DISCLAIMER - I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS OR SETTINGS ETC. MENTIONED IN THIS FAN FICTION!

Chapter 5

Draco

It was 10:50pm when Draco got out his bed and on his slippers (very expensive and comfy ones, by the way) and his robes. He tried to make as little noise as possible, but Blaise stirred in his sleep and looked irritably up at Draco.

"where are you off to dipstick?" He grumbled.

"Just a stroll." He replied nonchalantly.

"A romantic one with your Granger?" He asked.

"Don't be daft, Blaise. And she's not MY Granger" He added defensively.

"Don't wake me you come back in." Blaise said before rolling around, turning his back to Draco.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Draco replied slyly.

Casting Lumos, he made his way to the common room, then out of the secret passage, and up to the seventh floor - thankfully he didn't bump into Filch or

She wasn't there yet, so he went and hid behind a nearby statue until she did.

Filtch, at that moment, passed by the Slytherin mumbling something about how he could sense that some kid was out of bed. How right he was. Draco chuckled inwardly.

He checked his expensive watch and it was 11:02pm. He sighed. That was when Granger walked around the corner, but unfortunately, she wasn't alone.

Longbottom was standing next to her and this made Draco groan. This noise was heard by Granger and she looked in his direction.

"Malfoy? Are you there?" She asked timidly.

"Yes. And so is Longbottom by the looks of it." He scoffed.

"Malfoy, he insisted! He wouldn't let me leave otherwise." She looked at Neville and saw that he had a hurt expression. "Not that I'm unhappy you came!" She added hastily.

"I am." snapped Draco.

"I don't care." Said a smiling Neville.

"Come on you two. Into the room." Said Hermione hastily.

Out of no-where, a door materialised on the wall. Quickly, they ran in.

After closing the door, Hermione turned on the lights, and they all studied their surroundings. It was very spacious, and inviting. It looked the perfect place to practise defencive magic.

"So, Draco, have you ever attempted a Patronus charm before?"

"No. I don't even know the incantation." He admitted.

"The incantation is 'Expecto Patronum' and the only way for it to work, is to have your most happy memory in your head at the time."

"This sounds a bit like learning to fly with Peter Pan." He commented.

"You know who Peter Pan is? I didn't expect a Pureblood to know anything about Muggle fairy tales."

"I'm proud Granger, not oblivious to the outside world."

"Could have fooled me." Said Neville.

"Shut-up Longbottom, or I'll kick you so hard you'll land in your precious Common Room." Snapped Draco.

"Calm down both of you! Geez!" Shouted Hermione.

She walked over to the door and casted "Muffliato...Muffliato..."

"I thought I wouldn't have to cast that, but you two are making an insufferable amount of noise. I bet Filtch or Norris is waiting at the door!"

Both of the boys apologised and Hermione nodded.

"Come on then Draco. Show us what you've got." She said encouragingly.

He blushed ever so slightly at the use of his first name, but didn't comment on it. He got to thinking of his happiest memory.

Being told he was the Seeker for Slytherin? No, that wasn't good enough... Getting his first broom? No, not that either... Being told by his mother that he doesn't need to follow in his father's footsteps to become a Deatheater? Yes. That was a very happy memory.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A tiny wisp escaped the end of his wand, but it almost faded instantly.

"Happier than that, Draco!" complained Hermione.

"So sorry your highness. I didn't mean to offend you."

Okay, okay. If not that memory, then what? Well, there was earlier that day when he asked Granger if she would help him, and she had said yes... that was fairly happy...

"Expecto Patronum!"

A much bigger orb of light escaped his wand, but it too faded.

"What? That was a happy thought!" Yelled Draco, not impressed with his bellow average performance.

"Maybe you haven't had your happiest memory yet. That's what it was for me, but I eventually got my happy memory when I ki-" Neville through his hands to his mouth and stopped talking.

Draco snickered and Hermione looked at Neville Curiously with a wide grin stretching over her face.

"What was that Neville?" Asked Hermione Devilishly.

"Oh, eh, nothing Hermione. Just nothing. Oh, look at the time, we best be getting back, it's already midnight!"

"We will get this out of you Longbottom. But until such a time as when you spill the beans, I bid both of you farewell." Said Draco.

"Bye! He's right you know Neville. I'm a good interrogator. Hey Draco, want to play good cop, bad cop tomorrow?"

They both laughed and left with Neville dragging himself behind them, mentally kicking himself for letting his tongue slip.