“Okay, Hermione, one last time: do *not* go too close to Malfoy. I don’t want him to suspect anything, and more importantly, I’m worried about your safety. Please, stay clear and safe,” Harry said, his voice laced with anxiety. The plan had been replaying in his mind for hours, and a knot of dread tightened in his stomach with each iteration.
“Harry, for the umpteenth time, I know the plan,” Hermione snapped, irritation evident in her tone. “I’ll stay clear, but even if something does happen, I can handle Malfoy on my own. Stop treating me like a child!”
“Shush, guys. The git just entered,” Ron drawled, his voice lazy.
The trio turned their heads in unison. Draco Malfoy stood near the entrance, a smirk playing on his lips. Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott flanked him, Nott practically vibrating with excitement. It was peculiar how Malfoy had begun spending more time with his inner circle. Crabbe and Goyle were rarely seen outside the Great Hall during meals, and their activities beyond that were a mystery. They took a minimal number of subjects and spent most of their time in the Slytherin common room, their lives otherwise unaccounted for.
“Hav tou nobishdd da…” Ron began, but his sentence was cut short by a sharp smack to the arm from Hermione.
“For goodness sake, Ronald! Don’t stuff your mouth with food like you stuff your bag with Chocolate Frogs. And even if you do, *keep it shut*!” she punctuated each word through gritted teeth, then sighed and leaned back in her seat.
Ron looked at her with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. He met Harry’s gaze, and they both burst into laughter. Soon, Hermione joined them, her own laughter bubbling over.
Draco Malfoy was standing at the entrance of the Great Hall. He and Blaise and Theo were working together on this mission, so they always stayed close. As he was about to outline his first strategy, he heard the sound of the golden trio laughing. He turned his head towards their direction and sneered. He loathed those three, and their seemingly carefree lives.
Ron noticed Malfoy’s stare and met his gaze, returning the sneer with one of his own.
Hermione turned, her misty grey eyes meeting Draco’s chocolate brown ones. A flicker of something unreadable passed between them.
She quickly looked away, and Draco did the same.
*Was that emotion in his eyes, or was I imagining things?* Hermione wondered, a shiver running down her spine. *Jealousy?*
*What was that curious look in Granger’s eyes?* Draco thought, his jaw clenching. *Does she suspect something? Damn that brightest witch of her age!*
And at that moment, they turned their heads, their eyes met once more. Utterly embarrassed, they both quickly looked away.
From the teacher’s table, Albus Dumbledore had observed the exchange. A flicker of suspicion crossed his face as he watched the trio’s interaction. He didn’t want Harry to interfere with whatever Draco was up to. Of course he knew Draco was plotting something.