Cpt. 4

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"You've been avoiding me."

She's not entirely wrong. I've also seen less of her around the castle and outside of class lately- but still, she's not entirely wrong.

"Granger."

"You're not even going to argue with me?"

I look up from my potions book. She's found me hidden in the back of the library, working on an essay. Snape warned me if this essay was as 'sub-par' as my last, that my father might be brought into my education. Pillock.

She's smiling at me. "I didn't realize you'd come for an argument," I tell her, using some spare parchment as a bookmark, and closing my text. I frown down at my essay- still too short, and she notices it before I can put it away.

"Potions?" she asks, walking over to me. She pauses slightly before taking the seat across from me at the table. It's late on a Saturday night, and it's highly unlikely for anyone to come by this part of the library in general- which is why I'll hide here. "Want me to look it over?"

"I don't need your help."

"I know."

She's frowning at me when I look up at her. She shakes her head and makes to stand and walk away when I stop her.

"Don't." I nearly want to kick my own ass for how pathetic I sound. But I just don't want her to leave. Not with that look on her face, that seems to only be reserved for her hatred of myself.

Granger sighs and sits back down, while I do the best I can to avoid making eye contact with her.

"I don't get you, Malfoy."

"Join the fucking club."

From the look she's giving me, and the laugh she tried, but failed at, concealing- I've accidentally spoken out loud. I really need to learn to keep my mouth shut, better.

I watch as Granger rolls her eyes at me and reaches across the table to grab my essay. I think about protesting, but don't. I could actually use the help at this point- it's due tomorrow.

"You didn't talk about any of the already inherent magical properties of your ingredients. If you do you should be able to get at least another six inches."

She slides it slowly back across the table. "I mean, if you want to mention them," she adds, shrugging. "It's already pretty good."

"I know."

Again with the eye rolling. "Thanks," I add, placing the essay in my textbook. She's right. And it shouldn't take too much work as I already know all the properties and won't actually have to do any research. Another hour, probably.

"I've seen less of you around, also." I say it to break the awkward silence hovering around our table, but I think I just made her more awkward.

"I've been helping Harry," she tells me, hushed. "Prepare for the third task."

"Keeping Potter alive, as always."

She smiles at me. "He'll have to get through a maze. With no idea what he might encounter. We've been using empty classrooms for spell work...but it's getting pretty close now."

She looks nervous. "You scared Potter might not make it through?"

"You wish, Malfoy," she says with a scoff. I can tell that she's joking with me. "It's dangerous, though. I'm worried about him. I always seem to be worried about him."

I don't reply. I might not be minding Granger's company lately, but I have no intention of ever caring about Potter's well being.

She seems to realize my disinterest in talking about Potter and stands from the table. "It's late, Malfoy. I should leave now."

I take my watch from my pocket- ten minutes before curfew. She's right, we should both be going. I still have to work on my essay but I can do that in the common room if it's quiet enough.

Looking up from my watch, Granger's staring at me. I can't read her face, though.

"Are you okay?" She hesitates, before finally asking.

Am I okay? I'm not really sure what to say to her in reply. Her question is an honest one- I don't have to be a genius to hear it in her tone. We're alone in the library and I could tell her anything. I can nearly feel my father's latest letter from home burning me from my inside pocket.

"I'm just tired, Granger."

She doesn't believe me. I wouldn't either. But what the fuck do I say to her. I think I might not agree with everything my father's ever taught me? I don't think so. If my father even knew I was in the company of her right now he'd curse me in punishment. I don't want to know what he'd do if he found out that I was doubting our lifestyle.

"Okay," she says, nodding. "See you around."

I watch her disappear around the shelves of books, and sigh. My father is under the impression that big things are about to happen. That the Dark Lord is getting stronger every day, and that our lives are about to drastically change.

Bollocks.