[Thursday, November 17th, 2016]
"Everyone has one more week before their first term papers are due. Aside from your constellation profiles, you must also complete the research portion introduced at the beginning of the month. By now you should be finishing your conclusions and focusing on your references.
"I know last time a few of you had some trouble with properly documenting your references, but it continues to be twenty percent of your grade. I will be available all next week to assist with the use of the telescope. As of now, the schedule is pretty full so I urge you not to wait until the last minute or you will need to move on with what you have already.
"As a courtesy, I try to be a bit flexible with everyone's schedules and I know the end of the term can be a bit hectic. Tuesday the 29th is the due date, so you will have to turn in your assignments, but we will not have class. There is no exam for the first term, but I'm sure there are other professors who will not be so forgiving."
Draco eyed Granger sitting in the front row now, who didn't refrain from commenting. A part of him expected her to be sitting at his desk by now, but that was just wishful thinking.
"No, we will not," she said proudly. The students gave a nervous chuckle and Draco continued his lecture with a small smile.
"I know I've talked about constellations for weeks and we've learned plenty about them, but today I'd like to address the lifecycle of stars and what it means when they no longer shine." He waved his wand and a pair of bright orbs hovered in the air above them.
By now, Draco had mastered his ability to focus on teaching while also observing Granger when he wanted to. He knew by conjuring the apparitions of stars, all attention would be on the hovering lights, but not his. He had the rare opportunity to watch Granger stare in awe at his life's work.
He taught the lesson largely from memory, yet most of his attention indulged in her beauty and wonder. Draco watched her writing notes with swift even strokes and getting comfortable in her seat. He watched her bring her hand to her mouth, her finger tapping at her teeth. This told him she had a question, a musing. She all but confirmed it when she wrote down another note.
Draco knew he was smiling like an idiot, but he didn't care, because he realised that he had gotten to know Hermione Granger in ways others would never really be able to.
As if he'd called her name, she turned to look at him.
Once upon a time he might have turned away or cleared his throat to act like he hadn't been staring at her for almost fifteen minutes straight. Now, he decided he didn't much mind looking right into her honey brown eyes. Especially not when her lips promptly curled upward into a smile to match his own.
Draco dismissed the class and he bid Granger a goodnight, but not before promising to see her Monday evening.