Harry was surprised by the note that awaited him when he awoke the next morning. He had no idea how it had found its way into his trunk but there it was. He carefully picked it up and examined the neat cursive script of his name before opening the letter to see what it said.

"Harry-

I'll not be to breakfast, but I am out from under Pomfrey's watch. I'll see you at lunch. Also, I would appreciate you having a word with Ronald Weasley about Draco. I have spoken to Draco. I would hate to think of us needing to manage our time around them, if you understand what I mean. I have no intentions of losing the time I now have with Draco. I will speak with my father as well, though I have my doubts it will do any good. I must end here. The Headmaster has sent word I am to see a few of the governors in the morning, probably as you read this. I must get some rest. Draco is watching over me so all is well!

Nephthys"

Harry put the not down on his bed, going back to his trunk to get some clothes. Ron, curious himself, picked the note up and read it. "Harry?" He was confused now, in addition to being curious.

Harry looked up, not surprised by Ron's actions or the look on his face. "Yeah?" He was annoyed, though, slightly by the invasion of his privacy. He figured it should be expected of Ron. They had never kept things from each other, much.

"Malfoy stayed in her room? She actually wants to spend time with him? Why's she seeing the governors?"

Harry held up his hand to stop the tirade. "It's not my place to answer." He started to change, ignoring the frown on Ron's face. Once finished, he took back the letter and pocketed it. "Better get dressed or we'll be late to breakfast. Hermione will have our heads." Ron nodded, letting the subject drop… if only for the moment. He was quite curious why Harry would need to talk to him about Draco Malfoy of all people.

As Harry and Ron entered the Great Hall, Draco exited. He nodded to them, sneering slightly, but said nothing. Ron, not liking Draco as everyone knew, too the opportunity to throw the first insult of the day. "What's the matter, Malfoy? Ferret got your tongue?"

"Ron, don't." Harry was watching as Draco, who wanted nothing more than to return the gesture. However, if he was to have a relationship with his half-sister, he had to tolerate Potter and his friends. He reasoned he, as a Malfoy, could control such basic animalistic instincts to take bait thrown in his face where a Weasley could not. Of course, Draco was not too certain any longer if being a Malfoy was all it was suppose to be.

"Come on, Harry! He's not even fighting back. He's finally realized he's not the god he thinks he is." Ron smirked at Draco, who looked back blankly.

"To fight with you in such a manner would be to lower myself to your standards, your level. I like to think I have enough control to prevent that."

"What's that mean? That you're better than me?" Ron exclaimed. His face had began growing dark.

"Ron, enough. Don't spoil breakfast." Harry took the other boy's arm and pulled him inside the Great Hall. Hermione sat waiting for them.

"Ran in to Malfoy?" She had seen the boy leave the room shortly before they entered.

"Yeah. Harry wouldn't let me have fun." Ron looked at the other boy. "What's wrong with you? Why protect that wanker?" The red head was not happy.

"I have my reasons for not wanting to argue with Draco." He ate a small amount of food before standing. "I'll see you guys in class." He left them alone.

"What's with him?" Ron asked no one specific. Hermione watched Harry leave then turned to him.

"That new assistant of Professor Snape's." She tilted her head. "She's not here for breakfast. Neither are the Headmaster of Snape."

"She has a meeting with some of the governors."

"Lucius Malfoy must being stirring up trouble again. They should have kept him in Azkaban."

"Yeah, but if he is, why would Nephthys be spending so much time with Draco. He even stayed in her rooms last night after Poppy let her out of the infirmary."

"How do you know?" She eyed him.

"She left a note for Harry in his trunk. How, in the middle of the night, I don't know." Ron speared a piece of sausage. "I have a bad feeling about that girl."

"Yes, perhaps I can talk to her and find out what is going on." Hermione looked off in thought. Ron shook his head. He doubted she would learn anything if Nephthys did not want anyone to know.

Come lunch, none of those that had met with the governors were in a good mood. Nephthys and Snape both had been rather cruel to some of the students that had made mistakes during class. Detention was going to be rather full for a while. Filch was going to get to have a lot of fun. Dumbledore and holed up in his office, not wanting his bad mood to show to anyone. The three sat talking at lunch as the students filtered in. Harry and Draco both shared a look across the hall before standing and going to the head table. Many of the students noticed this and started whispering to each other.

The three looked up as the shadows feel over them. Nephthys and Dumbledore were not surprised by the presence of Harry and Draco. Snape looked annoyed. He started to say something when Albus stilled him. "My office after classes." The boys nodded, looked at Nephthys, then left back to their respective tables. Dumbledore went back to talking to Severus as Nephthys watched the two boys. A frown graced her face. She stood and left the room. She needed to be alone.

Snape was startled when she stood and left his side. He watched her go, wanting to follow to find out why she had left. Albus shook his head and continued to talk to the other man. Draco and Harry also watched her leave. Neither could follow. Draco because of how it could be seen and Harry because he doubted she would want him to. They would just have to wait to see what had happened, hoping that she opened up to them.