A/N: Here's another chapter. Enjoy:))

Chapter 126: Petty fight

A few weeks after the tryouts, the first match took place: Gryffindor vs Slytherin. A mean song here, a couple near punches there, coupled with us winning, and the rivalry between our teams was even worse than before.

"I can't believe Malfoy actually wrote something like that."

"Why? Didn't you say that you don't think he actually change and that he's as much of a stuck up pureblood as before the summer?"

"Yeah, I guess I did."

"You two should really stop brawling Harry. If you take a closer look, most of these things start from you arguing." Hermione reasoned.

"And how are we supposed to do that?"

"Here's a wild guess: try to actually solve your petty fights without attempting to choke each other."

"Yeah? Tell him that."

"You know what? I will do exactly that the next time I see him."

"What? I was joking Sel."

"I'm not. The last weeks of summer were actually pretty enjoyable, and then we came back to Hogwarts and the fragile understanding and peace shattered and you two got back to your habits."

"Mione?"

"Sorry Harry, she's right. What did Malfoy even do since the the start of the year that could explain your behaviour towards him?"

"Besides breaking his nose you mean?"Ron quipped.

"You do remember Harry busting his lip as well as spying on him, right?"

"Well, I-"

"C'mon Mione, it's pointless to argue with these two. Let's go take a walk."

The crisp air of early December engulfed us as soon as we stepped foot outside of the castle, but we put up warming charms and continued walking.

"I've been meaning to ask you: are you okay? You've been looking tired lately. And really confused at times."

"Oh, yeah, just, there's something off with my powers. I know what it is though, it's not that bad, but it'll take me some time to adjust."

"Well, you know I'm always here for you if something's wrong, right?"

"I do. Thanks Hermione, you really are a good friend. Now, who are you going to take to Slughorn's Christmas party? There's only one week left until then."

"Well, I don't really know. Maybe Fred could come. Though I guess I should send him a letter to ask."

"That's a great idea. Maybe George could come too and go with me. I don't have anyone to go with. And I'm sure Ron will be happy to see them, even though he would never acknowledge it."

"Ron?"

"Yeah, since Harry can't go, he decided to send him in his place, and Slughorn was ok with that, so..."

"Well then, it's settled."

"I guess."

The twins accepted to accompany us to the party, and they even came the night before so they could have some extra time to spend with all of us. Fred ended up sleeping in our dorm, in Hermione's bed, although judging by how tired they both were, nothing probably happened.

I woke up the day after, sprawled on the floor next to my bed, the sheets pulled down with me. Weird, last time I fell from the bed I was seven. After fighting my way out of my blanket, I dumped it back on the mattress and decided it was as good a moment as any to get a headstart on the weekend homework. Grabbing a scroll of parchment, my Transfiguration book and a muggle ballpoint pen, I went to the common room. Half an hour later, I was almost done.

"Are you awake?"

"Yeah, just finishing an essay."

"Can we meet? It's about the Metamorphmagus problem."

"Sure. Broom closet under the Grand Staircase?"

"Ok, but if we walk in on Blaise and Pansy again, I'm going to punch myself."

"That if I don't beat you to it."

"We'll see. Come on."

His furrowed brows and downturned mouth did nothing to soothe the worry in my stomach. He opened the door and entered after me.

"You haven't been sleeping, have you?" I asked him, reaching out to touch the dark circles under his grey eyes.

"Not really. Still worried about my mom. And this whole thing...you know they'll have to find out eventually. My friends and yours as well."

"I know. Don't know how they'll take it though. They don't really have the best opinion about you."

"And they're right. I mean, look at everything I've done, the Dark Mark, bullying all of you."

"Well, the bullying wasn't called for, but about Voldemort...you're just a a kid Draco, you shouldn't have been brought into this in first place." I took his hand and we sat on a little bench that was sprouting out of the back wall.

"Now, what did you want to tell me?"

"It's better if I show you actually." He sighted and pulled the collar of his shirt. Right there, under his right clavicle, a straight white scar stood out on his otherwise perfect skin.

"Oh, dear." I looked under my own shirt and, sure enough, I had a matching one.

"That means it has started, right?"

"I'm afraid so. Parkinson's gonna have a field day, isn't she?"

"When she finds out, yes, but no one said that has to be today."

"I'll think I'll tell my friends after New Year's day. I'd very much like a calm break."

"I don't know what to say about that. Your brother might be even more oblivious than Binns, but Hermione is smart."

"Well, isn't that an interesting way to phrase that?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You just admitted that Hermione is smart." I laughed

"You of all people should know I'm not like I seem. At least not anymore."

"I do. It's just still weird. Especially considering the fact that Harry and Ron are still so determined to be against you."

"I just hope they'll come around. After all, we're spending Christmas with you this year."

"What??"

"My mother sent me a letter. All of us are going back to Grimmauld Place for the break."

"Well, that speeds things up, doesn't it? In this case, we'll have to be more careful. Remember to hide every scar; for now at least."

Third person POV:

They really thought that their plan would work, and it would've, if only Draco wouldn't have gotten into a fight with a fellow Slytherin on the way to the library. All his worries came back, flooding his brain and impeding any rational thought. He ran into a bathroom and that's where Harry found him, crying softly in front of a mirror.