"Excuse me," he said tautly and pushed his chair back, stood with the quick grace of a Seeker. His fingers twitched at his side, and his head was bowed, shoulders hunched up around his ears as he retreated from Hermione's steady, wounded gaze. The meeting had devolved into outright arguing – a heated, petty battle of words – and apart from Hermione, no one but Ginny noticed Draco's abrupt exit. An ache tightened in Hermione's chest as Draco disappeared into the cellar, shooting her a hunted look over his shoulder before he vanished into the darkness.