1 Chapter 5

Draco stood behind Potter and Weasley, attempting to disguise his interest in the magical creature standing in front of him, namely Potter, and look bored by the whole lesson, including the phoenix Hagrid had borrowed from Dumbledore for the lesson.

"His name is Fawkes," Hagrid was saying, but Draco couldn't pay attention. Neither, it seemed, could Potter or Weasley, because they seemed to be discussing something Potter was holding. This was strange for them, as they usually paid attention in Care of Magical Creatures just to show support for Hagrid, regardless of whether the lesson was actually interesting or not. He strained to hear what they were saying.

"..sent me another letter last night," Potter was saying. Ah. So that's what they were talking about.

"What was this one like?" asked Weasley.

"Oh, like the others. An exquisite work of art. He has such talent, I don't think even he know how much his letters affect me! Of course, he's still shy when we meet in public, and hardly ever says anything. But I'm going to change that soon. I've owled him, asking him to meet me in the grounds tonight. I'm hoping that if we're alone together, he should be able to talk like he does in his letters."

After the lesson, Draco hurried to find Christian. He found him in the library, attempting to do his history of magic homework. The fact that Hermione saw Christian in the library so often had only reinforced Harry's view that Christian was an intellectual, and Harry believed that Christian spent the long hours he did in the library poring over old and difficult books. Draco knew this from all the eavesdropping he did on Potter and Weasley during the lessons they had together. Draco laughed at how wrong Harry had Christian figured in his mind.

"Christian!" Draco hissed, and beckoned him outside when he looked up.

"What is it?" asked Christian, looking vaguely worried and glancing around him.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were meeting Harry tonight? I need to teach you your lines! And how to look intelligent," he added as an afterthought, as Christian's face morphed once more into a confused expression. Christian waited for a moment, then replied forcefully,

"No!"

"No? Oh come on Christian, he's going to suspect something if you go around looking.. oh, right," muttered Draco, colouring slightly as he realised his mistake. "Why on earth not?"

"I'm feeling rebellious. Yes, I know I'm stupid, but I think I've spent long enough around you to know how to say some things! And who says we're going to be talking anyway?" he added slyly.

Draco felt a rush of jealousy suddenly, but quickly suppressed it. He had, much as he hated to admit it, grown to quite like Christian, with his innocence and stupidity. Although he still wished he could be with Harry, telling Harry how he felt through Christian was second best.

"Alright then," he agreed. "This is madness, but it's your choice I suppose. Good luck!" he added cheerily as he walked off. You're going to need it! he added privately to himself.