Chapter Text
Arithmancy turned out to be just Theo and her, which was just fine with Hermione. She was looking forward to what Professor Vector had effectively labeled ‘co-dependent’ studying with him. Essentially. Each weeks homework would be split in half and each half be given to either her or Theo and they would have to work together to make the meaning. It was going to be challenging but so much fun.
The rest of the afternoon flew by. After Arithmancy Hermione had Herbology with a majority of her year seeing as it was still a required course. Next was Magical Theory which she found many times more interesting then History or Magic despite their similarities of content initially. She sat by Blaise and Pansy and was finally feeling like she had friends who valued education as much as she did after taking a peek at the notes their were writing. After Magical Theory they had a short break until Potions at 4:15. Potions was the only NEWT class that met daily due to the sensitivity of the brewing processes.
Hermione was excited to be in a class with Ginny for once, she wondered how her friend behaved in classes and if it was anything like her brother. She was also excited to be able to watch Draco brew without worrying if she would be caught. He was magnificent in the potions lab, everything seemed to be instinctive for him while all her skills came from reading and understanding properties of ingredients.
When she got to the Potions lab, she was surprised at how few students were waiting outside since it was supposed to be a mix of the 7th and 8th years. Ginny was standing next to Luna and glaring at Blaise until she noticed Hermione approaching and clocked her confused face.
“Most of my year opted out of Potions - you don’t need it for most plans post-Hogwarts. I only took it because I think its fun and wanted to give Luna some backup before I knew this lot was going to be enrolled as well,” she flitted her eyes to Blaise as she finished.
“Yes, well this lot, “ Blaise pointed to himself, “only took it because Theo was and we all know why he took it.” Theo was currently twirling Luna’s hair in the light the only window in the dungeons gave off. Draco was standing next to him staring at the wall.
Just then, Professor Slughorn hurried down the hallway. He eyed the eleven students with one eye while unlocking the laboratory with his wand.
“Is this all, well. That makes seating charts less interesting. Before we go in, I want to pair you up. I want to try something different than previous years, in support of inter-house unity. You must sit with a member of a different house and a different gender, there will be one group of three I suppose -”
“Not to worry Professor! I’m a late addition.” Harry came around the corner like he had been jogging. “Can’t let you have an odd numbered class, sir” He finished breathing hard. Hermione took one look at him trying not to look in Daphne’s direction and knew why he was added late.
“Harry! Very well, my boy. Come in, come in. Sit with an opposite in any way, please! There you all go,” He ushered them all in before anyone had a chance to pair up.
Theo dragged Luna to a corner table without sparing a glance at anyone else and the 7th years Hermione didn’t know were quick to pair up with each other, eyeing Draco and Blaise with apprehension. Ginny rolled her eyes and looked at Hermione.
“Scissors, paper, stone?”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “No way am I getting involved with that. Come on Malfoy.” She turned without making sure he would follow, but he was. Hands in his pockets with a content look on his face. They stopped at the table in front of Theo and Luna while Harry and Ginny took the table next to them and Blaise with a put-out Ginny across from them.
Slughorn put the instructions on the board and had them begin by taking notes of each ingredient and how they should obtain them. That was something different in NEWT Potions. You didn’t use the basic ingredients available in the stores. You had to forage and locate your own, with your partner.
After looking over the ingredients on the wall and making some notes about the best places to find each, Hermione looked to her right to see Draco sitting on his stool watching her with a small smirk.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, Granger. I think I just missed watching you in class.” The ease that he spoke startled her. She could feel the heat of a blush rising to her cheeks and had no control.
“Let me hear what you’ve written down and then I can tell you what I know.” His arrogance hadn't gone away then, she just hadn’t seen him in an academic setting since becoming… friends. It wasn’t nearly as irritating as it used to be. In fact, his confidence in his future mastery was quite appealing.
“Well veritaserum is all about a timed brew so it’s essential to make sure wherever we get our ingredients from, they’re as fresh as possible. I think it’s probably best if we harvest the night before if moonlight is needed or the morning of its sunrise is. But I don’t think that’s news to you,” He softly nodded his head to say continue. “I haven’t explored much of Hogwarts Forest outside of first and 5th year but I’m sure that’s where all of this is. Maybe we could do an expedition over a free period tomorrow?”
“An excellent idea, Granger.” She felt pleased and blushed again “However, I have a secret and I can’t tell you here because Theo and Blaise are sitting right behind you pretending they’re not listening because they’ve been trying to figure it out for years,”
“Share! I’ve done so much for you!”
“Mate, it’s just the right thing to do”
“The answer is still no and I won’t be sharing with anyone except Granger” Draco himself looked rather pleased as well. “I’ll figure out a way to share without our nosy friends finding out before tomorrow.” He leaned in a bit closer and spoke softer, just for her.
The rest of the class went by quickly. Slughorn went over ingredients and gave out very obvious clues on where to find everything you needed in the forest before letting them leave twenty minutes early.
Hermione was exhausted by the time she made it back to her room after dinner. She fell on her bed, arms stretched to either side, and smiled. Today had gone by so fast but was probably the best day of school she had ever had. This was going to be a great last year at Hogwarts, she could just feel it in her bones.