Hermione had just been finishing her homework, when the Gryffindor common room door opened and Harry rushed in.
"I have to tell you something before I go to Ron's," he panted.
A loud noise interrupted him. It was Lavender and Ron, who were sitting on the same couch and snogging once again.
"Yes, Harry?" Hermione said, turning away from them.
"I have proof Malfoy's a Death Eater now. Yesterday at the party, Malfoy showed up, and...."
"Malfoy showed up? Why?" Hermione said, standing up.
"I don't know, but then I heard them...."
Hermione couldn't bear it anymore. Draco was a lot of things, but he was not a Death Eater. He could not be. It was just impossible.
"Harry, Malfoy is not a Death Eater. We've been through this," Hermione said stubbornly shoving her parchment and quill back into her bag and standing up to go back to her dormitory. She left Harry standing there frustrated, with no one to accompany him but the squealing Ron and Lavender.
She plopped down on her bed, and wondered for the first time whether she should have accepted Draco's invitation to go for Christmas. It was true, she didn't much trust him, and his sudden change in behavior was unnerving, but anything was better than this. Harry, Ginny, and Ron would all be going to the Burrow, while she stayed alone here. Luna and Neville were going back to their places, Luna had specifically told her they were planning to go on a brief hunt for Crumple-Horned Snorckacks, whatever they were. She would be alone for Christmas.
Hermione got up off her bed and decided to go to the library.
"Draco! What are you doing here?" she asked astonished. Draco was hidden in one of the aisles, trying to reach a book. He jumped when he heard her voice.
"Oh, Hermione! I was-er-just trying to get that Transfiguration Through the Centuries book. Madam Pince is helping someone again, if you can call it helping and not tormenting...."
Hermione laughed, but quickly stopped.
"We-we could maybe try what you suggested last time we were in the library...." Hermione blushed furiously.
"Oh. Okay. Um-sure." Draco shifted his feet uncomfortably. He put his hands on either side of her waist and lifted her up. She was surprisingly light for a sixteen-year old. Hermione easily reached the book and took it down. Draco quickly let her go.
"Um....Here." Hermione threw the book at Draco, who caught it, blushing as well.
"I-I'll see you later, I suppose," Draco said awkwardly after a pause.
Hermione smiled through her embarrassment.