[Hope]

[3]

When arrived Draco at the great hall with Blaise. Harry was already there sitting alone at a table. He looked depressed so Draco parted from Blaise with a rushed peck to his cheek and hurried over to Harry. Draco's actions confused Harry, who was sure that the blonde didn't want to be his friend anymore.

Harry wasn't sure if he should try to speak to Draco, so he ate his food in silence, hoping Draco would start the talking. Draco was about to apologise to Harry and ask what was clearly on his mind, when a fight broke out on the other side of the Hall.

Initially both boys couldn't hear what was being said over the noise of all the students enjoying their lunch. Suddenly, Ron started shouting and the room quietened. This caught Draco's attention.

"That's my sister you're talking about you bastard." Ron was shouting at a Ravenclaw, it was Michael Corner. Behind Corner was his two housemates Terry and Anthony.

"It's not my fault your sisters hot, who wouldn't want to shag that" Corner retorted. The whole room, including teachers gasped.

"You little bitch!"

Ron lunged at Corner and those nearby started shouting words of encouragement for Ron. Violently, Ron began to swing for Corner. Terry, who looked very distressed, tried to separate the fight but was pushed away by one of Weasley's Brainless Gryffindor lackeys. The fight lasted for a few minutes and left Michael on the floor, face bleeding and bruised. The teachers rushed in and swept him off to the hospital wing.

When he was out of the hall, the room erupted into enthusiastic whispers about Corner and Ginny Weasley. Many were agreeing with Corner and his opinions of the youngest Weasley and weren't afraid to voice them now Ron had fled the scene.

Harry didn't really care about the fight, he was quite grateful for it as it drew attention away from him and he'd had a torment free lunch. Harry tried to keep his eyes on his food for the last few minutes whereas Draco was smiling like madman.

Draco had a way in, a way to get Ron to attack. All he had to do was tell Ron that Harry is trying to screw Ginny and he'd flip, especially because it's Harry.

***

By the time Harry was in potions, his last lesson of the day, the gossip from lunch still hadn't died down. Harry hated potions, it had never been his strong point and it was so easy to be bullied in. People could sabotage your potion and you'd get all the blame and a fail from Snape.

Snape cleared his throat and started teaching, telling everyone to get the required equipment for brewing Volubilis Potion, a potion that alters the drinkers voice. Whilst the students bustled around the classroom, Snape was telling the class how Volubilis potion can be used to restore the drinkers voice if lost and reverse the effects of the silencing charm.

When everyone was seated at their stations again, Snape writes a list of ingredients on his blackboard and tells them to use their textbooks to read the method. Harry reaches for his textbook to find it had been swiped by Ron, who he shares his station with. Huffing, he walked across the classroom to Draco.

"Can I borrow your textbook?" Harry whispered into Draco's ear. Draco looked hesitant but pulled out his textbook.

"Page 53 Potter, why don't you have yours though, I thought you were going to try harder?" Draco replied. Harry had two options here lie and feel as if he's disappointed Draco or tell him the truth.

"Ron took it, the git probably forgot his own." Harry sighed, having decided to be honest. The blonde glowered across the room at Ron, who was happily reading from Harry's textbook. Harry offered a small smile to Draco. "It's okay Draco, I'm used to this it doesn't upset me"

"Just take the book."

Harry's potions lesson was going fine until the last five minutes. Snape was collecting in the weeks' homework, a 5-foot essay on the advantages and disadvantages of using polyjuice potion. He asked the class to raise their hand if they'd completed the homework, every hand went up apart from Harry's. Even Ron had done his homework.

"Two-hour detention tomorrow it is then Potter." Snape bellowed.

Draco was smiling to himself in the corner of the room, to anyone it would look like he was amused by Harry Potter's humiliation but really, he was happy.

Even though he'll get beaten up first, tomorrow his closest friend will get the help he needs. Draco just hoped it will be enough as Harry seems more depressed these days than ever before.

After potions, Harry stormed off to god knows where leaving Draco with the perfect opportunity to talk to Ron and put his whole plan into action. He jogged to catch up with the Weasel.

"Weasley do you want to know what Harry just told me?" Draco sniggered.

"Go away Malfoy, you aren't wanted here."

"So, you don't want to know that Harry wants to shag your darling little sister after his potions detention tomorrow then" Draco watched Ron's expression change, "I was telling you to be nice, guess I shouldn't have bothered" Draco turned on his heels and began to walk away when Ron stopped him.

"Draco wait!" Ron yelled causing Draco to smirk. "What time's his detention I won't let the Potter freak touch Ginny" Ron asked angrily.

"My godfather usually sets his detentions for six p.m. sharp, you should know Weasley from the amount you've had" Draco said before waltzing off to the great hall. He was content with his plan now all he had to do was wait and see the results.