Authors Note: I am sick. My throat feels like someone stuck a knife in it and twisted it into my esophagus. I am very cold despite the three thick woolen blankets that are heaped onto me. Yes, I have a fever. I am also very bored.

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"You wanted to see me?" Snape said allowing his guest to sit down.

"Yes, it's about Draco." Said Lucius Malfoy sitting in the office chair. "He's was acting strange Christmas Break and his grades are going down."

Snape noticed that Draco was acting a little odd also. Yesterday in potions class he looked very uncomfortable when Snape made eye contact with him.

"I was wondering if you could clear things up. Has he been doing anything different lately?" Lucius asked taking the cup of tea Snape gave him.

"Not to my knowledge, but I have noticed his different attitude towards things." Snape said. "Such as me for example." He thought.

"His marks are unacceptable. I have told him either he works harder or he will not be attending the trip to Greece this summer, that is, if it's alright with you." Lucius said.

"Alright with me?" Snape thought confused.

 "I would ask what was troubling him, but as you can see…you're probably best for that sort of thing."

"Damn these parent-teacher conferences." Thought Snape. "I will keep you updated on the outcome of your son Lucius."

"Thank you." Lucius said politely getting out of his chair. "Oh by the way, I will be hosting a dinner party on my estate on the 5th. If you came I would be most delighted. I'm sure Draco would appreciate it as well. Perhaps it would cheer him up; he has much to be sorry for if his grades don't go up."

"I'll be sure to attend." Snape said as Lucius walked out the door.

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            To say Draco looked nervous was an understatement not to be taken lightly. He looked like he was about to fall to pieces. Snape was hit with a pang of sympathy just looking at the poor boy. Somehow Draco reminded him of Longbottom.

            "Everyone get your ingredients ready. You will be working in groups of two." Snape said pleased that the number of students was odd. "This is a very difficult potion, if any of you are mess it up the consequences could be serious, which is why I will be picking groups."

            "That's right Potter, I'm picking groups you little prat."  Snape thought looking at Harry's disappointed face. "Longbottom, you're working with Granger. I think that would decrease the chances of us getting killed by half."

            The Slytherin class laughed and jeered, that is, everyone but Draco.

            "This might be more serious than I thought."

            Snape continued to pair off people, making sure that Draco's name was not said.

            "Alright everyone, start making your potions. You have half an hour." Snape announced to the class. Everyone was busily working while a single, timid hand rose into the air.

            "Yes Draco?" Asked Snape pretending to be surprised.

            "Sir…I don't have a partner."

            "Hmmm, indeed you don't. Well this potion is too difficult to work by yourself, and it's too important for you not to do it…" Snape said what he was rehearsing that morning. "And if you were added into a group it'd only complicate things."

            Draco looked a bit frustrated with the position he had been put in. He caught eye contact with Harry, and sneered at him.
            "I thought you were his favorite." Harry's facial expression revealed.

            "I don't suppose it would hurt if I helped you out with your potion Draco." Snape said.

The class looked up curiously as Draco smirked at them.

"Of course he'd get Snape as a partner." Ron whispered bitterly to Harry across the room.

Snape hovered to his worktable as Draco strutted after him.

"Alright Lucius, I casually got him alone with me. Now how the hell do you want me to ask the boy what's wrong?" Snape thought as Draco was still flashing smiles to the class.

"So how's school?" Snape asked chopping fire lily roots.

"Not too difficult, thank you Professor Snape." Draco replied taking his time to put some gloves on.

"I got an owl from your father."

Draco stiffened suddenly.

"He said you were going to Greece this summer," Said Snape. " depending on how good your grades were." 

Draco relaxed slightly, but stiffly started working on his potion. There was a gap of silence for a good ten minutes.

"Professor Snape, can I ask you an honest question?" Draco asked.

"Thank God I'm finally getting somewhere." Snape thought. "What is it Draco?"

"Have you ever…uh…lied to someone so you could get out of something? And that someone almost found out?"

"What an odd question. He cannot possibly believe I don't know he's referring to himself. Perhaps he want's me to know…."

"Is there something you wish to tell me Draco?" Snape asked in a hushed voice.

"Uh…well…yes. You know about that trip to Greece my father promised me?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Well I don't want to go. Which is why I lied to him and told him that…you needed me to do a project with you the same week we were supposed to leave."

It took a while for Snape to register what Draco had said.

"Why would Lucius believe I needed a 16 year old boy to complete a project?" Thought Snape. "Because Lucius thinks his Draco is the sun and moon. All reason flees in the comparison of a Malfoy." Said a little voice in Snape's head.

"I tried getting bad grades, but after all the nagging from father I figured lying was better." Draco explained.

"Why don't you want to go to Greece?" Snape asked.

"I went to Greece last year, and all I did was stay in a hotel for a week while father worked. It was boring. Not to mention all the stupid touring mother made me do. And now mother and father thinks I'm going to be with you for a week."

Snape smirked at the comical situation.

"I don't suppose it would be best if Lucius found out about this. Perhaps I could arrange something for us to do during the week so you will not be bored."

"Thanks Professor." Draco said looking as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

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"So…did you find out what was wrong with him?" Lucius asked Snape.

"It really was nothing, just a rash." Snape said sounding nonchalant.

"A rash?" asked Malfoy raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, he tried everything for it to go away. It was irritating him, so I made a potion and he's fine now."

"Well I'm happy to see his grades going up. Thank you very much Severus."

"A pleasure."

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Authors Note:  Now my nose is stuffy and I need a shower. My dog seems to like sleeping on the carpet. Yeah…so I hope you liked the fic.