Snape watched thin wisps of light shoot from the tip of Harry's wand to block the Impedimentia curse he had attempted to hit him with. The rest of the class gasped as Snape's curse broke easily through Harry's shield, forcing Harry to hit the floor to avoid the curse.

"Wonderful, Potter, absolutely amazing! That was the worst Shield Charm I have seen preformed at Hogwarts. Ever." Snape sneered and pushed his oily hair out of his stone-cold eyes. "Now, would someone competent like a try?" Having no takers, Snape walked angrily to his desk and informed the class they would have an essay on the proper creation of shields due the next time they met.

Hermione, on Harry's right, was already scribbling notes and flipping through textbooks for information to shove into her essay. Ron, who was not even aware that there was an essay, was doodling what could have been a Quidditch match on the margin of his parchment. He only looked up when Harry elbowed him sharply in the side.

"What was that for?" Before Ron could say anything else, Harry slapped his hand onto Ron's mouth and hushed him. Harry jerked his head toward the back right corner of the classroom, where Draco Malfoy sat staring down at his desk, his once neat, slick hair falling soft and ragged over his face.

Hermione leaned over Harry and said, "He's been like that for a week or two now, not as sharp as he used to be. " Before Harry could restate his famous theory, Hermione quickly added, "Which does not necessarily mean that he's up to something! He could just be…um…taking hard classes this year." She didn't sound convinced. Harry tried to hold his tongue, but ended up whispering to Ron, "One of these days, I'll prove it."

The truth was, as Harry, Ron and Hermione debated about Malfoy, he was in the back of the class eyeing them disdainfully, rather than examining the intricate workings of his desktop. He knew that Potter suspected him, which inevitably meant that both the blood traitor and the Mudblood had been introduced to the possibility.

But, the three Gryffindors in front of him were the least of Draco's problems. He was beginning to understand that if he did not complete the task he had been given quickly and efficiently, he could kiss the luxury of being alive goodbye. Harry kept glancing over his shoulder, seemingly unaware that Draco knew he was being watched. Draco was now focusing on the portion of Harry's scat that was visible under his sheet of dark hair. It was not fair. What had made Harry powerful enough to resist the wishes of the Dark Lord?

Draco tucked the strands of hair that had been obscuring his face behind his ears. The more he thought, the more his depression and fear turned to bitterness and anger. The next time he whipped his head around, Harry was surprised to find Draco's pale eyes level with his own. Harry spun so quickly in the opposite direction that he nearly flew off of his chair and into Ron's lap. Fortunately, Ron jumped back in time to avoid being used as a seat. The only drawback to this maneuver was that Harry ended up on the floor for the second time in one lesson.

Hermione shot Harry a guarded "I told you so" look before returning her nose to her texts. Ron started to laugh, but shut himself up hastily as Snape made his way to the side of their desk.

"Mr. Potter. You are disrupting my classroom! I should give you detention, but I would only be punishing myself. You will stay after class to give the room a good cleaning before you go. Is that clear?"

Harry mumbled, "Yes, sir." In a defeated fashion and clumsily scrambled to his feet. Before he sat back down, he could not help but notice the smug grin that was washing over Malfoy's drawn face.

"Brilliant, Harry. Very graceful." Ron sniggered as the bell rang to signal that everyone besides Harry was free from Snape for the day. There was a massive shuffling as Harry's fellow students grabbed their belongings and hustled out the door. Hermione scooped up her books and hurried out with the crowd, without so much as a sidelong glance at Harry.

Ron stayed a second or two later: just enough time to pat Harry on the back and give him a devilishly sympathetic smile. After Ron had retreated from the room, Harry could have sworn he heard a shout of, "Hermione, wait up!" echo down the corridor. Harry shook his head, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. He closed his books and set to work on sanitizing Snape's dank classroom with a lengthy sigh.