Neville attempted to do his charms homework. He wasn't suceeding, mostly because his attention was focused on Padma and Hermione discussing some obscure faucet of magical theory. They would have gladly invited him to join the conversation, but he had said that he needed to do his work on his own if he was to truly grasp the material.

Padma had smiled so brightly that it looked like she was glowing when Neville said that. Hermione had a sneaking suspicion that Padma would have hugged him had she not been around. Hermione was starting to think that perhaps Padma was developing feelings for her friend.

It had been clear for some time that Neville had been harbouring a crush on Padma. He hadn't said as much, but it was obvious to Hermione when he blushed when Padma was brought up. Harry and Ron hadn't noticed.

Harry was too preoccupied with whatever he was doing with Dumbledore. Hermione had tried time and time again to figure out what they were up to. She hadn't had much luck. Harry was surprisingly good at keeping secrets when he wanted to be.

What he wouldn't stop talking about was how he was convinced that Draco Malfoy was a Death Eater. Hermione vehemently disagreed with him. Ron wasn't so sure. Wheich was why he was sitting on the couch across from Neville looking at the map for any sign of Malfoy.

"Find anything?" Neville asked.

Ron shook his head, attention still focused on the map. "Just Goyle sitting on the seventh floor for a few hours. He must be bored out of his mind."

"Because you've got it so much better," Neville said sarcastically.

"Hey," Ron protested. "I've got people to talk to. Goyle's been sitting there for at least as long as I have, but he's alone. And I doubt he's doing his homework."

"Who's alone?" Hermione asked.

While she hadn't been sneaky by anyone's standard, Ron's attention had been so focused on the seventh floor corridor that he hadn't noticed her. He jumped nearly a foot into the air, gasping for breath.

"Don't do that," he wheezed.

"Do what? Walk up behind you?" Hermione asked.

"No."

"Good," Padma said. "I don't think Hermione would be able to resist the temptation."

"I don't think anyone could resist that much of a temptation," Neville added.

"I'm not that jumpy," Ron said.

"We know." Padma sat down on the couch next to Neville. "You grew up with Fred and George after all."

"We're just teasing you," Hermione said. She perched herself on the armrest of the couch Ron was sitting on. It wasn't the most comfortable seat, but she was scared that if she sank into the plush seat she wouldn't get up later.

Harry stumbled into the common room. Lines of exhaustion were written all across his face. Whatever Dumbledore had him doing, it was eating all of his energy.

For a brief moment, Hermione was glad that it was a Friday night. Saturdays were typically days that most students slept in. Hermione herself usually savoured the quiet and peaceful atmosphere while everyone else was sleeping.

However, the next day was the first quidditch match. Gryffindor vs. Slytherin, same as always. The whole school would be a cacophony of nervous energy. Harry likely wouldn't sleep well at all, regardless of how tired he might be.

"Find anything?" Harry asked Ron.

"Just Goyle."

Harry groaned and flopped down onto the couch next to Ron. He was tired, and he was cranky. Ron not finding anything wasn't helping his mood at all.

"Maybe you should go to bed," Hermione suggested.

Harry waved a hand at her. "I will. I just have to get the energy to get up the stairs."

"Well, I'm going to bed," Hermione said. "I'm going to count on you two to get him up to bed if he falls asleep right there," she told Neville and Ron.

"Yes ma'am," they chorused before Hermione got up from her seat.

"Guess I should go too," Padma said.

"Let me walk you out," Neville said.

Hermione smiled to herself as she watched them go before heading up the stairs to her dorm. She said goodnight to Viktor and slipped into a blissful sleep.

A/N: So I decided that Slughorn might be more interested if he hadn't practically decided on his club members before the quidditch game. (Not that I remembered what order they went in. Forgive me.) And yes, we're going to have the quidditch game be the next chapter. Hope everyone is okay with my updates. I'm cycling through the stories, and hoping that they're all fast enough and make enough sense.