Hermione paced the girls domitory. What happened to Malfoy? Did he convince the deatheaters he was one of them to let Harry and Ron escape. Did he escape?

Ever since their short interactions in the library began, Hermione knew Malfoy had changed. She found it difficult to believe he would still be associated with any of the death eaters. Her faith was put to test that morning when she, Harry and Ron, entered the great hall for breakfast and found Malfoy sitting at the Slytherin table looking perfectly normal.

He didn't look up from his breakfast and was in dee conversation with Pansy who was talking rapidly in excitement.

"Malfoy is back too?" Ron asked looking confused. "I thought you said he was in trouble."

"Maybe he talked his way out." Hermione said, her eyes fixed on Malfoy as they took their place at the Gryffindor table.

"Slimy git." Ron muttered as an owl dropped a letter in front of Ron.

"Your secret admirer?" Harry asked. "I wondered why we didn't hear from her in a while."

Ron ripped open the envelope and began to read the letter out to Harry and Hermione. Hermione snapped her attention away from Malfoy and directed it to Ron.

Dear Ron,

I'm so glad to hear you are ok. I'm sorry I haven't sent you an owl since our last exchange. I was afraid you weren't too happy when I revealed my identity. I understand.

I just wanted to check in and make sure you are ok. If there is anything I can do for you, just send me an owl.
Hope to hear from you again,

Love,
Lisa Conner

P.S: You looked great in the Chudly Cannon uniform on Halloween.

Ron finished reading it and looked up at Harry and Hermione in amazement. Hermione grabbed the letter from his hand and read the letter again.

"She can't have known." Hermione gasped. "Even if someone in Hogwarts told her, she can't have known what you look like."

"So she has to be a student" Harry said scanning the great hall, but there was no point. He didn't even know what to look for.

After breakfast they made their way to Defence against the dark arts class which was now taught by Professor Jeffery Bishop.

Bishop was a quiet and kindly professor who reminded Harry a lot of Lupin. He was better dressed than Lupin but his matter of teaching was the same. Professor Bishop was also substituting Professor Slughorn in portions class which was a nice change for Harry who didn't have to worry about Slughorn dropping another dinner invite.

"I'm so glad to see you three ok." Bishop said, smiling kindly, the moment Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the classroom.

"But you already have so much experience fighting dark arts, I suppose this class would be very futile." Bishop added with a laugh. Harry gave him a polite smile before they took a seat at the back.

"I think I better write back to this 'Lisa Conner'" Ron said suddenly. His ears were a bit pink as he said his and he avoided Hermione's eye.

"Bad idea." Hermione said coldly, not looking at him but clearly sensing the source of his curiosity.

"What do you think, Harry?" Ron said turning to Harry desperate for some support.

Harry wasn't listening. He realised he was only a desk away from Malfoy. Who was looking unusually cheerful and was sitting next to Pansy. Without saying a word, Harry grabbed his bag and quickly slid into a desk closer to Malfoy when Professor Bishop's back was turned.

Malfoy noticed the sudden movement and raised his eyebrows. "Eager student are we?" He muttered.

"Not as much as you." Harry whispered back. "Went running back to the dark side the instant opportunity arose didn't you."

Malfoy clenched his fists but didn't say anything. When class ended, Malfoy was the first one out the door.

"What was that all about?" Ron asked as he and Hermione caught up with Harry.

"Something is wrong." Harry said frowning at the direction Malfoy disappeared to. "He didn't deny going to the dark side."

"That's not unusual. Slimy git was always proud about it." Ron said.

"But it's different this time. He had changed." Harry told Ron. "When I spoke to him in Diagon alley I saw the good in him." Ron scoffed when Harry said "good"

"Maybe Lisa knows something about him. I could send her an owl and try to find out." Ron suggested suddenly.

Hermione rolled her eyes and said "I'm going to nip into the library before the next class. Don't send Lisa another owl before telling me first." she added to Ron before disappearing down the corridor.

"What's up?" Harry asked Ron seriously "why do you want to talk to Lisa so badly?"

Ron went red. "I don't- I thought we could use her obsession to get information about Malfoy."

"I'm not sure how helpful she would be." Harry said flatly feeling irritated with Ron.

"But if she really is a student, she could spy on him for us." Ron insisted. "You have seen all the gifts! She really likes me!"

Harry shook his head. "Let's just focus on Slughorn for now. I hope the minister has something."

"You sent him an owl only this morning. I bet he wouldn't have time to reply today." Ron said.

*******

By the end of the day, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat by the fire in the Gryffindor common room. They were all exhausted but forced themselves to pull out their books and start their homework.

"I need four more inches to finish this essay." Ron moaned. "I don't see how four inches makes a difference."

Hermione pulled his parchment towards her and began to check his work. "I think you need more than four inches. You think professor Bishop won't notice you repeated some lines?"

"Flitwick didn't!" Ron protested but Hermione pushed the parchment back to him and he began making changes with a grouchy face.

"A ministry owl!" Harry said jumping to his feet, sending his ink bottle flying across his homework. Harry dashed to the window to let the owl in and quickly untied the letter from its leg.

Harry,

Still no sign of Slughorn or any of the deatheaters. The Aurors are working day and night. We will find them.

Kingsley Shacklebolt,
Minister for magic.

P.S: Stay in public eye for as long as you can, don't wander anywhere alone and don't leave the castle under any circumstances even to meet Hagrid. Same goes to Ron and Hermione.

Harry read the letter twice before passing it to Ron and Hermione.

"Why can't we leave the castle?" Ron asked. "The castle can't protect us from Salem magic."

For once Hermione didn't have an answer. She just sat next to Harry and Ron with a worried expression as she used Flitwick's spell to return the ink into the bottle without staining the homework.

******

What do you think of Lisa Conner? Is she friend of foe?

Malfoy is back but something has changed. This might not be good.

Hope you liked this chapter!
Stay tuned for more! 😜