Malfoy Child

Lessons

The dorm was unusually quiet that morning as all five dorm mates and Draco got dressed and ready for the day. Somehow, they all managed to troop down to the common room together, where Hermione and Ginny were waiting for them. Harry wasn't sure, but he thought his friends were deliberately sticking close to him and Draco this morning, making sure they were all right after the nightmares the night before.

Hermione and Ginny frowned in concern at the subdued group. "Is everything all right?" Hermione asked. Harry's friends all turned to look at him. Even Draco looked up at him.

Harry rolled his eyes at their worry, even as he looked a bit sheepish for having woken everyone up during the night. "Everything's fine. We're all just a little extra tired this morning. That's all," he said with a tone of finality. He wasn't going to say anything more, particularly with Draco present.

The worry didn't lessen from the girls' expressions but they didn't say anything else. They all trooped out of the common room to go to breakfast. No one seemed particularly surprised to see Crabbe and Goyle waiting for Harry and Draco, although the other Gryffindor boys watched the Slytherins warily. Harry and Draco just exchanged good mornings with them, and then led the odd group down the hallway.

Hermione and Ginny held Ron and the other Gryffindor boys back. Harry knew they were trying to find out what had really happened the night before. He didn't mind as long as they didn't bring it up around Draco. Then again, he didn't particularly feel like talking about it himself, either.

When they got to the Great Hall, Harry and Draco parted from the two Slytherins to have breakfast with the Gryffindors. Harry loaded Draco's plate with bacon, eggs and toast and poured him some juice before loading his own plate. Their section of the table was extra quiet as they tiredly ate their breakfasts.

Harry glanced up at Snape, who was watching them with narrowed, suspicious eyes. Harry knew that Snape noticed the unusually weary group. Looking over to the Slytherin table, he caught Blaise's gaze, who was also watching the group with worried eyes. Harry just gave him a smile, which Blaise returned even though he didn't look any less worried.

Harry went back to eating his breakfast, first making sure that Draco was still doing okay. They were both startled when Hedwig suddenly landed in front of them.

Draco stared at her in awe. Harry chuckled. "This is my owl and her name is Hedwig. Why don't you give her a piece of your bacon, Draco?"

Harry untied the letter from her leg then gazed at Draco while he watched in fascination as Hedwig ate the bacon he gave her. "You can pet her if you want," Harry encouraged.

"Can I?" Draco eagerly asked.

"Sure, she likes being petted," Harry said with a smile, and watched as Draco tentatively reached out to touch her. Hedwig preened and seemed to take to the little boy. Soon, Harry shooed her off, sending her back to the owlery while promising Draco that he would take Draco to see her at some point and show him the rest of the owls. He instructed Draco to finish his breakfast and Draco eagerly tucked back in with new enthusiasm. Harry smiled, watching him for a moment, then turned his attention to the letter he'd received.

"Who's it from?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Snape," Harry answered absently, as he was still reading.

"You're sure getting friendly with the greasy git," Ron commented with a grimace.

Harry glared and gave a pointed look in Draco's direction, who luckily hadn't heard the insult to his godfather.

Ron rolled his eyes. "So, what's he have to say then?"

"Is it about what happened yesterday?" Hermione asked in concern.