When they sit down to dinner Draco is overwhelmed by all the smells. They were all so strong he could taste every one, and each one makes him feel sicker than the one before. He sees Harry has already filled his plate, and looking around he sees Crabbe and Goyle have already done the same. Crabbe gives him a raised eyebrow, looking from Draco to the empty plate and then back to Draco. He has to pick something, before he's asked any questions.

"Aren't you going to eat," asks Harry.

Draco attempts to smile, "I'm just having a hard time choosing what I want the most." before he hurriedly glances around the table and settles on some mixed fruit and a pile of assorted nuts. He had purposely filled half of his plate with the fruit, since it seemed that would be the easiest thing to get down, but with the nuts only taking up a corner there was still space left. Maybe I don't have to fill it. It's not like I ever did before. He looks at each of his friends, hoping it was indeed enough, but clearly Goyle doesn't think it is. So, Draco continues to search the table and places a small, pink muffin on his tray. Cringing at it, it looks completely inedible, but he hopes the pink just means it will taste of strawberry.

Looking around, it seems he's gotten everyone's approval, so he begins by taking a fork to his fruit. He hears Harry take a breath of relief. "I'm so glad we don't have detention anymore." It's actually been a couple weeks now, but Draco too has had nightmares of it.

"Was it that bad," asks Crabbe.

Harry nods with wide eyes, "Yes. It was."

Draco elaborates, "We had to de-spider the dungeon, deep-clean the cauldrons, clean the blackboard, wipe the floor and ceiling, and organize his new ingredients to their proper place." He takes a drink of the lemonade, "It really was horrible."

Crabbe's eyebrows raise, "Remind me to never piss him off." Goyle smiles and nods in agreement. Draco doesn't respond, more focused on eating. It was illogical, he knows, but he just feels if he stops then he won't be able to convince himself to continue.

I'm not even hungry anyway. This is rubbish. I should be doing something productive. He finishes the fruit and puts the fork down, "So, I should really ask, how is everyone else doing in class? I feel like I haven't asked in a while."

"You haven't," comments Goyle, clearly displeased.

Draco takes a big breath, but it's let go rather fast, "I'm sorry. I've been a little focused on not being an utter disappointment to my father. You know, he doesn't even like that I've made the team. No, it's just not good enough. Says his son would never have gotten a girl's position had the team actually let girls onto it. Says we may still make a Beater out of me yet. Said that being a Seeker was even better, only if we could make the position permanent. If he hadn't noticed any physical flaws, then Harry would have been demoted to something else and I would be left with the entire house riding on my shoulders." Had they been sitting anywhere else he would have looked around to see what attention could have been drawn from that outburst, but lucky for him they've changed seating towards the end of the table, so instead he just gives a stern look. "I'm sorry if I lost focus on things like on how my friends' grades are faring, especially when I know neither of you are allowed to fail either."

It's quiet for a minute, but soon enough Harry asks, "He wants you to be Seeker?"

Draco tries to take a stress-relieving breath, "Don't worry. I'm too pale to be a Seeker. He's decided to wait 'til next year."

Harry gives an absurd look, "Draco, your skin color isn't going to change."

Goyle comments, "It's not about his skin color." Harry looks at him, as he further explains, "You haven't known him long enough to see much of a difference, but there has been a slight change since he's arrived here. A slight change only someone who's known him longer would be able to pick up on so soon."

Harry shakes his head, "Hold on a moment. Why would that matter though? I mean, why would him being pale affect his father's idea to make him Seeker, unless—" He stops abruptly, looking at Draco with hesitant worry. "Are you ill?"

"Well," Goyle drags out.

Draco hits him on the shoulder, "Don't tell him."

"Don't tell me what?" Harry was beginning to worry. I've spent two months taking classes and living with this person. How could I not know something so important? "Draco. Tell me. What is it?"

"Anemia."

It was hesitant, but short and clear. Harry has no idea what it even is, "What is that? How bad is it?"

Draco looks down at his plate for a moment, "It's not that bad. Symptoms just include pale skin, tiring easily, sensitivity to cold, dizziness, and difficulty with concentration or memory sometimes. That's about it."

Harry gives a look of disbelief and sternly responds, "Draco. That seems like a big deal."

"It's not. Really," he insists. "At the most, it's just really annoying."

It takes a moment for Harry to question, "If that's the case, then why are your friends worried? If that's the case, then why is your father so concerned?"

Draco huffs a laugh, "I imagine he's more concerned about the family's image than he actually is about me."

"But still." Harry pauses in contemplation, "Dizziness, tiring easily, difficulty concentrating. That sounds serious, even dangerous, especially on the field."

Draco gives a look, "You're not going to rat me out, are you?"

Harry shakes his head, "No. Of course, not."

"Good," Draco comments, before he stands from the table. "I'm going to get a head start on my Charms homework. Finish without me."

Harry watches as Draco leaves the hall, before he asks, "How serious is it?"

It takes a minute for Goyle to respond, "Sometimes it's not even an issue, but other times it can get really bad."

"How bad?"

When Goyle doesn't speak Crabbe informs, "Well, last year he fainted at a pureblood event." Harry doesn't speak. "Mr. Malfoy blamed it on a fever from some flu. Things like this… it can be seen as weakness. I'm sure Draco and his father would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone anything."

Harry slowly nods in understanding, "Don't worry. I'll try not to."