"Don't even think about it."

She hadn't even removed her eyes from the tome she was studying as she brought small bites of food to her mouth. Her lips twitched into a small smirk and for the first time I felt myself almost blush. I finished picking at my breakfast.

"What are you doing here?"

I glanced up at Longbottom who sat directly across from me.

"He's sitting with me."

I noticed he glanced between the two of us before shrugging and digging in to his lunch. I happened to glance around and noticed a lot more eyes on Granger and I. Oh bloody hell, they were going to get the wrong impression.

"How's your year been Malfoy?"

I choked on the bit of food in my mouth, not expecting anyone to willingly converse—well except for Granger—with me. I swallowed the food and took a drink of juice before glancing up at Longbottom.

"Sorry, I have bad timing when asking questions."

I merely stared at him.

"It's been rather dull."

He raised his eyebrows.

"That's not what I've heard, granted most of what gets spread around is rubbish anyway, but still. Your house mates don't treat you all too kindly, not that they're a kindly lot in the first place, well no offense."

I shrugged, we didn't care for friendships, merely acquaintances.

"I'm none too bothered about the on goings of my house mates Longbottom, I could care less about the rumors that are spread about me. If you've got a question about anything, merely ask and I shall choose whether or not to answer. I don't take to drawn out conversations."

He glanced at Granger then back at me.

"I'm sorry about your mother."

I looked at him once more, sincerity rolled off of him in waves. I felt Granger tense beside me as her knuckles turned a shade lighter as she grasped the tome in front of her.

"I am too."

Granger let out the breath she had been holding in. Longbottom merely looked ashamed, as if he shouldn't have offered his sympathy. Inside I was grateful that someone else offered sympathy at her loss in my life. I felt my chest tighten once again—I needed to leave.

"If you'll excuse me, I must gather the books I need for my afternoon classes."

I stood, ignoring Granger's quiet protest and left the Hall. I raced towards the dungeons, slowing when I heard voices coming from the Potions classroom.

"…utterly useless, you know that?"

"Well perhaps if you'd just—"

"If I what, exactly?"

I glanced in, Potter was sitting atop a desk as Severus added something to the cauldron to Potter's left. There was a small smile tugging at Severus' lips.

"If you just pull your hair back a little, possibly add some color to your wardrobe..."

A small laugh escaped Severus as Potter reached out and pushed Severus' hair back and away from his face.

"It's called compromise. Equal duty in a relationship, if I'm to do something, I expect something in return."

He smirked as he stood directly in front of Potter, the gaze he was giving was intense. For some reason I felt a pang of jealousy course through me. Whether it be because Severus was that close to Potter or Potter was making Severus smile, I couldn't tell you.