Chapter 5.1

It was clear to see that after the hols the two have come to some sort of close friendship. They received questioning glances, especially those from her house and her two friends but in reality Hogwarts is a big school. Harry Potter may be famous and Malfoy has a name of his own, but people have their own business. One Pucey is still thinking of a 6th year Ravenclaw to snatch, a pretty Indian girl wants to try the newest fad in hair potions with her sister at heart Lavander, and some first year was still trying to figure out how the food in the Great Hall came to be.

So it was eyebrow raising but not enough to create social pandemonium at Hogwarts, to see one curly haired witch and her blonde counterpart meet up after breakfast, his hand animatedly gesturing from his tales of new discoveries about the difference of magical painting and the Wizarding World's printed articles or newsprint, while she on the other hand wants to show him her own form of animated entertainments. Maybe some bobbed haired witch went agog when her Drakey didn't even cast a glance at her since they got back from hols and Ronald's face has turned as red as his hair from having been ignored with help for essays, but the rest of the student body just saw two students being adorable dorks. Adorable but still dorks, laughing and chatting all the way to their DADA class.

"Just say the incantation after me. Riddikulus! Now who would like to try?"

"This class IS ridiculous" He muttered, sneering darkly at the Professor.

"Ah Mr. Malfoy, glad you volunteered. Step right up please."

"Seriously Professor? Did you think it's wise to expose so freely what seem to scare me, here in front of everybody. Now that is ridiculous."

"Aww, afraid you'll see your Daddy Malfoy?" Ron gibed.

"Daddy Malfoy?!" Hermione mouthed in appreciation and the said blonde spawn just narrowed his eyes at her.

"No. I… I agree with Draco Professor." A meek voice said. Hermione sees the other Slytherin girl, trying to remember her name. It must be Tracey, or was it Daphne. She's really bad at remembering names. They all look the same to her, girls with green scarves.

"Of course Ms. Davis. Now this is a mandatory assignment, those who want to join Ms. Davis here for a more private session we can schedule this at a later date. For others, what say you face your fears!" The man said jovially, like as if it was an easy thing to do. He faced Draco once more, a challenging look on his face. "Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco being the pompous boy he is does not let it deter him, he did not like it when people mock him. Unfortunately when the Boggart started making shape, Draco hears not the ludicrous music Lupin played, nor the jeers of one Weasel. He hears the drip of water, and suddenly the room filled halfway with water.

Hermione was shocked in silence. And before he cast the charm the two looked on each other. He kept staring at her as the once murky water changed into confetti and the room once again erupted in laughter and applause. He slowly walked towards her, the noise the class was making deaf to them.

"I didn't think drowning is your fear Draco." She whispered at him.

"It is not."

"Nor is water."

"Nope." He stared blankly ahead, the commotion before him becoming a blur. Weasel was laughing at some spider, still he pays it no mind.

After a few moments she spoke again. "Don't worry Draco. You'll always have my back." There it was again, the warm smile she never even share with her Gryffindor buffoons. It was a good distraction, for you see Draco Malfoy was not afraid of water, or the tides. He was afraid of loosing control, when with a wave of his wand he could easily drown them all. For someone who valued control, the lack of it cripples him.

At the other side of the room, Professor Lupin quietly observes the two students exchanging glances, one Gryffindor another Slytherin, Remus senses a sudden tremble from the pit of his stomach. Like as if that moment should be important to him. But before he could put meaning to the scene in front of him, once again Harry Potter took the spotlight for worse fear as he fainted from a Dementor once more. And in an act of Gryffindor valor, he steps up before the boy and faced the moon he so feared and charmed it into a balloon.

"Moony." Hermione muttered quietly. However not too quiet for the Professor's enhanced hearing. And his attention was once more on the two, who's casting knowing looks at each other.

"Up you go Harry, here's some chocolate. Let's put some sugar in you." When he dismissed the class, his eyes still lingered on the mysterious duo. A muggleborn and a pureblood, one in green the other in red. Why no one find their friendship out of the ordinary baffles him. He couldn't say if he should be happy for inter house unity or if something more sinister is going on. But that couldn't be, they're just children after all. He pushes all thoughts away as he invites Harry in his office. Maybe it was time to teach the boy the Patronus Charm. He does owe it to James and Lily, and if he couldn't protect the boy, he'll teach him instead.

Unsurprisingly, something about a mystery attracts unsuspecting characters. The wolf was not the lone person to think their friendship odd. It easily grabbed the Potions Professor's attention. When he was not raising a brow at the laughing duo, he often find himself reminiscing. That could have been them, him and Lily. What could be different about these two that it did not work for him, for them.

A laugh broke his reverie, and the dour Professor sees his godson chatting so freely with the muggleborn witch. Oh if Lucius could see this, the man would be apoplectic. The two were barely seen in the Great Hall, was usually reported to have their meals some place else in the castle, and sit together in most classes they share. It wasn't also lost to him that Ms. Granger has acquired herself a time turner, courtesy of the Ministry. It was quite cunning of her to exploit her past misfortunes in the school and use it as key to gain access in the Ministry. Sometimes he would think Ms. Granger is too clever. Far too clever for her own good.

"Amazing isn't it. The two of them. I thought she was closer with Harry, Ronald, and the Longbottom boy, and joined them at the Burrow. But I was surprised to find out she spent the hols at his manor." Severus snapped his attention towards his new colleague. Despite being the most forgivable Marauder, he was still one of his former tormentors, one who had the best capability of killing his teenage self. He wanted to sneer at the man, but he was compelled by Albus to make peace. It also doesn't help that he agrees with the wolf. The pair before them baffles him, and he never heard from the Malfoys that the Granger girl spent her Yule there. That was… interesting.

"Lucius never mentioned of Draco's visiting friend."

"Oh she did not just visit Snape. Apparently according to Harry, Hermione spent her entire break there. " Severus cast a side long glance at his companion. It was just as troubling to see his interest towards the two, and if the wolf dare breach their friendship because of house rivalry he would not be blamed if he let slip his monthly predicament. Gryffindors do always think so highly of themselves.

"I never thought you of all people would bother with Hogwart's newest item. Shouldn't you be more concerned that your dog might be out there hunting Potter?" Remus had to restrain himself from mauling his fellow professor. Severus had always grated on their nerve, not much him, but the man could truly ire the wolf in him. If he was more like Prongs, or rather Padfoot the guy would be hanging by his ankles now. Properly exposed and humiliated. But much like Severus, he was also compelled to keep peace with the man. And he owes it to the Headmaster, it was nice to take a break from odd jobs and unfulfilling days. Being a Professor was nice, he did always like teaching. Unlike some Professor who makes it their duty to torment children.

"I just find it odd, is all Severus."

"Odd? Is it so odd that a Slytherin and your golden Gryffindor became friends?" He said too bitterly that Remus gave him a knowing look.

"Odd Severus. Something is odd about the two. And not just because they come from opposing houses." He ran his scarred hand on his hair, clearly agitated at sounding petulant.

"Just. Keep an eye on them Severus. The wolf, he's wary of them. He's actually anxious around them… like as if it's scared." He blew heavily from his nose, letting loose some tension. The other man stare him down with his dark eyes, more than aware of what he's trying to say.

When Remus left him to watch over the students leaving the castle for Hogsmeade, he can't help but stare again at the duo, who was now reading peacefully under the tree. Their schoolmates all too happy to trot towards the nearby village while the two just continue to lounge as if in content by the courtyard. Why couldn't he find that kind of peace with Lily.