Harry was not the most intuitive fellow, which was proven time and time again. If it was just him, Harry would've never found out the common denominator to his nightmares.

One could only thank god for Hermione.

She asked Harry to write out an extensive list of absolutely everything he had done on the days without nightmares (which was easy, considering how few there were). Once completed, she began her intense study of comparing the long peices of parchment, looking for anything that might be even vaguely connected.

She had been silent so long, that Harry began to fear that it was just as he had guessed, that the nightmares were random, or that it was revolved around something each day missed, rather than had. His worries were cleared when Hermione snapped her head up from the parchments, a fire in her eyes.

She said nothing, only reaching over to grab a different colored quill, underlying one event ok each parchment. "I believe I have a theory," she said slowly.

"Yes?" Harry ushered. "What is it?"

"It's Malfoy," she said, an air of disbelief in her tone as she handed the lists to Harry. "It's something to do with Malfoy."

Harry pursed his lips. He wanted to deny it, to laugh it off, but the notes clearly showed it was true.

"I think it has to do with skin-on-skin contact," Hermione went on, "Because there's other days where you talk to Malfoy, or brush pass him without touching his skin, and on those days you have nightmares."

"And there's no other relation?"

"Not a thing."

Harry sighed. "Damn."

"Of course, this isn't confirmed just yet," she hummed. "We'll have to do some tests. Just try to brush hands with him and see what happens? And do it a couple days in a row, to ensure it isn't just a coincidence."

Harry nodded. "I think you're right, though."

"I as well," she smiled, "The tests are just a precaution."

"What do I do once it's confirmed, though? Do I just beg Malfoy to let me touch his hand every day?"

"I think talking to him about it would work just fine," Hermione said. "He's been more... reasonable regarding you lately, I've noticed. Less vulgar."

Harry agreed, his hand subconsciously going to rub the words etched onto the back of his hand. It likely had to do with that, he knew. But he didn't know if Malfoy being a tiny bit less of a git because he pitied him was going to be enough for Malfoy to let Harry touch his hand everyday.

If Malfoy said he couldn't do it, then Harry would probably just do it anyway, even if he got hexed for it. But he'd ask first. Best to keep things civil when you can.

Hermione gathered the notes, standing from the library table, Harry doing the same. Hermione sighed as they walked. "What do you think Ron's gonna say?"

"Likely," Harry said, "that I've been cursed by Malfoy."