Dolor Draconum

The Sixth Year has begun, but the events of the Fifth still overshadow it.

And we get underway! Classes start for the term, and the new DADA teacher is introduced.

The first Potions lesson, and Snape takes a malicious pleasure in Hermione's misfortune.

The subsequent DADA lesson, and Hermione's fury.

An encounter in the library goes smoother than expected.

A dream and an early morning meeting,

REVISED

Hermione has a detention, and Malfoy has a Quidditch Match. All in all, a bad day all round.

Hermione meets another Malfoy house elf, and finds out just what happened to her charity case over the summer.

Azkaban, books, and an interesting meeting in the library.

The aftermath.

Hermione isn't avoiding Draco, she absolutely isn't. And Draco isn't hiding anything at all, of course not.

Draco is tucked up in the infirmary, and lies blindly about his injuries. Hermione is unimpressed.

Hermione isn't the only one to visit Draco.

Draco's only sixteen, and he's scared. Ron is wracked with guilt.

Draco gets good news and bad news, in that order.

Christmas morning and Draco and Terry have an 'interesting' little chat.

The rest of the morning, presents, fights and all.

Hermione needs someone to run an errand for her.

The errand gets run, though most of the running is in and out of trouble.

With the stress of the approaching term looming over them, Hermione and Draco have a bitter fight.

It's the beginning of a new term, but old quarrels raise their heads.

In which others contemplate the results of Harry and Hermione's quarrel, and Draco asks a certain question.

In which Draco wonders why he's back in lessons, and Ron, Ginny and Harry find out why he wasn't in the first place.

Valentine's day finally arrives.

Hermione has made her choice, and no matter how much she wants to back down and wish it all away, she has to go through with it.

It's Valentie's Day, and those not included in Draco and Hermione's date discuss what might be going on.

Hermione suffers from a guilty conscience, and the others have to make a hard decision.

Hermione finds out about Lucius, and Draco doesn't take kindly to her concern.

In which it all falls to pieces.

Hermione is fine. Fine, I tell you. Absolutely fine. Not upset at all. Coping just perfectly. Fine and dandy. Doesn't need a guy like that in her life. Doesn't need a guy at all. Of course she'll be Ron's girlfriend.

Both adults and teenagers have two unavoidable truths. For adults: Death and Taxes. For teens: Death and Exams. In amongst the studying and the panicking Hermione has a revelation and Draco finds himself faced with a decision.

Malfoy's behaviour is getting rather... odd. People are beginning to notice, and to talk. But he doesn't really care any more, because he won't be around to listen for much longer.

Harry hunts Hermione down, and they talk about Malfoy. Hermione makes a huge admission.

Harry and Draco find themselves in detention together, under the less-than-watchful eye of Professor Kelp. Draco finally gets the message he's been waiting for, and is even provided the impetus to make one of the most important decisions of his life by Harry.