Disclaimer: The usual.

P.S. – sorry this is a little late. The week before last was the end of the quarter at my school, so there was a lot of work and I didn't have much time to write. Thanks for your patience!

…

Stars exploded behind Draco's eyes as something sharp and hard collided with his jaw. Remembering what his Uncle Rasbastan had taught him about fighting, he rolled with the punch so that, though he would have one hell of a bruise, at least his jaw wouldn't be broken. Hopefully. That Weasel sure packed a powerful punch.

Unfortunately, his uncle had taught Draco how to lessen blows when he still had two cooperating legs. He spun out under the force of the hit before collapsing onto the cold ground of the Quidditch pitch. Rolling over, he saw that Blaise had tackled the Weasel while Granger huddled against Potter's chest.

The dark boy and the pale, freckled one were rolling on grass, each scrabbling to gain an advantage. Draco could only watch from his stunned position on the ground as his friend tussled with his one-time enemy. Finally, Blaise gained the upper hand and pinned down the Weasel. Though he was shorter, he was stockier and well nourished from the rich Italian foods he ate every summer.

"Weasley, calm down!" Blaise hissed into his opponent's face. "I don't know where the hell you learned your manners, but it's no wonder everyone calls you a fool." Weasley struggled weakly against the pinning arms before giving up and lying limply on the ground.

"Blaise," Draco said tiredly. "Blaise, get up."

"Draco, are you sure?"

"Yeah, Blaise. It's not worth it." He didn't know where this weariness came from, but he did know that all he wanted was to sink down into one of the armchairs in the common room and ask the house elves for an icepack. Even the small amount of flying he had done with Blaise had made his knee act up.

"Fine," Blaise sighed. Before getting off of Weasley, he spat out, "Don't you dare think of thinking to get up before we're well out of here." Weasley frowned stubbornly before Potter answered for him.

"You two better be quick then." The dark-haired boy wiggled out of Granger's grip and came over to Draco. He reached out his arm to help him up, but Draco just stared at it. He had no idea how to react – Potter should have been cheering on his fellow for bringing him down a notch, no matter what truce was between them.

"C'mon then," Potter cajoled as Draco hesitatingly stretched his arm out and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.

"See you later then, Potter," Draco said, with a small nod of gratitude that was returned. He leaned against his broom as Blaise moved to his side and the two of them made their way from the Quidditch pitch. As they left, Draco could have sworn he heard Granger mutter a small apology, but he ignored it, instead making sure that Blaise was all right after the tussle.

-O-O-O-O-

An hour later, his wish of an armchair and an icepack had been granted. Draco reclined into the soft cushions of his seat and tried to focus on his Potions assignment. Blaise had left to go for a walk with Pansy, and the rest of the eighth-years were enjoying one of the last beautiful days before the winter made it too cold to go outside for long.

The portrait opening interrupted his focus. He glanced up to see a wind-swept Potter enter the common room. The disheveled boy ran his hand through his unkempt hair a few times before he noticed Draco sitting there.

"Hey, Malfoy," he greeted.

"Potter."

"I'm just here to get a book." Draco ignored him. "Umm… Are you okay? I'm sorry about Ron getting out of control…"

"I've had worse, Potter. No harm done." Merlin but this was uncomfortable.

"Listen, um, I don't want to pry or anything, but what happened with you and Hermione? She felt really guilty, but she sometimes, well… she sometimes blames herself for things that aren't her fault." Draco raised a single eyebrow.

"I found her rifling through some of… my personal documents. Documents that I did not wish others to see. However, I was the one who left those documents lying about, and obviously misjudged the strength of… people's curiosity."

"Right." Another heavy silence descended over them. "So then, um, how are you holding up? Um, Hermione may have let slip that… um, about your dad." Draco knew he should feel some sort of anger at Granger for blabbing, or indignation at Potter's daring to pry, but he only felt a mild irritation under the tiredness that had descended over him.

"This, Potter, is exactly why I didn't want anyone reading through my things. It took a hell of a lot to keep that news out of the papers."

"So nobody knows?" Draco rolled his eyes.

"Well, now people know." Potter had the decency to flush at this. "And I'm sure those Ministry bureaucrats were just oh so happy to let slip the news to their families. I suppose it was only a matter of time." He sighed heavily. "Now, Potter, if you don't mind, I have a paper to finish up."

"Oh, right, yeah. I'll… see you around then, Malfoy." Draco ignored Potter as he poked through some books and then lumbered out of the common room, presumably towards the lawns outside.

-O-O-O-O-

Dinner was a subdued affair. The Slytherins, of course, all knew about Lucius' sentence and seemed to be giving him space. Out of fear or respect, he couldn't say, though he hated the idea that even the people who had heard of all his failures as a Death Eater would fear him. Pansy and Daphne fussed over his bruised jaw and Blaise's black eye, but the two boys waved the fretting off with assurances to ice and put some of Mrs. Parkinson's special bruise balm on.

Their conversations drifted in different directions. Theo had brought up the subject of Quidditch again, so Blaise was having a hard time switching between making doe-eyes at Pansy and eagerly joining in the conversation.

Not particularly wanting a reminder of something he couldn't do any more, Draco turned to Daphne. It wasn't that he usually minded Quidditch talk; it was just that today's flying session with Blaise had struck home the fact that he couldn't really fly again. And Daphne was looking a little bored. She didn't have an attentive Blaise to talk to, so Draco supposed he would have to make do.

"So, Daph, you mentioned something the other day about Astoria and potions?"

"Oh, yes. Well, she did decently on her O.W.L.s, but she's worried that she won't be prepared for the more advanced N.E.W.T. potions."

"Right. And you said she wanted to become a Healer?"

"Yeah – I don't know where it comes from, but she announced it this past summer." Daphne gave small, tinkling laugh. "Mum and Dad didn't know quite what to do, but she refused to even consider getting married or anything until they gave in." Draco chuckled along with her – obviously Daphne's stubbornness was a familial trait.

"Well, I would be happy to tutor her."

"Thank you. If it seems like a waste of time, just let me know. I don't want you spending more time with her than you have to. For your sanity, of course." Draco chuckled again. It was times like these that he sometimes wished for a sibling – even an annoying one. He glanced around the table, but didn't see the younger Greengrass.

"Can you tell her to meet in the library tomorrow around four? I don't see her anywhere." Even with the nice conversation at the table, he rather wanted to get back to his armchair by the fire.

"Probably off with some of her Ravenclaw friends," Daphne said dismissively. "She eats with them sometimes."

"That's nice. So, you'll tell her?"

"Yeah. See you later, Draco." He nodded in response as he got up to leave. Making his way slowly out of the Great Hall, he didn't even notice the footsteps following him until he was yanked into an empty classroom. He groaned – this again.

Before he could get a look at who had pulled him in, he heard a whispered, "Nox," and the room went pitch black. Two sets of hands roughly grabbed him and held him still.

"Malfoy, I heard dear old dad got locked up in Azzy. Quite the pity you couldn't join him." A few snickers from the two holding him up. "Ah, well. I suppose it's up to us then, to make sure you learn your lesson."

He didn't know how long it was until they let him go, but it seemed quite late, if the empty halls and dark windows were anything to go by. He managed to get outside the classroom, but the stone wall felt traitorously comfortable against his back as he leaned against it. He lowered himself to the floor, still leaning against it.

Perhaps he would just close his eyes for a few minutes before making his way up to the dorms. Yes, that was quite a good idea. Just rest his eyes for a few minutes, he thought sleepily as he slumped forward. Just a few…

Sooo…. I hope you enjoyed! Again, I'm really sorry for missing a week. Things were a little hectic, but I'll try not to do it again. (emphasis on the try – lo siento).

Anyhoo, let me know what you think! Thanks so much for all the reviews!

xoxo, GusGus