(A/N: Okay here is the next chapter. I'm just trying to write something with what little free time I have between studio projects and other random homework so I don't know how my updating it gonna happen. Enjoy.)

Draco felt the eyes of his professor and godfather once again on the back of his head. The older wizard had always kept an eye out for the boy, more so now with all that was going on. But this wasn't a simple glance at him, this was a glare, daggers aimed at the space between his eyes. It was very distracting and impeding his already slowed pace. His partner for this project was exceedingly inept, leaving most of the work to fall on his shoulder, mostly because he didn't think his partner could handle it.

This continued for most of the class period, Draco would get a few moments of peace where he could focus, but the dark eyes would inevitably fall back upon him. By the time the class ended he'd only accomplished half of the work he'd thought he'd be able to finish. He was packing up his books and shoving his wand into the pocket of his robe when he noticed the look Professor Snape was sending him. He knew what this meant. Trying to hide the begrudging feeling he felt welling up inside him he set his bag back on the desk.

"Mister Malfoy," Snape sneered, "It has come to my attention that you've been keeping secrets this year." He emphasized his point by slamming the door of his classroom. Draco made sure to keep his face expressionless, the same trick he'd learned from his mother at the age of five. But he was certain Snape could see the panic in his eyes.

"I don't know what you are insinuating, but I can assure you that whatever you think you know is wrong." Bag in hand he moved around his professor towards the door. The door knob wouldn't turn, the door was stuck. Turning he waited for Snape to say what he wanted to say.

"Are you absolutely sure Draco? You certainly wouldn't want word getting back to your father about you and Ms. Granger." Snape saw the shift in his eyes; surprise, fear, and panic all flashed by before a very different look took over his features. Snape almost didn't recognize it.

"You wouldn't break your deal with my mother, meaning you are unable to tell my father of any of this." Draco countered. Suddenly Snape recognized the look in his eyes, it was the same insufferable look of determination that so often blazed in the eyes of one Hermione Granger.

"You would do well to sever whatever is between you and Granger, there are others reporting to the Dark Lord who would not be as understanding as I."

Draco didn't respond. He knew Snape was right, his own classmates may be reporting back to the Dark Lord. If anyone else got wind of this he'd be done for. Worse than that it would put an even larger target on Hermione's back while adding his mother and father to the list of traitors.

"I won't." Draco spoke quietly but with resolve, "I won't be like you, Professor, mother told me all about you and Potter's mother. You still being so bitter over that is what convinces me that severing my ties with Hermione is one of the worst mistakes I could make at this point. I won't do it, and I won't end up like you, or my father."

It had been years since Draco had lost control of his magical ability but at this moment his anger and determination caused his uncontrolled magic to break the lock and knob on the door. With no final words to his godfather and professor Draco stalked out of the room.

Draco was a master at keeping his face expressionless, honestly it was a Malfoy trait that he was actually grateful for. But his masked panic still bubbled beneath the surface.

He'd just defied an order from a higher ranking Death Eater and if it weren't for the deal Snape and his mother had made he would be done for. But more than that, he knew Snape had been in his shoes. Snape had loved a muggle born, even though it went against everything he'd been brought up to believe. But Draco would not make the same mistake. He'd been lucky enough that Hermione had forgiven his younger personality and accepted him change of heart. He wasn't going to fuck up now.

He'd been so consumed with his thoughts he hadn't been watching where he was going. He walked right into someone's shoulder. Knocking the books from her hands. Without thinking he stooped to help her pick up the scattered papers. Not looking up he handed the pile he'd collected back to the girl.

"Uh… thanks Mal- Draco." His eyes darted up to find Ginny Weasley. He wasn't quite sure how to approach this. Hermione had told her friends about him but did that change anything. She'd called him Draco, and he didn't see anyone else around, but he still had a reputation, and Snape had been right, any other person would report him to the Dark Lord.

"Just watch where you are walking next time Weasley." His voice didn't have a bite to it or any sneer but it was enough that anyone watching them wouldn't notice much out of the ordinary.

He heard a small 'humph' behind him but didn't look back. He had far more important things on his mind than an angry redhead or a few scattered papers.

(A/N: Hope you liked it. Got some Snape being himself and more Dramione/Snily parallels. Please review and ps. I sort of have an idea where I'm going with this now so Yay.)