On the Nature of Daylight

Chapter 16

Soundtrack- "Convalescence" by Message to Bears

Chapter 16

"-Completely irresponsible. Your marks have fallen so far that you're in danger of not being able to continue with this subject next year, Mr. Malfoy."

Professor Babbling was scolding Malfoy after Ancient Runes. Hermione knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but she just couldn't help herself. Malfoy had been doing a little better recently. She saw him in the Great Hall a few times, sitting with Crabbe and Goyle and although his plate was never as full as theirs, there was at least food on it now. The dark circles under his eyes were still there, but faded to a tired shade of pink instead of the bruised purple they had been before.

He still wasn't fixing his hair, but Hermione didn't mind that as much. Seeing the pale blond hair mussed was a little bit sexy. She closed up her notebook and tucked it into her bag, next to the other half a dozen books she already had crammed in there.

"I've already spoken to Professor Snape about your performance and he agrees that if you miss another assignment there is no other option than to fail you. Do you understand what that means? You will not achieve a NEWT in Ancient Runes." Professor Babbling went on. Malfoy was standing there looking irritated and bored as he stared at the wall past Babbling's head. "You were always one of my best students. If there is something going on, Malfoy, I'd like to think you'd say something..." she trailed off, hoping he would chime in.

"Yeah there is something going on."

Hermione's head perked up and her ears strained. Was he about to actually open up? Tell someone what was going on with him? Did he know she was here, listening? Did he secretly want her to know, but couldn't bring himself to tell it to her face?

"This class is boring as fuck."

Oh. Never mind.

"Mr. Malfoy-"

"In fact, this whole school is a joke," he went on, voice slicing viciously through the progress she thought he was making. "Who gives a shit about some old carvings? It's not like I need a career in this pathetic subject. Go ahead and fail me, see if I care."

Professor Babbling looked hurt. She was right, Malfoy had always been a top performer in class, going all the way back to third year when they started taking it. He had always been affable with Babbling and took an interest in class discussions. He had even debated Hermione on a few of the trickier translations and had actually been able to keep up with her during it, the only person in the class to be able to do so. She knew it must be hard for their Professor to hear one of her best students turn on her like that.

Babbling took a deep breath and clasped her hands together. "One more assignment, Mr. Malfoy and I will."

Malfoy sulked away and Hermione could see the tension tight in his shoulders. She slung her bag over her chest and followed him out. The tower was empty as he made his way down the spiral stairs and she picked up her pace to catch up with him.

"Malfoy!" She just wanted to make sure he was okay. Maybe he did need to talk to someone and maybe she could help. She wasn't sure why, but she cared.

He ignored her.

"Malfoy!" she called a little louder, tucking her bouncing curls behind her ear to keep them out of her face. He had said that he didn't not like her so maybe it was okay for them to... talk.

He didn't stop. Hermione slowed as they reached the bottom of the stairwell and someone else called Malfoy's name. He smirked and sauntered over to Zabini and Nott, who had Pansy tucked under his arm. Crabbe and Goyle were loitering a few feet away, thick heads bent together. Hermione let her eyes linger on the gang of Slytherins for a few moments, watching as Malfoy interacted with his friends.