Malfoy's answer

As Malfoy hesitated to answer, Neal turned around to walk away to his study desk. Taking his seat and then taking a potions book in his hand, he then looked at his friend, "I have already mentioned before. I chose to stand against the Dark Lord. Whether to please his boss or for whatever reason, if your father stands in my way or tries to hurt my friends, I'll treat him as an enemy too. Anything could happen in that situation.

That is why I want you to mentally prepare yourself. I enjoyed enough school life. It is time for me to grow up as the enemy will come for my head too. What you want to do is up to you, Draco. Make a plan and see it through to the end. That's all I can say to you, at the moment. Take your time and give me your answer before the last day of the semester. Until then, I don't want to have any kind of conversation with you."

After saying what he wanted to, in rather a bit of a serious tone, Neal turned around and opened the book to read it, completely ignoring Malfoy.

Malfoy left the room without giving any reply and wasn't even seen in public for the next three days. Except during lunch and dinner, he coops himself in his room all day.

Neal also lessened his interaction with others. Since there weren't any classes or examinations until the end of the semester, he spent most of his time at the library.

From time to time, Tracey would accompany him and he enjoyed it. And sometimes, Daphne tries to strike up conversations only to receive short and straightforward replies from her friend, probably because he was unconsciously thinking about how the Greengrass family might in cahoots with Voldemort.

Both of them started worrying about their group. Rumors also spread all over the school that the so-called Slytherin Quartet was also broken up just like the Gryffindor trio.

However, on the morning of the 30th of June (two days before the announced summer break), something else had started behind the knowledge of the students.

The previous evening, after the dinner, Neal had secretly received a slip from Eve as they had a casual conversation.

It was written by Harry and the contents state that not only Hermione and Cho Chang were joining him but a request about letting Eve join the training too.

Harry did it at Cho Chang's request with she is supposedly good friends with Eve, who was also a good friend of Neal.

Neal was interested to welcome all of them for he had grown distant from Draco and the remaining two girls weren't that interested in duels. He thought they could be a good company.

He planned to tell Harry the next day morning. But, to his surprise, Malfoy met him before that and changed everything.

Looking straight into Neal's eyes, Malfoy told his decision resolutely, "I won't give up on my family or my best friend, Neal. Why should I join the one who must not be named if I can save my father?

I believe that he isn't confident that he can betray the dark lord and live. I thought I was nothing more than a disappointment to my father but after reading the letter again and again, I realized that he cares about me too.

I wanted to save him but I need your help. I promise you that I won't trouble Potter or his mudblood friends and diligently study and train in magic."

Neal blankly stared at him for a while and then reached out his hand to Malfoy's forehead, followed by pinching his cheek all of a sudden. "Ouch… Neal?"

"Ah, nothing… was just checking whether you are feeling unwell or whether I was just dreaming. You sounded like a man for the first time." Neal was quite surprised to see this side of Malfoy.

In his eyes, this best friend of his is just an arrogant fool who doesn't know how to be sincere even in serious matters. He is also the type to depend on his father's power and couldn't help himself but brag at every opportunity he gets.

Maybe, it is because this is personal. That is why he is acting differently. Or did he get some kind of revelation or something?

For a second, Neal even doubted whether this is the real one or someone disguised as him using a polyjuice potion. Fortunately, that suspicion was ruled out from the beginning because of Isle. The snake could distinguish based on smells unique to specific humans and creatures.

"Hey, that's rude…" As Malfoy rubbed his cheek, Neal just let out a grin of happiness as he put his arm over Malfoy's neck and dragged him along after locking the door, "Alright, let's go, Draco. You have a surprise waiting for you."

"Eh? Is that so?" Malfoy was slightly taken aback by Neal's sudden change of behavior but since he was happy that he got his friend back, he didn't voice it out and just followed him along.

Meanwhile, at the Great Hall;

Tracey was poking the steak with the knife over and over with a look of disappointment.

Daphne nudged her with her elbow and asked, "What happened? Not in a mood to eat?"

Tracey looked at her and replied, "I was just worried about Neal and Draco. Ever since the finals, Neal changed. He barely talks with us. Atleast, we could see him most of the time. But now, even Draco shuts himself in his room."

"Relax, Tracey… those boys will sort it out themselves." Daphne appeared to be cool about the situation as she was positive that everything will become fine once Neal's mood become better. It happened earlier once and the situation was solved too.

And just like she envisioned, everyone at the table saw Neal and Malfoy just talking and laughing together as if they have gotten closer than ever.

Taking a seat between the girls like he usually does, Neal served himself food while humming a song he knew. Daphne acted like she didn't spot any difference and casually conversed with him while Tracey just stared at him in silence. Meanwhile, Draco busied himself stuffing food in his mouth.

After a while, Neal noticed her gaze and looked at her, asking what was wrong, to which, the latter reached out to face and suddenly pinched his cheek.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Daphne asked in a bit of displeasure while Neal was taken aback by her actions.

"Nothing, I was just seeing whether it is real or not." As Tracey replied in such a way, Draco almost spilled the food from his mouth. It happened to him just a while ago.

"That's not funny. You were supposed to pinch yours, not his…" Daphne subtly scolded her.

"Not a big deal, don't overreact, Daphne." Neal defended Tracey and changed to subject to how his grandfather invited Draco to Tagues village and they were planning to spend the summer.

Tracey also got excited and asked whether she could crash in his place. Neal said okay to her.

Meanwhile, Daphne's face turned dark. She was still on the earlier matter. In fact, it wasn't even a big deal but Daphne couldn't just ponder on it.

Even if Tracey was her best friend, Neal is her guy. How could she act so chummy with him in front of her? Only she could do things like that (in Daphne's eyes). How could Neal not say anything to her? If she had done the same thing, he would surely commented something.

"And why in the hell are they still talking by themselves? Why do I always get short replies but she gets long replies? Hold on a second… I'm getting jealous? Or maybe, I was getting too possessive?" she wondered in the end but kept her thoughts to herself.