Hermione rushed to the cupboard immediately to gather ingredients, as well as to avoid any further conversation with the Malfoy.

When she returned to their table, she ignored the Malfoy-death-glare she was receiving, and got to work, immediately.

Fine minutes into the brewing, Draco could stand it no longer.

"Are you ignoring me, Granger?" he hissed dangerously into her ear, sending shivers up her spine.

"No I'm not" , she retorted.

"Well then" , he said snatching away the ingredients to his side, "Giving me instructions should not be a problem, should it?"

"Actually it will, since you're obviously daft at following instructions."

"Well then, you better think of a way to make me if you want an O for this Potion, and think it up fast."

What the hell? Insufferable git! He just wants to torture me!! I'll show him. Hermione thought.

"I don't negotiate with bullies and terrorists" , she hissed.

"Too bad. Looks like you're getting a Troll grade for this one. It will be interesting to see the Brightest Witch get a T."

"And so will you."

"Do I look like I care?" he said smugly, eyes glinting with an emotion Hermione couldn't recognise.

Bloody ferret! I am so going to get payback for this.

"What.do.you.want?" she breathed as low as she could, not wanting the rest of the class or the Professor to get wind of their talk.

"Two things. One, meet me at the Library 7 pm."

"Library?"

"Of course. Isn't it your favorite place? You wouldn't even have to lie to Saint Potter."

"Fine, and second?" Hermione asked, gritting her teeth furiously.

"Stop ignoring me and help me brew the Potion."

What? Malfoy asking for help? Hermione thought, completely shocked. Focus, Hermione.

"That makes three things."

"Do you want to end up with a T?"

"Fine." She said, still grinding her teeth together. "Now get me the asphodel roots, shredded."

"Sure thing Granger" , he said smirking, "Knew you couldn't resist my charm".

Hermione snorted. "Whatever helps you sleep at night Malfoy."

"Indeed", he grinned wider, at her choice of words.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

***************************

Hermione laboured for an hour an a half, brewing the Blood Replenishing Potion, following every instruction to the dot, but nothing had prepared her for the final ingredient of the Potion.

"Add a drop of blood from a fresh wound to the unicorn horn infusion and add to potion. Stir clockwise thrice, next stir anticlockwise twice. Potion turns a clear red.

Let Potion sit for half an hour for it to turn an opaque red." She read out from the blackboard.

"Here, Granger", Draco interrupted her handing her the dagger from the Potions Kit.

"What's that for? You were supposed to be helping me out Malfoy."

"Well I'm not going to cut myself for it, if that's what you think. My help only goes so far."

"I don't think you'd want me to do it either. You see, if I put my blood in there, you'll have to test it out. Are you really willing to consume Potion made from my blood, Malfoy? I'm a mudblood remember?"

At the mention of the M word, Malfoy clenched his fists in anger. He leaned in close to her ear and hissed, "Do not use that word for yourself, in front of me, again Granger. My niceties only go so far."

Hermione's heart raced. Malfoy was leaning in so close to her ear, his lips almost touched her. She could feel his eyelashes brush against her cheek. She was never scared of Malfoy and wouldn't think twice before packing him a well deserved punch, but for some reason she was paralyzed with shock. Something about the way he said it sent a chill down her back. She stiffened.

Malfoy had been angered at the use of abuse against her for a second time. Was she intimidated, shocked, happy? A blur of emotions rushed through her mind.

"Besides", he continued, sitting upright again. "It still a better option than bleeding to death."

"It's just a drop, Malfoy. You are such a drama queen." She muttered.

"Am not." He replied indignantly.

"Are"

"Am not"

"Urgh.. I am not playing this game with you."
Saying that she pricked her pointing finger and drew out a drop of blood into the unicorn horn infusion and finished the final stages of the Potion turning it to a clear red.

***************************

When professor Slughorn came around to look into the results of his class Hermione was pouring her potion into four different vials labelled Testing , Hermione, Draco and Professor.

"I see, excellent Draco m'boy, excellent. Of course, I have to congratulate Miss Granger on her commendable job as well.

Now if Mr Malfoy could test the potion for us and tell us the effects."

Malfoy grabbed the vial labelled 'Testing' and gulped it down in a single breath giving Hermione a wink.

She looked on in wonder. He had actually done it. The insufferable bastārd!

"So what can you tell me about the effects of the Potion, hmmm?" asked the Professor, bouncing on his heels.

"Well, Professor, for one it's tasty." He said looking determinedly at Hermione.

Hermione's ears has gone as red as a beetroot.

"Of course m'boy, of course. That's what the rose essence is for. Anything else?"

"Yes, well I feel energetic, like a sugar high." He smirked at his partner, who was already red in her face.

"Yes, very good, very good, Draco m'boy. I think there should be nothing less than an O for you and Miss Granger. But for now, ten points to each one of you for brewing the Potion to perfection."

Professor Slughorn went around the class, inspecting others' potions.

Pansy's had turned red but curdled due to being cooked on a higher flame than was needed.

Harry's and Ron's was a clear red.

Ron had wasted too much time gawking at Hermione and hadn't let the Potion settle to it's final opaque color. They passed with an Acceptable, to which Harry was disappointed but Slughorn waved away as Harry's lovesickness. Harry's grades had naturally been suffering for some time, since Ginny had partnered with Hermione.

***************************

Ginny and Blaise were reclining on their beds in the infirmary. They were assigned adjacent beds with an armchair separating them, on which Luna was sitting reading a book on Ancient Runes.

"I hope it works. Draco is quite the stubborn git when it comes to running away from situations." Blaise opined.

"You haven't seen Hermione in denial, yet.

Either way, we still have a long way to go. I doubt they will acknowledge their feeling just yet", she replied.

"They have too much of bad blood between them", Blaise noted and Ginny nodded solemnly.

"Well, that's what we have a Blood Replenishing Potion for, don't we?" chimed in Luna.

"You're quite right about that Lovegood." Blaise chuckled.

***************************

Author's Note:

This chapter is dedicated to tomandemma4ever and Potter_Gleek for their wonderful support!
And SlytherinHafs for making me see Harry in a new light. OMFG I'm dying!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
For the record, to all my readers, you folks are just amazing and your comments make my day!! Keep 'em coming!!

Hey folks! I hope you like the update! If you did, please VOTE , COMMENT and SHARE with your friends!

I'm sorry I haven't been able to update very frequently recently. Believe me I want to, but I'm caught up with work. Please do not worry about me putting the book on hold. That ain't gonna happen. I have already planned out the plot ( I always do before starting to write any of my books) so I'll make sure I see it to the end... And I WILL update every Saturday.

I hope you continue to enjoy my work and continue to support it. I love reading your wonderful comments. I'm really moved by the overwhelming response I received.

Stay tuned for the next chapter: Eat Sleep Library Repeat.
Until next time, happy reading!! 😘😘😘