Never had a day gone more quickly for Tamora. Finally she had a chance to do what she loved in her own time. It was only one night a week, but it was still great. She spent the whole of dinner staring off into space planning her evening.

When six fifty finally rolled around, Tamora excitedly got to her feet and left the common room. She was in such a good mood that she felt like it was a struggle not to skip.

Draco turned, seeing her leave at the last minute. He waited a few seconds, then followed her out. Wherever she was going, she sure seemed pleased about it.

Tamora knocked lightly on Professor Snape's door. "Yes?" He snapped.

Tamora opened the door and went in. "It's me sir."

Snape's expression changed dramatically when he heard Tamora's voice. Looking up and actually smiling at her, he said, "Oh, it's you Tamora. What is it?" Around his protégé, Snape was very different. He was always kind towards her, almost fatherly. After her grandfather, Snape was the closest thing she had to a dad.

"I just came to let you know I was here and there wasn't anyone sneaking around the classroom."

"That's fine Tamora. I've set up everything you should need, but if there's anything else, just let me know." For the life of him, Severus couldn't work out why he cared for this girl so much. In a way he supposed, she was a lot like him. Gifted, quiet and alone. And gifted she was. In all his years of teaching potions, she was without question the best student he had ever had.

"Thank you professor." Tamora smiled happily, then turned and left Snape alone once more.

Draco, of course, heard none of this. All he knew was that she had gone into Snape's office for a couple of minutes, then come back out and headed towards the dungeon where potions class was held.

The first thing Tamora did upon entering the room was to light all the fires in the room to warm it up. Next was to discard her heavy coat and hat, unceremoniously dumping them on the floor. Having done that, she got straight to work.

Draco was amazed at the change in her. Her posture was more upright and her face seemed more at ease than before. She was confident. If he'd thought she was pretty earlier, now she was breathtaking. He had to try again, try to get through to her. He knocked softly on the door.

Tamora looked up suddenly from her potion, but then she chuckled. "Are you stalking me or something?"

This time, Draco was the one left speechless. But, that didn't last long. (A/N: Pity.) "Well I wouldn't have had to follow you if you didn't keep freaking out."

"Do you blame me? I've spent all me time here trying to be inconspicuous, and then one of the highest profile people in the whole school comes and talks to me in front of everyone." she paused, thinking for a moment. "Why do you want to talk to me anyway?"

Draco had to think quickly. He didn't want to scare her off. "I- uh just thought you'd like a friend."

"Why'd you think that?" she asked. Draco just shrugged; even he couldn't come up with a plausible story for that.

To change the subject, Draco asked, "How come you're in here? Punishment for something?"

Tamora laughed. "Far from it. Professor Snape is letting me make potions that aren't taught here. I like a challenge, and the stuff we do in class is just plain boring."

"Boring? A Polyjuice Potion is boring?" Draco could barely believe his ears. He cruised through his schooling a little, but to find seventh year potions easy was just inconceivable.

She shrugged. "Right now I'm starting a Penology Potion. It's not used much anymore; most wizards find it too complex."

"I've never even heard of it."

"It makes the witch or wizard experience a punishment that fits the crimes they've committed in their life." She shrugged again. "I suppose it's just easier to chuck them in Azkaban." She looked at Draco. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"It's okay." He honestly didn't care that his father had spent a stint in the care of the Dementors; it was his own fault for getting caught.

Tamora glanced at her watch and grimaced. "I should be packing up now."

Draco nodded. "See you later." He said to her on the way out the door. He didn't want to get caught out of bed. Head Boy or not, he'd still get a detention, and he didn't want to give Potty and more material to work with.

At breakfast the next morning, Draco saw her coming through the doors and went to wave her over. She took one look at him, turned around and went straight out again. Frustrated, he went after her. "What was that all about?" he asked when he finally caught up with her.

Tamora rolled her eyes. "What part of 'I try to be inconspicuous' do you not get? Look, just leave me alone okay?" She walked off, leaving Draco with absolutely nothing to say.

"Ha! Take that Malfoy!" Harry was gloating quite openly. In Draco's opinion, he had only won because of that stupid firebolt. But still that meant yet another Quidditch loss to Gryffindor. It didn't mean that he was getting used to loosing yet though, every loss stung just as much as the first one had.

After the game, Draco fell back from the group to avoid the usual Potter bashing session. Usually he'd be joining in wholeheartedly, but didn't feel like it much today.

Deciding to go for a walk instead, he headed off towards the old Whomping Willow. There was always something calming about its gentle swaying. Not so comforting if you got too close, but it was fine if you kept your distance.

Almost at the tree, Draco noticed someone sprawled out in the grass. Going to leave, he suddenly noticed her deep red hair. Spread out over her shoulders in the sun, it almost looked as if it was on fire.

As if Tamora had been warned he was there, she sat up and shielded her eyes, trying to see who was there. When she recognized Draco, she sighed.

It seemed to Draco that she was listening to something, and then she shook her head, saying no. But saying no to what? He dismissed this as unimportant and walked over to her. "What are you doing?" he asked.

Tamora went to reprimand him for following her again, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. "I'm sketching the Whomping Willow." She held up her drawing pad that showed half of the tree, already swaying gently like its 3D twin. "It must be in a good mood today. It's staying still when I start drawing. Usually it tries to put me off by moving around erratically."

Unable to think of a subtle way to ask, Draco just came out and said it. "Why do you hide from everyone?" Draco asked bluntly.

Tamora looked at him, shocked by his brazen question. Then she actually thought about it. "I just don't like people judging me. And if they don't notice me, they can't make any judgments. That's why I do everything I can to avoid drawing attention to myself." She looked sternly at Draco. "That's also why I can't be seen with to you."

"What if no one was around?"

"Well, uh I suppose so." she stammered.

"Fine then, I'll meet you after your potions thing next Tuesday." Draco said. Without even waiting for an answer, he sauntered off back towards the castle.

Tamora watched him go in total disbelief. "How can someone be so arrogant?" she hissed to Merlin.

"Should I bite him?" he asked.

"No." she replied. "That probably wouldn't be a good idea."

A/N: So, who is this mysterious character? Why didn't Draco see him? And why am I asking so many stupid questions? Find out in later chapters! R R