DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of the HP Universe. JKR owns it all………..

The next morning, the halls of Hogwarts were somber with the song of death. As Draco had planned, he had "found" Goyle's body the next morning. Acting as sincere as possible for Draco, he ran to Professor Slughorn's office, his dragon wings carefully bound beneath his robes, to report of Goyle's death. It wasn't long before the entire school had known the truth, or what they were led to believe was the truth.

Professor McGonagall, who was serving as Headmistress Pro Tempore, immediately called for a funeral. All classes were cancelled for the day in Goyle's honor. As Draco had planned, there would be no investigation into his death, for as you remember, the Basilisk's stare leaves the victim most simply, dead.

The students began to pile into the courtyard. Harry, who had never been on the best terms with Goyle, felt the need to show respect to Goyle's mother. Mr. Goyle was serving a life sentence in Azkaban and would not be given the opportunity to attend the funeral. Something was suspicious. Where was Malfoy? Harry looked over at Hermione, who looked just as puzzled as he did.

"Hermione, doesn't it seem a bit strange to you that Malfoy isn't here. After all Goyle was his, I guess the word would be, friend."

"Isn't it obvious mate," Ron spoke up, his hand held fast to Hermione's. "The bloke hasn't got a single drop of compassion in his body. Jus' look at his father."

"While that may be so Ron, I at least think Draco would have the decency to attend the funeral of one of the people who basically worshipped the ground he walked on."

"I don't know Hermione, it all seems suspicious if you ask…"

"Potter, you and Granger need not worry your filthy blooded heads off about me. I'm right here."

Harry turned, and sure enough, Draco was sitting right there in his formal black robes. Oddly enough, he had on a pair of dark sunglasses. Harry only wondered how much of their conversation he had heard.

"No if you don't mind Potty, I think I am going to go offer my sympathy to Mrs. Goyle." Draco smirked at him and walked past him, nearly stumbling when Ron tried to trip him.

"Stupid little rat faced…"

"Ronald!"

"Sorry Hermione, but how full of yourself can you be?"

"Ron, if you paid any attention, you would have noticed something strange about him."

Harry looked up. "Do you mean…?"

"That's right. Those glasses. Something is going on with Draco and I am determined to figure out what…"

"If I may have your attention." Professor McGonagall's voice rang across the courtyard. "I know this is a very…sad day for all of us, but it is time to begin."

McGonagall spoke for what seemed to Harry an eternity. He couldn't get off his mind why Draco had those dark glasses on. He sat and thought as a few others stood up to speak about Goyle, including Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Slughorn, and even Draco himself stood before the crowd. McGonagall then stood up once more.

"This will conclude the memorial for Gregory Goyle. We at Hogwarts offer our sincerest condolences to his mother. Being that it is only a few days before end of term, in light of this event, exams are hereby cancelled, as well as the remaining few classes. We will have our feast tomorrow. Thank you all."

Harry looked over to Ron and Hermione.

"You're still trying to figure out what's going on with Draco, aren't you?"

"Something about him just isn't making sense Hermione."

"I hate to break it to you mate, but when has Draco ever made any bloody sense?"

"I guess your right Ron, but still."

"Don't worry about it Harry. Let's just enjoy our last few days as students. It has been a marvelous, albeit weird, seven years."

"If you say so Hermione." Without saying another word, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked the path and the seven flights of staircases back to the Gryffindor common room.