Draco was now showered and dressed. It was November and it was not yet snowing. Draco had chosen to wear some black jeans and a green sweater. Instead of the Slytherin embroidered scarf he wore, he chose a black fleece one that he had bought in Diagon Alley. His father, luckily, had decided to let Draco to his own devices the last week before term and had dumped him in Diagon Alley, which was fine with Draco. He was free to buy all the books he liked, and some new less-Slytherin looking clothes. He stuck with green and black, after all he liked them. This bright blonde hair was a contrast that made him stand out. He did buy a brown sweater (on the advice of a nice witch in a store who told him it would bring out the blue of his eyes more) but he had not worn it yet. He eyed the brown sweater but decided against it yet again. He towel dried his hair again and did not comb it back but let it hang down, nearly into his eyes. It made him look much softer and he liked it, he hoped Hermione did too. He looked over at the clock, and it was 11:30 now. He had to hurry; the match would be starting in a half hour. He took one last look in the mirror, stored his wand in his pocket, and set out for the stadium.

Hermione was up at 10, getting herself dressed and showered. She braided her hair back to keep it out of her face while she got dressed. She put on her usual jeans and a chunky blue sweater over a long-sleeve t-shirt. She hoped it would be enough to keep her warm during the match. Thinking twice she picked up her black zipper hoodie and slung it over her shoulder. She had to go and see Severus before the match. She made her way through the Gryffindor common room and down the hallway to the Potions classroom. She knocked on the old, creaky door and opened it. She peeked around it and Severus looked up. "Ah, Hermione. Can I help you with something?" She smiled nervously, and made her way down to his desk. "How's Eve?" Severus smiled. "She's fine, Hermione, don't worry. She's with your parents and they're doing fine." Hermione smiled. Severus was so protective of his love interest, but she knew he actually appreciated her asking. Eve was muggle born, just like Hermione's parents and needed special protection. Dumbledore had hidden the immediate family and friends of the Order somewhere, Eve included. Severus looked at her seriously, and she felt the prying edge in her mind. She fought it out. He smiled. "So, are you going to tell me what's on your mind or do we have to fight it out?"

            Hermione shook her head. "I have a confession. You've noticed that Draco Malfoy has been acting a bit oddly?" She opened her mind a bit and let him wander through the most recent memories. The muggle-rights books, the glances at lunch, and the alienation he had orchestrated for himself. He nodded. "Yes, I had noticed. But what does this have to do with me?" Hermione began to blush. "Well I…I used that new technique you showed me to get inside his head." She played Draco's memories for him, with the exception of the dream. Severus pulled out of her mind and looked at her sternly. "Hermione, that was a blatant violation of Draco's privacy. You would be in a lot of trouble with the ministry if they found out you had done this." She sighed. "I know, Severus, but I just couldn't help it. I was half-worried he was planning to harm…someone. I don't know what I was thinking I just needed to know." He nodded and replied "Alright, but you have to tell him. It is unfair to play with his head like that Hermione. You have one week and if you have not told him, I will." She nodded, standing up and getting ready to leave. "Hermione?" She looked at him again, waiting. He took a few seconds and said, "He will need help, and maybe you are the only one who can help him. He's done a good job breaking out of his father's cage on his own but…he needs something to hope for, a goal. You must help him in any way you can if he is to permanently change." Hermione nodded. "I understand." She turned and she heard him in her head, "Coincidentally Miss Granger, I think you'll find an extra invisibility cloak in the room of requirements if you look after the match." She smiled to herself. "Do you want it back or can I keep it?" she asked. "You can keep it for the time being. Moody was able to dig up another one. Just make sure you put it to good use." She nodded and set off for the stadium, shutting the dungeon door behind her.