Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Draco had yet to show up to Potions, and Hermione was worried. Harry smiled at her, trying to calm her down, but it didn't help.

What if he doesn't show up? Harry was going to talk to him today….what if he's hurt? What if something's wrong? Maybe I should try to go find him…

But Draco walked in then, followed by Nott, and sat down in his usual seat. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

At least, for now, he's alright.

Slughorn appeared in front of them, and opened his arms to the class. "Welcome students. Open your text books to page thirty one." He waited for the class to do so, and then continued. "As you can see, we're going to be making Veritaserum, the strongest Truth Potion known to man; it is impossible to lie under its influence. It's extremely complex, as many of you know, so, again, we will be working in groups of four, same as last time. Good luck to all!"

The class began to move to their stations, and Harry winked at Hermione before leaving with Ron to work with Draco and Blaise. Hermione and Dean made their way slowly to the station where Pansy and Theo waited.

Hermione noticed that Pansy and Theo didn't speak to each other; they obviously hadn't made up since she and Draco had caught them fighting in the dungeons. Theo looked uncomfortable, and Hermione was glad. She glared at him, but realized she wasn't supposed to be suspicious of him; she was supposed to be sad about her and Draco.

Ok, Hermione, you can do this. Pretend to be the heartbroken girlfriend.

Dean once again directed the group and handed out jobs. No one argued with him. Hermione did what she was told, while glancing up at Harry and Draco whenever Theo wasn't looking at her.

She looked over at Harry's table as he began to speak.

"How about you two get the rest of the ingredients, and Draco and I will start cutting up the Gurdyroot?" Harry motioned to Blaise and Ron, and, although they looked surprised at their pairing, they nodded, grabbed a text book, and then headed over to the cabinet.

Draco started cutting a Gurdyroot angrily, taking his anger on Theo out on the poor and unarmed plant. Harry scooted a little closer and lowered his voice so no one else would hear.

"I heard about you and Hermione."

Draco stopped cutting but didn't look up. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"She told me everything."

"I doubt it, Potter." He scoffed.

"She did, Malfoy. She told me everything." Draco looked up, and Harry looked at him, trying to make Draco understand. "She told me that you two were a time bomb."

Draco understood immediately. Hermione was having Harry talk to her because she knows that she can't, even if she doesn't know why. Draco praised Hermione internally.

Merlin, Hermione. I love you.

Draco went back to cutting the Gurdyroot, but he was calmer, sparing the Gurdyroot further harm. He kept his head down so no one, specifically Theo, would see his mouth move.

"There is something I have to tell you, Potter. Meet me after class in the astronomy tower. I can't tell you here." He dropped the chopped up plant into the cauldron. "Come alone."

After class, Harry met up with Hermione and quickly told her about his meeting with Draco. She thanked him just as quickly, and then dragged Ron away to the Library before he could ask any questions in front of Nott.

Draco was already there when Harry reached the top of the stairs. "Did you come alone?" He asked.

Harry nodded. "What's going on, Malfoy?"

Malfoy took a deep breath, and then explained everything. He told Harry about Theo attacking Hermione and then erasing her mind. He told him of Theo's requests, and Theo's ultimate plan to bring back Voldemort, figuratively.

Harry was silent for a few minutes while he processed what Draco had told him.

"And Hermione really doesn't remember a thing?"

Draco shook his head. "No, and I didn't have a chance to tell her before I had to end things. But she's so smart; she figured out that something was wrong."

Harry nodded. "She's brilliant."

"She really is."

Harry paused, not sure what to say. It was odd, being on the same side as Draco. Normally, they were at each other's throats, but now they were together, looking for a way to protect Hermione.

Draco seemed to sense Harrys unease. He turned to Harry and cleared his throat. "I know we've never been on good terms, but I want to thank you for helping Hermione. Just…keep an eye on her, make sure she's alright."

Harry nodded. "Of course."

Draco nodded too.

"So, do you have some type of plan?" Harry asked.

"I do, actually, but if you don't want to help, I understand. It could get dangerous, especially for you. And the Weasel, too, if he wants to help."

"I want in, not matter what it is. Ron will help, too."

Draco almost smiled. "Let's start planning then, Scarhead."