"I still don't understand," muttered Ron. "Why on earth would Malfoy stick up for you? In front of Snape, no less."
"Honestly, Ron," said Hermione. "You should be grateful for it. What if Malfoy is actually coming 'round?"
"It just doesn't make sense. Since when is Malfoy a good guy?"
"Malfoy had better not be late, anyway," Ron grumbled.
"Ron, don't be too hard on Malfoy tonight. You are the reason we are all here. You don't even have to be here yourself, you know."
"I said I didn't want Malfoy alone with you and I meant it. And it's not just me. Harry would be here too if he didn't have a Quidditch Captain meeting," Ron said defensively as they entered Classroom Eleven.
They appraised the workload. Classroom Eleven was dusty, but mostly clean. A grimy teacher's desk stood at the front of the room, and a few tables and chairs for students were scattered throughout. The closet looked like it might need a thorough job. Malfoy was lounging on the chair behind the desk. He rose when he saw them.
"Weasley…what a surprise. I don't recall Snape giving you detention? Oh, of course…" his eyes traveled over to Hermione, giving her a once over. "Must protect Granger from the Big Bad Malfoy. Well, you'd better work if you're going to be here."
"Of course I'll—" Ron snapped heatedly before another person entered the room.
"Good, Granger, you're here, and Mr. Malfoy. Weasley, what are you doing here?" Snape asked softly.
"I'm just keeping 'Mione company," Ron said, unsure if Snape would let him stay.
They were in luck. "Hmm… Very well, then. But I want this room sterile. If it isn't, you'll all have another detention. I can't stay right now," he touched his left forearm absently, "so you'll all just have to do it yourselves. I trust you don't need a babysitter? Good. I'm leaving Malfoy in charge."
Ron groaned inwardly at Malfoy's sudden and broad grin.
It didn't take overly long, although Hermione insisted that they held up to Snape's rule of no magic. An hour later, they were wrapping things up. Ron was pushing tables back into order, Hermione was putting away the cleaning supplies, and Malfoy had finished drying the desk and was now sitting on the chair, polishing his wand.
Hermione spotted a small stain on the countertop and sighed when she saw the paper towels were up on the very top shelf, where she couldn't reach. "Ron?" she asked. "Would you mind getting that for me?" She pointed.
"Sure, 'Mione," Ron said, grinning at her, eight inches below him. She hovered around him as they both concentrated on the shelf.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Harry walked into the common room to an oasis of calm and smiled. Hogwarts really felt like home to him. The smile faded as he recalled the meeting of Quidditch captains. This year was going to be tough. With Voldemort who-knew-where, the teachers were panicked and the entire season could be canceled at a moments notice. Some new, good players were on other teams and Fred and George were gone. The Beaters they had now were good, but not as good as the twins. Still, there would be no giving up. The Gryffindors would keep the Cup—they would just have to work extra hard.
In an instant, the oasis was no more, as for the second time in as many weeks, Crookshanks let out a howl and blazed down the staircase from the girls' dormitory. Several girls shrieked.
"Not that bloody cat again!" Dean howled. "Hermione needs to get rid of him!" There were nods of agreement. Crookshanks ran around in circles, swiping at the occasional unwary student, and howling constantly. Then he saw Harry.