Two weeks into term, Draco sauntered into the Slytherin commons after telling the portrait the password ("Potter's a git") [Okay, so it's THREE words..] and put his vest and robes into a basket for the house-elves to come and clean. He had just taken a bath, to be clean for tomorrow's Hogsmeade visit. Wearing his school pants and half-buttoned white dress shirt now, he walked over to beside the fire where Karien was sitting in one of the dark green armchairs, reading a book.

"Evening," Draco said, sitting across from him.

Karien glanced up, and blushed slightly, though it was unnoticed. "Good evening, Draco.. Tell me, what's this I've been hearing about Hogsmeade?"

"Oh.. tomorrow's a visiting day. It's basically a trip down to the village to buy whatever you may need and relax." Draco leaned back a little in his chair, looking into the fire as if in Professor Telawney's [SP?] class, dozing off.

"Sounds dull." Karien replied. And, in truth, compared to all the two had been doing, it would be. Growing to be quite good friends over the past two weeks, almost inseparable, they were always together. Having been more than a bit mischievous, they had also shared detention services. They hadn't yet noticed the weird looks coming from others as they walked down the halls just inches apart, casting sly and curious grins to one another.

Karien had noticed Draco though, certainly.. And they seemed like a good couple, he had often mused. Both very cold and militant, yet quite easygoing with someone they trusted all their secrets to. But there was a lot he didn't know about Draco, and a big thing that Draco didn't know about him.

"Oi, Karien. You alright?" Draco said, looking up at him.

"Oh..! Yes, sorry. I was just thinking."

Draco nodded a little bit. "Well then, I'll see you in the morning, eh?" He grinned. "Maybe we'll find Potter in the village.. we haven't done anything to him and his group lately, I think they'll start to feel secure."

Karien laughed. "Okay. Goodnight Draco.."

Draco wasn't awake when Karien finally came up to go to sleep.

[Author's notes: Oi, the chapters are getting shorter. I just keep coming to stopping points that seem right. I suppose I'll have to make the Hogsmeade chapter rather long.. seeing as they're going to be baddies again. Oh well. Are you all liking it? Hating it? Thinking it's stupid? Well.. Hm. Let me know, I'm quite eager to hear responses~!]