Fifth Year Fling

Chapter 3

The next day, Draco walked into the library and walked towards the restricted section. He wasn't looking for anything specific until he realized he was. She was camped out at her usual table. Walking to the back to join her, he noticed that when she put her face like that the sun glinted off of her hair. It looked almost pretty. Almost. "Afternoon, Granger." She looked up at him startled as she dropped her quill and he sat down. He began to work and did the same to her that she did the day before. Each time he needed her signature he would grab her parchment and point. This went on back and forth for quite some time and he began to notice her glancing at him.

"What are you looking at Granger? I promise I am doing this correctly. It is just research." He looked up at her, "I just wanted to be sure you didn't need any help." He shot her a look and searched her face but realized the question was genuine and he softened. "No, I'm fine," and just because he was a Malfoy and they were gentlemen, "Do you need anything?" She shook her head no and dipped her head back down to continue her work.

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The next day, Draco walked into the Great Hall and began to search for his target. Granger. She was sitting in her usual spot wedged in between the other Gryffindorks. He walked to his table and say next to Pansy Parkinson. She immediately threw her arms around him and began kissing him on the face. Pansy was never known for being a quiet girl, so she drew a lot of attention. Granger looked up from her breakfast and locked eyes with him after the kissing began to subside. Her face went hot. Uh oh, Granger, if I wasn't mistaken I'd say you were jealous, Malfoy thought looking back at her with a smirk on his face. As much as he was annoyed by Pansy's presence and only put up with it on the behest of his parents, if it got Granger's attention it could be worth it.

Hermione looked back at her food and continued eating as the boys around her droned on about Quidditch and the Chudley Canons line up for this season. Why had she gotten so red faced? She knew Malfoy would never let her live that down. "Hey, 'Mione, you plan on coming to Hogsmeade this weekend?" Ginny asked.

"I'll go but I can't stay for too long because I have some work to do."

"Now that is a surprise," Harry laughed.

"I prefer to stay on top of my work, rather than wait till the last minute." She said defensively and Harry laughed again. Wrapped his arm around her shoulder and said, "You know we are just joking with you. Just want you to come hang out." He squeezed her shoulder and pulled his arm back.

Hermione knew she needed some time out of the castle because she had started to think about Malfoy even when he wasn't sitting across from her. She thought it might be cabin fever with all of the snow keeping them indoors. It had been a nasty winter, one that you couldn't enjoy a good snowball fight or Hagrid's sleigh rides.

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The week continued as they all looked forward to their Hogsmeade visit and Hermione only had to suffer through a work session with Malfoy three times that week. Sometimes she noticed that he would just come and read a book at the same table as her. It was odd because no harsh insults or dirty looks crossed between them. They truly just ignored each other while staying in close proximity. It seemed as if they had decided to both be nice for their time together even when it was voluntary. Hermione couldn't quite wrap her head around it, but she did enjoy the company. He never pestered her for help with homework or teased the girls across the room. It almost seemed like he enjoyed her company over his usual posse of giggling females and macho boys with their new found muscles.

The Friday before the Hogsmeade visit, Hermione was sitting in the library while Draco was sitting with her. She knew Harry and Ron were working with their partners in different parts of the castle, so she didn't have to worry about the usual uneasy glances from the boys when they saw her sitting with Malfoy. Draco looked up from his work and mentioned offhandedly, "Granger, you going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?"