"Take out your wands," Professor McGonagall's voice boomed across the classroom. Despite serving as the Headmaster she was still teaching Transfiguration. "Today we will begin work on the Protean charm. Since this is a complicated process that requires the manipulation of multiple objects you will be working in partners specified on the board." She waved her wand at the chalkboard and a list of partners appeared. Hermione was surprised to see her name next to Draco's.
"Today we will be working with parchment," Professor McGonagall continued as the students settled into desks with their partners. "You will be charming two pieces of parchment to mimic your third, master parchment."
Hermione sat down next to Draco and rummaged through her bag for parchment, purposely avoiding looking at him. They were nearly three weeks into the term and hadn't spoken once since the train.
A low mumble filled the classroom as Hermione straightened up, three pieces of parchment clutched in her hand. She snuck a glance at Draco as she set them down. He looked as gaunt and tired as ever.
"I actually already know how to do this," she said as she looked back at the table.
"So do I." Draco's voice was husky.
Hermione pursed her lips. "I guess it won't take us long then." She picked up one of the papers and waved her wand to begin the Appellation spell. They worked in silence for several minutes.
"I came back to get away," Draco suddenly said. Hermione glanced up at him curiously. He was silent for a minute before he continued. "To get away from the Death Eaters and my parents and-" his voice trembled slightly, "from the nightmares."
Hermione nodded. She had wondered why Draco had bothered to return. All of the students who had been at Hogwarts for seventh year, except for those who had spent a good portion of it hidden in the Room of Requirement, were considered graduated. Most of those who fought in the battle had already joined the Ministry, and Harry and Ron had recently started as Aurors. From their whole year she and Draco were the only ones who had returned.
"They won't stop though," Draco continued. "The nightmares." He set down the paper that he had been working on and picked up another.
Hermione slid her paper towards him. Her left sleeve rode up a little and she quickly tugged it down.
"You have a scar, don't you?" Draco asked as he noticed the movement. "From Bellatrix."
Hermione looked at him. She pulled her sleeve up just enough to reveal the white D scarred on her arm. "I'll have it forever."
"I should have done something." Draco's gaze dropped to the desk and he seemed to wilt. "I should have stopped her."
Hermione lifted her hand. She took a deep breath and gently set it on Draco's shoulder. He jumped at the sudden contact, nearly ripping the parchment he was holding.
"You tried to help us," she said. "None of us will ever forget that. If you hadn't lied about who we were we would be dead now."
Draco slammed the completed paper down. "I should have done more. I should still do more. I shouldn't be such a coward who just runs away from his problems." He stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder before stalking out of the classroom.
"Miss Granger?" Professor McGonagall hurried across the room to Hermione. "What was that about?"
Hermione sighed. "I don't think he's been sleeping," she said quietly.
McGonagall nodded. "We've all experienced the effects of the war." She looked at the papers in Hermione's hand. "Did you finish the charm?"
Hermione lifted her quill and made a mark on the first page. It instantly appeared on the others.
"Very good work," McGonagall said as she examined the papers. "The rest of the class will be continuing this next week. I will be giving you and Mr. Malfoy a challenge."