Disclaimer:
sadly I do not own any of the characters nor the setting in this story..
JK Rowling owns them and I only own the plot.
Thanks to all who reviewed o my last story.. :)
(bold italicized words in this chapter is thoughts within a memory.)
"No! No! No! No! No!" she yelled across her room. Hermione refused to calm down. He kicked her trunk, she threw her pillows and her books. "I do NOT want to be paired with that no good, evil, vile, bubble headed, arrogant, little Ferret!"
"Alright class, gather 'round!" Professor Sprout said. "Alright, your NEWTs are in less than two weeks. Nine days to be exact. Now, I've noticed that some of your grades are slipping in my class, either that it's the students that are sleeping. I've found a way to make up for your grades."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Make up for grades? Surely she cant be talking about me." she thought.
Professor Sprout took out her record book (surprisingly she had one) and opened it, "I will be pairing each and everyone of you and I expect all of you to share your work equally. If partner refuses to work, report to me immediately. Now your pairs are not Gryffindors to Gryffindors or Slytherin to Slytherin. I have paired you to whom I see fit."
Students groaned as they heard this, though the war was over, they still failed to be friendly with the other house. Well... just their batch.
"Hush now." Sprout said. "I want you to stand beside your partners once I call out your names. Patil and Crabbe, Finnigan and Goyle..."
Hermione closed her eyes and prayed, "Please... Please... Pair me with anyone... Anyone... Just not..."
"Weasley and Longbottom, Granger and Malfoy."
The classroom broke into whispers, Hermione's eyes snapped open. She looked stoney. "Excuse me professor!" she raised her hand and said outloud. " You can't possible pair me with Malfoy."
"I'm sorry Ms. Granger, but Mr. Malfoy's grades are slipping and you're the only one that can help him." Sprout said closing her record book. "It's time you put your differences aside and work together. You might have a lot in common."
"Professor Sprout, I don't think you get it.' it was Draco Malfoy who spoke this time. "Granger and I might reduce each other to smitherins even before we pass the project."
"For once I agree with Malfoy." Hermione said.
"See? You two are already agreeing with each other." Sprout said cheekily.
Hermione groaned and sat down on her bed, "this just can't be happening." she moaned, but what can she do? She had no other choice but to accept it, and try to make things work for them. She pushed her bushy brown hair away from her eyes and fixed herself before she went down.
"Finally calmed down Head Girl?" Harry asked.
"Save it harry.' she said grumpily. "I am not in the mood for any of your jokes." she slumped down on a seat across Harry and Ron's.
"I don't know what you're complaining about; You were always the one who told us that the war is over and that we should be friendly with the Slytherins. None of the Slytherins had a go on us or any of the houses for the whole year."
"Ron's right, you were always the one who said that there shouldn't be anymore division of houses. You have to forgive him eventually you know." said Harry.
"I know what I said." she snapped. "And I meant all of those. But this is Malfoy we're talking about. He's a prat and a jerk. Can you remember all the things he said to me? All those things he did? How can I forgive someone who doesn't ask for forgiveness?"
"calm down." Ron said again.
"How can you tell me to calm down Ronald, if you, yourself, call Malfoy a "good-for-nothing-deatheater".she snapped again. "And Harry, you said you hated him with all your guts."
"I believe I said that about two years ago, and haven't you even noticed? Malfoy and I are speaking civilly to each other."
"Know what? I think you just like Malfoy. The more you hate the more you love right?" Ron said smirking.
"Ron, don't compare me with you and Luna. I am not like that." she glared at Ron. Her patience shouldn't be tested.
"Calm down Hermione, you'll be hexing me and Ron in a few minutes with that temper of yours" Harry said. "Why don't we just have dinner and then we need to talk with our partners. I still need to talk to Parkinson. She needs all the help she can get. And Ginny already knows, I told her." Harry added when Ron raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. But I don't think I can talk to Malfoy without you two by my side." Hermione stood and walked out, closely followed by Ron and Harry. She tried her best to calm down, but Malfoy just kept running through her head.
Even as she ate, she stabbed her food moodily and only ate a little. She joined in conversations, but was silent most of the time. She kept shooting glances at the Slytherin table. She quickly averted her eyes as she saw Malfoy look her way. She could see him staring at her from the corner of her eyes. He was still talking to Blaise Zabini. She saw him sigh and shake his head. "Were they talking about me?" she thought.
Just then a paper swan landed in front of her.
Granger,
We can talk about our project in the Library
after dinner... near the restricted section.
Draco Lucius Malfoy
Hermione looked at the Slytherin table and tried to catch his eye again, but he never looked at her direction again.
Hermione finally decided to go to the library, though only half-heartedly. She entered the library and looked for Malfoy. Then she found him, sleeping, his head bowed, his feet on the table. "Malfoy." she whispered, but he didn't move. "Wake up!" she poked him on his sides.
"Nice to know you came.' he said as he jerked awake. He pushed his hair out of his eyes and straightened up. "I've been waiting for twenty minutes.
"Sorry." she said sarcastically. "I didn't think you'd show up as well."
"Look Granger, I know you're not happy about this, but I cant do anything to change this. My grades are slipping, and, as embarrassing as it is, my Herbology became A from and O." he sighed. "I really need your help."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Fine. We're supposed to research about a plant, describe it, give its history and magical uses. What plant do you suggest?"
"Have you heard of the Moon Flower?"
"Yes I have, read about them once."
"Why don't we research on that? You do the description, I work on the history and we both work on the magical uses.' Sprout gave us six days to complete it. We can spend the first three days doing our own work, and the other three days to work on the uses. Does that sound fair enough?"
Hermione was taken back a bit, she was surprise as Malfoy's readiness to help, eagerness and organization. "Alright then, we already agree on that. Are we going to meet here every night to do it?"
"You can do it here or wherever, I've got a place of my own." He grinned. "You're welcome to join me if you want, but I don't think I'd be going to the library that often."
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Where are you going to do your work?"
"Somewhere you know, but will never think of." he said with a wink and stood. " I think we straightened everything out. Goodnight Granger." he gave a curt nod and walked away.
Hermione gaped at him, "the nerve!" she hissed and walked out as well.
"How was the talk with Malfoy?" Ginny asked once she came in.
"he's as arrogant as always." she said dropping to a seat.
"C'mon, he cant be that bad." harry said, who had his arms wrapped around Ginny. "It cant be all bad."
"Alright, he was the one who did all the thinking, but still arrogant." Hermione begrudgingly admitted. "Where's Ron?"
"With Luna." Ginny answered. " And I don't mind him not being in here, atleast I can be near Harry. If Ron' here, all we can do is hold hands or lay my head on his shoulder."
"Aren't you two satisfied with your, er... nightly activities?" Hermione raised and eyebrow, "Honestly Harry, you need to be careful. Be thankful that you're Head Boy or you wouldn't have anywhere to be alone with her. And all you can do is put a silencing charm on your side of the room. You guys are keeping me up at times."
"Sorry, we always forget. We get a bit carried away at times." Harry said smirking. "We'll try to remember next time."
"yeah, sorry." Ginny said blushing lightly.
"it's fine you two... just be careful." Hermione yawned, "I think I should go to bed, it's getting kind of late."
"'Night Hermione." the couple said at the same time.
Hermione smiled and went to her room, feeling slightly jealous. She had no one to cuddle with at night, like the others did. Heck, even Neville Had Hanna Abbot from Hufflepuff. She had no one to spend cold nights with. She and Viktor only lasted a year and broke up exactly at their anniversary.
Hermione changed into her bed clothes and lay on her bed. Being Head Girl had its perks; she had a room to herself. She would be bothered by anyone at all. She sighed to herself as she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Let's just hope the project goes all right."she thought and went to sleep.
Please review! Tell me what you think about!
patz