A/n:

It has been 2 years since I opened this app. I always have ideas but there's just no time for me to write anything. Finding time is still very hard. With workload piling up my days, writing is not really the most relaxing thing to do in my spare time. Even if I have time, I just want to take a break and rest.

The worst part was that I almost finished Chapter 5 two years ago. Yet I totally forgot about the 1-year limit for untouched documents. So I have to start over again completely.

I basically have the whole story planned out. I even wrote down a whole chapter belonging to The Half Blood Price just because I suddenly had the whole scene planned out in my mind. Hopefully this time I could keep on writing for a longer period of time and finally put out all of these ideas.

"Detention? Again?"

Pansy stopped Draco right before he left.

Ever since Quidditch, which was a month ago, Draco had been going to detention after class. Sometimes, he would join his friends during supper, but most times he would just return directly to the dormitory late at night.

"Yes, see you guys around," Draco replied and he left without another word.

"Wait..." Pansy failed to reach for Draco's hand. Of all his friends, Pansy was the most disappointed when she heard about his detention arrangements. The only time she got left to meet Draco would be during lessons, but Draco was more attentive than she expected. Others didn't care much since they got to meet in the dormitory anyway.

The hallway was full of chatter and discussion of the surprising events that happened during Quidditch. Draco squeezed through the crowds and followed Snape quietly to his office as the students were heading for supper. It didn't take long before he arrived at the door of Snape's office. It was at this moment he realised he didn't know what he actually wanted to do.

Confronting a professor of dangling a student's life? If Snape could do that to Potter, he wouldn't have a problem silencing a student who knew his dirty work.

Fear quickly crept through Draco's body and decided that it was best for him to leave immediately. But before he could make any moves, the door sprung open and his eyes met Snape's.

Draco froze. The professor's icy stare made his spine shiver. He immediately shifted his gaze to somewhere else but somehow ended up on the professor's robe. He couldn't help but notice the burnt cloth.

Damn, Granger didn't hold back at all.

Snape noticed Draco's gaze. He quickly pulled Draco into the office and locked the door. He held the boy by his shoulder and pulled out his wand.

"What did you see?" Snape growled as he held his wand at Draco.

Draco instantly turned pale.

He is going to kill me.

Terror flowed through his blood, and the air seemed to be thinner as he tried to gasp for air.

Snape signed. Stupid boy.

He released the boy and went to his potion cabinet. He pulled out a bluish potion and handed it to Draco.

"Sit down and drink it."

Considering it could be a poison, Draco didn't want to drink it. Snape saw through his idiotic idea and explained, "It's a Calming Draught. Drink it. Don't make me force it down your throat."

Draco had no choice but to pour the potion into his mouth. As soon as the liquid hit his stomach, all his anxiety and fear magically disappeared.

"So tell me now, boy," Snape asked. "What do you know?"

Draco hesitated for a moment, but knowing that he had nowhere to go, he reluctantly answered, "You jinxed Potter's bloom."

"And why would you think that?"

"I uh…"

Draco thought about telling the truth, but by doing so he would give her out. The idea of her being caught for, not just accusing a professor, but setting a professor on fire, was not something he wished to see. At the same time, he was disappointed with himself for defending a muggle witch.

"… I guessed it. Potter regained control after you were on fire."

"I see. Well, you are more observant than I thought," said Snape with a raised brow. Draco couldn't help but hiss under his breath hearing such a direct insult. "However, I'm sorry to disappoint your expectations. I'm not the person you are searching for."

"So… I'm free to go?"

"Unfortunately, no. You wandering into my office after such an incident could've caught unwanted attention. I for one do not have the time to protect you both."

"Both?" asked Draco wide-eyed. Did he mean that he was protecting Potter all along?

"Yes, Mister Malfoy. I hope you understand how ridiculous your accusation sounded."

Before Draco could process such information, Snape continued, "Come to my classroom every now and then after lessons. Just say you are being detained so that no one would suspect your actions today."

At first, Draco wasn't too satisfied with this arrangement as it took up his personal time. He had no choice but to take the time to complete his school work and do revision. It didn't take long before he found the benefits of this special arrangement. His grades were much better since he was more focused. The best part, however, was when Snape was in the office, Draco got to ask all sorts of questions related to potions. Sometimes Snape would even teach him how to make potions that were not in the syllabus. He also allowed Draco to read his collection of potion books, which were filled with useful handwritten notes from Snape himself.

Draco could never imagine himself as a hardworking student, but the past few weeks had changed him and potions had become his absolute favourite. Sometimes he would even skip supper just to stay for some extra time. Never in a million years, would he expect himself to think this, but he actually looked forward to the "detention".

It was another typical day in which Draco skipped supper and drowned in the enthusiasm of making potions. Snape had tasked him to make an Antidote to Common Potions. He usually taught his third-year students how to conduct this potion but after seeing potential in the boy, he thought it might be a good idea to introduce him to different brews earlier. And if he succeeded in making a perfect brew, he could help refill the Hospital Wing's stock for any unexpected emergencies, especially when the castle was full of foolish kids.

It was late when Draco finished his teal-coloured potion. Snape seldom showed any emotions, but Draco knew he had perfected the brew. Before Draco could get his nose in the air, the professor ushered him out so he could return to his dormitory before curfew.

As he left the potions classroom and headed for the dormitory, he noticed three silhouettes sneaking past the corners and heading outside the castle. It didn't bother Draco until he saw the bushy big curls bouncing through the field. Without any hesitation, he quietly followed the trio.