November 11th 2004

Dear Diary,

Thursday's were Hyacinth's busy day of the week, or at least one of her busy days. Classes were back to back and were majority older students. To some of the other staff this was great, classes were smaller students were more focused as it was an area they were generally interested in, and there was less associated work with the smaller student body. However, Hyacinth, rather much preferred days with the younger students, ensuring that they had strong  foundations to base their magic off. After all, she supposed that was one of the best parts of being such a staple or basic subject. Plus her older year classes weren't the same size that some of the other teachers had. They would often push past 30 students but not to the extent where she needed two classes for each year. 

Her emotions were mixed as she took a break from her elder students. Usually, Hyacinth could be seen grabbing lunch in the main lunchroom during the hour, but for once she had taken refuge in her office attached to her classroom. Her office hours never included her lunch break and therefore, it was the perfect space for her to get some respite away from her job. There was nothing particularly bothering her about the work, rather she loved her job. She loved teaching the students, experiencing their big moments in education and the times where they needed some more support. Thing she had wished had been more available when she had been a student. But there was just some times when she needed a break, which was challenging when she lived at the same place she worked. But what else could she expect as a boarding school teacher. 

Yet her office door did open and Hyacinth had to pull herself together from where she slouched across the couch in her office. Only to pause at the familiar height and blonde hair she had started to become more accustomed to seeing around. 

"Draco of what do I owe the pleasure?" She questioned waiting to see just what reason he had this time for turning up in her classroom. Well office, but it was still the same to her.

"Well Hyacinth a little fairy told me you were avoiding the rest of the school and sulking out alone here, thought I would come and bother you." Draco was quick to use his long strides to cross the room and stand just before her. 

"A fairy, or Neville?"

"Pretty sure he's got some sort of ulterior motive." Draco shrugged taking in the seat opposite Hyacinth's desk placing a to go cup in front of her. "Got you a coffee." Silence enveloped the pair for them for a moment as Hyacinth pondered on just what to say to him. Before coming to realise he didn't really care for her saying anything to him. Therefore, she looked towards the pile of homework she had sitting on her desk to mark. The thing she had been putting off for a while now and it would seem the presence of someone else in the room, someone who wasn't desperate for her attention or needing further help, that was enough to motivate her to attempt to do some of that marking she needed. Hyacinth would get about 13 pieces of work in before she heard his voice again. 

"Fourth years?" Draco noted having read from across the table the topic of which they had been set. His eyes widening at his own experience with the same topic. 

"Hmm, not sure this lot are the best with the subject."

"Charms is rather difficult."

"Sure it is." Her sarcasm was a little bit on the weaker side and she wondered if he would have got the intent of her words. 

"Just because it was easier for you Potter doesn't mean it was the same for all of us."

"Yeah well, we couldn't all be a potions prodigy."

"My godfather was the professor kind of had a head start." Draco mumbled and Hyacinth stoped herself from saying anything back immediately wondering if she had crossed the line by accident. Her eyes moved from where they were placed upon the homework to look at him. She could see the unshed tears of which had rapidly gathered and she felt guilty. Unsure of what to even say to him. Unlike her brother who had a last minute change of heart towards the professor, Hyacinth had never done so. She had not seen his change of heart and had been a student during the year he was a headmaster, subjected to things that kept her up at night. Professor Snape was not a nice person, and nothing could change her mind on that fact. 

"You don't have to go quiet, I know he was an arsehole." Draco laughed at his own words hoping to bring her out of the silence which had become a little awkward. 

"Still, sorry for your loss."

"No you're not."

"Yeah no I'm not he was a dick."Hyacinth shrugged before she returned her attention to her marking. Finishing the current paper she was on, she watched as a hand reached out to take some of them off the pile. 

"What are you doing?"

"Helping, clearly." Hyacinth would allow Draco to think he was helping, knowing fully well that she would have to remark whatever he had his hands on later on in that night. But she couldn't help the way her heart raced at the gesture. Even if he was shit at what he was doing, it was the thought that counted.