Tuesday Morning was madness in the Great Hall. Draco Malfoy discovered this upon entry. In scattered groups, People were crowding around the Daily Prophet, as Draco frowned himself, I hadn't thought they'd publish it this quickly. Please tell me no one suspects who I am.

At a look from Draco, Blaise shook his head, saying softly, "It's brilliant writing - not that we should be surprised. When it looks that good, any copy's going as soon as its printed." Draco quietly nodded at his friend. "There's more. Snape liked it too - thinks it would make a grand writing assignment."

Draco Malfoy looked up at Blaise, wideeyed with shock that he quickly concealed by shaking his head. "Writing Assignment?" Draco asked quietly, coldly.

"Yes, we're all to write a column. Says it's good training on taking different points of view." Blaise managed to say this with a straight face. Draco shook his head again, hiding a smile. Of course Snape would think that, of course he would. "You'll be helping Vince and Greg, you know." Blaise said nearly cheerfully. Draco muffled a groan (not meaning to hurt his ... companions), even though more work with them was not going to be fun. Particularly since subtleties like, "Chadwick has to have the most arrogant, and slightly wrong views. His house elf, Tiffy, has to seem more genuine, and a bit more optimistic about everything." Draco had chosen the pseudonym with care, Chadwick was old money - far too old to be reading the paper, let alone writing for it. Everyone would know it for the alias that it was. And of course, house elves couldn't (often) write, so that side of it was probably being written by someone else.

It was an extended back and forth treatise on punishment and reward, and the merits of each, turned witty and amusing by the inability of Tiffy to take criticism, and the inability of Chadwick to fail to offer it. And, because it was amusing, it was getting far more notice than Granger's SPEW (seriously. The girl has a brain. Had she completely taken leave of her senses? I'd ask, but wouldn't get a straight response - even if someone that barmy could give a straight response. Certainly Dumbledore doesn't seem capable.)

Granger got his letter late into breakfast, the school owls having to fight with the Daily Prophets' for once. She was too quick on her feet for Potter or Weasel to manage to grab it out of her hands. Still, that gave Draco a thought or two. It wouldn't hurt (much) if it was only safe for the recipient to touch (addressed to Sal. A. Mander, no less!). Granger had often said that it was not polite to snatch other people's mail. She wouldn't mind... much.

Were I to wade in darkness, thick as pitch,

I'd still see your face glowing above with the force of your smile.

More like her glare, Draco Malfoy thought, continuing to write.

A look from you might set me afire, you know.

There are some things indeed man was not meant to know.

Were I to slide into waters dark and deep as the abyss

I need only think of your fire, for the abysmal tide to desist.

Were I silver-tongued, or a singer, I would ask a boon,

For you to come down with us mere mortals, I would importune.

Fate has given me no sweet words, no silvered voice.

No, my hair doesn't count, Draco thought wryly. As if anyone would be persuaded by my hair!

And without that, I worry I have no choice.

That sooner or late, someone else will turn your head.

And should that happen, I'd rather be dead.

Aye, well I know I'm the twisted sort, Draco thought with a twisted smile, I'd far rather she be glaring at me, than looking kindly at anyone else.

[Tuesday! Fourth Week! Waiting for fifth week very, very badly! Still, Potions class is always amusing. Drop me a review!]