But Hermione's eyes caught on the girl — long silky hair, a slender figure, and kind honey-brown eyes that were locked on hers.

Tearing her eyes away, Hermione looked down at the floor.

"And you remember Katya," said Professor Viktorov, his voice a deep hum.

She couldn't resist glancing up at them as Draco and Katya offered polite greetings and kissed each other on the cheek. Narcissa cleared her throat and reiterated what a pleasant surprise it was to see them both.

"I truly, truly thought I'd written!" said Katya, smiling at Narcissa. She turned to Draco with a ringing laugh. "Your mother was quite shocked to see us stepping out of the Floo!" She lacked her father's heavy Bulgarian accent.

Narcissa brushed her off gracefully, blaming the war for lost correspondence. Hermione longed for a secret door she could slip out of, but she was trapped. She could only stand and pretend to be invisible.

"This must be your girl, then?" Professor Viktorov said, and Hermione had the good sense not to move. His voice was surprised when he said, "You let her near the books?"

There was a stilted pause before Draco said, "She's reshelving. I give her mundane tasks to keep her from bothering me."

They hummed in agreement and continued exchanging pleasantries. At one point, Katya put her hand on Draco's arm and expressed her concern for him while he was in Switzerland.

Hermione glanced up at them again. The professor's daughter, the Puceys had said at New Year's — as if Katya was someone people were aware of in relation to the Malfoy family. Mrs. Pucey had mistaken her for Katya, as if it would be normal for her to stand so close to Narcissa and Lucius.

Her stomach turned. Was he expected to court her?

"Draco, I was hoping to see you at Edinburgh!" Katya brushed her long chestnut hair over her shoulder. "I've been for two weeks now, and I was disappointed you didn't come. Though, of course, I know how exhausted you must be."

Draco cleared his throat. "I must admit, I can't imagine you at Edinburgh, Katya. It can be rather uncouth."

Narcissa snorted, then quickly brushed her hair behind her ear, as if she hadn't made a sound at all.

A smile flickered across Katya's face. She leaned into him and stage-whispered, "I stick to the Burgundy Room." She winked. "But you'll come this Friday? I find it quite elegant if you keep to the more conventional spaces."

Katya's eyes flickered over to her, and Hermione quickly looked away.

"Of course. I'll be there this Friday." Draco returned her smile, but his eyes were tight.

"Lovely," said Narcissa. "Now, shall we sit for tea?" The group nodded, and Narcissa began leading them out of the library. Draco spun back to Hermione when he was halfway to the doors.

"Finish here, and then straight to your room."

She nodded at the floor. The library doors closed, and Hermione was left alone with a churning stomach and questions she didn't dare to voice aloud.