said. Hermione felt her rage anew.

"How can you say that about her? She's trying to protect you", she yelled.

"By pairing me with the most dangerous witch here?" He asked, though it wasn't really a question. Hermione frowned.

"I'm not going to hex you", she said factually.

"No, I seem to remember you preferring a right-hook", he said, rolling his eyes, "you just listed off the reasons you'd have to hex me!"

"Oh, like you wouldn't hex me if you had the chance", she insisted.

"Then why did McGonagall pair you with me? I guess she doesn't care about her star

student's safety", he said, staring her down.

"I assume because she knows you're outmatched", she retorted. She stared up at him, frowning.

He was so self-important. But he wasn't wrong about Harry wanting to spy on him. Hermione was just waiting for Harry to ask, especially when it came out that they would always have prefect duty together. Malfoy's jaw twitched. The storm in his eyes grew colder. Hermione presumed he was searching for the perfect scathing retort. Any further fighting was interrupted. The chime of the clock tower rang out across the grounds making them both jump. It was the last chime of the night, signalling bedtime, and the start of patrol.

The castle was remarkably quiet. The previous school year, the second night had been a mess. Naturally, Hermione had volunteered to do prefect duty, eager to impress. However, on her first ever patrol a group of sixth year Hufflepuffs had attempted to pull off a heist. The students had stolen the Quidditch Cup trophy from the trophy room. To no one's surprise Fred and George were also amongst the group involved.

Neither the sixth year Gryffindor Hermione was with, nor herself had been able to stop the group or fix the considerable damage to the trophy room. Many glass panels had been shattered. Various memorabilia was strewn across the floor. The festivities had also attracted Peeves who had started possessing trophies and flying around the castle. They had had to go running the McGonagall, who had been understanding, if affronted, at being woken up.

Hermione found it difficult to discipline students close to her own age. She could reprimand a first or second year, scold the occasional third or fourth year. But typically, arguments ensued with fifth years, or worse, they simply rolled their eyes at her, like she was no more than a speck of dust on their robes. Forget about trying to discipline someone in her own cohort or above.

So far, there were no students out of bed tonight. Hermione supposed the increased security measures might have scared students off. Of course, Fred and George were also no longer amongst the school populace which helped a great deal as well.

The Great Hall was empty, and this time Hermione and Malfoy didn't stop to stargaze. They walked in silence. Hermione felt unsettled by the earlier altercation, and she kept mulling it over as they walked. She hated when he got to her, aggravated her, and destabilised her. She resolved to keep her composure for the rest of the patrol.

The Grand Staircase was also empty save for the muttering of portraits. When they landed on the second floor Hermione was pulled from her thoughts by the squelch of water underfoot.

"What in the seven hells?" said Malfoy, lifting a shoe up to shake the water off. Hermione took a moment to pause and listen. Water covered the corridor floor as far as she could see and as she listened she thought she detected the faintest sound of crying coming from down the hallway. She grimaced.

"Myrtle", she said solemnly. Malfoy sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Shall I get Filch?" he asked.

"Do you always run to others to fix your problems?" Hermione mocked. Malfoy glared at her.

"I fail to see how a sad ghost is my problem", he said.

"Myrtle hates Filch, it'll be easier if we just talk her down, unless you want to go get McGonagall", Hermione said and began off down the hall. It seemed Malfoy did not want to get McGonagall, as she heard his footsteps behind her.

"Besides, she knows me, I'm sure I can get her to calm down", Hermione continued. In truth, she was trepidatious about entering Myrtle's bathroom, but she knew Filch would refuse, and then she'd have to go to McGonagall again. She didn't want to do that either.

"Why does Myrtle know you? Come here to cry often, Granger?" asked Malfoy sardonically as they entered the gloomy bathroom. Hermione, who was focused on locating Myrtle, replied without thinking.

"No, I made Polyjuice potion in this bathroom in second year, it takes months to prepare the ingredients", she stopped in her tracks and clasped a hand over her mouth. Malfoy looked at her quizzically.

"I don't know why I told you that", she whispered, from behind her hand. Well, so much for composure.

"You made Polyjuice potion, in second year?" Asked Malfoy, his eyes wide. Hermione chewed the inside of her lip.

"Yes", she said.

"Whatever for?" he asked, his head slightly shaking in disbelief.

"Erm, just academic reasons", she said, turning away from him and darting towards the cubicles.

The sound of running water was louder here, the crying too. Hermione illuminated the space with her wand and began looking in each of the cubicles for the ghost.

"Myrtle", she said as soothingly as she could, "we just want to talk". Malfoy rolled his eyes. Hermione thought she heard him mutter something about "bleeding Gryffindor hearts".

With the creak, Hermione pushed open the door of the third cubicle. Moaning Myrtle was sat atop of an overflowing lavatory crying. Hermione winced when Myrtle looked up at the two of them, her eyes glowering.

"What areyoudoing here?" Myrtle said glaring at Hermione, her shrill voice loud over the sound of bubbling water.

"I thought you said she liked you", said Malfoy. He rested a hand on one side of the cubicle, looking all too relaxed. Hermione gave him an imploring look to shut up.

"I hate her!" exclaimed Myrtle. Malfoy laughed.

"Who doesn't?" He replied, deadpan, "she's a nonce". Hermione gaped at him. Myrtle giggled. Hermione looked back at the ghost.

"Come now Myrtle, we just wanted to see if you were alright", said Hermione placatingly. Myrtle didn't meet Hermione's gaze; instead the ghost's eyes were glued to Malfoy. Hermione watched as Myrtle straightened her posture and tucked part of her hair behind her ears.

"The only time she was entertaining was when she accidentally turned herself into a cat", Myrtle leaned forward as she spoke, as if to emphasise her point. Malfoy let out another one of those clear and bright laughs.

"And I suspect that's probably the best she's ever looked", he said, ignoring Hermione's outraged glare. Myrtle nearly squealed with delight. Hermione just looked back and forth between the two, mouth agape.

"You should've seen her crying!" Insisted Myrtle. Malfoy smiled.

"I wish I had", he said.

"She had a tail!"

"Did she now?" Malfoy raised his eyebrows and looked at Hermione. She was suddenly thankful it was dark, and no one could see the redness in her cheeks.

"It was just awful, and she made my whole bathroom smell of Polyjuice potion for weeks!" Myrtle was practically vibrating with elation.

"How rude", admonished Malfoy. Myrtle giggled again. Hermione stood in dumb silence. Malfoy continued, voice smooth as silk.

"Now Myrtle, I hate to interrupt anyone's fun, but Granger here has insisted that if we can't convince you to stop breaking the lavatories, then we're going to have to get Filch to come and see you…" He paused. Myrtle's eyes narrowed. Malfoy leaned in, as if the two were sharing a secret.

"At least until tomorrow, when it's no longer my problem", he said with a grin. Hermione could almost see Myrtle defrosting before her eyes. The ghost leant back, appraised Malfoy and giggled.

"Okay", she said saccharinely. Malfoy smirked, triumphant. He gestured away from the cubicle.

"Why don't you step out here, while Granger fixes the loo. I believe I'll need all the details about Granger's foray into being a feline", he said with a smirk. Myrtle sprung from her seat on the toilet, passing through Hermione. It was an awful feeling - a ghost passing through you. She shuddered. Malfoy began to stroll away, Myrtle floating by his side.

"Just come get me when you're done!" He called out.

It took Hermione twenty minutes to stop the loo from overflowing. The whole time she was forced to listen to Myrtle recount her tragic run-in with Millicent Bullstrode's cat's hair. Thankfully, in her exuberance, Myrtle failed to mention anything about collecting hair from the other Slytherins. With a final flick of her wand the water in the toilet bowl finally receded. She sighed and exited the cubicle. There was still water all over the floor.

"It's fixed", she announced as she approached them. Malfoy sat back against the sinks, arms crossed, a bemused expression on his face. Myrtle had moved on to recounting her death story. The ghost hovered animatedly barely a foot from Malfoy's face. She waxed poetically about death and dying and Malfoy played the part of captive audience member. The moonlight shone through the high windows of the bathroom illuminating both Malfoy and Myrtle in a beautiful pale light. They both looked like ghosts, Hermione thought.

Malfoy's head turned as she approached and she gave him a pleading look, she was desperate to get out of this bathroom. He turned back to Myrtle.

"Well Myrtle, it has been delightful to finally meet you, but unfortunately, we must be leaving, lest Filch be on our tails", he sounded so forlorn. Myrtle nodded solemnly.

"Of course", she said sweetly, though it came out too sickly sweet. "But please visit again, it gets… oh so lonely…" she trailed off. Malfoy flashed Myrtle a dazzling smile that made Hermione feel sick. The ghost proceeded to float past where Hermione was standing and stuck her tongue out at her before disappearing into the wall.

Hermione immediately made for the exit. Her robes were wet, she was cold, she was tired, and now she was behind on her homework. She groaned as she saw all the water they still needed to deal with in the hall.

"Well, that was enlightening", said Malfoy.

"I can't wait to see the flooding when you never come back to visit her", Hermione scorned.

"Who says I'm not coming back?" Asked Malfoy innocently. Hermione rolled her eyes. They came to a halt in the corridor.

"What did you do to her anyway?" He asked.

She looked at Malfoy. If the question was ingenuine his face didn't betray that, and she was too tired to try to work out if it was.

"Peeves", she said. Malfoy looked confused.

"Peeves implied that I was saying mean things about her at Sir Nicholas' Deathday party in second year. It really upset her", Hermione continued.

"Were you saying mean things about her?" taunted Malfoy, a half smile playing about his lips.

"I was only saying that it's not particularly pleasant to go to the loo when someone's wailing at you" said Hermione uneasily. Malfoy chuckled.

"And she's hated you ever since?" He asked. Hermione frowned up at him.

"Yes I think that's quite clear", she said flatly. There was silence for a moment. Hermione watched the candle light dance in his grey irises once again. The grey and the gold, in step with each other. His brow furrowed slightly then he looked down.

"How do you propose we deal with this?" He said, gesturing to the water. Hermione snorted.

"Well, it's just water Malfoy, contrary to popular belief it won't actually melt witches", she said derisively. Hermione wasn't quite sure what possessed her; maybe it was payback for making her fix the toilet, or for siding with Myrtle; but still holding her wand she cast a non-verbal modifiedAguamenticharm. Water rose up from the ground and splashed across Malfoy's chest creating broad stripes of water on his jumper that looked like slashes. He stepped back in shock.

"What the fuck, Granger?" He exclaimed, his eyes wide. She froze. Why had she done that?

"Malfoy, I-" She didn't get a chance to finish before water slammed down over her head. She pushed aside the curls that were now plastered to her face. Malfoy was laughing. Hermione gripped her wand and moved instinctually, sending another jet of water towards Malfoy. He counted with aprotego. Hermione concentrated, and cast a charm that pulled water from the ground and swirled it into a sphere, condensing it. Each time she flicked her wrist a little shard of water jetted out towards Malfoy.

"Fancy", he remarked as one of the water knives hit him on the shoulder. Malfoy muttered a spell and made a complex gesture she didn't recognise. A tentacle of water snaked towards Hermione's ankle. It wrapped around her and she shrieked. She sent a stunner towards the tentacle as it pulled on her leg. The water dissipated and she stumbled to regain her balance.

Malfoy was watching her carefully, beginning to stalk in a half-circle which she returned in kind. His clothes were drenched, like hers, his eyes bright, alight, and determined. He twirled his wand around his fingers once, twice, three times.

"Is that all you've got, Granger?" He taunted.

Hermione gathered water with her wand to make a low wave that accelerated towards Malfoy. He dodged easily, but the finesse of this spell was that Hermione was able to turn the eave quickly. It drenched him and he scowled.

"See? Outmatched", Hermione taunted in return. Malfoy's eyes swept up a storm. This time he sent out two watery whips to lash around Hermione ankles, she was pulled off her feet just as she sent a large jet of water toward Malfoy. It hit him square in the chest and he fell backwards.

As she fell, Hermione sent a stunner at the tentacles trapping her legs and they exploded into the air creating an indoor rain shower drenching the last pieces of them that were dry. There was silence but for the sound of dripping.

Hermione had fallen back on her wrists which now ached. Her wand had gone flying as she had fallen. She would need to stand up and get it. She looked toward Malfoy who was propped up on his elbows, also wandless. They stared at each other. She couldn't read his expression, only saw the exaggerated rise and fall of his chest as he caught his breath. This was so absurd.

It started as a small giggle. Almost a chatter from the cold. But then her shoulders were shaking as the laughter coursed through her. She'd just engaged in a water-fight, a playful duel, with Malfoy? She could barely fathom it. The laughter grew and rattled her ribcage. She drew up her knees and put her head on her arms continuing to giggle - it was just so, stupid.

But she felt better? As the laughing subsided she looked up to find that Malfoy was smiling, not sneering, not smirking, actually smiling. Hermione was taken aback by how much it suited his face. She didn't have long to appreciate it before it dissipated.

She watched as Malfoy eased himself off the floor, his heavy woollen jumper dripping. He picked up his wand and stepped towards Hermione. She tensed - suddenly feeling exposed. She looked to see where her wand was. Too far. She looked back at him as he pivoted over to where her wand lay and reached down.

"Malfoy -" Hermione warned. He walked towards her holding her wand. She shrunk back imperceptibly. Was Malfoy about to hex her? It would be an opportune time. Late at night, no one was around. He stopped in front of her and flipped the wand around in his hand extending it to her.

"Thanks", she said cautiously, taking her wand from him.

Hermione got up and the two of them surveyed the still flooded corridor.

"How are you at banishment charms?" Asked Hermione. Malfoy replied only by pointing his wand at a particularly large puddle.

"Evanesco aguiso", he said, and the water vanished.

It took them another ten minutes to clear the hall of most of the water. Hermione sighed and rubbed her temples, they needed to check the common rooms, and the third floor before they finished their patrol.

"You're still dripping everywhere, Granger", Malfoy said. She looked down at her clothes. Her white school shirt had gone somewhat see through and her skirt skill stuck to thighs. She'd forgotten to dry off herself while banishing the water. He pointed his wand at her. Before she could protest he spoke.

"Exaresco", he said, enunciating each syllable slowly, precisely. Hermione felt the hot flush of his magic pass over her, drying her clothes and her skin. She shivered.

"Uh, thanks", she said, and then added, "we should get to the common rooms".

Hermione sat on the bench beside the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Malfoy had entered just a moment ago. She looked at her watch, just forty more minutes and they would be finished for the night. That was, as long as Malfoy returned in the timely manner.

Was it truly possible to be this exhausted after just one day of classes? Using her wand she transferred her timetable into her diary and tried to make sense of what her weeks would look like. She would have fewer free periods than Harry and Ron, as she took more electives. Less time for more work. She presumed the prefect roster would be in her room when she got back and made a mental note to add that into her weekly timetable.

This, every week, with Malfoy - more, if he got in trouble. She couldn't even swap and change with other students because McGonagall wouldn't pair him with anyone else. This night, the last, had been so bizarre. She hated Malfoy. He had broken Harry's nose, he was an arse. He took delight in her misfortune. And now the added confusion of what had just transpired on the second floor. No one would believe her even if she told them. Why had she agreed to this?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Malfoy exited the common room. This time he looked to where she was seated on the bench.

"To Gryffindor tower?" He asked. She hadn't expected him so soon. Hermione scrambled to pack her things back into her bag. Once she'd stuffed her diary into the beaded purse she looked up to see Malfoy intently watching her.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing", he said, and turned on his heel heading towards the Grand Staircase.

The rest of the patrol was uneventful. In fact, they barely uttered a word to each other. Gryffindor tower was quiet, with just a few older students doing some homework by the fire. Hermione didn't even stop to say hello.

After completing the third floor they rounded back to the Entrance Hall. Filch and the other prefects were there when they arrived. The Hufflepuff boy and Ravenclaw girl both gave Malfoy a wary expression as the two of them arrived.

"Nothing unusual tonight", said the Hufflepuff boy. Filch grumbled.

"And you two?" He said to Hermione and Malfoy.

"Myrtle had broken a lavatory in the second-floor girls bathroom, but we fixed it", reported Hermione.

"Alright then, off you go", he said before trudging in the opposite direction. Hermione looked back to Malfoy who was looking down at his feet.

"Well-", she paused. Circling Malfoy's legs was Mrs Norris, a cat that had only ever glared and hissed at Hermione, yet here she was smooching the bottom of Malfoy's trousers. He leant over and gave her an affectionate pat.

The cat then trotted off after her caretaker. The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students made their way from the Entrance Hall. Hermione just looked quizzically at Malfoy.

"Inquisitorial squad", he said, pre-empting her question.

"She's a nice cat", he added. Hermione thought it was laughable that Malfoy had made friends with Mrs Norris, but didn't say anything.

"Well, uh, thanks for tonight, I guess", spluttered Hermione. What was she doing? Why was she thanking Malfoy? His face contorted into a confused scowl, if such an expression was possible.

"Are you alright, Granger? Hit your head?" He asked mockingly.

"I…, no!" She exclaimed, she searched for the right words. Tonight had been refreshing, cathartic, a little less horrible than it could've been, nice because no slurs were hurled her way? She was unsure and so ready for bed. She settled on:

"Goodnight, Malfoy. As lovely as this has been", she layered on the sarcasm thickly, "please remember that your punishments are now also my punishments, and some of us have busy study schedules".

Okay, it wasn't her best blow, which made it all the more confusing when a dark storm crossed Malfoy's eyes. Something akin to the night before when he'd exited the Slytherin common room. He gave her a curt nod before brushing past her towards the dungeons leaving Hermione standing there with only the faintest smell of burnt parchment and clove hanging in the air.