Draco frowned, suddenly, casting a quick Tempus charm. "I need to leave, now." Hermione thought it almost looked like his entire demeanor had changed. Gone was the relaxed, confidence - and in its place was a quick nervousness, that she was startled to realize she recognized on Draco Malfoy's face. Hermione nodded.
"I wish I could stay..." Draco said urgently and wistfully, cupping Hermione's face with his hand. "We'll talk tomorrow." Draco Malfoy said, before bolting out of the suddenly cramped alcove.
Hermione, heading out of the alcove, was frowning, and not watching where she was going. How was he going to talk with her tomorrow when they hadn't arranged where to meet? She nearly plowed into Harry Potter, who was standing with crossed arms.
"Tell me everything." he demanded, green eyes as brightly intent as the killing curse.
Hermione just nodded, knowing that anything else was really not an option. "Where?"
"The Room, of course," Harry said, heading up the tricksy stairs that were the closest to that alcove. It was a sign of his patently obvious impatience.
/
Malfoy slid through the halls, as if he was really greased lightning. He arrived down in the dungeons, only slowing as he was two corridors away from the Common Room. There he stopped, straightened his clothes, and walked into the place like he owned it.
Eyes everywhere stopped what they were doing and looked up at him. Most went back to their work, as the name Malfoy didn't command as much attention as it used to. Goyle, however, frowned at him. And Pansy- Pansy was on her feet, and in three swift strides, she was grabbing onto his arm.
"Your room, now, sugar." She purred, and Draco caught the insistent demand in her eyes, the one that said you are NOT getting out of this.
[a/n: Pansy's POV would be noting that Draco looks happier than he's looked all year. Do leave a review?]