The paper crane flitted across the classroom into Hermione's surprised hands. She sleepily inspected the small bird – whoever had sent it was obviously skilled at origami. Checking that Professor Umbridge was looking the other way, she gently unfolded it; the crisp parchment was covered in a short note written in an elegant hand. She scanned the message quickly.

Granger,

I can see you falling asleep at your desk. Oh, the scandal! The Gryffindor bookworm not paying attention in class. Tut tut tut…

Someone intelligent has put a Fainting Fancy in your desk. Use this information however you wish; I will certainly be putting the stash of Nosebleed Nougat in my own desk to good effect.

Consider this my repayment for not telling McGonagall about that second-year.

Instead of a signature there was a small ink drawing of a dragon that had been charmed to move slightly on the page. She flipped over the parchment and saw the Malfoy family crest stamped in the corner in green ink. Sneaking a peek into her desk, she saw that someone had indeed put a pink Fainting Fancy there. Grabbing a spare sheet of parchment she quickly wrote back –

Malfoy,

I was not falling asleep! I was just resting my eyes. It's not my fault if I've already researched the Protego charm until I can do it in my sleep – which I have, for your information.

I assume it was someone else who put the Fainting Fancy here; you are hardly intelligent after all. I will, of course, be burning it as soon as the lesson ends. I would normally have a long rant about why not to skive lessons but I know you will bleed yourself out for the class's enjoyment anyway, so I won't bother. I just want to mention that I will thoroughly enjoy watching you mop up at the Leaky Cauldron because you've failed all your NEWTs.

Oh, and I did tell McGonagall. Remember that 'totally unfair' double detention she gave you for aiming your wand at Parkinson instead of the toad (an understandable mistake, by the way)? Consider that your punishment.

Following his lead, she drew a pair of feet with small wings attached to the sides and charmed it so they fluttered slightly to replace her signature. Creasing the parchment quickly, she folded it into another crane. It was smaller than Malfoy's and flitted gracefully across the classroom when Umbridge's back was turned towards the board. She quickly received another in reply.

Granger,

How dare you question my intelligence! Let me remind me I get equal marks to you and at least I don't boast about it! Malfoys are above boasting.

That was an accident! It did Parkinson a favour though; she looked halfway acceptable as a frog for all of five minutes… I did wonder why her punishment was so harsh.

I will be bleeding myself out, but not for the class's enjoyment but my own. In fact, I think I will use it in three, two, one…..

Hermione glanced up to find Malfoy smirking at her. He swiftly raised a hand to his mouth and bright red blood started streaming out of his nose. He called Professor Umbridge over and she smartly ordered him to the Hospital Wing. He half-ran out the door, but not before giving me a malicious smirk through bloodstained fingers. It was only when she left the classroom to go to dinner that Umbridge noticed that the trail of blood ended abruptly just past the door.