The Girl With No Name (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 24- The Wait

•¥• Hermione's P.O.V. •¥•

We waited anxiously for days. The Ministry hadn't sent a response back to Professor McGonagall, which I knew was distracting not only me but the rest of our group from our studies. Makayla had received three Acceptables in the past week in Potions alone. I had even gotten an Exceeds Expectations on a rather easy essay in Transfigurations, and, having read it through after I earned that grade, I knew Professor McGonagall was simply being generous. The midterm exams were beginning, and I wasn't going to let my friends fail. I knew I certainly wasn't.

I woke up early on the Monday before exam week, got myself ready, and headed down to the Great Hall. I ate a quick and light breakfast of toast with rose petal jam and headed over to the library. There, I devised outlines for Harry, Ron, Ginny, Makayla, and even Draco's study schedule for the next week. I made sure there would be time for Quidditch practice and even a few leisure hours, so there would be no complaints. Most of the time, we would be studying together. However, I put in some independent study time as well as one-on-one hours with me. As conceited as it might sound, I knew I was the only one who paid any attention in theoretical classes, so they would all need my help and notes.

I checked the large clock behind Madam Pince's desk. I knew that everyone would be down for breakfast by now, and I had my speech prepared. I gathered my notes and my friends' timetables and strode out of the library. I walked the short distance to the Great Hall reciting what I was going to say in my mind. I needed to be sure I wouldn't stumble. I spotted my friends sitting at the Gryffindor table, smiling and eating. They didn't seem to realize that exams were next week! I briskly made my way to where they were.

"Hey, guys? Any chance that I could have your attention for a minute?" my tone was friendly yet implied that if not given their undivided attention I would get angry. Their eyes urged me to continue. "So, as you may or may not know, midterms are next week, and while I recognize that we've all been distracted-for good reason, might I add-we mustn't let ourselves fall behind. This is our last year, and it matters more than anything. While we wait for the answer to our proposal, I created a schedule for each of us to follow in the next two-and-a-half weeks as we make our way through exams," I took a pause to hand out the schedules to each respective person. "As you may have noticed, this is a major improvement to my study schedules in past years. There is plenty of time for Quidditch practice and leisure. I read recently in an article my parents sent me that if you pile too much on to a person, they break under pressure. I think that your timetables are even and that each of you will be able to study without too much of the allure of procrastination." I stopped talking to watch their faces peruse the parchments. A bit sheepishly, I asked, "so, what do you all think?" Surprisingly, Draco spoke up first.

"It is a really well done schedule. I see myself following it. Thanks, Gran-er, sorry, Hermione," he said with a small smile.

"I have to agree with him. Thanks for making these, babe," Ron said, even more surprisingly.

"Merlin, Hermione, you really outdid yourself this time. Frankly, I needed this more thank I care to admit. Thanks, Mione!" Makayla said. Ginny nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, seriously, thanks. And thank you for making time for Quidditch," Harry added. I beamed. Honestly, I was surprised by how well they were taking it. I had expected them all to make fun of me and ignore the parchment. I sat down beside them all and we started our usual conversations, laughing and chatting and ignoring our problems.

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lunch

"Guess what I saw up on the board in the Gryffindor common room?" Ginny asked in a singsong voice as she waltzed into the Great Hall.