I awake and rub my eyes groggily. I quickly dress in my Slytherin robes, pinning my silver Prefects badge to my chest. I yawn softly and walk down to breakfast. After I take a seat at the edge of the Slytherin table, I take a small slice of bread and wait for Snape to hand out my schedule. While I wait, I look over at the Gryffindor table, easily spotting Hermione talking to Potter and Weasley. Once Snape gives me my schedule, I quickly read over what I have for today:
Transfiguration 8:00 am
Potions 9:00 am
Charms 10:00 am
Defence Against the Dark Arts 11:00 am
Lunch/Free period 12:00-1:00 pm
History of Magic 2:00
I stand and walk back down to the common room, grabbing my books and wand. Once I make my way into the Transfiguration classroom, I set my books onto a desk that's at the very back of the class. Crabbe and Goyle sit on either side of me, looking tired and clueless. Throughout the entire class I silently trace the Dark Mark inked into my left forearm under the desk, hating how it makes me shiver every time I touch it.
Soon I stand and pick up my books, walking to Potions class. As soon as I walk in, I see Hermione standing at a table with Potter and Weasley, setting up her cauldron. I set all of my books down on a table diagonal them, absentmindedly getting my potion ingredients and cauldron out of a book bag. Crabbe and Goyle stand beside me, annoyingly clattering clumsily around. Professor Slughorn walks to the front of the class and motions to four cauldrons, each with different coloured potions inside of them. "I have prepared a few concoctions for today's class. Who can name each?" He asks the class. Hermione's hand shoots into the air and she rattles off the names and effects of each. "Good, Miss Granger. Now, today's assignment will be to prepare a Draught of Living Death, and for the reward of Felix Felicis. Good luck."
* * *
Finally it's my free period. After lunch, I spot Hermione walking out of the Great Hall in the direction of the library. I stand and follow her, keeping a fair distance between us. She enters the library and slows her pace, walking down a long isle of books. I follow casually, walking slowly up from behind her. She jumps and looks at me. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?" She asks. "Just looking for a book, why else, Granger?" I say, slightly taken aback at the lack of coldness in her voice. She clears her throat and says, "Um..." Her cheeks burn red. I raise my eyebrows, suppressing a smirk with surprising success.
Suddenly I hear footsteps and we both turn, seeing Potter and Weasley walking up to us. "Malfoy! What are doing?! Get away from Hermione!" Weasley says, pushing Hermione away from me. Startled at the harshness in his voice, I take a step back. Hermione is blushing furiously, and Potter and Weasley step in front of me. They both have their wands pointed at me, glaring coldly at me. I sneer and point my own wand. "Aww, is Scarhead and Weasel Bee planning on jinxing me?" I sneer, watching their reactions with amusement. "Shove off, Malfoy!" Potter exclaims, advancing on me. Weasley quickly drops his wand and holds Potter back. I smirk and walk out of the isle, going to the other side and listening to what the three are saying.
"What did Malfoy do? Are you okay?" I hear Potter ask. "He didn't do anything, he just made small talk...there was really no reason for what you guys did. He actually was being kind." Hermione responds. I hear Weasley snort loudly. "Malfoy, kind? Ha! Like I'll ever believe that." I hear Potter laugh. "Maybe the reason he's so rude to you is because of how rude you two are to him." She says angrily, pushing through them. I quickly start to pretend that I'm looking at the rows and rows of books piled onto the shelf. Hermione sees me and walks down the isle to me. "I, er, am sorry about Harry and Ron...." She mumbles softly. I laugh quietly. "Those two never bother me." I lie. Hermione nods and turns on her heel, walking away quickly. "Oi! Malfoy! What the bloody hell did you do to Hermione?!" Weasley yells, running up to me angrily. "I didn't do anything." I say with a slight sneer. "Why's she actin' so odd then? Blushing when she sees you?" Weasley demands.
"Jeez, Weasel Bee, are you saying you're jealous?" I say, laughing. Weasley's ears go a bright red. "Aww, looks like Weasel Bee is jealous...." I smirk. "Ron! What the bloody hell are you doing?" Potter calls down the isle of books. Weasley glares at me one more time before jogging over to Potter and they both walk out the library. "This is a library! Who do you think you are?! Detention, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley! No yelling!" I hear the librarian shriek after them. I snort and walk out of the library. "Accio Books." I murmur, flicking my wand. My books come zooming towards me. "Wingardium Leviosa." I whisper, my books floating and following me to the History of Magic classroom.
