Chapter 8
The days seemed to fly in a flash and it wasn't long before Harry realised he'd completed his first week back. When he's reached the hall just before dinner arrived his friends had already planned a trip to Hogsmead.
"Ronald you better be ready by 8 because I won't wait around for you!" Hermione declared.
"Don't worry 'Mione" he said over a mouthful of roast chicken "the sooner I get out of that room the better, it's Zabini, and his 'I'm so much better than you' look on his face, you know sometimes I have to actually stop myself from punching him. God knows how you've lasted this long Har, with the ferret."
But it's hadn't been like that at all for Harry. He and Malfoy never really spoke or looked at each other. It kind of boring, no sarcastic remarks or biting insults, Harry barely saw Malfoy in the room and when he did it was either bedtime, in the morning when they rushed to breakfast or the odd time when Harry walked in when Malfoy was studying.
During his sudden drift into ha thoughts, he hadn't realised that Ron was looking at him expectantly, waiting for some sort of reply.
"Oh uh yeah, haven't really spoken to each other, he just ignores me most of the time."
Ron's bushy brows raised in surprise.
"You don't think he's planning something do you? Because if he is you need to get out of there mate-"
"Ron!" Hermione nudged him.
"What?!"
"Maybe he's just concentrating on his school work? Like you should be! It must be hard coming back, nobody's really been particularly kind to the Slytherins."
Harry agreed with Hermione, he didn't hate Malfoy or the Slytherins. In some way he actually felt sorry for them, they were simply on the wrong side of a horrendous war. They were all simply children trying to survive.
They spent the rest of dinner discussing what they were going to do at the village the next day.
***
The next morning Harry woke up, at what seemed like the crack of dawn, to two soft paws prodding his abdomen. Malfoy's black and white cat gave him a charming blink and curled herself snuggle next to him. Harry couldn't help but smile and smooth the silky fur as he drifted back to sleep.