Hermione looked around for Ron and Harry, desperately hoping their timetables crossed with hers. Hermione knew that they had both dropped Potions, but was at least hoping that their Defence Against the Dark Arts and Care of Magical Creatures crossed over. She could not spot them which probably meant they were still asleep. Hermione glanced at her watch; it was almost half past seven. Classes started at 9:00. Deciding she couldn’t wait for Harry and Ron to wake up, she headed towards the Great Hall for breakfast. It was packed with its usual pleasantries, which pulled at Hermione’s heartstrings knowing who prepared it. If it was ready by half seven, who knows what time the house elves were up preparing it? Hermione had almost given up on her SPEW campaign as no one seemed to care about it, not even the house elves, but her mindset on the matter still stood. If she were to ever revisit the cause again, it would be after she graduated from Hogwarts, she just couldn’t find the time to pay it any attention during her NEWTs year. Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped herself to some toast. She glanced up to see Malfoy sat right across from her. Her stare lingered for a moment, watching him not touch the food laid out in front of him. He looked forlorn, a rare thing for Malfoy, as he was usually surrounded by his group of Slytherin friends. He seemed to be staring at the table but had a faraway look about him, as if he was too deep in his thoughts. Hermione wished she had a gold galleon to throw at him, but something told her Draco was not looking to sell his thoughts. Why was she so intrigued by him? She thought. It was as if she wanted to help him, even though he didn’t deserve it. Suddenly, Draco’s silvery grey eyes met Hermione’s brown ones, and Hermione quickly looked away. Her heart was thundering, she picked up her water and took a swig to calm the tune of her heartbeat down. At that moment, Ron and Harry walked into the Hall and joined Hermione for breakfast. She tried to hide her red face.