The Harry Potter universe and its characters are the sole property of J. K. Rowling. By using them below, I am in no way claiming ownership.

As he lay there on the floor, constrained by the leg-binding curse, Draco couldn't help but wonder if this was just another facet to Hermione's plan. The threat of being murdered by Ginny Weasley, of all people, had truly terrified and confused him. It was only with the time bought by McGonagall's stern lecture and dismissal of Ginny that he was able to get his heart rate in check. The young red-head looked unhappy but obeyed the Professor's words, blowing a kiss in Draco's direction before running up the stairs to the Gryffindor dormitory.

'Let's get you up, Malfoy,' McGonagall said. She uttered a quick counter-spell to release his legs and bent down to pull him up into a standing position. 'Oh dear, your nerves must be totally shot. I know just what will calm you down.'

'Thank you, Professor.' They were words he never thought he would utter, especially to the head of Gryffindor. McGonagall led him along the corridor and into her office, where a large fire was happily burning away in the hearth. She deposited him in the chair closest to the fire, then sat down opposite, waiting for him to collect his thoughts. 'I'm sorry, Professor. I really don't know how that happened.'

'Now, Mr Malfoy,' she replied, crossing her legs. 'There's no need to be coy.'

Draco's brow furrowed and he watched as McGonagall enchanted two tumblers to fly from the sideboard and into her hands.

'Firewhiskey?' She offered.

'I'm not old enough...' McGonagall smiled in a way that made Draco's insides squirm.

'I won't tell if you won't.'

'Um...' Draco pushed himself up from the chair, and began to back away. McGonagall stood up and pouted at him.

'Why, Draco, where are you going?'

'I think I need to lie down.'

'But we were just getting to the fun part,' the Professor replied, licking her lips in a lascivious manner. Draco gulped. He encountered the wall and began to move his hands wildly behind his back, searching for the door handle. McGonagall began to stalk towards him, a hunger in her eyes. His hand latched onto the cool metal and he forced the door open, almost tumbling out into the corridor. He quickly legged it away from the office. 'Don't you want your extra-credit?' McGonagall called after him.

Panting, Draco came to a halt at the far end of the castle. In his desire to escape he hadn't paid too much attention to his journey, and now had to figure out the correct way back to the Slytherin dormitory. Still repulsed, he wandered around the adjacent corridors, looking for any telling features.

He stumbled across the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy with relief, realising his proximity to the Wizarding Student Times office. He'd initially decided to delay his confrontation with Hermione, but with everything else going on... he shuddered. He was going to confront Hermione now. Draco stalked down the corridor to the correct door, then forcefully pushed it open. The door slammed against the internal wall but there was no Hermione in residence - only a tired looking Colin Creevey, flicking through negatives. The younger boy glanced up and smiled.

'Hello Draco. Looking for someone?'

'Doesn't matter.' Colin pushed himself up from behind his desk, picking up his camera.

'Hey, since you're here, I have a few ideas for the paper.'

'I'm not on the paper anymore,' Draco replied, mildly irritated. Colin moved the camera to his eye then snapped a photo of Draco in the doorway. The flash blinded him.

'I want to do a photo-shoot with you. Something avant-garde.' Colin smiled even harder. 'You're so... photogenic.'

Draco recoiled, his mind jumping back to Colin's obsession with Potter. 'Oh no...' he mumbled, backing away from the approaching third year.

'It would be very tasteful,' Colin reassured, his finger twitching on the flash button. 'They'd only be for... personal use.'

'Stay away from me.' Draco made a mock cross with his fingers, and brandished the symbol threateningly at Colin. He wasn't quite sure why. 'I mean it, Colin, you stay away.'