Draco Malfoy was actually quite pleased with himself. Even though he was doing most of these things against his will, he was enjoying himself. He was acting on the werewolf's orders so that his father would not be killed. Draco hated being used like this but he had no option. 'Dumbledore had not been in the hall for meals the entire weekend,' Malfoy wondered to himself. He had no idea the sweets were poisoned. What thrilled him was that Potter and Granger were not speaking to each other.
'Maybe I should pay a little visit to the Mudblood' he concluded.
* * * * * * * * * *
Monday morning passed slowly but by lunchtime the Gryffindor table was full of eager students. They all watch McGonagall closely waiting for her to leave to go post the list.
But she made no move at the end of lunch. Eventually Ron couldn't stand it anymore.
"I am going to check," he declared. Harry grinned at him trying to ignore his aches and pains.
"I can tell you if you want?" he suggested but Ron shook his head.
"No, I want to see the list, it's about seeing you name there," he said looking up at the ceiling yearning for it to happen. Harry understood how Ron felt. Last year when Harry became one of the champions in the Triwizard Competition, Ron had been rather jealous.
Ron needed some recognition, he wasn't famous like Harry and with a family as large as his, he needed to stand out.
Slowly everyone left, but Harry remained in the Dinning Hall, trying to see if he could talk to Cho. It was Mark Ridgers, who came and sat down next to Harry.
"Did I make it?" he asked eagerly. Harry nodded.
"You were one of the best but we have to start training after Christmas when the snow has cleared," he told Mark.
"Man, that would awesome, thanks," he said getting up and leaving. Harry wondered why he had near really paid attention to Mark. He was noticeably good looking with dark hair, blue eyes and a winning smile. He was also in Ginny's year and Harry had seen around but never really spoken to him. Harry was positive that he knew everyone in Gryffindor. He sighed and decided to go see if he could find Hermione. He was sure that she didn't go to the common room so he might as well tell her that she had made the team. Harry also noticed the Cho had slipped out as he had seen her earlier at the Hufflepuff table talking with her friends. He headed for his room forgetting to go find Hermione.
By dinnertime that evening everyone in Gryffindor was celebrating except for Harry. He was lying on his bed feeling terrible. When Ron eventually came to fetch him to go to the Great Hall, Harry decided it was time to go to Madam Promfery, but then decided to go see if Hermione was in the library still.
* * * * * * * * *
Hermione sighed and closed the book she was reading on Magical relationships. She was still angry with Harry but most of all she felt betrayed. After everything that she had been through, he had to go and let her down. At least Snape didn't do that to her. She pondered about Snape's growing affection towards her. He hadn't said anything but she felt it when she was in his presence. Hermione was anxious about Snape coming with her to her home over Christmas. She had not been back there since she had left with her parents before going to stay at Diagon Alley. She missed them terribly but never said anything because she knew how Harry must feel, he never even known his parents for the most part. She looked around the library seeing only one or two other students around. It was almost time for dinner. She gathered her things and headed out the door. Harry was leaning against one of the pillars just out side.
"Hermione, please talk to me," he pleaded but she turned and walked towards the Great Hall.
"You made it into the team by the way, I didn't know that you could fly like that?"
Hermione stopped walking, she turned and looked at him.
"Really?" she asked incredulously.
"Yeah, you are really good Hermione," said Harry. Hermione blushed.
"Snape taught me when we were, you know," she said quietly. Harry knew he better take the opportunity to mention Christmas now he had Hermione talking to him.
"Um, Hermione about Christmas, why don't you come to the Burrow with Ron and I, I mean do you really want to spend it with Snape?"
* * * * * * * * *
Draco Malfoy was sitting in Dumbledore's office waiting for the Headmaster. When he appeared he smiled at Draco and offered him a sweet. Malfoy looked like Dumbledore was offering him bubotubers pus, drawing back from Dumbledore's open hand as far as possible but the Headmaster pretended not to notice.
"Mr Malfoy the reason that I have called you here is about your Christmas arrangements. Considering I have not heard from your mother and father, am I to understand that you will be staying over Christmas?" he asked arching an eyebrow.
"Yes Professor, me and Harry Potter as usual," Malfoy said thickly.
"Actually Mr Malfoy, Harry will not be here over Christmas, in fact there is only one other student staying, Mark Ridgers as his parents are in Africa at the moment," explained Dumbledore.
"Oh," was all Malfoy could manage to squeeze out. He wondered who Mark Ridgers was but did not give it any extra thought.
* * * * * * * *
"What is wrong with Snape?" asked Hermione impatiently.
"Yes Mr Potter, please do tell us," came a cold voice from behind Harry. The hair on the back of Harry's neck stood up giving him a spine-chilling shiver. Even Hermione had not seen Professor Snape lurking behind Harry until she heard his voice. Her eyes shot him a look of surprise but with a certain amount of relief.
Harry mumbled something about going to the hospital wing and disappeared down the passage. Snape looked carefully at Hermione trying to judge her reaction. Yet she simply smiled at him and headed into the dinning hall.