If Hogwarts was good at anything, it was pretending that strange things were perfectly normal. Somehow, that stretched to its most famous student once again surviving a confrontation with the darkest wizard of an age, and that particular student returning to classes after spending a certain stretch of time as that particular Dark Lord's captive. Even more stunning was how the suspension of disbelief stretched to how that student's best friend, long thought dead, was now roaming the corridors as if nothing had happened.

Most people in the school weren't going to be told exactly how Matthew Mormont was breathing, talking and walking. It was something they just had to accept, another peculiarity to add to the list, especially when it came to that trio. During the first feast they'd attended after the chaos had somewhat settled down, Dumbledore had simply pronounced that Matthew's expulsion had been overturned now that certain Ministry officials were no longer present, and that was the end of that discussion. No matter how many people tended to give him questioning looks in those first few days of normality.

A select few had been given the courtesy of knowing the full story. The likes of the headmaster, Sirius and Remus were able to listen to their accounts, whilst a large portion of the Order were also given a slightly more sanitised retelling. There'd been a lot of tears when the Grangers had found out, though that was down to a mixture of knowing all three of them were alright after the ordeals they'd faced. Katherine had even argued that she didn't care how it happened, choosing instead to just celebrate that it had had.

It couldn't be ignored, however, that Matthew had missed a giant amount of schoolwork, which, thanks to his inadvertent time travelling exploits, included his OWLS. Although Hermione was incredibly pleased to have him back in her life, that didn't mean she was going to go easy on him now that his academic future was on the line. She was soon drawing up a schedule that involved a great deal of revision sessions, though, for the time being, there was a sense that Matthew was going to keep his complaints to himself in order to keep her happy.

It was one morning meal that Hermione was trying to recount everything they'd learnt in arithmancy over the months he'd missed. She was rattling off facts whilst still trying to eat a bowl of porridge in delicate fashion. Harry was slicing a rasher of bacon with a growing smirk on his face, struggling to contain his laughter. Matthew raised his eyebrows at him, doing just as poor a job at hiding his amusement.

Hermione huffed. "What?"

She was focusing her ire on her boyfriend, who coughed up some of the apple juice he'd been sipping at the time now that he was being scrutinised. Harry considered patting him on the back, fearful that he was going to be killed by pressed fruit so soon after they'd got him back. But he was too busy sniggering at his friend's discomfort, as well as his other friend's increasing annoyance.

Matthew was only just able to compose himself. "It's just…oh, Hermione, I've missed this."

It was the one thing that could make her frown disappear, replaced by a begrudging smile. "How do you think we feel?"

"I know. I know that it's been months for you. But you've got to remember that I'd still been expelled for a good few weeks by the time you called the Tardis. I haven't been able to walk through Hogwarts without hiding for far too long. I haven't been able to experience being with the two of you in such a relaxed manner. Just…laughing, and listening to you list off a series of facts that I already know."

"Why didn't you stop me then?"

"I didn't want to risk it ending."

Her lips were set in a thin line, as if she hadn't planned on relenting quite so easily. "Oh, you…you sweet talker. I'd almost forgotten that you were like this. Almost."

"You still missed it."

"Endlessly."

Harry leaned back, simply choosing to enjoy the moment, watching the pair of them interact in a way he'd once thought had been stolen from him. Perhaps it would be taken away from him again at some point in the nondescript future, whether as a result of the approaching war or Matthew's predestined date with fate. But, at least for that meal, he didn't have to think about those considerations. He could just revel in the normality of it all.

Until McGonagall was walking towards them, clutching a piece of parchment. And Harry was surprised at just how tight his chest became. He was brought back to that dreadful slice in time, when the same professor had been making the same approach, when they'd been on the cusp of finding out about Matthew's death. His sudden shortness of breath was explained by the fact that he was somehow sure that the rug was going to be pulled out from underneath him, that Matthew wasn't actually there, that he'd been imagining everything since escaping Malfoy Manor.

Maybe he hadn't even escaped at all.

Except there was a smile on the old Scot's face, or as much of a smile as was physically possible for McGonagall. She stopped behind Matthew, who promptly sobered up, and placed the piece of paper in front of him. And Harry let out the breath he'd been holding, wondering when he'd finally and completely accept that something miraculous had happened.

"You'll obviously need to pass your examinations before rejoining your allocated classes," McGonagall explained briskly. "This is your schedule for the tests we've put together. I know it's coming around very quickly, but we want you learning new things sooner rather than later. And, frankly, given the company you keep, we're sure you'll have no problem in acing them."

"And they'll still be official OWLS?" Hermione asked on Matthew's behalf, whilst he scanned the list.

"Under normal circumstances, the Ministry would make him wait until the end of the year, so that he could sit them with the current crop of fifth years. But given the role they played in his original expulsion…and the help he provided during their recent efforts to save Mister Potter…well, they were willing to go against the rules just this once."

"I'd usually complain about preferential…" Matthew commented.

"But I'd take it if I were you," McGonagall interrupted him, going as far as putting a hand on his shoulder. "We've…we've missed you, Mister Mormont. And we're very glad to have you back."

Before he could respond and, presumably, before anyone else could see that she was showing a large amount of emotion, the head of Gryffindor left them in peace. Matthew cleared his throat, an obvious attempt to disguise the fact that his eyes were shining. Instead of making a comment about it, Hermione simply rested her hand atop his, silently telling him that it was alright to be moved by the admission. Harry once again watched the scene unfold, finally realising that he wasn't the only one who still thought Matthew was going to fade away at any second.

xxxxxxxxxx

Matthew wasn't the only one who faced added scrutiny, but Harry was well used to it by now. Some students, largely those who'd taken part in his tutoring sessions, were brave enough to ask questions, but most of them were batted away by Hermione as she complained about a lack of privacy on his behalf. In contrast, Harry felt that it might have done them some good to hear more of the details of his capture; his main technique as a 'teacher' was to give them the unblemished truth, preparing them for the grim reality that was certainly on its way.

If there was one person who appeared to be struggling with increased gossiping surrounding their presence, then it was Malfoy. He'd been allowed back into Slytherin with little fanfare and, from an outside perspective, it seemed to be that the former self-proclaimed ruler of that house was finding it difficult to return to his throne. His time away from the school had cut him down, robbing him of his confidence, as well as his flunkeys Crabbe and Goyle.

Harry shouldn't have been too fussed about that. Frankly, he should have been celebrating that development. That was the view of Matthew, at least, but he hadn't experienced what Harry had seen inside the manor. He'd witnessed a different side to Malfoy, one which made it a lot more difficult to view him in black and white terms. And there was a part of him that felt he was supposed to be making more of an effort with the Slytherin now that he'd been awoken from his initial medical care.

So, when he spotted Malfoy trudging through the corridors on his own, Harry made his move. Only to be stopped in his tracks by a curious look on Matthew's part, with Hermione also puzzled by his behaviour. With the former's exams in full swing, the latter had intended them to find sanctuary in the library, putting the poor boy through his paces one last time. Perhaps there was an element of Harry seeing Malfoy as an escape route from that ordeal, at least for a short while.

"What are you doing?" Matthew asked.

"You guys can go ahead, I'll catch up," Harry replied.

The other boy tracked his gaze, quickly detecting what was at stake. "Are you sure you want to do this alone?"

"He's on his own as well."

"That won't stop him from doing something sneaky and reckless."

"I…I don't think he'd do that. He's different. And I know that I need to do this, because he won't make the same leap."

"Well, I've come to trust your instincts. But if anything happens, you know where to find us."

Hermione lingered as Matthew carried on his way. "You're doing a good thing, Harry. I'm proud of you."

If he needed any extra motivation, then it was that. With renewed confidence, knowing that his two friends were behind this strange decision, he cut the distance between himself and Malfoy. His counterpart had largely been keeping to the far side of the corridor, sticking to the wall as if that would keep him away from people's attention. Much to his obvious disappointment, it hadn't worked, seeing as Harry was soon standing in front of him, unable to think of an appropriate way to start the conversation.

In real time, Harry got to witness the mask take shape. Malfoy had been cutting quite a pathetic figure in all honesty, skulking around without any of the pomp that had grown to be synonymous with him. But, faced with the prospect of dealing with a potential adversary, the Slytherin expertly schooled his expression into a sneer, his chin raised in defiance. He was falling back on his pre-established programming, yet still Harry could sense that he was clutching onto it in a feeble attempt to preserve what he knew best.

"I suppose you're here to gloat."

Harry pulled a face. "Gloat? What would I be gloating about?"

"You…you saved me during the battle. You got me to safety. Knowing you, you'll lord that over me for the rest of time."

"I'm not going to do that."

"Then did you play the hero like you normally do?"

Harry was growing more frustrated with every second that passed. "That's…that's not what I did! Frankly, I took a chance on you. I decided that you didn't deserve to be there, no matter how much of a git you've been over the years. I put myself at risk to go back for you, and I'm not even asking for some gratitude. It would be nice to be spoken to with just a bit of common decency, mind you."

If Malfoy had been expecting anything, then it didn't seem to have been that. Then again, even Harry was taken aback by the heat and venom in his voice, a by-product of the events he'd been through. It was only natural for him to still be doing with lingering frustrations, and now they were seeping through. Whilst it wasn't the best strategy to throw a heavy dose of anger at Malfoy, it might just have been the one language he was able to understand.

"What…um…what are you doing, then?"

"Believe it or not, I wanted to speak to you. You know…see how you're doing, that sort of thing."

"I don't want your pity, if that's implying. Just because…you did what you did, that doesn't mean that we're friends."

"And I'm not expecting us to be. But the way I see it, you don't have many allies at the moment, Malfoy. Especially not enough to be throwing one away."

Malfoy arched an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that we become allies?"

Harry allowed a sigh to fill the air. "Would that really be such a bad thing?"

"It's just…I'm surprised, that's all."

"That I'm the one who's being the bigger person?"

"That's one way of putting it."

Harry glanced around at the hallway, noting the other students milling about. Despite the fact that they were now employing Malfoy's tactic of keeping to the shadows as best as possible, there were a number of pupils who were noticing that the fierce rivals were talking to one another. The last thing Harry needed - and he supposed the same went for Malfoy - was Hogwarts' rumour mill kicking into full gear. That would surely put an end to whatever Harry was trying to accomplish.

He still didn't really know what the specifics of that were.

"Look," he began. "Why don't we go somewhere a bit more secluded? A bit quieter? Then you might feel comfortable to hold a proper conversation, rather than whatever this is."

Malfoy hesitated.

Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm not going to hex you, if that's what you're thinking."

"Well, now I am thinking that."

Realising that they were going nowhere fast, Harry decided to take matters into his own hands. He started to lead Malfoy towards a less populated hallway, practically dragging the other boy by the sleeve of his robes. His complaints fell upon deaf ears, though their peers must have been enjoying the sheer strangeness of the spectacle. It was only when they had a modicum of privacy that Harry released his grip.

"What the hell are you playing at?" Malfoy hissed through gritted teeth.

"You're making it really hard to be nice to you, do you know that?"

"Then why are you even bothering?"

Harry looked to the ceiling in desperation, wondering whether he should have just continued onto the library. Or maybe it would have been better if he'd asked his friends to stay for moral support, because he could feel himself faltering without their guidance. Yet he couldn't deny the wounded nature of Malfoy's tone, as if he truly couldn't understand why someone would be nice to him. And wasn't that precisely the reason why Harry was going to all this effort?

"Did you want to leave Hogwarts?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Was it your choice to leave school?"

"Well, once the Dark Lord returned, my family had to make a decision. We could either cling onto the position we held in our society and risk being killed by our former master, or we could join him straight away and ensure that we survived. It was an easy choice for my father in the end."

"For your dad…"

"That's what I said."
"Did he ever ask you what you wanted?"

"Why would he do that? He's the head of the family. It's my job to follow what he says, not the other way around."

"Yet you came with me when the opportunity arose. You went against his wishes at the drop of a hat."

"The longer this conversation goes on, the more I regret that."

"Believe it or not, I saw a different side to you whilst I was imprisoned. Maybe I was just going loopy because of the situation. Maybe I've completely misread everything. But I saw you during the battle and you were scared. And I think you were regretting every decision that had led you to that point. If I was able to give you a second chance, then I wasn't going to turn my head the other way."

"Because, like I said before, you love being the hero, just like how they describe you in the Prophet."

"If you carry on like this, then I can take you back. I know a guy with a nifty bit of transport that could have you back at the Manor within minutes."

"No!" Malfoy quickly blurted out.

Harry smirked, enjoying how easy it had been to catch him out. "You don't have to deny how you're feeling, Malfoy. You don't have to be ashamed of wanting a clean start. But that's going to have to involve you changing your ways ever so slightly. Or maybe even a lot."

"Why should I listen to you?"

"Are you exactly thriving at the moment? I know it's just been a couple of days since you returned, but I've seen the way you've been acting. No one's talking to you. No one's paying you any attention. And why should they, when you haven't even bothered to bridge those gaps?"

"I didn't realise that you were this invested in my social life, Potter."

"You're not the only one who needs to change the way they act," Harry admitted.

That seemed to give Malfoy pause for thought. "Meaning?"

"It's like what I mentioned before, about needing allies. Since being at Hogwarts, I haven't really gone out of my way to make more friends than I desperately need. It's always just been me, Matthew and Hermione."

"Even though I told you straight away that you could do a lot better…"

Harry glared at him. "Do you think insulting them is your best bet right now?"

"Maybe not, but it's hard not to fall back on old habits."

"That's exactly what I'm trying to talk about. The two of us have become set in our ways. And there's a few things recently that have happened that have made it clear that the way I've been going about things isn't always the best solution. Just look at Matthew."

"I'd rather not."

Another glare. "I've been without him for months. And, although I had Hermione by my side, it brought home the fact of how isolated I was as a result. I knew plenty of people, but I wasn't friends with them. It's not a healthy approach to life, because I've had first hand experience of how reality can break things apart in an instant."

"I…suppose I might resonate with that principle. Since I've come back to Hogwarts, the people I thought were my friends haven't wanted to spend time with me. It's like I'm tainted. Maybe that's what I deserve after what I've done."

"I'm trying to do better. I'm trying to make more friends, or allies, as you call them. You could do the same. I don't understand what sort of relationship you had with Crabbe and Goyle, but it wouldn't hurt to make the first move. I reckon there's a large part of you that's expecting them to come grovelling back, asking to spend their time with you again. But that's not going to happen."

"I don't even know if they were my friends to begin with, or whether they were just using me for my name."

"Like you were no doubt using them. They're big and tough, meaning no one would mess with you."

"I don't appreciate how blunt you're being, Potter."

"It's the only way to get through to you."

"Are you calling me thick?"

"Precisely the opposite. Because - and I don't like admitting this - you're intelligent, Malfoy. And that means you're far too smart to be making these same mistakes over and over again."

"What other things have changed your perspective?" Malfoy asked in a blatant attempt to change the subject.

"There was the duelling club that I ran for a short while before things collapsed. I was teaching students from all different houses, including Slytherin, and it showed that they were just like me, feeling the same emotions as me, just as scared at the future as I am."

"You taught people?"

"I wouldn't have believed it either if I hadn't actually done it. That was further proof that I've been blinded by House loyalty all these years. When the war hits us, if it hasn't already, it isn't going to matter who's fighting beside you, as long as they have your back. The only way I can make that a distinct possibility is by moving on from these preconceptions I've had, including when it comes to the Slytherins."

"And I'm the first step in that scheme? Your little pet project?"

"I think, if people saw us getting along…or at least not threatening to kill one another…they'd realise there's hope for everyone. Allies can come from strange places. Like with Snape, the other thing that's altered the way I look at the world. You're talking about me saving you, but he saved me. When he turned up, I thought I was done for. I thought he was finally going to take out his anger on me. But he evidently pushed that to one side for the sake of winning the fight, which is something we're all going to have to do in the end."

"And he made that choice despite the fact that it's going to scupper Dumbledore's plans."

Harry frowned. "What are you getting at?"

"Snape was in the pocket of Lord Voldemort and Dumbledore. He was a spy. The reason the Dark Lord didn't bring him back into the fold was that he was scared he'd given his loyalty to the old fool instead of him. And now that he helped break you out of that prison…there's no chance that he'll be welcomed back, unless it's with a quick killing curse. Your side in this war has just lost a key advantage, all because you got yourself captured."

"Our side. You're here now, Malfoy. You need to understand that."

Harry was well aware that he was deflecting as he tried to make sense of the new information. Had Snape been forced with a perilous decision? Had it been a matter of saving Harry or earning a spot back in the good graces of Voldemort? The stunning point was that Snape had come to the decision he had, based on the animosity they'd shared over the years. Did this mean they no longer had a way of knowing what Voldemort was planning?

It wasn't as if they'd seen his capture coming, nor the attack in Diagon Alley.

Maybe it didn't have to be a big deal.

But maybe he'd have to have one of these chats with Snape, which sounded like an unholy state of affairs.

"Be that as it may, those sorts of things are for the adults to deal with," Harry argued, trying to get back on track. "The way we can help is by uniting the students in the school. Or, at the very least, make it a bit more of a happier place. That'll hopefully mean you get to be happier too."

Malfoy scowled. "I'm not going to sit with you at meals, if that's what you're leading to."

"Absolutely not. But…Slytherin is going to be a hard nut to crack. It'd be a lot easier to get them on side if I had someone in their colours arguing my case."

"We've already established that I have absolutely no sway at the moment."

"Then build it back up. That's what you're good at. Reach out to people, earn their trust and friendship. I'd recommend talking to someone like Daphne Greengrass. She's probably been the most receptive in your house to what I've been trying to teach."

"Are you setting me up on a date?"

"That might not be a bad idea."

"Can I leave? Before you say anything even more stupid?"

"I suppose you can. As long as you're going to at least think about this."

"...I will. Largely because I haven't got many better options at the moment."

"That's the spirit…Draco."

He was going to need to wash his mouth out with soap after that.

xxxxxxxxxx

"Do you think they've killed each other yet?"

Following the remark, Hermione looked up over the cover of her latest book of choice, sending a disapproving glare in Matthew's direction. It was a reaction that he evidently enjoyed, judging from the way he smirked triumphantly. Hermione was under the impression that he was just finding a way to draw her attention, to pull her away from the constant studying, as if it wasn't his academic life that was on the line.

"If Harry thinks that he can speak some sense into Malfoy, then I'll back Harry all the way," she argued, her gaze lowering to the text once more.

"The question is whether he'll be given the chance to talk before they start firing spells at one another."

"It's been quite a while since we saw Harry. I'm sure that, if they had started a fight in the corridor, we would have heard about it by now."

"Unless he made the foolish mistake of pulling Malfoy to one side, and that attack took place with no witnessesses. He could be in a broom closet, unconscious, as we speak for all we know."

She placed the book down with a little more force than was necessary. "Matthew, I know you're trying to create some fun, but you're supposed to be memorising the precise stirring instructions for the potion on page 342."

"I could do it with my eyes closed."

"Then that means you can move onto page 343."

"Hermione…"

"What?"

"I know what you're doing."

"I'm trying to help keep you in the school now that you're back. I refuse to go through that ordeal for a second time."

"It's not just that, though, is it?"

He slid his hand across the desk and Hermione hesitated in meeting him halfway. That was surely the only confirmation Matthew needed that his point was an astute one, judging by the way his lips became set in a thin line. Hermione should have known that he was going to pick up on her nerves. He'd always been able to read her like an open book, just like the one that was no longer providing her with any protection from the discussion about to take place.

Matthew hadn't been back for a long time and, during that period, there'd be a constant deluge of people looking to talk to him or their friendship group. As a result, that meant they hadn't been given the chance to spend any of that time on their own, just the two of them. There was, of course, a reason for that, as they savoured the sensation of being a trio once again. But now that they were alone, Hermione couldn't ignore the slight awkwardness between the pair as they tried to recapture what had been lost.

"Because I appreciate all the effort you're going to," Matthew continued. "And I understand why you're doing it. It's just that I'm not going to throw away this second chance, regardless of this support. I want to be a proper student at Hogwarts and I'll be damned if I don't get that. So you don't need to worry. We were already working well ahead of the curriculum before I was expelled, so there isn't actually a lot to catch up on."

"It doesn't hurt to make sure, though."

"You're right. But we've been through this before, when you were taking exams far too seriously and were risking pushing me and Harry away. We were able to strike a balance back then, and we can manage it again. Although I don't think that's necessary this time around."

"Why not?"

"Because you're not solely using this revision for my benefit. You're stalling from what's actually bothering you."

He was giving her one of his patented earnest looks. Hermione considered looking away, reducing the power he held over her. But what was the point in avoiding the problem? She'd seen for herself just how quickly life could be torn apart, which meant there was no use in wasting time. So she steeled herself, taking a long breath before returning his gaze with the same level of sincerity.

"I love you."

The blunt comment was enough to shock him, which was worth saying it on its own. But a pressure was lifted from her chest at the same time, a weight from her shoulders. She was able to smile as a result, close to laughing at Matthew's dumbstruck nature. It wasn't very often that the boy was left with nothing to say, but it seemed he could sense that she needed to continue uninterrupted.

"I…I never got to say that to you before…before you were taken from me. And it was one of the biggest regrets of my life that, for some reason, I waited. And then it was too late. So I didn't want to risk missing out again. I love you. Those are your words now."

"I must admit that I…I was worried that you were going to say something else. Something a lot less…brilliant."

"You thought I was going to break up with you?"

"I have to acknowledge that you've done six months of growing up that I wasn't a part of. You've been through a lot. And that's enough to change someone. I thought…I thought you might have changed so much that your feelings weren't the same anymore."

"You're forgetting that what I've been through…everything I've done since I lost you…has been done with your memory at the forefront. I never stopped loving you, despite the fact that you weren't by my side."

"I suppose I shouldn't have worried so much, although it's easier to say that afterwards. But I've got to tell you that I can't wait to get to know the person you are now, Hermione. Even if you're still as obsessed with revision as ever."

She risked a smile. "I might consider giving you a break from that."

His eyes lit up. "What are you planning?"

"Something that Madam Pince better not find out about."