Still relatively early, the Slytherin common room was all but empty except for the blond haired wizard stood gazing into the hypnotic flames of the fireplace. Nott descended the stairs with intrigue, noting his friend's empty bed when he'd awoken. The moment Malfoy turned to face him, Theo saw it. His friend was exhausted, the kind where you feel just as awful as when you'd fallen into bed, even if you did manage to doze off for a few hours, your mind still in overdrive. If possible his skin was paler, almost sickly and dark rimmed eyes only aided in making him look gaunter. His irises too looked like stark cold silver, unfeeling and unbreakable. Theo knew his friend would hate having attention drawn to his dishevelled state but he had to say something.

"You look terrible."

"Just what I wanted to hear, what a knock to my ego." Malfoy attempted to joke but his voice was harsh and Theo winced a little.

"Merlin's beard, you look like death. Having nightmares about Granger's whinging voice all night long?" Pansy sneered, appearing at the taller boy's side. Draco hadn't told her an ounce of what was going on in his personal life and swiftly realised he'd subsequently have to put up with whatever snarky comments she offloaded onto him.

"With all due respect, Pansy, piss off." He hissed, hardly in the mood to even fathom a polite response.

Pansy had the innate ability to appear as though she was unperturbed by absolutely everything so Draco was never sure if he'd ever struck a nerve. Regardless, she shrugged and strutted off past him, leaving Theo to roll his eyes in exasperation. The Slytherin girl had been driving him around the bend the last couple of days Draco had been away but he wouldn't let his friend know that, he was sure he didn't need that hassle on his plate as well. The youngest Malfoy had confided in his friend about his weekend at home on his return the previous night, although it had been late into the evening, Theo listened intently and offered his sympathies.

"Just ignore her, she'll grow up eventually."

Draco stared at his friend sceptically. "Theo, I think that's simply who she is."

"That's an unsettling notion. Come on, let's grab some breakfast, it might perk you up." Rather too jolly for Malfoy's taste, the older Slytherin boy made his way out of the common room with Draco two steps behind. Draco's self-imposed mission for the day was to throw himself into his schoolwork and hope he didn't crack either from his own turbulent mind or his friends polar opposite approaches to dealing with him.


Hermione had been peering at the blond boy periodically throughout the lesson and he appeared unusually distracted. Theo gave the impression he was keeping his friend grounded as he nattered away to him, Draco occasionally nodding along.

The brunette witch's thought process was interrupted when she heard a stifled giggle next to her. She turned to regard her friend, Hannah Abbott, with interest. "Care to share?"

"Do you have a crush on Malfoy?" She asked incredulously, leaning in to make sure she didn't miss the answer.

"Why does everyone think that? Seriously, can't I just be concerned about a friend?"

Hannah suppressed a grin as she tried to respond without laughing. "You could. But you don't zone out staring at your friends usually. But you kinda did when you fancied Ron."

"Merlin's beard." She exhaled; making sure no one was listening in on them. "Hannah, I love you and all but I'm deadly serious, there is absolutely positively nothing more going on other than maybe friendship between myself and Malfoy."

Blue eyes bored into brown and Hannah blinked slowly before a knowing smirk crept onto her lips. "Okay, Hermione, whatever you say." Not believing the blonde girl for a moment, Hermione opened her mouth to reaffirm her statement but was cut off by the professor announcing the end of class. The hufflepuff made a hasty escape before the brunette witch could say anything more and she dejectedly stuffed her notes into her satchel aware she'd no doubt here something more from Ginny about it later.

Dean rounded his desk to join Hermione at her own; in typical tradition they were to walk together back to the common room or Great Hall after lessons. Somewhat surprised to see her eagerly awaiting his presence, he coolly leant forward to rest his elbows on the table while she fidgeted.

"Dean, would you do me a favour?" Fascinated by her request, he nodded willingly. "I need to talk to Malfoy, any chance you can occupy Nott?"

The Gryffindor slid his gaze across the room to the Slytherin pair who were making light conversation and packing up their things. "Strapping guy like that? Not trying to set me up on a date, are you Hermione?" Grinning back at her, she merely rolled her brown eyes.

"What happens between you two in that conversation, I am not responsible for and frankly would rather not know. Just distract him, please?"

Amused, Dean patted her affectionately on the shoulder. "I'm all over it."

She beamed as he strolled around to the far side of the Slytherins' desk and leant casually in front of the taller boy. Both Theo and Draco shared a quizzical glance but Dean was quick to draw Nott into conversation and Draco returned to his task. Seizing her opportunity, Hermione darted from her own desk to beside Malfoy, making sure not to draw Nott's gaze which was firmly on the Gryffindor boy. Still oblivious, it wasn't until Hermione quietly said his name that he faced her, white blond fringe falling into his eyes in an attempt to conceal his obviously tired features.

"How are you?" She offered while he regarded her carefully, forehead creasing lightly. "How are things?" Aware of their professor still bumbling about behind his desk, she kept her voice low and questions vague, sure Malfoy would hardly appreciate her advertising his troubles.

There was a moment of hesitation. "I am…Things are…It's been tough. I wasn't aware you cared so much." His tone was clipped but she could tell by the way his gaze fell to the floor he hadn't meant to. She supposed he had a right to be sceptical of others concern for him but her heart felt a stab. Theo's laugh jolted them out of the forced silence and she mustered a smile.

"I was worried. Nott gave me very few details, rightly so, but I could tell it was serious."

Draco mulled over her words before taking a step closer, one she didn't move away from. "Would you do something for me?" She was wary, of course, but nodded regardless, her curiosity surging. "Just be normal, be you. I told Theo everything last night and I feel like he's been smothering me ever since and on the other hand, Pansy's giving me the cold shoulder because I won't let her in on what's going on. I could really use some normality. You're the only person who understands but doesn't have all the details."

"We could meet in the library later? No mandated study session, just hang out?" He nodded and her smile brightened as she joked. "Usual time and place?" The corners of his mouth twitched upwards before a wider smile burst through.

"Yeah, thanks Granger." He was loathed to admit that he was grateful to her, the way she understood without needing anything in return. It was rare to find someone willing to put aside previous differences in the hopes of a brighter outcome, sometimes it was easier just to let tradition continue. She had no reason to offer him the kind of friendship that was being hesitantly proposed and he would be lying if he said he wasn't both nervous and intrigued. Draco's only offer was for a project at the beginning of this odd civility but it had taken a pleasant turn and he wasn't going to stand in the way of any further progression.

Hermione grinned, pleased with the outcome of her small plan to aid Malfoy. Looking over his shoulder, she was about to call out to the other Gryffindor when the words caught in her throat as she realised her friend was indeed flirting with the Slytherin. "Fair warning, I may have started something, unintentionally." A raised sculpted blond eyebrow was her only response but when he turned to investigate further, she tugged lightly on his sleeve to keep his attention on her. "Uhhh…are you playing in the game tomorrow? Ravenclaw, right?"

Draco played along, knowing whatever was occurring outside his knowledge would quickly be rectified by Theo's need to share something new and unusual and he shook his head. "Sitting this one out but Jasper's filling in for me and he's a skilled player."

"He's not you though." Hermione quipped, realising the extent of what she'd said before she could clamp her mouth shut.

"So, you were ogling me the other day, hmm?" His arrogant and somewhat flirtatious demeanour was returning and she wanted to grin at how much healthier and more normal it made him seem but the heavy blush that coloured her cheeks sent her backtracking.

"That is to say, obviously you're a good seeker because you beat Gryffindor." She tried for a nonchalant shrug but he saw straight through it.

"Well I say, it doesn't hurt to have someone attractive to watch. What with how much you enjoy the sport and all." He was smirking the way she could only deem as 'unequivocally Malfoy' and it infuriated her like nothing else. Hermione Granger was far too stubborn and refused to be beaten, swiftly changing tactics.

"You know, maybe you're right. I'll just have to take Viktor up on his offer for seats at one of his games. Thanks, Malfoy."

A delighted smirk played at her lips as his mouth popped open in surprise. "Krum? You're still in contact with him?

"I'm full of surprises, don't forget it." She whispered. Her warm and familiar smile took over as Dean joined her side and he nodded to her companion politely.

"Ready to go? Luna will be trying to convince everyone wrackspurts have kidnapped us."

Hermione snorted, grabbing her bag. "I don't think that's how wrackspurts work but hey, what do I know?"

"Only everything?" Dean teased, elbowing her in the ribs when she rolled her eyes.

Turning back to the Slytherins who were staring at the duo in bemusement, the brunette grinned with a knowing look to Malfoy as Dean merely chuckled. "See you later, boys."

Theo looked to his friend in utter confusion. "What the hell is a wrackspurt?"