Chapter 11
"Brilliant essay Harry, very insightful my boy."
Professor Slughorn exclaimed as he handed Harry his graded paper. Harry felt Hermione's penetrating gaze on him in an instant.
"You hadn't even started it when we spoke about it, how on earth did you do it all? And do it well? You haven't found that book again have you? Because Harry that is so danger-"
"No Hermione. That book was destroyed in the room of requirement. Someone gave me some tips that's all."
Apparently at this Rons interest peaked.
"Who? You haven't got someone new in your life that you haven't told us about have you?" He said with a wink.
"No no, just Malfoy, he saw that I was struggling probably and gave me a few helpful pointers."
Ron's mouth had opened in agape, and Hermione said nothing but turned around to look at the blonde who was sitting four tables behind them.
"Why on earth would he help you? You need to be careful mate, he's a right snake in the grass if you ask me."
He didn't know why but Harry felt quite annoyed by that comment.
"Look, it doesn't matter, let's just move on alright."
Thankfully the rest of their potions lesson ran smoothly with no sly digs at Draco Malfoy. It got Harry thinking though, it wasn't just Ron who had hostile feelings towards the Slytherin or any Slytherin for that matter. He noticed that Slughorn had said nothing to Malfoy when he gave his essay back. Harry knew it must have been miles better than his, Malfoy had always been really good at potions.
When the lesson ended he knew he had to do something about it, what he didn't actually know. While most people started to exit, Harry made sure to pack his things away slowly.
"I'll catch up with you!" He called to his friends.
He knew Malfoy would be one of the last to leave because he'd always packed his potion things away with care. Before he could get too nervous, he approached him.
"Thank you again, for helping me. I know the professor didn't say anything about your essay, which I know is miles better than mine. It's really unfair, you should talk to the headmistress about it."
Draco looked up quite startled, as if he couldn't quite believe that Potter was talking to him in public. The surprise faded quickly though, and practiced coolness took its place.
"It's okay Potter, I'm used to it. Besides you can hardly blame anyone but me, a lot of people were lost in the war."
That angered Harry slightly, the fact that Draco just took the treatment he was receiving.
"That's not your fault, you know that don't you? Your name isn't Tom Riddle, you didn't start this."
"Honestly Potter, don't get so worked up. I've got to go, I'll be late otherwise."
And he went, just like that, and Harry knew what he was going to to, to stop the boredom. Save Draco Malfoy.