[forty six]

It has been exactly three weeks since Theo and Hermione's conversation in the common room. It's been three weeks since the last fire message. It's been three weeks since they felt threatened.

The first week after that incident in the common room and the tightening of security, they had all been on their toes. Theo's dad did warn them to be ready, and so they were.

Everyone was on their toes. The DA were hyperaware of everyone in the castle, making sure that there were eyes in every nook and cranny. The ministry personnel who were supposed to be conducting career programs for the seventh and eighth years were also jittery. Even the professors seemed to be on a look out.

However, there was nothing.

It was now the first week of February, and although there was still snow on the ground, the days were beginning to feel much warmer.

The Slytherin Quidditch team continued to train their guts out on the pitch three times a week. They had been training so much that Hermione had to switch around the prefects for the evening rounds. Blaise, Pansy, Theo and even Draco were all too tired to patrol.

"There was nothing out of the normal this week, but we'll be sure to be on a look out on this weekend's Hogsmeade trip." Neville assured Harry quietly on breakfast that morning "These new coins have been really great for communicating, Hermione. Thanks."

"My pleasure, Nev." Hermione grinned, but ushered him away as the Slytherins came into the Great Hall just in time to catch breakfast

"Still sore?" Harry smirked at Draco

"That is not a question I ever imagined you to ask Malfoy. ." Ginny scrunched up her nose

"I dont— !" Harry exclaimed, his face turning red "I don't mean it way!"

"You are perverted, Ginny Weasley." Blaise snickered, giving her a fist bump

"Please don't make me lose my appetite. I need to eat up for Yanley's class today." Draco scowled as he filled his plate

"Right. She's making us duel with one another as a test." Ron made a face "We don't even know who we'll be against until we get to class."

"That's kind of the point." Pansy shrugged "You never know who you'll be up against in real life either. If you ask me, I like how she's teaching us applications."

"First class of the day and she's making us each other already." Ron muttered "I hope madame Pomfrey's ready for the influx of students today."

"Worried you'll get your arse kicked, Weasley?" Draco smirked

"Worried I'll kick someone's arse too hard actually. Maybe yours?" Ron gave him a cold smile

"It would actually be if you two ended up against each other." Theo chuckled "I'd pay to see ."

"Five galleons Draco will win." Celine grinned at Theo

"You're making me bet on Weasley?" Theo raised his brows

"!" Ron exclaimed in protest "I can definitely kick his arse in a duel. I'm sure even Hermione will agree with me."

Hermione just smiled at him in amusement "Sure Ron, I believe in you."

"That doesn't sound convincing." Ron scowled

Theo laughed "Alright, five galleons Weasley will win." He shook Celine's hand "Just so I can bet against my best mate for once."

"You're betting on the wrong horse, Nott." Draco warned

"Hey, where are Vik and Elena?" Pansy asked curiously after noticing the absence of their teo Durmstrang friends

"Something about Durmstrang business or whatever." Astoria shrugged "They went to the dungeons."

"Well, I for one, am excited." Hermione said brightly "This will be a good way to gauge if we're well enough for battle."

"Honestly? I'm just excited to see who'll go against Potter and Malfoy." Blaise snickered "They'll probably shit themselves before even being able to cast the first spell."

"They shit themselves." Draco nodded, but Harry just stared at him in disbelief

"I'm honestly just hoping I'll go against Hermione, or Ron." Harry shrugged, which made Hermione frown. She knew she will lose to Harry. Defense Against the Dark Arts was the one and only subject that she knew Harry was better at than her.

"Well, our duel test is still tomorrow. My worry for today is helping Hagrid and that magizoologist from the Ministry." She sighed "I promised him I'd help for his seminar."

"Is anyone even going to attend?" Harry asked, earning him a glare from Hermione "? Nobody really wants to be blasted in the face by a skrewt."

"Or impaled by a Hippogriff." Draco muttered under his breath

"Hey, Buckbeak was a creature." Hermione defended. Even Harry shot Draco a glare, but none of them made the topic larger than it should be.

"Yeah sure." Draco rolled his eyes and stood up to leave "I'll see you all for Yanley's class. I have to prepare."

"Oh it's killed me, " Blaise made such a good impression of third-year Draco that he earned himself a lethal glare from his best friend "Love you, babe!"

"I hope your day , Zabini!" Draco called spitefully as he walked away

"Hey, how's that competition between you two going?" Celine asked Hermione "Is that still on?"

Hermione grinned "Why do you think he's run off to prepare? The man can't take being number two."

"He never could." Pansy agreed with a chuckle

"You're competing to be the first in class?" Ron asked disbelievingly "Why?"

"Because he's Draco Malfoy and I'm Hermione Granger." She shrugged in response "It's what we do."

"I change my mind. I'd pay to see you two battle it out in class." Theo said with an excited gleam in his eyes "You know, everyone has been making bets since Yanley announced the task. A lot of people are going to go broke today."

"Update me on who gets their arse kicked?" Ginny lightly punched Blaise's arm "If you could take photos, that'd be better."

"I gotchu, my BFF." Blaise grinned at her

"Well, I'm off to Hagrid's. See you for lunch." Ginny gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, then spun on her heel to head for Hagrid's hut.

"I'll go check on the hospital wing and make sure madame Pomfrey is ready." Hermione said "Harry? Ron?"

"Yeah, coming." Ron nodded, knowing full well why Hermione wanted them to walk with her.