'Incomprehensible spirit:
sometimes a lighthouse,
sometimes the sea'.
- Samuel Beckett
The weeks passed quickly and that morning, after breakfast, Draco headed to the library with Theo and Pansy for the fourth time. On the first Saturday Draco and Granger were the only ones to set foot in the library, and they went about their work while ignoring each other. On the second, Granger appeared with Potter and Weasley, who sat at another table next to their partners, and exchanged some doubts and corrections in a bitter tone, which disappeared on the third Saturday, when they spoke neutrally and Pansy even went so far as to make jokes with the weasel, not against him. This left both of them so puzzled that they hurried to end the work session.
The three of them were surprised at the semi-truce they had reached with the little lions, and it earned them a compilation of disapproving glances and sneers from Zabini and the rest, who intended to hurt their pride for the rest of the week. The Snakes Prince's utter indifference to this only served to further fray the group's nerves.
That Saturday, in what seemed like a new routine, the six of them met again at the library door, with Weasley practically being dragged away by Granger as he finished off a piece of toast. Draco was not unnoticed by the dark circles beginning to show under Potter's eyes. He looked tired and nervous, and he guessed that, even in his House, they weren't being kind with him.
Without a word, he sat down next to Granger at the usual table and they began to work. Not an hour had passed when he noticed the girl fidgeting nervously in her seat, glancing at him from time to time. He snorted, fixed his eyes on her and rested his chin on his hand, raising an eyebrow.
- Granger, if I don't concentrate, we're hardly going to get a good mark. Don't forget I'm the smart one on the team, we need my full potential
Forgetting the last comment, Hermione's eyes widened when she heard Draco refer to her by her lastname and not by some horrible nickname, but she quickly pulled herself together and sat upright in her seat.
- I've been trying to find out more about this part of the procedure all week, but there are so many conflicting lines of enquiry. We need to agree on which one to follow - she said, placing two large books in front of the blond and pointing to the part she was referring to.
Draco read carefully and began to take notes. He knew that this was the most complex part of Veritaserum, so he set aside his work as his lips curved into a smile.
- So the best student at Hogwarts needs help. - he whispered, glancing at her slightly. She noticed his expression change, expecting some sort of insult, but Draco simply continued reading.
They spent the rest of the morning working on a lengthy piece of writing that compiled all the possible interpretations, talking to each other without any malice. When the time lunchtime came and they were finished, Granger sighed and smiled broadly at Draco as he picked up.
- Thank you, Malfoy. I don't know what got into you, but I'm glad for the change. - she said quietly as she walked away. Draco, still in awe, watched her rejoin Potter and Weasley, who were eyeing him warily.
He hadn't really felt any need to pick on Granger, and he could even tell that she was being, by far, the best partner he'd ever had in a term paper. He shook his head and caught up with Pansy and Theo.
- Hermione, what were you talking to Malfoy so much about? He's not bothering you, is he? - Ron asked as he filled his plate with chicken wings.
- Well Ronald, about the project. I have no other reason to talk to him - she snorted. - And no, surprisingly he hasn't had a bad word to say against me all these days, and even today I'd say he's been very nice.
Ron choked on a piece of meat and Harry automatically stopped eating, staring at Hermione with wide eyes.
- I'm surprised too, guys. And believe me, I've spent most of the time wondering if he was forcing his behaviour, but he's actually been acting very natural. Maybe maturity hitted him this summer - Hermione suggested as she patted Ron on the back. When the boy finally stopped coughing, he turned his body in her direction.
- But Hermione, it's Malfoy. It's not normal that from one year to the next he's decided to grow up. I bet he's up to something. - Ron said, looking for Harry's approval with his eyes.
- The truth is that it's weird, but it fits with his behaviour these past few weeks. He doesn't participate in his friends' fights, and he doesn't look for fights as he used to. - mused Harry, who had made noticing Malfoy his new favorite hobbie. - I also have to say that Nott is not a bad boy, and I think you're not having a bad time with Parkinson's either, Ron.
- The truth is that I expected worse. She is proud, ironic and very Slytherin, but she is growing more harmless to me. - Ron acknowledged, his mouth full.
Harry ate in silence. Malfoy had always been an unbearable boy, capable of taking pride in such absurd things as purity of blood, wealth and influence of his family, but from there to being like his father was a long way to go. To Harry, Malfoy was a git who freaked out when saw a shadow in the Forbidden Forest. His father, however, did not reflect any emotion, and seemed to have such an indifference to human life as to give an eleven-year-old girl a cursed journal and sleep peacefully at night. And that inspired him far more mistrust than a spoiled child.
The meal passed without much more conversation, and they were about to leave the dining room when they heard heavy footsteps behind them. They stepped aside just in time for a group of third-year kids to reach them, and practically flew toward the exit, yelling.
- You're going to miss it!
- They're going to punch him, for sure they will!
- Professor Mc Gonnagall should be notified!
- You go, I will not miss it!
Hearing this, nearby students shot out after the children, determined in not to miss a good fight. Ron looked at Harry and Hermione, and without waiting for her to come up with the idea of going to find a teacher, he dragged them in the same direction as the rest of the students.
They didn't have to walk far, as the whole scene was taking place in the central courtyard of the castle. They arrived relatively early, and they didn't need to push anyone aside to get a direct view of the situation.
In the center of the courtyard, a second- or third-grade Ravenclaw boy was trying to run away from a small group of Slytherins, most notably Zabini, Crabbe, and Goyle. When the boy's back hit one of the many columns that surrounded the courtyard, Crabbe grabbed him by the shoulder while Zabini faced him, cornering him and using his height to intimidate him.
-So you found it funny to laugh at Crabbe, right? Did you think you could mess with us so easily? Did no one explained to you how things work around here yet, right? Zabini exclaimed mockingly, enjoying how the boy seemed to shrink. The rest of Slytherins, as if they were a pack of wolves, spread out around the scene in a semicircle of laughter and encouragement for their partner, while the place was filling with people who watched the scene and were afraid to say anything that called the attention of the snakes towards them.
Harry watched as a Hufflepuff girl, and probably the same age as the cornered boy, wriggled in the arms of a boy who tried to hold her back. Rage consumed him inside, and he clenched his fists as he took the first step in the direction of the Slytherins. He saw out of the corner of his eye how other older students were imitating him, and with two meters to go, a familiar voice made them all stop.
- What are you supposed to be doing? Tell me that you are not so pathetic as to be feeling dangerous over a child two years younger than you, because it is giving me a lot of cringe.
The arrogant claim of none other than Draco Malfoy against those in his own house caused Zabini and the rest of the group to quickly turn in the direction of the voice, their expressions twitching. Parkinson, Nott, and Malfoy emerged from the crowd directly toward the group, with Malfoy leading the way. As he reached them, Malfoy lifted his chin slightly and raised an eyebrow, resting one of his hands on his hips as if the situation was taking unnecessary oxygen out of him.
- We were just reminding the kid that there are certain unwritten rules in this school, Draco. Since when does it bother you? - Zabini inquired, who, unlike the rest of the Slytherins, had not fallen down at Malfoy's words, and challenged him with his eyes.
- It's not like it bothers me, it's that I'm ashamed to see it. - Draco snorted, without changing his position. - I don't see the point of being cocky with a brat who just called Crabbe stupid. Besides, he hasn't told any lie either.
The offended was beginning complain when Zabini passed him to face Malfoy. Zabini made use of his height again to simulate an advantage, but that did not seem to affect the blond, who was watching him as if he preferred to be listening to Umbridge's lecture.
- I don't know what's got into you, but you're unbearable. Are you starting to get a taste for being the hero? Because you just interrupted the World's favorite hero - exclaimed, looking at Harry a few steps away from them. Malfoy followed his gaze, and green and silver collided briefly- Maybe you should put the Sorting Hat back on, you look like a lion cub.
Malfoy took one more step, being inches away from Zabini. There was no more boredom in his expression, but pure rage.
- If your greatest pride as a Slytherin is taking a candy from a child, maybe you should be the one to be sorted again. Maybe it decides that the only place you must be send is to the circus - Draco hissed. The silence that reigned in the courtyard was broken, given way to heated whispers, exclamations and laughs. Harry's jaw dropped.
- So that's it. What do you guys think? It turns out that Malfoy has values - talked Zabini, causing laughter among his group. - Be careful, remember that you sleep in a nest of snakes - he threatened. He gave him one last hateful glare, and he walked past Malfoy making sure to hit him with his shoulder. The rest of the Slytherins, as guided by an Alpha, just followed. Draco watched them, stoically enduring the slight hits until they were gone. Shifting his gaze to the Ravenclaw boy for a second, he turned back and headed into the castle followed by Pansy and Theo.
Harry was still standing in the same position when the blonde walked past him.
- Potty, a shut mouth catches no flies. - He murmured while he held his gaze deeply.
Harry, erratic, closed his mouth and followed him with his eyes. The group of people who stood in the way of the three Slytherins, Ron and Hermione among them, divided to let them pass, and they also followed them with their gaze. When Harry met up with his friends, he didn't even know where to start.
