The Songbird and The Viper

To The Grave

 Draco's presence in the group of Gryffindors was one that needed time to simmer. For a few weeks, Johanna tried to incorporate Draco in small increments in order to get them accustomed to it, much like a stray cat needed time to adjust to its surroundings before being introduced to its housemates. It started with stares and awkward silences, but once they learned that Draco preferred to silently read while staying close to Johanna, they grew more comfortable and it was almost as if they didn't realize he was there.

On a chilly February morning, they all gathered in the Great Hall for a study session as they all were keen to avoid their upcoming Apparition exam. Johanna sat with Draco on her right and Hermione on her left, Ginny and Neville beside Hermione. Harry and Ron sat across the table to space themselves from both Draco and Hermione.

Draco was emersed in the last few pages of To Kill A Mockingbird, a book Hermione had lent him while he was still in the recovery process of finishing Wuthering Heights. Johanna laughed at the thought of Draco reading a book about prejudice, while Hermione hoped it would help him grow more tolerant of her own existence. Either way he was absolutely in awe of the book and hadn't looked up from it the past few hours.

Draco ran his thumb over Johanna's hand as she scrawled out a D.A.D.A essay, Hermione craning her neck to read as she wrote. Her face said it all as she raised an eyebrow. Ginny rolled her eyes, "Are you going to let her finish it before you start?"

Hermione huffed, "I'm just worried Snape will be brutal with this one, I know that he's been marking us down for the slightest of things," She wrung her hands together.

Harry gazed up from his potions book, "I'm sure she's doing fine, Hermione. Her dementor essay was top-notch, I would have figured she actually fought some."

Johanna laughed, causing Ginny to look over, "Just spent hours in the library. Draco helped me with most of it since he told me all the stories about your third year."

Ron and Neville sent each other a look as they both remembered Draco was seated not five feet away from them. Harry glanced at Draco and then nodded, focusing back on Johanna, "Wish you were here back then."

"You would have lost it if you were here second year with all the Chamber business..." Ron grumbled.

Ginny sighed, "Why do you always have to bring that up? I'd prefer to forget it."

"Want to forget Harry saved you? Well, with my help, of course," Ron folded his arms and rested them on the table.

"I'm sure she means that she almost died," Harry said quickly.

Ginny's lips curled in a slight smile before she looked down at her book again. Johanna could have sworn she saw Harry blush before looking back at his book.

Johanna looked over at Draco, his eyebrows furrowed as his eyes rapidly descended the page. She whistled quietly, pushing a small bowl towards him. Draco had been getting noticeably thinner, so Johanna decided to make him snacks. He'd almost never eat them if she wasn't around, so she pushed them on him whenever possible.

Draco squeezed her hand as she rolled her eyes. She picked up a piece of dragon fruit from the bowl and fed it to him, procuring a small smile from both of them. Harry couldn't help but watch them closely, only being snapped out of it by Ron elbowing him.

"Do you think Snape will ease up on the assignments since my birthday is next week?" Ron joked, flipping the pages of his Transfiguration book.

"I think he'd give you more work to punish you for being born," Ginny laughed.

Ron sulked in his seat, gazing across the room at Snape who was supervising the group of Slytherins a table over. Johanna did everything in her power to avoid the burning stare from Snape every few minutes as he glared over at Draco and her.