Two

The next day, he met her again, in the entrance hall this time. She was all wrapped up in a woolen cloak, a motley collection of scarves and bonnet. He had planned to only nod at her in passing, but she grabbed his arm and stopped his quick steps.

"Malfoy, wait."

Draco turned towards her. Her hand felt warm on his arm, as if he could feel it through the many layers he was wrapped up in.

"What can I do for you, Professor Granger?"

Granger fidgeted, biting her lower lip. Then she let out a huff, and said, "Malfoy, I'm sorry, I was rude yesterday."

"Why thank you, Professor Granger, but an apology was quite unnecessary. I can assure you I didn't lose any sleep over our conversation yesterday."

She wrinkled her nose in annoyance. "Well, all the same, I am sorry."

"Was that all, Professor Granger?" He tried to sound bored to hide his impatience. He wanted to go flying, get away from Granger and this obligation to be civil when he was in a mood to hex anyone in sight.

Granger frowned at him, then shrugged.

"Where are you going?"

"Quidditch pitch," he said shortly.

"Mind if I walk with you? I'm going to visit Hagrid, that's on the way."

He closed his eyes and ran his free hand over his face in an exasperated gesture.

"If you insist, Professor Granger," he said.

They were quiet as they made their way out of the courtyard. The grounds were covered in snow. There was no discernable path towards the Quidditch pitch or Hagrid's hut, but they trudged on regardless. Then, for some reason, Granger seemed to want to talk.

"I never thought of you as a teacher, you know. How do you like it?"

Draco scowled. "Smalltalk, Professor Granger?"

To his surprise, she chuckled. "Yes, Malfoy. Trying to make conversation, and all that. It's the polite thing to do, I believe."

He was quiet for a few steps, then shrugged, swinging his broom to his other shoulder.

"I always enjoyed Potions. As for the teaching, well… It wasn't always easy, but I think I've found my footing. I enjoy it. To see a student manage to brew a new potion… It's a joy. I never thought, when I first started, I would feel like this, but it's just amazing to see them develop and grow. To see the light in their eyes when they finally understand one of the theorema. To see their proud smiles when they finish a potion correctly. It's great." He broke off suddenly, wondering why he was saying so much. He didn't look at her. They had stopped, having arrived at the junction that would take her towards the groundskeeper's hut, and him towards the pitch.

"But why did you take it up?" she asked. He licked his lips, stalling for time as he looked down at her. There was genuine curiosity in her eyes.

"I wanted to give something back to society. I was cleared by the Wizengamot but it didn't clear my own conscience. Now I feel like I'm doing something useful for the Wizarding world. And… for Severus. For what he did for me." He didn't elaborate and she didn't ask. She only nodded, then smiled.

"See you later, Malfoy."

She walked off towards Hagrid's hut, trudging through the knee-high snow, and he walked on towards the pitch, playing with the snitch in his pocket and wondering why he had told her the truth.