Hermione.

He thinks about her a lot, in spite of everything.

Her grades are falling, and if that isn't a sign of things being very wrong, he doesn't know what is.

She passes him a note in Potions, but it lands on Dean's desk and goes up in flames. Gryffindor loses ten points and nine pairs of eyes glare in his direction.

She's never alone.

Neither is he, of course.

Malfoy rolls his eyes. "So talk to her. Want us to stand guard?"

He shakes his head.

There has to be a better way. He just doesn't know it yet.