In the Eye of the Dragon

In the Eye of the Dragon
Chapter Two

The first few weeks passed uneventfully, with the exception of the first. The Sixth year at Hogwarts is the year where students choose the courses they need for their career after Hogwarts. And so for the first week of school, students are forced to put their entire future on the line to choose their courses.

Draco still had not decided what he wanted to do. His life of wealth and luxury had never given him enough reason to think seriously about the future, and so in a hurry to sign up, he had chosen the subjects he thought were important: Defense Against the Dark Arts, because it had become significantly important with Voldemort’s return; Arithmancy, because it was difficult and important to most Ministry positions; Potions, because of Snape; Transfiguration, despite his enormous dislike of McGonagall, because it was quite useful; Charms, because it could never hurt; and Astronomy, simply because he liked it. As an extra, he signed up for Muggle Studies. It was an extracurricular course, as no one ever signed up for it. Muggles and most half-bloods didn’t need it, and very few pure-bloods cared. Malfoy signed up for it in a rebellious streak to spite his father. His father’s hatred of Muggles had led him straight to Azkaban, shaming the family name.

Once the schedules had been sorted out, he once again fell into the boring routine that was school. While he had never found school terribly interesting at the best of times, he had certainly enjoyed it more than he was currently. The news of his father being arrested had circulated quickly and unopposed, being a rather prominent article in the reformed Daily Prophet, and so Draco found that a lot of the influence he had had in previous years was gone, and others noticed that even his usual swagger and arrogance had diminished.

And it was all thanks to the Amazing Harry Potter. Thankfully, Potter and his pet Weasley were not in any of his classes. They might’ve had the same classes, but thankfully for Draco, were at different times. He could not escape Granger though. She had the exact same classes as he did, but Draco hoped without her entourage she would at least be sufferable. At least, she wouldn’t have anyone to stand up for her.

***

Draco ran down the hall, already late for Transfiguration. As he entered the classroom, he was met with stares and a stern glare from Professor McGonagall.

“Five points from Slytherin, Mr. Malfoy. Please find a seat,” she said, as he frantically looked for an empty seat. Unfortunately for him, the only seat in the class was directly adjacent to Hermione. Resigning himself to his fate, he sat down. Hermione didn’t even give him a sideways glance as she wrote out notes for transfiguring pigs into various forms of rugs. Draco was slightly surprised at her ignorance, but decided he didn’t feel like arguing with her, so he took out his notebook and started copying the notes.

At the end of class, however, he only had half the notes given. While the class was packing their things away, he looked at Hermione, still ignoring him.

“May I borrow your notes, Granger?” he asked, expressionless. She looked at him for the first time that class.

“Why?”

“Well, I only got half the notes. I figured a goody know-it-all like yourself would take good notes.” He mentally scolded himself for insulting her.

“Oh, gee, Malfoy, that really makes me want to help you now.” She rolled her eyes and resumed packing her bag.

“Look, I’m sorry, alright? Can I just borrow your notes? I’ll return them at dinner tonight,” he bargained. She watched him closely, debating her answer.

“Fine. No later than dinner though. I expect them back. And make sure they’re in the same condition as they are now. Any large ink blotches or rips, and you will permanently lose use of what is undoubtedly one of Pansy’s favourite of your body parts.” She gave him a look that clearly explained this, not that he needed any further warning. She reached into her bag and pulled out her notebook.

“Granger, you will have your notes back by dinner, in perfect condition.” She handed him the pages she had just written, and gave him one last look before leaving. Draco shook his head in frustration and left quickly, not wanting to be late for his next class.

***

After frantically copying out Hermione’s notes during the afternoon break, he was able to return them at dinner. Since Hogwarts students were allowed to wear normal clothes after classes were finished, either of wizard or Muggle fashion, almost everyone had changed. As he approached Hermione and her bodyguards, he noticed that she was once again dressed in that same grungy fashion she had on the train. That image of her still haunted his thoughts, even though it was nearing two months into the term. She was wearing baggy jeans, her twine jewellery was on, and her hair tied back. She also wore a baggy jumper with a hood on it. It had some sort of logo on it which Draco found confusing, but he ignored it.

“Here are your notes, Granger,” he said, holding the notes towards her. She looked up, the same bored expression on her face as the one she had given him in the classroom. Of course, the sound of his voice had also alerted the troops, and Potter and Weasley looked up immediately.

“What do you want, Malfoy?” asked Ron, completely oblivious to his earlier statement. Harry stayed silent, keeping a close eye on Draco.

“I’ve come to give Granger her notes back. I hardly think that requires both of you. Do you want to check for poison? Maybe some mutating dust? Secret hexes? Grow up.” He handed Hermione her notes and went back to the Slytherin table. Hermione managed to catch his eye, and silently mouthed the word “thanks” before going back to her conversation. Draco watched her for a short while, then left to go to the library.