Ennui

Draco woke up the next morning, his body still humming beautifully. Unfortunately for his peace of mind, he didn’t have nearly enough sleep. Two hours is not enough to rest before facing the first day of school. Draco honestly did not want to sit through another bunch of first year’s sorting ceremony. It was long and boring.

Draco went through his morning ablutions and tried- unsuccessfully to keep his mind off of his encounter the previous night. He usually wasn’t one to analyze certain events, and when pleasure was offered, he took it. But last night was different and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it-yet.

Draco walked into the Great Hall, took his seat, and served himself his usual; strawberries, cherries, some chocolate chip pancakes, and whipped cream. It wasn’t a conventional breakfast, but is’ what he liked and one of the few thinks in which he allowed himself to indulge. He was about halfway through when two very recognizable voices caught his attention.

“Harry, you weren’t in your room last night like you said you’d be.”

“And how would you know that, Hermione?”

Draco didn’t look over or give any indication that he was shamelessly eavesdropping.”

“Because Harry, when I knocked on your door, you didn’t answer. When I tried to enter your door was locked. So, you weren’t there.”

“Nice bit of deductive work there, Sherlock, however. If my door was locked and you couldn’t get in, how do you know whether I was really out of my rooms last night or not?”

Draco was deliciously amused to see Hermione, know-it-all extraordinaire actually flounder for an answer. He heard Harry let out a small, resigned sigh. He must have had this conversation, or at least variants of it before.

“Hermione, I told you I wanted to be alone last night, and that is what I meant. It was not some encrypted invite for you to come bother me. Next time, don’t take it as such please. When I say I want to be alone, I really want to be alone.”

“Harry, it’s not right to be alone for so long. You really should spend more time with your friends.”

Draco took another bite from his breakfast. Harry Potter just ripped into one of his best friends-well, as much as he could without actually being rude. And Hermione actually looked guilty at what her friend said. She wasn’t angry with Potter for ignoring her, or maybe lying and really being gone, no she was felt guilty for not listening to his request.

The rest of breakfast was uneventful, no more arguments. He was about to leave the Great Hall when he heard footsteps behind him. Instinctively, he knew who it was. Draco would privately swear he had a sixth sense when it came to Potter.

“Malfoy, wait up. May I have a moment of your time, please?” Draco graciously stopped and waited for Potter to catch up, not turning around of course.

“What is it you want, Potter? You have only a moment.”

“I was speaking with Headmaster Dumbledoor and we thought it would be a good idea to combine the seventh year Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms classes.”

Now Draco looked at Harry, absolutely convinced he’d gone mental. Students arrived at school that day, classes started in two days-as it was Saturday-and Potter was only now bringing up a schedule change of this magnitude? Absolutely mental.

“I know it’s short notice,” Harry ignored Draco’s muttering, ‘more like no notice,’ and continued talking.

\"However, I didn’t really come up with the idea myself until just a few days ago. It’s me this long to hammer out the minor details with the headmaster. It wouldn’t be too hard to rearrange the schedules. It’s just a matter of moving everybody’s study period around. And it wouldn’t be all four houses at once. It’s the same, two houses at a time, just Charms and DADA together.”

“Why?” That was impressive, but considering Draco was still processing the information, it was all he could get out.

“Well, last year, how much did you seventh years really know? How prepared were they in DADA? If they were anything like my Charms students, then they were lucky to even pass. Since Voldemorts’ death, many families aren’t preparing their children. They believe they’re safe, and it’s not necessarily true. People aren’t taking Defense training seriously anymore. And Charms is a large part of DADA. One must learn to cast and block different spells, charms, curses and hexes. Putting the two classes together will ensure everyone has some real practical experiences, and maybe, hopefully, they’ll be prepared for the real world.”

Draco could understand the practicalities and the reasons, but he was very reluctant. He and Harry may not fight as viciously as when they were students, but they weren’t exactly friends, more like friendly enemies.

“Give me some time to think on it. When do I need to get back to you with my answer?” Draco would think about it, because the idea did have merit. But, it probably wasn’t something to which he’d agree.

Harry tilted his head to the side slightly, something he did when he was seriously thinking about an answer.

“Um, since all the details and scheduling have already been sorted out, I’d say tomorrow morning at the latest. Then, that’ll give us the rest of Sunday, then any free time we have on Monday and Tuesday to work on a curriculum for the classes. We‘ll have to fill you in on the schedule, since the classes are combined, they‘ll be twice as long as one class. Wednesday will be Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and Thursday Gryffindor and Slytherin. Fridays would be both classes, but they will be just one class time in length.” Harry trailed off, then left.

“Professor Malfoy.” The quiet voice startled Draco. However, he didn’t show any of the surprise he felt. Draco turned and faced Severus Snape.

“Professor Snape. Good morning sir.”

“Yes, yes. Come walk with me.” Without waiting for a response, the Potions Master left in a billow of black robes. He was walking towards the dungeons. Draco didn’t was to go to the cold, damp dungeons. Sighing his robes tighter around himself, he followed his former professor. They went through the potions class and into Snape’s office.

“Draco how was your summer?”

Draco narrowed his eyes at the question. He wasn’t surprised at the familiarity Snape took with his name. He was always less formal with Draco in private. No, he was surprised at what the Potion’s Master asked. Severus never inquired into Draco’s free time. He didn’t openly show concern or interest so bluntly. They were usually subtler. Suspicion lacing his every word, Draco answered.

“It was fine thank you. How was yours?”

Snape poured some tea, a cup for himself and Draco. Unlike the headmaster, Snape never asked if a person wanted some or not. He really didn’t care and most of the meetings in his office were too short or unwanted for it anyway. This was one of his more subtle ways of showing concern and hospitality. So, Draco got a cup of tea.

“Blessedly silent. Did you do anything of interest?”

Again Draco’s more suspicious nature rose up.

“I’m sure you’d find nothing I did of any interest.”

Severus smiled and took sip of tea. Although, when Draco really thought about it, Severus never truly smiled. It was more of a small smirk, just the corners lifting. It’s probably been such a long time, if ever, since Severus truly smiled, his muscles didn’t remember how.

“I had a most interesting proposition a few days ago.” Severus spoke up, interrupting Draco’s musings. The comment almost caused him to spit out his tea.

Draco cared for the older man, deeply. At times, he was Draco’s only friend. However, at Severus’ statement, a very unwanted mental image flashed through Draco’s mind. He cringed, hopefully only internally. He couldn’t really picture anyone-well; he wasn’t really trying to hard.

“It seems Mr. Potter actually came up with an idea which hold merit. He pointed out how woefully dismal his students were in protections charms, as wells as defensive and offensive charms. He expressed the opinion that, while not the same, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms are complimentary to one another. Have you heard of his suggestion to combine the two seventh year NEWT level classes?”

“Yes, he asked me about it just after breakfast.” Draco didn’t see the need to point out that Severus had heard the entire conversation. He was an unconscionable spy, and eavesdropping on a conversation was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

“Are you considering it seriously?” If Draco hadn’t heard the man’s opinion of the idea earlier, he wouldn’t have been able to tell if Snape was pushing for him to consider it seriously or not.

“I must admit to giving the idea some thought.”

Severus just hummed and continued drinking his tea. Neither man spoke and they finished drinking their tea in a companionable silence. When Draco was done, he thanked Severus and got up to leave.

“Professor.” Draco turned to look at the Potion’s Master, an eyebrow raised in inquiry. \"I believe this is something you should do. Voldemort may be gone, but evil in general isn’t.”

Draco nodded. “I shall consider it seriously and have my answer for the Headmaster by dinnertime tonight.”

“Very good.” Neither one insinuated that they knew Draco already had his answer.

Draco spoke with the Headmaster before dinner that evening. Harry didn’t know the decision yet, and Draco didn’t plan on telling him. So, he sat through the hat’s silly song and the sorting of the new students, until it came time for Headmaster Dumbledoor’s announcements.

“Welcome to another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I’ve a few announcements, some of which many of you know. The Dark Forest is off limits. Stay clear of the Whomping Willow. Mr. Filch has a list of forbidden charms, amulets and other such things. And now, two of our teachers, Professors Malfoy and Potter, have come up with a workable plan to combine the 7th year NEWT classes. The necessary schedule adjustments have been made. Now, enjoy the feast.”

Draco hid his satisfied smirk behind his goblet. It was an absolute pleasure watching a look of complete and utter surprise cross Potter’s face. It was extremely rare these days to catch Potter unaware and unguarded. Draco felt a shiver of pleasure and triumph at having done it.

After dinner, Draco started walking towards his rooms, which were the highest rooms in the eastern most tower. They were so far away and in such an unused section of the castle that all except maybe the ghosts had forgotten they existed. Draco liked the solitary existence. He had just made the turn down the corridor when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He clamped down on any show of surprise before he turned to face Potter. Goodness the man could move as silent as mist.

“ You’ve agreed.” It wasn’t so much a question as a confirmation, so Draco only nodded.

“Good. Now maybe those students will get something more out of these classes than a date for Friday night. When would you like to meet to plan the curriculum?”

Draco watched as Harry spoke and that’s when he noticed something. Actually, it’s something he noticed before, it just never clicked. Harry was keeping a tight leash on his emotions. Draco knew he was pleased with the news of Draco’s acceptance, but he didn’t let anyone see it. Harry was no longer prone to violent outburst, or random acts of happiness and excitement, like he was in school. Even during the war, Harry let his anger and determination show through. But now, he had a tighter hold on his emotions than Severus Snape did, and for some reason, incomprehensible to Draco, this saddened him.

“Draco?” Draco realized that he hadn’t answered Harry’s question yet.

“After breakfast would be fine.”

“Very good.” Harry nodded then turned and walked off, his robes billowing around in a way that was eerily reminiscent of one Potion’s Master.

Draco continued on to his quarters. It was a long trek and gave him ample time to think. First and foremost were the new class arrangements. By the time he’d done his nightly routine and settled into sleep, his thoughts and dreams were of a faceless man with a wicked mouth and talented hands.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

“No, we shouldn’t do that one first. It’s too advanced and complicated. Do you want to kill the students on their first week back?”

Draco rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the headache he could feel coming. He was tired and grumpy, and Harry was not helping matters.

“Look, this thing was your idea. You were the one who said they weren’t being properly prepared. Well, let‘s prepare them. Either you want this or you don‘t. You can‘t say you want them to be ready, then coddle them so they don‘t over tax themselves.”

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he looked at Draco with a distinctly calculating, Slytherin-esque look in his eyes.

“You’re right. Okay, we’ll start with the stronger elemental charms: the freezing, the fire, wind, earth, water, thunder and so on. The students have to realize that charms can be fun, but they aren’t innocent. They have to realize the it isn’t the charms and spells that are dark or light, it is the caster.”

Draco sat back in his chair and let a self-satisfied smirk flit across his lips, until Harry spoke up again.

“However, at the beginning of each class, we’ll start off with a mock duel. It will show, in vivid detail, the charms, defenses and offensives that we are going to teach.”

Draco hesitated. He was an excellent duelist. The fact that he was still alive was testimony to that. But he didn’t know of Harry’s skill. He’d only ever dueled Harry in second year, and he remembered vividly how that one turned out. Still, Harry was alive, so he had to be good.

“Scared, Malfoy?”

Draco looked up at Harry, startled at the silken, black-magic voice. It was so much like Potter from school that the actual words didn’t register. When they did, Draco let the rarely used, Malfoy sneer, settle on his face, and acknowledgement that he too remembered.

“You wish. Fine, I’ll do it. Some ground rules and safety precautions are to be taken of course. It wouldn’t do for either one of us to be injured.”

“Of course.”

Harry and Draco spent the rest of Sunday and their free time on Monday and Tuesday planning the class curriculum for the next two months.

Draco was surprised by just how well he and Harry got along. Sure they argued some about the schedule and exactly how to teach the combined classes, but it wasn’t serious or with any real animosity. Draco actually enjoyed Harry’s company. And he was honestly surprised about it. During their last year in school, they hadn’t fought, but they didn’t become friends. It was a tenuous acceptance of an alliance; sort of “mine enemy’s enemy is my friend.” And the two years after, they had been forced to temporarily bury any residual feelings of dislike towards each other as the battle with the Dark Lord escalated. In those days, everything except the will to survive and the desire to win was forgotten.

Nobody knew how Harry finally defeated Voldemort, but he did. Then Harry promptly went into hiding for the next year. Once a week, his snow-white owl would deliver a handwritten missive that stated he was fine and alive. Then the next anybody saw or heard of Potter, he entered the Great Hall and was announced as the next Charms Professor. Apparently, Professor Flitwick was hit with a curse that left him wounded. It made it harder for him to teach, so he decided to retire.

Draco himself spent a year in seclusion, sorting out his affairs. With his parents gone, Draco now owned all the Malfoy holdings. He had been surprised when Dumbledoor had written and offered Draco the DADA job. Like everyone else, he’d assumed the position would automatically go to Potter. But it didn’t and Draco accepted.

Draco and Harry and taught the year previous, but they never really spoke to one another. Only the cordial nod or perfunctory greetings were offered.

“Professor”

Draco looked up from his papers to answer. He was in his office grading the review quizzed he’d given and while he was grateful for the distraction, Draco wasn’t pleased with who’d come calling. It was Hermione Granger, Arithomancy professor. Draco still didn’t like her. Oh, he admired her talent-grudgingly so-and respected her power, but he didn’t like her.

“Yes Professor? May I help you?” Draco set down his quill and folded his hands on his desk, giving his guest his undivided attention. He did not offer her any tea.

Hermione tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked everywhere but at Draco.

“Have you seen Harry? He said he was going to be going over the lesson plan with you. I came doe here looking for him, thinking maybe he’d be here.”

“As you can see, he’s not. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have papers-” Draco was interrupted by Hermione. She didn’t seem to be listening to what Draco had been saying. She came rushing into his office and sat down in a chair.

“Oh, it’s just that I’m so worried about him. He doesn’t talk to anyone, he secludes himself in his room, and he doesn’t spend any time with Ron or I any more. He’s not been himself since…lately.”

Draco mentally sighed. Just because he wasn’t making fun of her or calling her names didn’t mean Hermione could come crying to him about her problems. Why would he care if Harry wasn’t acting normally? Well, normally for him anyway.

“I just don’t know what to do.”

“What do you expect me to do about it?” It was said in such a sarcastic, facetious manner that anyone, especially someone as smart as Hermione, would have, should have been able to tell Draco really didn’t care.

“Oh, you’ll help? That’s so great.”

“What? No, I never said that. Look, if Potter wants some time to be alone, than let him. He’s had so much publicity and invasions of his privacy that he deserves some time to himself. And if he’s not speaking to you or Weasley, well, I can’t really say I blame him. Furthermore, if he’s not speaking to the two of you, what makes you think he’ll talk with me?”

“Well, he’s spent more time with you in the past two days than he has with Ron and myself the past two years.”

Draco didn’t want to get in the middle of the Golden Trio’s problems. He wasn’t a peacemaker or a relationship repairman. And to top if off, he REALLY COULD NOT CARE ANY LESS. Still, he was surprised to find himself agree to help.

“Look, I’ll ask Potter if anything’s wrong. But that’s it. And if he doesn’t want to talk about it, I won’t push it. It’s his business and if he wants to share, he will when he wants to.”

Hermione jumped up and clapped her hands, a big bright smile on her face. It’s amazing how she could so easily and entirely forgive past transgressions on Draco’s part. True he didn’t honestly do anything violent or dramatically traumatizing to her, but still. Just because he didn’t join up with some over-zealous insane megalomaniac, things were just peachy between them. That still didn’t mean Draco liked the witch.

“Oh, thank you Draco. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

For one horrifying moment, Draco was sure Granger was going to hug him. He let out a heavy, relieved sigh when she only turned and bounced out of the room.

“Damn, why does it have to be me?”




A/N Okay, I know, there’s no gratuitous sex in this chapter. But believe it or not, this was not meant to be a WIP. I wanted a story here. And besides, this just sort of got away from me. I’m having fun here. I’m liking this story. But have no fear; there will be more in the smut department. I have to work up the nerve for it again. I’m almost convinced that first part was a fluke. But, I’m working on it. So, thanks for reading.