A/N: Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Schools started back up and I've been concentrating on other things, y'know? Anyway, once again, constructive criticism would be appreciated. Thanks for all the feedback so far :]

Chapter Four

Draco's POV

A couple of days had past had I forgotten completely about the incident. The more I considered it the less of a big deal it became. Not that it mattered. I could avoid her and her clan, the red-headed baboon and Scar-face quite easily (Unless I felt like kicking up trouble, though). The next time we saw each other would be in the Double Potions at the end of the day.

This had only passed through my mind briefly while getting dressed and making sure all my homework was ready for the day ahead. I washed my face in the bathroom sink, letting the sharpness of the cold water expel the vague figures in from my dreams that were slipping into my thoughts.

I looked in the mirror and I quickly examined myself as I run my wet hands through my hair. I could feel the cold droplets running down my scalp as I left the bathroom and headed to the stairs into the common room, a large space closed in by grey stone walls.

The armchairs where of a dark and lush green, the tables of a deep mahogany and the paintings that adorned the walls were framed with light weight wood painted a shining silver. A few of the students who woke up earlier were seated along the long, black leather couch, going over their notes and summaries for what I assumed was a History of Magic class test. The deep purple of the carpet looked black in the poor lighting. I quickly refilled my ink jar before heading down into the great hall.

I had left a little earlier than usual, and the difference those few minutes made was evident. I walked down the almost deserted school passageways, the cold air and the sound of distant movement gave an eerie effect as I headed up the stone steps on my way the great hall. I had purposefully left Crabbe and Goyle behind, because I my patience was wearing thin with their neanderings.

If I at least got to eat breakfast by myself, I'm sure I'd have more tolerance towards them during the day. Maybe I'd even find them amusing.

The usual bustle of the Great Hall seemed dulled. As I surveyed the long tables I realized that not even two thirds of the students were there yet. I headed over to the Slytherin table, and put some toast on my plate. I spread a generous amount of apricot jam on the toast, so it tasted almost like my mum used to make it when I was younger.

She stopped doing that a long time ago. She barely smiles. Not like she ever smiled often, but these days she's becoming more sullen and unhappy. I think I'll send her an owl tonight, finding out how she's doing. I'm sure she'd like that.

As I was thinking about the letter, one of the fourth years came to sit a seat away from me. I looked up for a second, just to see her look down at her empty plate shyly. I wasn't in a particularly friendly mood, even by my standards, so I went back to concentrating on my toast.

I left the crusts on my plate and started picked up my satchel, which was made from a dark brown leather, meticulously stitched with an intricately decorated silver buckle, bearing the Malfoy family crest. I ran my thumb over the buckle briefly, before undoing the straps and reaching inside to find one of the books

I had stumbled across in the library. "An Extensive History of Herbs and Their Properties" Unfortunately the book wasn't as extensive as I'd hoped, and mainly covered healing properties and use as flavouring in cooking. I was hoping to start with the writing assignment we were presented by Professor Sprout two days ago, that we were meant to hand in on Friday. I sighed. "I'll have to get another, I suppose" I thought to myself. This didn't really bother me though; I was beginning to grow fond of the solitude in the library. The harsh whispers of the Slytherin common room were beginning to take their and made me feel frustrated and irritable.

As I was lost in thought, I noticed every one was getting up and heading towards their first lessons of the day. I quickly threw the book back into my bag and did up the straps again, this time disregarding the buckle.

I hastily looked over to the Gryffindor table, where I saw that freckled Weasel fall out of his seat in the effort to pack his bag and simultaneously get up from the table. I chuckled to myself. There are some things that you can't help but let them cheer you up.

I got up from the table smoothly and as I left the dining hall I yelled; "Nice move, Weasely," Ron's cheeks lit up as he scowled at me and Potter was fuming. Hermione just shook her head as she cleaned up the ink spill Ron had caused when he fell over. It was the same spell she had used a few days ago, I noted. I headed though the massive double doors and on my way to Charms class.