Draco dropped his book bag beside the desk before nearly collapsing into his chair. He couldn't believe he had only been back to Hogwarts for a week. Five days of classes and he was already exhausted. Thankfully, in a couple of hours he would be free for the weekend and the first thing he planned to do was fall back into bed and sleep until evening meal.

His first year he remembered that he had gotten mildly ill shortly after coming to Hogwarts. Madam Pomfrey had said it was a wonder the entire Slytherin house didn't constantly fill up the infirmary. Children needed sunlight to stay healthy, not clammy, damp, dim dungons. Draco was beginning to think that maybe this was the same thing. Things had calmed down slightly since that first day of class and his appetite had made a slight comeback, but he never seemed to be able to get enough sleep. Not to say that stress didn't play some role in how he was feeling. He had plenty of that to go around with no mistake.

With no new insight into Pansy's pregnancy, the issue was slowly turning into old news, but that didn't keep most of the school from avoiding him or staring at him like a puddle of spilt dragon's snot. At least Granger had not confronted him again. Instead, she and her other two super heros limited themselves to watching him as if they couldn't quite figure him out. Unfortunately, it was beginning to look like he had more of that to look forward to.

Seventh year Ethics of Wizarding and Muggle Relations and joy of all joys, despite the classes being a complete mix of the houses, the golden trio had all managed to land the same class period. Little wonder with Sirius Black being the professor. Draco saw them shoot their usual searching look in his direction before turning to each other and continuing on with their normal conversation. Meanwhile, the Slytherin looked around hoping to spot one of his fellow house-mates.

"Wow, you look almost as green as Neville when that potion exploded on him yesterday," came a voice from behind.

"Fuck off Blaise."

"And as charming as ever too!" Blaise exclaimed, "Seriously, you don't look good. Maybe you should ask to be excused and go see Madam Pomfrey."

"Like that would happen," Draco snorted, "you do remember who is teaching this class right? Besides, I just need some sleep and I'll be fine."

"Lets hope so. You do remember that Quidditch practice begins next week, right? You were voted Captain at the end of last season and we need to replace some players," Blaise reminded.

Draco groaned, "I remember now."

The other Slytherin just shook his head, "Well, lets just focus on one thing at a time. There aren't many from our house in this group. Think we can survive?"

"We'll have to. Have you heard anymore about what this class is supposed to be?"

"Not really," Blaise replied, "I know the Governors came up with the idea at the behest of the Ministry. Everyone is scared to death that the remaining Death Eaters are going to rebuild their numbers and find a new leader. This is probably just another way for the Ministry to keep track of the political views of the students and their families."

"Did I ever tell you how much I hate politics?"

Before either boy could say anymore they caught sight of Sirius Black entering the room. By unspoken agreement, they both went silent.

"Good afternoon class," Black said as he reached the front of the room. "As you all know, this is Seventh Year Ethics of Wizarding and Muggle Relations. You will be meeting here once a week for this class. Since you are my last session of the week I am sure you have all heard some rumors but I believe most of the student are still uncertain as to what exactly will be going on here. Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Will there be a text for the class?" Granger asked.

Black smiled at her before turning to address the entire room, "That is a very good question. Because this is a new subject there is no one text that will cover everything you will learn. Therefore you will receive a syllabus with a list of passages that need to be read. These texts will be made available on short loan in the library. Everyone understand? Good."

With a flick of his wand the blackboard rolled to the front of the room as Black continues, "Now, before we go any further, this is not an extension of the Muggle Studies class you are also now required to take. This class is meant to examine the two parts of the world and how they interact apart and together. First, we have ourselves here in wizarding society. Second, we have muggle society," with a wave of his wand the board was divided between muggle and wizard sections.

"But sir," a Ravenclaw interrupted, "The muggle's don't know we exist, our interaction with them is one sided."

"Ah, in many ways that is true. It is also an ethical question. Is it right for us to manipulate the majority of muggles into not knowing we exist? We know it is necessary for our safety and most of us do not take advantage of the situation, but then, some do as we saw in the war. We will be discussing this at great length later on in the class. We will talk about ethical issues concerning our relations with muggles first and different approaches, some academic and some not, as to how to get on with them. Second, we will look at issues in wizarding society as well as issues in muggle society and compare and contrast.

"The point of this class will be to raise the awareness of our responsibility in wizarding/muggle interactions and to realize that our societies face many of the same problems. Now, how many of you were raised or partially raised in a muggle environment? You are the ones we will depend on to give a more balanced, in-depth view. Today will be brief. We will talk about things we know and like about muggle society and why successful interactions with them might be worth while. We will also brain storm possible issues we might like to discuss later if there is time."

Draco was able to focus until Black let the discussion be turned over to the class. After that, the voices of his year-mates turned into background noise and it was all he could do to keep his eyes open. In a last, valiant attempt to stay awake, Draco concentrated on writing down notes on what Black had said and also what his classmates were going on about, but it wasn't long before his quill was leaving meaningless symbols on his parchment as his eyes insisted on rolling back to hide under his eyelids.

"Mr. Malfoy!"

Dizziness caused his vision to blur, his head shot up so fast. Draco could taste the acid in the back of his throat as his stomach protested the sudden transition from being asleep to being awake. He swallowed, "Sorry Professor Black, what was the question?"

"Participation will be part of your grade Mr. Malfoy," Black said as he walked to stand in front of Draco's seat, "You have yet to contribute to the discussion and falling asleep in class will certainly not help you. Five points. Now, tell me one thing you find interesting about Muggle society."

Draco swallowed again harder. He was not going to throw up, " I find muggle music rather interesting."

Black stared at him for a moment. "Yes, muggle music has much to offer," he finally said, before returning to the front of the room.

Draco would have collapsed back in his chair in relief if he wasn't still fighting with his stomach. He had thought the nausea had finally left him along with those stomach pains, but it seemed to be back.

"The point of this discussion," Black continued, "though not academic, actually illustrates one view some wizards take regarding muggles. The way muggles live and manage without magic is seen as rather novel by many. Some wizards collect muggle artifacts, some find their politics interesting..."

Black went on and Draco forced himself to pick up his quill, but found himself again with the problem of concentrating, only this time it was his stomach and not his tired eyes that kept distracting him. He felt a hand on his arm and looked up to see Blaise giving him a worried look.

"You look like you're about to be sick, Draco," Blaise whispered, "I think the only reason Black didn't chew you out more is because he was afraid you might vomit on him."

"I just need to lay down, I'll be fi..."

"Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini, is there something you would like to share?" Black asked loudly to catch their attention. He didn't look happy.

Before Draco could think of anything to say, Blaise jumped in, "Draco isn't feeling well sir, could I help him back to the Slytherin common room?"

Draco kicked the other boy under the table, but his friend didn't react.

A variety of different emotions played over Professor Black's face as he looked hard at Draco, but apparently the Slytherin looked pathetic enough to warrant some sympathy, "I will let you leave because I know you were unwell earlier this week. However, this will not be a common occurrence. I suggest you make an appointment with Madame Pomfrey if you do not feel better by evening meal. Mr. Zabini, I believe he can make it back on his own. You will be responsible for making sure he has notes for the rest of class."

Stunned was a good word for the looks on his classmate's faces. Draco probably had a similar look on his as he began to gather his things, but then, Black letting him leave was probably the only indication of an apology he would receive after the meeting that had taken place earlier in the week. Stubborn Gryffindors.

Blaise gave him a concerned look and a whispered, "See you after class," as Draco stood to leave. Draco didn't trust himself to respond as he motion caused his head to spin and his stomach to do a flip. He managed to nod even as he walked swiftly from the room. He would NOT vomit in front of the entire class.

One hand clutching his bag and the other pressed to his stomach, Draco walked stiffly down the hall, trying to breath evenly even as the acidic taste in his mouth grew worse. Somehow, he managed to remembered that there was a bathroom just down the corridor. The moment he swung the door open he dropped what he was carrying and lost all pretense of not being sick. He reached the toilet just in time.

As he was revisited by what little he had eaten that day Draco felt his eyes water. Or at least that's what he told himself. He wasn't crying. The smell of what he had brought him made his stomach spasm painfully over and over again until he was left dry heaving, his arms barely supporting him and his face covered in a light sweat. Finally, he managed to calm himself. All he wanted to do was collapse on the floor, but somehow he managed to drag himself to the sink.

He tried in vain to rinse the taste out of his mouth and splashed water on his face and ran a wet hand over the back of his neck. Shakily, he raised his head to look at the boy in the mirror.

"You poor thing," the mirror said, "you look dreadful!"

Draco ignored it as he took in the sight of his white face, messy hair, and tired eyes. He shook his head at his reflection, "What's wrong with me?"