Sign of the times

Chapter Five

What had I done to deserve this. 

The interactions I had had with Draco Malfoy the passed evening and this morning had more than sufficed for the next weeks. Now I didn't only have to share a bathroom with him and potentially meet him in the halls of the prefects' quarters. No, I had to actually work with that dickhead to not fail my last school year. Although, as McGonagall had said, I wasn't dependant on the fulfilling of the assignment, but my inner hardworking student-self just couldn't not do anything and therefore score an F. But working with Draco? Was that really necessary?

Without uttering another word and earning confused looks from my friends, I stood after McGonagall had ended reading the names and left the Great Hall, hurrying slightly so I wouldn't have another unwanted meet up with the Slytherin on my way to my quarters. But once again, my plan was unsuccesful and all that was left was to blow out an angry "huff" through my nose when I heard fast, rhythmic footsteps behind me. Until the very last moment I hoped my suspicions had been wrong and the person behind me was simply some other student who had left the hall shortly after me, the first of many that would follow. 

"Not so fast, Granger", all my fragile hopes were destroyed by his deep, familiar voice. 

"We're a team now. Can't have you running away from me already. The others are having a team meeting and I think we should join them", he said, strutting next to me.

Ignoring his suggestion I continued my walk because I really wasn't planning on having a team-talk with him. 

I was about to turn a corner, when I was pulled back harshly by my arm and almost fell over my own feet. To stabilize me, Draco grabbed my other arm and steadied me.

"Granger, I get the impression that you're not really interested in working with me. And though I must say, I'm not too happy about this pairing myself, I can't afford to fail."

That second sentence made me look up as my brown eyes met his grey ones. I hadn't thought about what this assingment meant to him. That maybe, his future was full of uncertainty.

"I mean, I guess my family has kind of redeemed itself when my dad and mother ratted out some of the other Deatheaters and supporters of Voldemort. But I never got that owl from the Ministry. Pretty sure they're not too keen on offering a job to someone with a Deatheater's mark."

He tried to fake a smile, but failed miserably. I was surprised and confused by his openness towards me, when all we had shared the past years were insults and spiteful comments. Any kind of annoyance or anger I had just felt, fell away. As absurd as it was, I pitied Draco. Later, when I was alone I would have to have a serious talk with myself to try and understand why I was reacting the way I was and what the actual fuck had gone wrong. Maybe I was still under the influence? However, right now I was standing opposite Draco who was waiting for some sort of reaction towards his words. 

"Although I still have some potions homework I need to do and am severely hungover, I will agree to have a short and there's an emphasis on "short" talk with you after lunch. My room. If you're late, I'll simply not open the door. Understood?"

"Not that into you making demands, but I'll let it slide. See you later!", he ended the conversation, smirking at me, before he turned on his heel and made his way back to the Great Hall. 

I had lied about the potions homework, which was already waiting on Slughorn's desk, waiting for him to find some time to check it, but the hangover was very real and I felt my stomach rumble when I continued my way to the prefects' common room. 

I decided to take a nap before attending transformation and old runes class which had been combined as the last old runes teacher had resigned and McGonagall was able to teach both. After that I would have another two hours of arithmetics and a thirty minute training session with Mrs. Lambert, a new teacher that practiced offensive spells with us. After the Battle of Hogwarts the Ministry had made these kind of session mandatory to guarantee that students didn't only know the theory, but were actually able to use their knowledge in a confrontation.

Heaving the heavy duvet over my head, I remembered that Ginny, Harry, Ron and I had planned to spend our afternoon in Hogsmeade. Not only was Draco taking up my free time, he would also make me late. 

"I'll tell them in arithmetics", I thought, not wanting to think about it any longer. 

I had about one and a half hours until my alarm clock would ring and I was planning on using every single second of that time to relax and not think about Draco and his weird behaviour towards me. 

Like, what was his deal? Didn't give a shit about me for over six years and now suddenly, he was Mister Nice Guy, offering his help left and right, being generous with his prize money, not making a single hostile comment towards me or other muggleborns. It's like somebody had rewired him after the Battle. As if I was missing something. Some sort of turning point he had experienced some time last year. Something that had changed him.

 Wow, I was bloody amazing at controlling my thoughts.