Hello hello lovelies! Happy Monday!

I know this chapter is a little short, but I kind of wanted this to be by itself. I really hope you all like it!

Thank you all so much for reading this story, for reviewing, for being such sweethearts. Just thank you. Everyone's excitement for the Dramione is more than infectious. I also love how everyone really doesn't want me to break Remus's heart at the same time, like that is just the best. I'll just say that it all happens when it's supposed to.

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and only the storyline and any OC's belong to me.

Friday, January 9th, 1976

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Fuck you, Potter!" The greasy haired youth snarled venomously, dark eyes sparking with hatred.

Draco scowled deeply, This is seriously going to ruin the rest of my evening.

The ground was still covered with a heavy layer of snow, but it wasn't as pure white as it had been that morning when a fresh batch fell, it had muddied with multiple sets of footsteps.

What had started out as sneering banter and quick retorts quickly dissolved into harsh insults, and instead of hexing their differences out like normal wizards, they all began to settle their issues with their fists.

Draco, James and Sirius had been joking and making their way down to the Black Lake to have a fag and relax after classes—Remus and Hermione headed back to the Common Room to meet up with Lily to discuss a group assignment that they had to do, and Peter had mumbled something about Kira and scampered off before they could press the boy for more details.

Draco was on the outskirts of the fight, when Hermione found out about this he was not going to be blamed for partaking. Well he wouldn't have been if Avery didn't charge him at that exact moment.

Fuck it, Draco shrugged mentally, raising his elbow just in time to connect with Avery's already crooked nose. He could smell the tangy, metallic scent of blood as it burst from his nose.

A few feet away. James and Sirius seemed to have their end of things covered sufficiently; Sirius ducked out of Mulciber's grasp, coming upwards with hefty force a moment later, his right hook connecting solidly with the underside of the boy's chin—the Slytherin made an angry noise in response, diving forward to tackle Sirius to the ground, barely missing as the boy sidestepped out of the way.

James and Severus were trading blows, Severus was gaining the upper hand, and just as Draco knocked Avery to the ground—the boy disoriented and moaning loudly—James avoided one of Severus's punches and forcefully shoved the boy to the ground, wasting no time in climbing on top of him.

His fist was raised to hit Severus, who was staring up at james with heated disdain scrawled across his face, his expression daring James to hit him.

James hesitated, but his knuckles turned white and he looked as if he was going to follow through and actually punch Snape when a loud ahem came from behind them.

Draco straightened out, glowering at Avery. He flexed his sore fists and sighed heavily through his nostrils—his breath fogging up in the biting cold . He instantly knew exactly who was behind them, and it was almost as bad as getting in trouble with Hermione.

His most charming smile spread across his face and he spun on his heel to look at his favourite teacher—though he highly doubted that he was her favourite student right now.

I knew I should have just stunned Avery and stayed out of it, Draco sighed internally, whilst outwardly he said, "hello Minnie. Fine weather we're having wouldn't you say?"

"I was already going to punish you lot for your exploits at the Holiday Ball, but your actions today were absolutely unacceptable. Fighting like mongrels...like barbarians on the ground." Minerva's expression was stoic and harsh.

The boys were all standing, cowed and avoiding the irate witch's gaze.

McGonagall's Scottish brogue came out thickly as she gave them a stern talking to. Even Mulciber and Avery were silent—wisely knowing that any snide comments would only incur her wrath.

"Three weeks. All six of you shall assist Hagrid with whatever tasks he deems fit after supper every evening until curfew," McGonagall said firmly, raising an eyebrow when a few muted protests began to fall from their mouths. The complaints were dead in the water within moments when lightning flashed in Minerva's emerald green eyes.

Resigned sighs filled the room, but the boys simultaneously confirmed that they understood their punishment.

"Good. Now out of my office. I don't know if Professor Slughorn will see fit to punish you boys as well, but I have informed him of the incident. Whatever he decides to do is his business," McGonagall added for the Slytherin boys—who rolled their eyes when they turned their backs to the Gryffindor House Head.

Draco snorted lowly, as if Slughorn was going to do anything. Knowing the codger, he would give them all some crystalized pineapple, tell them that what they did was wrong and then go back to his jolly state of ignorance.

"Hagrid's this evening!" McGonagall called after them. She then turned her eye back on them, disappointment radiating off of her in droves.

"If you stick one toe out of line, any time in the foreseeable future, there will be dire consequences. Do not test me," Minerva warned, tone sharp as ice. "You are dismissed."

The three boys hesitated, but as soon as she quirked an eyebrow, they hurriedly turned to leave.

Once the wizards were outside her door, they all exhaled deeply, letting out the breath they didn't even know they were holding.

Draco looked at the other two Gryffindors, saw James split lip and Sirius's black eye and shook his head.

This needs to stop, Draco thought wryly.

"See you at Hagrid's," Draco sighed, fixing his robes and strolling away from them.

"Oi! Dray! Where you going?"

"Fucking anywhere," Draco yelled over his shoulder. He didn't know why, but he really wanted to be alone right now. Most likely because he just wanted to yell at the other two boys and tell them to stop being prats. Though, it would be extremely hypocritical seeing as he too had partook in the brawl.

Draco didn't know where he was going, all he knew was that he needed some air. Blonde hair and warm blue eyes popped into the forefront of his mind and he changed his course slightly. She always helps make things better, Draco smiled to himself. He had a witch to go and see.