A/N Just a quick question- I've been answering all my reviews here in authors notes, would you rather I continue or I reply in PM?

Thanks to all of you who review/favourite/follow and any plot ideas are very welcome as I'm not 100% sure the path this fic is taking!

Also sorry, I couldn't help the LOTR reference and I apologise to all of you who now have weird Bilbo/Hermione images :)

MuppetKatie Thanks, I'm not sure about Dumbledore and Harry but he is in this chapter so we'll see what Dumbledore thinks! I think Ron is such an important character in JK Rowling's books so I want to keep him around so he will probably have a part similar to Neville's in the books.

Harry

As the Summer holidays approached Harry noticed his friend grew paler and more tired looking every day. He was surprised as Draco didn't seem to be suffering from a huge workload like Harry, who was struggling to stay afloat in the flood of revision, but when he asked his friend if he was okay, Draco muttered something about exam stress.

Harry himself was too busy to pry further. All his teachers were piling homework on and Flint was training the Slytherin quidditch team hard.

Draco

The Dark Lord was here and it was only a matter of time before his father sent him another letter. He knew he had been withdrawn but luckily he had the excuse of exam stress to fall back on. In reality the work was easy, Draco had spent most of his life learning about magic and Lucius was a strict teacher. He wasn't that bothered about exams- he knew he could pass them and he had bigger things to worry about.

Hermione

She hated herself for letting him distract her. She should be focusing on her exams, not pointlessly wishing for him to fall in love with her. He hated her, he was arrogant and proud, was she that shallow, that she still hoped he noticed, hoped that somehow, he returned her feelings.

But he was fading away. He looked tired, pale, sick. Like butter scraped over too much bread. She watched him, wondering why no one else noticed, why Harry didn't take him to the hospital wing.

She had to stop. She needed to focus, to study. And yet her eyes still followed him across the room.

"Hey Hermione" interrupted Ron, "you know that potions essay Snape set us?"

"No Ronald, you may not copy my essay."

"But Hermione-"

"Fine, take it"

Ron was a good friend but he could be so disorganised.

Ron

Hermione was great. She was brilliant, should have been in Ravenclaw. He was glad she wasn't though. He felt a bit guilty about copying all her essays but he'd make it up to her. Maybe she could stay with him over the holidays? His mum would love that. He'd have to ask her carefully though because he wouldn't want her to think he liked her.

Dumbledore

Something was wrong. Very wrong. Dark things were stirring. The centaurs had brought him news which confirmed his worst fears. The stone was safe for now, but Dumbledore had not anticipated Harry's friendship with Draco Malfoy. Glad though he was that Harry was settling in and finding friends, Draco's condition had not escaped Dumbledore's notice. He was woriied about the young Malfoy, and also the dangers that he brought to Harry through this friendship.

However there was nothing he could do to seperate them. Nor would he want to. Lucius had a lot of influence, especially at the ministry and trying to push Draco away from Harry would be a dangerous move. He would have the protective wards doubled and keep an eye on the two boys. He would talk to Severus about the young Malfoy.

Snape

It was Quirrell. He'd suspected for a long time but Albus had refused to believe him without proof. The man was far too trusting. For months now Albus had tortured him, forced him to watch over him that arrogant little- He was just like his father but... He had his mother's eyes. He could still see her, laughing. Laughing at him. Sev she'd called him. What had she called James? The thoughts filled him with pain. Lily's son. He would not be harmed. The boy was all that was left of her now. The Dark Lord had promised she would be spared but he had lied. He had taken her.

Draco

The time had come. Tonight. Maybe Harry would forgive him. Maybe he would survive. Maybe.

Hermione

She was in the library when Harry ran in.

"Hermione!" He shouted.

Madame Pince scowled at them. Hermione shushed him quickly.

"What's wrong?" She asked him.

"It's Draco. There's something wrong with him and I thought, well, you're the smartest person I know, and, is there anything you can do?" The words rushed out.

"Why don't you speak to Dumbledore?"

It wasn't her problem after all. Draco, Malfoy, was nothing to her.

"Please Hermione" He begged.

She broke. "Fine. If you're sure this is something Madame Pomfrey can't fix I'll meet you

outside the Great Hall tonight."

She was a little shocked with herself for suggesting breaking the rules but she knew she would be there.

A/N Awww poor Snape :( Dun dun duun! Sorry about the short chapter but the next one should be quite exciting!