I woke up to long, soft fingers pushing my hair out of my face.

"Granger," Draco was standing over me, moving the hair that had fallen during my slumber, "Granger, wake up."

I stirred, trying to hide the fact that he had startled me, "Wh-what?"

He smiled at me for just a second, "Dinner is ready, are you going to eat with us?"

I nodded, sitting up as he offered his hand. I took it and he pulled me to my feet, helping me stand and then striding forward ahead of me. I followed him into the kitchen and sat at the dining table with him beside me. Everyone was already loading up their plates with roast and trimmings Mrs. Weasley had fixed. It smelled absolutely delicious and I couldn't ignore the growling pangs in my stomach.

I knew Draco was watching me with that obnoxious, pestering protective glare, but I couldn't stop myself from enjoying Mrs. Weasley's delightful cooking. I let him watch me, and he knew it, I would hear about it later. I ate with my head low, trying to hide my blushing cheeks, then offered to help with the dishes as everyone else scattered off to bed or the living area to read and sit around the fire with teas and desserts.

I made my way to my bedroom, still in a daze from my late afternoon nap on the sofa. When I finally got to my room, my gaze locked onto Draco, sitting at the edge of my bed, reading one of my favorite muggle books, Night by Elie Wiesel.

"I don't see why you like this book so much, Granger," He gave me a quick glance over the top of the page he was reading before he returned to the words on the page, "It looks like you've read it a hundred times."

I sat next to him, reading over his shoulder to see where he was in the pages, "I have, it's actually one of my favorites."

He didn't tear his eyes from the pages, "Why is that?"

I thought for just a second, "I guess it just intrigues me, how awful the human race can be at times, and how strong it can be at the same time," he looked at me questioningly, "It was a war, much like the one we're in now. It's always inspired me to remain strong, despite the nastiness of those around me. It's reminded me to remain loyal to the good, bright side of things. I guess I just always admired the main character for holding on to that shred of hope, no matter how small. I feel like it's similar to what we are all doing now."

I felt my muscles relax a bit as the weight of confessing my feelings to someone drifted away unexpectedly.

Draco closed the book and slinked his arm around my back, resting his hand just above my hip, "Everything will work out," there was a hint of worry in his words, like he didn't believe himself as he was speaking.

I rested my temple against his shoulder, feeling his warmth and allowing myself to close my eyes and breathe him in. His masculine cologne filled my sinuses and I felt myself smile with the realization that I was once again comfortable in his arms.

I felt him move his arm and pull away from me in an almost-jump. I jerked my head up and looked at him to see he was looking the direction of my door. I followed his gaze and saw Ron standing in my doorway, a look of disgusted disapproval on his face.

"I suppose I can't have a word with Hermione?" Ron scowled at Draco.

"Of course," he said through gritted teeth as he stood and made his way out of the room, purposefully bumping shoulders with Ron as he did so.

Ron closed my bedroom door a bit too hard, making me jump just a little. He sat next to me on my bed, almost too close for my comfort, right in the spot where Draco had just been. He didn't speak, only reached out and grabbed my hand in an attempt to link our fingers together as if he had the right to do so.

I pulled away, standing up and moving across the room at the same time, "What are you doing?"

He looked a bit hurt, but more shocked and angry, "You can't be serious, Hermione? After everything we've been through you don't…"

He didn't have to finish his sentence, "Ronald Weasley, I gave you too many chances to confess your feelings for me and you always acted like a selfish coward. Even recently you've been ignoring me and now that I've spent more time with Draco you think you can just waltz in here and-"

He was standing now, inches from me, "I will not come in second to bloody Draco Malfoy."

He was scaring me a bit, he had an angry look in his eyes I'd never seen before, "Maybe you should've thought about that a bit sooner then." I spat the words, anger rising in my chest.

He stepped back, a look of pure disgust washed over him, "You aren't telling me you've developed feelings for- for that bloody git are you?"

I was furious now, the heat of anger had bubbled all the way to the top of my throat and out of my mouth, "I don't have to explain anything to you, Ronald Weasley. If you had half the brain or courage of a mandrake root you would've made something clear by now but you haven't!" I felt the anger searing the back of my throat as I continued to yell at him, growing louder and louder with every word, "Draco has actually showed me he cares about me in ways more than just a friend! You've had every chance-"

"Bloody hell, Hermione!" Ron cut me off, his face red hot with anger, "You can't be serious!"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself and avoid any further yelling, "I am serious, Ronald. Please, just go."

Ron left my bedroom with an angry huff, slamming my door on his way out. Draco came shortly after, looking confused and apologetic as he sat next to my covered feet on my bed. He didn't speak, only looked at me as if he was waiting for me to invite or dismiss him.

I hadn't felt like crying since my argument with Ron until Draco came into my bedroom. Tears stung my eyes as he looked at me, and when he raised his hand to catch them I turned away.

"I'd like to be alone for a while, Draco." I couldn't look at him. I didn't want him upset with me, too, but I really did want to be left alone now that my emotions were confusing me.

Draco patted my ankle lightly, then got up and left me to myself without a word. I felt the tears sting at my eyes again and let them fall freely as I adjusted myself onto my side. I wasn't sure why I was crying. I didn't really feel like I cared that Ron was upset with me. I didn't have romantic feelings toward him. Maybe I did, at one point, but him acting like a selfish prat had definitely helped push them away.

I felt a tingle when Draco touched me, hugged me, when he spoke… His presence made me feel different than anything I had ever felt around Harry or Ron. I felt different around Draco, like he was someone superior to my two best friends. Not in a way that would make me betray them, but it was as if Draco and I's friendship was different than that of mine with Harry and Ron's. So much different, in fact, that it felt like a relationship with romantic feelings.

I felt drawn to Draco from the first time he ever offered me a tender, caring touch, and his attentiveness to me recently had only made that lingering feeling stronger. I wanted him with me all the time, I wanted to touch him and hug him, breathing in his scent as I clutched his clothing, pulling him as close to me as physically possible. I wanted to sleep in his arms every night. I wanted to watch his chest rise and fall with the peaceful bliss of sleep when I had too much going through my mind to drift off into that peacefully bliss myself.

I wanted to feel his breath on my shoulder, behind my ears, and on my lips. I wanted to kiss him, touch him, feel him touch me. I wanted Draco, I wanted him as more than a friend, much more. My argument with Ron had only concreted those feelings and I knew I was in trouble.

I tried to focus on sleeping, rather than Draco, although I couldn't seem to manage. After what felt like an hour or so, I heard some rustling in the kitchen below me and decided it was as good a time as any to go downstairs and see if a cup of tea would ease my wondering mind.

As soon as I reached the archway of the kitchen, I saw him standing there, tall and brazen with the moonlight illuminating off the taught muscles that sat beneath his thin t-shirt. I tried to back away slowly, hastily deciding that going back to my bedroom would be the best idea for now, but he had already heard me.

He turned to face me and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, "Are you feeling better?" He asked, almost with a cold nip to his voice, then he turned around and pulled another mug from the cabinet.

I hesitated, taking another step into the kitchen, "A little, I was just coming down for some tea."

He nodded at the second mug he had just dropped a tea bag into, "Two spoons of sugar and a dash of milk, right?"

He was looking over his shoulder at me and I met his eyes for a brief moment, "Yes, thank you."

He went back to the tea, seeming to focus on the mugs a bit too hard, "Did I wake you?"

I sat at the small table in the corner of the dimly lit room, "No, not at all. I was just having trouble sleeping."

He acknowledged my words, picking up the mugs and swiftly moving to the table. He sat down next to me as he handed me the mug of tea, a look of worry on his face. He didn't have to ask me again; I knew he was still concerned that I had pushed him away earlier.

"I'm sorry," I offered, "about earlier."

Draco nodded, not speaking but lifting his brow as a way to tell me to continue.

"Ronald just got under my skin is all."

Draco put his mug on the table and placed one of his hands over mine, "I heard you talking to him, you know," I felt my face flush hot with embarrassment at my uncanny confession that there was something more to than friendship to mine and Draco's spending time together, "Well, I think everyone did…"

I waited, not looking away from my tea, "But?"

He sighed lightly, rubbing his fingers over the palm of my hand, "I don't want to get in between the golden trio, Hermione."

I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows in suspicion, this time me being the one to encourage him to keep talking.

"I do care for you, as I'm sure you've noticed, but I don't want to tarnish any of your friendships. We were all getting along quite well and I would like to not have to go back to being scared out of my wits that everyone here was only planning when to smother me in my sleep."

I choked back a laugh, "Draco, they're my friends. You're my friend," the word caught in my throat a bit, "everything is fine. Ronald is just… confusing, most of the time, when he's not being down right ridiculous."

Draco smiled at me, playing with my fingers as his eyebrow raised yet again with his cocky attitude, "Ridiculous," he looked at me, our eyes matching, "that's a lot nicer than what I would've said about the red haired prat."

I back handed his chest light-heartedly, "Draco! Be nice! I thought you didn't want them smothering you in your sleep!"

He smiled again, making my face flush as I returned the grin, "It's hard to smother me when you're next to me, isn't it?"

I couldn't hold it in anymore, and I grinned like a child let loose in a candy shop, "I guess it would be rather difficult," I felt my face flush but I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.

His hand moved from mine, reaching up to cup my flared cheek. He ran his thumb along my cheekbone and smiled at me sweetly. We finished our tea with light conversation before deciding we were both ready to try and sleep again, this time in the same room, and Draco held my hand as he followed me up the stairs and to his bedroom.

We were tangled together in his bed, wrapped in each other's warmth, when he spoke.

"This is rather strange; don't you think?"

I lifted my head up a little so I could look at him, "Us sharing a bed? Yes, I would say so."

He chuckled a bit before lowering his head to meet my eyes, "I've just never done it before, even with girls I was shag-"

"Draco!" I cut him off, "That's a horrible word."

He laughed and held a grin, "What? Shagging?"

I tried to snarl at him playfully, "Yes! It's supposed to be more personal than that; more… intimate than just…"

He poked me playfully in the arm, "Shagging."

I cuddled myself closer to him, "Well we're not 'shagging,'" forcing myself to let the word slip past my tongue, "so what's your point?"

He rested his chin on the top of my head, "No point, I just rather enjoy it; even if it is with you, Granger."

I couldn't help but smile as I felt his grip on me tighten a bit. I dipped my forehead into his chest and slowed my breathing, feeling the calming rush of sleep take over. The rise and fall of Draco's warm chest was comforting to me until my own breathing slowed to a sleeping pace and I drifted off into a warm, embraced slumber.

I woke too quickly, the sun coming through the window with morning light. Draco was still soft and warm, breathing deeply with sleep and tangled up with me. I watched him for a while, wondering what was happening in his dreams, or if he was even dreaming at all.

He stirred a bit, "Watching me sleep is rather creepy, Granger."

His voice startled me a bit, but I stifled my body from reacting, "I'm sorry," he seemed to be in a good enough mood, "you're just so peaceful when you're not complaining about something."

I felt his chest tense with a small laugh as he pulled me closer to him, smoothing my hair and resting his head on my shoulder.

His breath was warm against my ear as he whispered, "Potter came up looking for you not too long ago, we better get up."

I grumbled but complied, we sat up together and untangled ourselves from one another. Draco brushed the hair out of my face and behind my ear, smiling lightly at me as he did.

"You're a tangled mess in the mornings, Granger," He met my eyes, making my lips smile and cheeks warm with redness, "however, it is quite adorable."

I felt the flush in my cheeks deepen as his palm cradled my neck. I kissed him on the cheek before standing and making my way to my bedroom to change. When I got there, Ron was standing in front of my dresser, absently playing with a coin that was on top of my dresser.

"Spend another cozy night with Malfoy?" He was angry, making it evident with the tone of his voice.

I was hesitant, barely opening my mouth to try and speak before he interrupted me again.

"Someone might begin to think something was… going on… between the two of you." He dropped the coin, meeting my eyes with his cold stares.

I could feel the tension in my own muscles, "And what do you suppose is going on, Ronald?"

"Well, all the sudden you're sleeping in his bed after his aunt mercilessly tortured you, so I would say you've lost your bloody mind, but Harry went the nicer route and suspects you're just shagging him out of desperation."

My face flushed hot with anger and I couldn't stop myself from shouting at Ron, "How dare you!"

He scoffed and half-laughed, not averting his eyes from mine as he usually would when he realized I was angry with him, "What? You expect us all to think you're just friends after what you've been doing? Bloody hell, Hermione you were screaming his name not two nights ago."

I slammed my hands on his chest, knocking him backwards and almost off his feet, "I had a nightmare you dimwitted bastard!"

He approached me quick with anger, our faces close enough now that I could feel his breath hot on my forehead, "About HIS aunt torturing you in HIS home? Did you forget about that all the sudden when he started-"

Ron stopped talking as soon as a warm hand settled between my shoulder blades. I turned to see it was Draco, huffing heavily and red-faced with anger.

"I think you should go, Weasley." His fingers were digging into my back and I knew he was scorching with anger.

Ron almost knocked me over as he brushed me aside, intending to turn his anger on Draco.

Before either of us knew what was happening, Draco had him pinned against the opposite wall by his shirt collar, "You ever put your hands on her again, you'll be sorry."

Ron grabbed Draco by the wrists, "I could say the same for you," he flung Draco's hands away from him and stormed out of my bedroom, slamming the door as he left.

I hadn't realized I was crying until the tension fizzled down after Ron left the room. Draco's anger melted the second his eyes met mine. He rushed over and pulled me into his chest, letting me cry while he stroked my hair and held me a little too tight.

When I finally managed to control myself, Draco's grip on me loosened a little but he didn't let go of me. He just let me wriggle enough to look at him, permitting one hand leave my waist as he helped me wipe the tears from my cheeks. I wasn't sure how long I had been crying, but it seemed like it had been a while. The usual sounds and smells of breakfast had mostly dissipated and it seemed like the sun was a bit higher in the sky indicating it was at least half an hour later in the morning than when I had come in here.

"You want me to kill him?" He asked, knowing it would make me chuckle and help relieve some of the sadness.

I shook my head, wiping away more tears as they fell between giggles, "I just don't understand-"

"He has a thing for you, always has, you know. I see the way he ogles you when you're not looking. Though, he doesn't very well appreciate you at all, does he?"

I thought about Ron and how I had basically thrown myself at him for years only for him to turn away from me and give his affection to someone else.

I sighed sharply, "I've given him so many chances." I looked into Draco's eyes for something reassuring.

The memories hurt like a knife in my belly, causing me to turn my gaze from Draco's sharp, grey eyes to the floor of my bedroom.

Draco's hand moved a finger to the underside of my chin, and he lifted my eyes back to his, "So let me appreciate you." He said it so effortlessly, like it was something that had been lingering on his tongue.

"Draco…" He shushed me with a kiss, slow and warm, gentle but pleading for more.

I stood motionless for a moment, stunned, then slowly returned his kiss by parting my lips and letting his tongue run over the bottoms of my teeth. The kiss grew harder, hungry with desire and Draco lifted me effortlessly off my feet.

Before I knew it I was plopped down on my bed, him atop me grabbing, digging, begging for more than this kiss. He moved slowly away from my lips to my cheeks, jaw, neck, and collarbones. His hands began to unbutton my shirt as his mouth made its way down, following the newly opened areas of my blouse.

My breathing was heavy, but came in gasps, I was aroused in ways I had never been before, and though I was unsure about continuing on, I didn't want Draco to stop. I let my hands pull his shirt over his head, and then find his hair as he kissed me again, hard and hungry.

His hands came away from my buttons and were again in my hair, mussing it up in between our hot, pleading kisses. He pulled away, breathing heavily, lips swollen with kisses, and rested his forehead against mine.

He rolled over and sat up, pulling me with him so I was cuddled into his chest.

"I'm sorry," he said, looking up at the ceiling, "I got lost in you."

His words sent a shiver down my spine, "I don't think I wanted you to stop." I didn't want him to stop.

His kisses dried my tears immediately, making me forget any stabbing pains of worry or nostalgia I had over Ron. When Draco's lips met mine I knew those feelings for Ron were long gone as the tingle of chemistry between Draco and I sparked throughout my entire body and made me feel things I had never experienced before.

He looked at me, still breathing heavier than usual, "Goody-two-shoes Granger? Sexually aroused?" He said with a teasing tone in his voice.

I kissed his stubbly chin and returned his words playfully, "I guess I got lost in you."

He smiled and rubbed his hand up and down my back while I lay my head against his bare chest. His head met mine and we sat there, wordlessly, until a knock came at my door.

I sat up, straightening my hair and redoing the three buttons on my top he had released. He pulled his shirt over his head, not paying any mind to his messy hair, while I got up and answered the door. Harry was standing in my door way with worry in his eyes and tone as he spoke.

"I hope you didn't pay any mind to what Ron said, Hermione." He was looking at me, almost pleading with me to believe him.

I was almost angry with him for not coming up sooner if he knew what Ron had said to me, "Would you like to tell me yourself what you think about mine and Draco's friendship, then?"

Harry hesitated momentarily, "Well Malfoy's been friendly to us and quite a big help," he ran a hand through his already messy hair, "if he extends that hospitality to you then I can't complain so long as you're happy."

I felt my muscles ease up slightly with his comment. I wasn't sure whether he was only saying those things because Draco was in the room or because he really meant them, but I was angry enough with him at that point to still not really care.

I spat at him a bit harsher than intended, "Then don't," and shut the door again with a heavy thrust.

I stood there for a moment staring at the door before backing up and sitting at the edge of my bed. I couldn't help the distressed grunt I released as I let my head fall in my hands. I felt the bed shift, then Draco's arms settle around my ribs and his head rest on my shoulder from behind me.

"A bit nasty to Potter, no?" his breath was warm on my neck, sending those chills up my spine I had forgotten about.

I sighed, "Yes. No. I don't know," I leaned back into his embrace, "I'm just extremely angry with Ron and if Harry heard him setting his claws into me he should've stopped him or come up sooner or… something."

Draco's grip tightened a bit and he trailed kisses from my shoulder to my ear, making me very obviously shiver under him. He laughed, letting me go so I could turn to face him better. He kissed me again, this time gentler and pure, more as a comfort than anything else.

When he backed away, he was smiling at me in a way that made me feel warm and protected. No matter how upset I was with Ron, I couldn't help but return the smile and lean into Draco once again. With my head on his chest, it was easy to hear the rumbling in his stomach.

"Why didn't you tell me you were hungry?" I looked up at him.

He smiled at me, smoothing my hair with his hands again, "I felt like you were more important."

I pecked him on the lips and stood up, holding out my hand for him to join me, "Well, you aren't the only hungry one and it sounds like everyone has pretty much cleared out of the kitchen for now so it should be relatively painless for us to sneak some breakfast."

He chuckled and took my hand, standing up as he intertwined our fingers and led me to the kitchen with him. When we got there, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley were sitting at the small table in the corner drinking coffee and talking with each other over The Daily Prophet.

"Hermione, Draco!" Mrs. Weasley beamed at us, "We were beginning to think you two forgot about the rest of us!"

I blushed, Draco noticed and elbowed me playfully in the arm.

Mrs. Weasley spoke again, "I left breakfast out for the two of you in the dining area, please help yourselves!"

She was entirely too pleasant in the mornings, even for me.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley."

As we were exiting the kitchen, Mr. Weasley called out, "Oh, Hermione! I think I'll have that Monopoly game for you very soon."

I nodded in his direction, "I can't wait to see how that one goes! Thank you, Mr. Weasley."

I tailed Draco to the dining area and gave into my hunger when I smelled the delicious breakfast set out before us. I knew he was watching me eat, again, but I didn't care. He had seen me sleep, kissed my lips, and had his hands all over my body, why was I so worried about him watching me eat?

I looked directly into his eyes as I took a bite of eggs, making sure he knew I wasn't bothered by his looks this time.

He laughed, "You're letting me watch you, now?"

I chuckled, shaking my head, "I'm doing a lot of strange things today, aren't I?"

He returned my smile, making all of my insecurities at that moment fade away. We chatted mindlessly through breakfast and then cleaned up for Mrs. Weasley before moving our conversation to the sitting area.

Ron and Harry where already there, chatting over the fire, but Ron got up and left almost immediately when Draco and I moved to sit down with them. I sighed a bit louder than I intended to, and Ron stopped almost as if he wanted to say something, then clamped his mouth shut and left.

I was staring aimlessly into the fire, the hum of Harry and Draco talking around me, even though I wasn't paying any attention to what they were saying. I was trying my best not to think about it, but I couldn't help myself from letting my mind wander around the Malfoy Manor and the stinging and itching in my arm.

I could almost feel Bellatrix on top of me, demanding me to tell her things I didn't know. She was driving her knife into my skin, asking me about Draco and Harry. She wanted to know where we had come from, she wanted to know how the sword got from her vault at Gringotts…

I shot up, scaring myself along with the two boys, "I know where the next Horcrux is."

Harry's eyes widened even more than they already were, "Hermione, how can you be sure?"

Draco was standing beside me, his hands around my shoulders like he was afraid I was going to fall. I felt like I almost did as the sudden realization came over me and I wondered how I didn't realize it sooner.

"Bellatrix," I felt Draco tense around me, "she demanded to know what else we had taken from her vault, along with the sword," Harry narrowed his eyes at me, realizing what I had, "it has to be in there."

Harry smiled, "Hermione, you're a genius!"

He hugged me quickly and then ran past me, I could hear him shouting for Ron as I turned around to face Draco. He was tense, looking down on me with confusion or worry, I wasn't so sure.

His eyes pierced me, "What are you planning?"

He was angry, worried, I wasn't sure exactly what he was holding behind his gaze, but it didn't look promising for me.

I looked away, trying to think, "I'm not sure. I just realized…"

I trailed away, but he lifted my face so our eyes met again, "Please promise me you won't do anything dangerous."

"I can't do that," I didn't hesitate, "you know I can't do that."

He hugged me, rubbing my back, "I wish you would."

I felt anger rise up in my chest, although I wasn't sure why. I pushed away from him and looked at him again, this time he was wearing a look of confusion as he continued to reach out for me.

"You don't have to protect me all the time. I do just fine on my own." The words felt like fire leaving my throat, but I couldn't will them to stop before it was too late.

He put his arms down but stepped closer to me, "Hermione-"

"No, Draco," I stepped back, "You knew when you came here what we were doing, all of us. I'm not a delicate little flower that needs protection from the world and I damn sure didn't ask for you of all people to worry about me."

His muscles tensed, his jaw clenched and I could see the veins in his neck distend. He was angry, his eyes were cold, and just as I was positive he was going to scream his lungs out at me, he pivoted on his heel and left me alone in the sitting room.

I slumped down on the chair behind me, sure I was about ready to cry or scream when Ginny came waltzing down the stairs.

"Trouble in paradise?" She said it so sweetly, almost as if she wasn't mocking my self-inflicted misery.

I crossed my arms over my chest, "Now really isn't the time, Ginny."

She smiled, "Fine, but Harry is pretty happy with you, if that helps. He's trying to talk Ron into sitting in the same room as you so a plan can be drawn up. Do you think your little fight with lover boy will help?"

I stood up, willing myself not to slap her, and marched up the stairs to Ronald's bedroom. Harry and Ron were sitting, facing one another, talking amongst themselves when I barged into the room. Harry stood, almost as if he was shielding Ron from me. I wondered for a second if I looked as angry as I felt before I opened my mouth and began to spew.

"Ronald I don't care what it is you have to say about me or Malfoy, right now there are much more important things to worry about and we need to decide what we're going to do to get that Horcrux. We need to figure out how to get into that vault. We need to know what she's hiding in there and we need to-"

"Hermione," Harry cut me off, "do you have the clothes you were wearing? That day at the manor?"

I was staring daggers at him, "I don't see why that matters, but yes I do."

He stepped closer to me, "Polyjuice potion. If you can find a hair, just one, we can get into that vault."

My anger dissolved completely, I felt myself relax and smile, "Harry, you're brilliant."

I didn't look at Ron, but hugged Harry before practically running to my bedroom to comb through the clothes I had worn that day. It didn't take long; after about 20 minutes, I pulled a long, curly black hair from my jumper.

I grabbed a vial from my dresser, carefully placing the hair inside and corking the top closed to keep it safe until we had the ingredients for the potion. Lupin and Tonks should be by sometime soon with the ingredients from the list I made the day before, so I would ask them to get the things we needed for the polyjuice then.

When the vial with the hair was safely tucked away in my dresser drawer, I sighed with relief and sat down on my bed. From the frantic search for a trace of Bellatrix on my clothing, I had almost forgotten about biting Draco's head off earlier, really for no reason at all. Now that I was sitting here, relaxed and not worrying about much else, I couldn't help but feel bad for the way I reacted when he was only trying to be there for me.

I planned on apologizing to Draco all day, but never caught sight of him. He didn't come down for meals, when Lupin and Tonks came with potions ingredients, or anything else, even when Mr. Weasley announced he had a game of Monopoly for us all to try. I played for a while, showing Ginny the rules and then retired my spot and small fortune to her.

I went to bed, wondering if Draco was going to stay mad at me forever, but deciding that it was best not to try and go about forcing him to speak to me at the time. I changed clothes and sank down into my sheets, falling asleep almost before my head hit the pillow.