Draco Malfoy's behaviour just got stranger and stranger as the year went on.

This became evident during the end of yet another disastrous Potions lesson.

"Longbottom, what is this supposed to be?"

I looked up fearfully at the greasy haired professor who had paused at my cauldron, peering down his hooked nose disdainfully at it's contents.

Several sniggers rose up from the Slytherins. They loved to see me get humiliated by Snape.

"The Draught of Peace," I said in a small trembling voice.

"Tell me, Longbottom," Snape said softly, "can you read?"

"Yes, I can," I said, my voice shaking as the sound of the Slytherins laughter grew louder.

"Read the third line of the instructions for me, Longbottom."

Oh. As soon as I looked up at the blackboard, I realised I had missed a line. My heart sank.

"Worthless, as usual, Longbottom," Snape sighed, waving his wand so that the contents of my cauldron vanished. "Start again, you are not leaving this classroom until you have perfected it."

"But- but the lesson is about to end," I said, panic rising in my chest. It was Defence Against the Dark Arts next and I had already been in trouble for being late once before.

"It seems that your hearing is just as bad as your eyesight, Longbottom," Snape sneered. "Now read my lips: you do not leave my classroom until you've made the perfect Draught of Peace."

"But Professor Umbridge will give me a detention!" I cried desperately. "Please, sir, I just can't be late!"

"Then perhaps this will teach you to learn to read my instructions properly in future," Snape said cruelly before sweeping away to the front of the classroom. "Everyone bar Longbottom pack your things away and move onto your next class." His black eyes pierced into mine. "I expect to find a vial of Draught of Peace on my desk when I return. And be warned Miss Longbottom, I will find a punishment far worse than Professor Umbridge could ever come up with if I find it is less than perfect!"

I gulped, turning to Hermione in a panic, who just shrugged her shoulders apologetically. "I'm sorry, Neve," she whispered furtively, "I can't be late for Umbridge either. She's already cross at me for questioning her teaching techniques."

I felt sick, I didn't want to cut my hand open. Nor did I want to see what cruel punishment Snape had up his sleeve.

Tears of fear prickled behind my eyes.

Slowly, everyone started to disappear, and I hurried to the supplies cupboard, frantically trying to find all the ingredients; but fear and anxiety causing me to hyperventilate instead.

"It's powdered moonstone you need," a drawling voice spoke from behind me, making me jump, "not opal."

I spun round and came face to face with none other than Draco Malfoy, who leant past me to grab what I only could presume was the moonstone.

The closeness caused me to catch a whiff of his cologne and I had to make an effort not to visibly shiver.

"M-Malfoy," I stuttered, "what-?"

"Come on," he interrupted in a brusque and demanding manner, "if I help, you'll get it done quicker - and then maybe Umbridge'll go easy on you."

I quickly glanced over at Snape's desk, and was relieved to see he was no longer there. I somehow didn't think he'd approve if I received help.

Standing back, I let Draco pretty much make the potion for me, watching him in stunned silence, wondering why he was helping, but too baffled to try and ask again.

I couldn't take my eyes off him as he prepped and stirred in the ingredients, his face set in a permanent scowl of concentration as his fingers worked expertly and with confidence. It was almost hypnotic.

"There you go," he murmured, stepping back after only ten minutes, handing me a vial of turquoise blue potion. "Perfect."

His silver eyes met mine and, for a fraction of a second, the air stilled between us.

"W-why would you do this?" I asked, hesitantly taking the small glass bottle from him. "I thought you lived to see me get humiliated?"

Something flickered in his eyes and he gave an awkward shrug. "I know what happens in Umbridge's detentions."

I swallowed, aware that my heart was beating far too fast than was considered healthy.

"Thank you," I whispered, my eyes not leaving his.

"You better go," he murmured after a beat, his eyes casting downwards as he hurriedly pulled his satchel over his shoulder before striding silently from the room.

I didn't need telling twice and quickly dumped the potion on Snape's desk before grabbing my things and hurrying out too.

*****

To my luck, everyone was still settling into their desks when I arrived at Defence Against the Dark Arts; sweaty and breathless from having sprinted all the way there.

Umbridge's back was to the class as she filled out the blackboard in front of her, and I managed to fly into my seat just in the nick of time before she turned to face us.

I let out a sigh of relief when it appeared she hadn't noticed my late arrival.

When my fearful heart returned to it's normal pace, I allowed myself to come to a confusing - yet not unpleasant - realisation.

Draco Malfoy, the boy who had, up until recently, bullied me and made my life hell; had just saved me from an evening of torture.

And his hair was getting better and better.

*****