Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
Draco muttered curses under his breath all throughout History of Magic. What makes Flitwick think I would ever work with Granger? Draco thought to himself. He ran his hands through his hair and massaged his temples. On top of everything else, I have to work with Hermione Granger. A thousand thoughts were racing through Draco's mind. The constant letters from his father telling him that Lord Voldemort has plans for him in the coming war. Draco knew that the war was inevitable. Anyone who believed that the Dark Lord was rising to power knew that the war was inevitable. Why her? Draco thought again. Well, Flitwick says our partners are final. He lay his head down on his arms and shut his eyes giving in to defeat; working with Hermione was going to be like the war: inevitable.
Draco slept through the entire class and, as usual, Professor Binns took no notice. Students all around Draco stood up and gathered their things to file out of the room, but he stayed behind with his eyes still shut not wanting to talk to anybody.
"Oi, Malfoy!" Crabbe called from the doorway. "You coming or what?"
"No," Draco replied curtly. Crabbe shrugged his shoulders and joined up with Blaise and Goyle to head to lunch. Draco took his time getting his books together since he had a long break until Potions. He had just closed his bag when he heard a loud tapping on the window nearest the chalkboard.
Just beyond the stained glass pane fluttered a large tawny owl with a large envelope in its beak. Draco's heart sank as he recognized the owl. He reluctantly unlatched the window and let in the owl. He gently patted the creature's head and took the letter.
"I might need you later," Draco whispered to the creature. "Go stay in the Owlery for a bit, ok?" The owl hooted happily and took off in the direction of the Owlery leaving Draco to worry by himself. He stuffed the unopened letter into his cloak pocket and swiftly made his way to the dungeons. He scrambled down the stairs and whipped around corner after corner racing for the Slytherin common room. He was almost at the portrait entrance when a dark-haired girl cut in front of him.
"Hello, Draco," the girl said in a shy voice. "Where are you…"
"Not now, Pansy," Draco barked at her. "Serpientes males," Draco said to the woman dressed in black. She nodded her head and slowly swung open revealing the dungeon common room beyond. Draco stepped in without regard to a hurt looking Pansy as the portrait swung closed.
Heat radiated throughout the empty common room from the crackling logs in the ornate stone fireplace. Draco threw his bag on the floor and sunk into a sofa beside the fire. He rummaged through his cloak pocket, withdrew the envelope containing his letter, and broke the wax seal.
Draco-
I cannot reveal too much about our winter plans without spoiling the surprise. I can say that your dear godfather has been planning a reunion of sorts that will be hosted at our manor in less than three months' time. He has spoken of his plans for your future; plans that will launch you into a successful career. Until we see you, son, take care.
-L
The cheerful tone of his father's letter did not surprise Draco. As of late, his father had been sending letters in a sort of crude code to avoid suspicion if the letter were intercepted by the Ministry. He easily deciphered what lay beneath the cryptic text: The Dark Lord would be coming for Christmas and he would be bringing along his Death Eaters. This thought made a shiver run down Draco's spine and made him feel sick to his stomach. He wanted no part in the Dark Lord's plans but he had no choice. If he turned his back on "The Cause", his family would be forced into hiding, or worse. He could care less about his father but his mother loved him so and the thought of his mother spiraling down into depression was unbearable.
As the fire continued to crackle and pop, Draco stood up from his seat and angrily stuffed the letter into the depths of his bag. He grabbed his books from his trunk in the dormitories and headed to the Great Hall.
…
Harry, Ron, and Hermione traipsed up the hill from Hagrid's hut. They were relatively unscathed save for a few scorch marks on their robes. Two of their classmates ran up behind them, one of whom was covered in black soot.
"You would think Hagrid would have chosen something that didn't cause fires for us to study," Dean said with a wide grin.
"Yeah," Ron sniggered, "especially with Seamus' long history with fire."
"I didn't cause the explosion," Seamus cried indignantly. "The one time I don't cause something to catch fire you all still poke fun." He wiped at his sooty face with the sleeve of his cloak but that only spread the black to the cleaner parts of his face.
"Sorry, Seamus," Harry said half-heartedly. He was still laughing.
"But it was your Blast-Ended Skrewt that caused it," Dean pointed out thumping his best friend on the back. The boys laughed and even Seamus cracked a smile.
"Here, Seamus," Hermione said conjuring up a rag. She held it in her free hand, pointed her wand at it, and said, "Aguamenti," causing a small jet of water to erupt from the tip of her wand. "We can't have you scaring Professor Sprout, again." She handed the now damp cloth to Seamus who accepted it gratefully and wiped his face and hands clean.
"Yeah," Seamus replied. "Can't have her thinking it's poisonous sap again, can we?" With Seamus now clean, the five Gryffindors made their way across the castle to the greenhouses.
