The rest of the morning was uneventful, well compared to the showdown before breakfast at least.
It wasn't till DADA that there was trouble.
"Now normally I'd ask you to pick your own partners but today I'll draw names for a change" said the DADA teacher, "we also will have an all grade lesson today since we're going to have duels."
There always was a problem with the DADA teachers but so far this one seemed good.
"Ok Padma and Lavender
Neville and Dean
Malcolm and Hannah
Susan and Lavender…. "
The list went on and no one paid attention until there were two pairs put together.
"Draco and Hermione and last but not least, Harry and Ron."
A few people stopped what they were doing… this was going to be very interesting. Malfoy with a muggle born and Harry with his other best friend who'd cheated on his best friend.
"10 galleons says that one of them ends up dead by the end of this term, "whispered a voice from the back.
A laugh soon followed.
"The assignment is as follows, you and your partner have to pick a defense curse then the opposite curse, you have to write a 6 foot long essay together explaining the differences, and the complex parts of the curses. Such as is there a counter curse if so what is it in detail and how is preformed. Then the fun bit, the application of the defense curse must be presented to the class, and the unforgivable can be preformed on a spider to show its effects. My only request is that you don't do the easiest curses possible, challenge yourself." With that said the DADA teacher left the room while saying "get into partners common move!"
"Hello there Malfoy "said Hermione trying her best to be pleasant.
A little taken aback Draco replied, "hello yourself Granger, shall we get started?"
"Sounds lovely."
././././.
Meanwhile Harry and Ron seemed to be standing on pins and needles around each other.
Most of the sentences spoken were a few words.
"Hi"
"Hey"
"whatcha wanna do?"
"dunno"
"You pick"
"Ok, Imperius Curse for opposite"
"Right"
././././.
"Well obviously Expelliarmus is a key spell," drawled Draco.
"Yes that's true, but what about a shielding charm."
"Does it matter that much?"
"I suppose not," Hermione sighed and looked down at the blank sheet of parchment in front of her.
"You've been acting different," Draco stated.
"Really how so?"
"See right there!" Draco exclaimed, "normally it would have been a bitter `what's it to you Malfoy, I'm going to do all the work anyways!"
Hermione smiled and shook her head at Draco's imitation of her in a squeaky voice.
"Well you're acting different too"
"How so?"
"What happened to `stupid mudblood, having to get stuck with you, I'll tell my father', Hermione said in a snobby lower voice.
Draco chuckled, "the thing is Granger when your dad who's an ass to you gets thrown in jail, well you learn to act the way you really want to."
"I thought you were mad at us for that happening"
"I was, but then I wasn't because I wasn't being woken up to go torture muggles in the middle of the night, or I wasn't being starved if I disobeyed, so I figured hey this isn't as bad as I thought"
Hermione looked alarmed when Draco told what his father had done with him. But before she could say anything Draco cut her off.
"I know you have some class even if you aren't part of the high class. So do me a favor and don't mention it to anyone or give me your pity if you do I'll be forced to become un-nice," Draco said in a menacingly sickly nice tone.
Hermione quickly nodded wide-eyed.
"So Granger…. "Began Draco.
But Hermione cut him off, "look I prefer it if you call me Hermione since we're going to be working with each other, and don't worry just because I've allowed the first name to be said for me I won't tarnish your name by calling you by it" she rambled off worriedly.
Draco smirked and shook his head at her, "Hermione you can call me Draco, it's the least I can do to return the favor."
Hermione's nervous expression faded and was replaced with a smile.
././././.
"Well that covers today's work"
"Yep"
"We didn't get anything done"
"Yep"
Harry looked grimly at Ron, he couldn't help it. Working with someone who'd acted so out of character, so like a prat towards Hermione.
Ron was scared to say anything wrong to Harry, he'd knew Harry had a temper when provoked, so for now he was going to walk carefully on thin ice.
././././.
It was then that the DADA teacher returned and dismissed the class.
Hermione met up with Harry as they walked back to the common room. They just looked at each other and laughed.
"Well that was the most unusual DADA class ever" said Hermione gasping for air.
"You should have seen your face when Malfoy was called with you" jibbed Harry.
"Oh shut up! Draco isn't so bad"
"Draco now? Humm Ms. Granger I thought I knew you" Harry said in mock distain.
"Harry most people are just misunderstood not rotten to the core." Hermione protested
"I agree, but people like Malfoy are exceptions" Harry said seriously, "I don't want you to get hurt or into trouble."
"Don't worry I'll be fine, but you have to admit it"
"Admit what?"
"So far it's been the most unusual day"
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