The Beauty of Grey: The Bitterness Inside

Chapter 10 – Another Soul To Feed

“My excuses lay me down
My emotions make me drown
My endeavour takes blame
At least I have a name”
- ‘Take a Number’ – Stone Sour


On Friday, Draco took the opportunity to relax, and sat on his favourite couch in the Slytherin common room most of the day with the book he was reading. He decided to take the first instalment of The Firefly Adventures, and he was enjoying it. He soon discovered that the witches and wizards in the story lived on a boat, and the boat’s name was Firefly.

On Saturday, though, it was back to studying. He spent Saturday going through Arithmancy, and Sunday he spent entirely on Potions. Over the weekend, however, another Niffler had gotten into Umbridge’s office, and, again, he was called in to help her get it out.

Monday morning, the Potions theory was a little difficult, but the practical went really well. Tuesday’s Care of Magical Creatures went well too, but every moment he had free, he took his Arithmancy notes out and studied. He was easily distracted because the notes were in Astoria’s handwriting.

He felt so positive with everything regarding her at that point, that his hopes came crashing down when he received an owl from his mother that night. The well-groomed owl tapped politely on the window of the Library where was sitting, studying for Astronomy (he came to the Library, thinking Astoria might be there, but she wasn’t).

Dearest Draco,

How are your examinations going? I do hope you are studying hard. Your father is very busy, it seems like they discovered something quite important, and he is away often. I wanted to send some treats, but Pegasus didn’t seem up to the flight with the rather large box on his own, and the other owls are busy with business for your father.

I miss you very much, can’t wait for you to come home.

Love
Mother.

PS I include a last box of your favourite.

It wasn’t that his mother said anything is particular to upset him. It just reminded him that he had to go back. And he also wondered about the discovery and what it meant. The was glad for the chocolates, though.
The Astronomy exam was written on Wednesday morning. Draco found that went well as well, but he only had a few minutes to go through his Arithmancy notes before they wrote that a little later that day. This time Astoria was sitting directly in front of him. The Arithmancy test lasted for two hours, in which they had to do many calculations and describe the numbers.

As they were walking out, Astoria caught up to him. ‘How was it?’ she whispered.

‘Alright,’ he said. ‘You?’

‘Fine,’ she said. ‘Listen, I have to go revise for Astronomy, but can we meet somewhere, tomorrow after you’ve written History of Magic?’

Draco frowned. ‘Yes, of course we can. Um, meet me... in the Library - that might be best. I’ll be finished at half past four, so meet me at five?’

‘Oh, right, you’re writing later. Alright then,’ she smiled at him, and then she took off towards the grand staircase, while Draco headed to the dungeons to get his books.

Draco studied the rest of the afternoon, trying to memorise all the positions of all the stars, constellations, planets and moons that Astoria had so carefully pointed out to him.

Eleven ‘o clock that night, when Draco was truly tired, they filed into the Astronomy tower, where they each had a telescope. Tofty handed them each a rather large star chart. While Draco was waiting for starting-time, he gazed out over the view of the Hogwarts grounds. He could see the large gates in the distance, Hagrid’s hut. It was another cloudless night.

When they could start, Draco carefully labelled the obvious ones first, like the moon, and then proceeded to all the stars he could remember. They were halfway through the examination when the front doors of the castle opened and the light spilled onto the grass outside. Draco recognised Umbridge’s silhouette as she, along with five other figures started across the lawn, it seemed towards Hagrid’s hut. Draco saw them enter, and then there was a few minutes of calm, in which he carried on with the chart. But soon loud noises came from the grounds, and reached them all the way in the Astronomy Tower. Draco noticed that all the students seemed to be aware of the activities, trying to get a good look.

The fight that had erupted was quite serious. Umbridge and her minions were firing Stunning Spells at Hagrid in quick succession with no effect, while Hagrid was swinging with his considerable fists at them, occasionally knocking them to the ground. The large dog also seemed to join the fight, barking echoingly at the unwelcome guests. None of the students paid any attention to the exam anymore, but staring with open mouths at what was happening below.

Draco thought that Umbridge’s attempt at handling this sacking of a teacher in a more discreet manner than the previous one failed miserable, as she clearly didn’t think of all the witnesses in the Astronomy Tower.

‘Look,’ Parvati Patil said rather loudly, and Draco saw the doors had opened again, and this time the lonesome shadow of Professor McGonagall was moving across the grass.

‘How dare you? How dare you?’ she shouted as she started running.

Draco found himself holding his breath as he saw her approaching Umbridge asking them why were attacking Hagrid. When four Stunning Spells hit her, and she lifted off the ground from the force, and ended up sprawled on the ground, Draco could hardly believe his eyes. They didn’t even warn her. Tofty soon made a similar remark, as even the examiners forgot about the exam for a few minutes.

After the unwarranted attack on McGonagall, Hagrid’s temper seemed to explode, because soon he had most of the attackers unconscious. Umbridge was screaming like a little girl for the remaining ones to get him, but Hagrid ran with surprising speed towards the gates, and disappeared into the dark.

By that time there was only five minutes left, in which Draco found it very difficult to concentrate, but he tried regardless. As soon as the students were out of the Tower, everyone was talking about the attack, and wondering whether McGonagall was alright.

Draco was dead tired at breakfast the next morning. The common room had been alive with chatter over the happenings on the grounds, and Draco had trouble sleeping again, despite the fact that he was very tired. His eyes felt puffy, and he had dull but constant headache in his right temple. He went to his dormitory after breakfast, and studied his History of Magic notes while he was lying on his bed. He fell asleep at half past twelve, the notes still clutched in his hands.

‘Draco, mate,’ came the deep voice of Blaise. ‘Wake up.’

Draco lifted his head and looked around stupidly. He sat up quickly when he realised where he was and what time it was. ‘Did I miss it?’

‘No,’ Blaise said, handing Draco a plate with two sandwiches in. ‘Eat up, you missed lunch. There’s twenty minutes before the exam.’

‘Thank you,’ he said sincerely as he quickly ate the bread.

He walked with Blaise to the Great Hall, and was relieved when he discovered that at least the headache was gone.

‘You can go catch another nap when were done here,’ Blaise said.

‘No, I can’t, I have to meet Astoria,’ he said.

‘Oh,’ Blaise said. ‘Things going alright there?’

‘Yes, actually, quite good,’ he said simply.

The exam felt like it went on forever. It was hot and stuffy in the Great Hall, and Draco found it almost impossible to stay focused. He just wanted to lie down on his arms, and continue his relaxing sleep. But somehow, he kept going, and after what felt like a week at least, he answered the last question as good as he could. He placed his quill down, and rested his head on his palms and waited for them to be dismissed.

Draco nearly jumped out of his skin when someone screamed loudly. He saw that somewhere in front of him Potter had fallen of his chair, and was lying on the floor, looking extremely bewildered.

Professor Tofty was at Potter’s side very quickly, trying to convince him to go to the Hospital Wing, but Potter refused. Potter was helped out of the Hall, while everyone was looking, telling Tofty that he just had a nightmare. Draco understood completely how that could have happened.

When they were let out, Draco smiled, stretched triumphantly and made a beeline for his dormitory, where he intended to take a quick shower, just to refresh himself before he went to meet Astoria. The shower was nice, he made the water cool, which cooled him down and woke him up. He put on clean robes, and felt a lot better.

But, when he was on his way to the Library Umbridge, with Millicent Bullstrode next to her, stopped him.

‘Mr. Malfoy, oh good,’ she said waving him closer. ‘I need you to come with me quickly. I am positive that someone broke into my office. I have sent the rest of the Squad out.’

Draco felt like kicking something. ‘Yes, of course.’ And he followed her, thinking that this couldn’t take long.

‘Just as I thought,’ Umbridge said smugly, when she opened her office door, and there stood Granger, seemingly keeping watch for Potter, whose head was in the fireplace. Granger looked so shocked, and caught-out when Millicent took a hold of her that she only started protesting a when Umbridge had grabbed Potter’s head by his hair, and rather violently pulled it out of the fire.

‘You think,’ Umbridge said shrilly, plucking Potter around by the grip she had on his hair, ‘that after two Nifflers I was going to let one more foul, scavenging little creature enter office without my knowledge? I had Stealth Sensoring Spells placed all around my doorway after the last one got in, you foolish boy. Take his wand,’ Umbridge said, directing the last part to Draco like he should have done it already.

Draco grabbed his wand.

‘Hers, too,’ she said nodding in Granger’s direction.

Draco walked over to her, and took her wand, despite her struggle and went to lean casually against the windowsill, throwing Potter’s wand around, trying to hide his irritation at being there.

‘I want to know why you are in my office,’ said Umbridge, anger evident in her face as Potter was swaying back and forth because of Umbridge’s antics while she clutched his hair.

‘I was - trying to get my Firebolt!’ Potter managed to get out.

‘Liar,’ she shrieked. ‘Your Firebolt is under strict guard in the dungeons, as you very well know, Potter. You had your head in my fire. With whom have you been communicating?’

‘No one –‘ Potter said, fighting against her.

‘Liar!’ Umbridge repeated, her eyes crazy with anger, she three Potter away from her, and he slammed into her desk.

Draco watched as more members from the Inquisitorial Squad entered the office, each having caught and gagged a friend of Potter. While Millicent was already holding Granger, Warrington had Weasley, Crabbe had Longbottom, Pucey had Ginny Weasley (who was kicking wildly) and Nott had the Luna girl, who wasn’t putting up a fight at all.

‘Got 'em all,’ said Warrington as he forced Weasley into the room ahead of him. ‘That one,’ he said, pointing at Longbottom, ‘tried to stop me taking her,’ he pointed at Weasley’s sister, ‘so I brought him along too.’
‘Good, good,’ Umbridge said while giving Ginny a dirty look. ‘Well, looks as though Hogwarts will shortly be a Weasley-free zone, doesn't it?’

Draco laughed only because Umbridge would expect it, thinking that it might have been pleasant.

Umbridge smiled, seemingly feeling very satisfied with the catch and sat down her chintz-covered armchair, staring in delight at the struggling captives.

‘So, Potter,’ she said. ‘You stationed lookouts around my office and you sent this buffoon,’ she tilted her head in the direction of Weasley — Draco laughed again – ‘to tell me the poltergeist was wreaking havoc in the Transfiguration department when I knew perfectly well that he was busy smearing ink on the eyepieces of all the school telescopes -Mr Filch having just informed me so. Clearly, it was very important for you to talk to somebody. Was it Albus Dumbledore? Or the half-breed, Hagrid? I doubt it was Minerva McGonagall, I hear she is still too ill to talk to anyone.’

Draco laughed along with the other members of the Inquisitorial Squad at the statement about McGonagall.
‘It's none of your business who I talk to,’ Potter practically spat at Umbridge.

‘Very well,’ Umbridge said in the mockingly friendly voice, her expression having gone sour. ‘Very well, Mr Potter… I offered you the chance to tell me freely. You refused. I have no alternative but to force you. Draco - fetch Professor Snape.’

Draco tried to keep his annoyance from his face. This was taking way too long. He put Potter’s wand inside his pocket, and left the room, throwing a smirk at Potter, but Potter seemed too preoccupied.

Draco started running as soon as the door closed behind him, and he didn’t stop until he reached Snape’s office door. He was told he could enter after a polite, yet impatient knock.

‘Sir,’ Draco breathed. ‘Professor Umbridge wants to see you, she’s caught Potter talking with someone through her fire.’

Snape looked Draco for a moment, seeming to think very deeply. ‘Alright,’ he placed his quill down on his desk. ‘Let’s get this over with.’

Draco loved the fact that Snape hated Umbridge too, and that he made no point of hiding it. They walked back to the Second Floor together, where Draco entered back into the office filled with pink and kittens, followed by Snape. Draco saw that Potter and Umbridge were having a stare-off.

‘You wanted to see me, Headmistress?’ Snape said, looking around the room, quickly getting a good idea of the situation.

‘Ah, Professor Snape,’ said Umbridge, she stood up from the armchair and was smiling falsely at Snape. ‘Yes, I would like another bottle of Veritaserum, as quick as you can, please.’

‘You took my last bottle to interrogate Potter,’ Snape said. ‘Surely you did not use it all? I told you that three drops would be sufficient’

Umbridge blushed, making it obvious that she tried more than a few drops on Potter.

‘You can make some more, can't you?’ she said, getting suddenly angry with Snape.

‘Certainly,’ Snape said. ‘It takes a full moon-cycle to mature, so I should have it ready for you in around a month,’ he said it with a hint of malice in his eyes. Draco was sure that Snape knew that Umbridge wanted that Veritaserum right at that moment.

‘A month?’ Umbridge said, her eyes bulging. ‘A month? But I need it this evening, Snape! I have just found Potter using my fire to communicate with a person or persons unknown!’

‘Really?’ Snape said, looking at Potter, and clearly listening more intently now, trying to get more information. ‘Well, it doesn't surprise me. Potter has never shown much inclination to follow school rules.’
Snape and Potter looked into each other’s eyes for what seemed like a very long time, like they were trying to communicate without talking.

‘I wish to interrogate him!’ she said angrily at Snape, who looked back at her. ‘I wish you to provide me with a potion that will force him to tell me the truth!’

‘I have already told you,’ said Snape simply, ‘that I have no further stocks of Veritaserum. Unless you wish to poison Potter -and I assure you I would have the greatest sympathy with you if you did - I cannot help you. The only trouble is that most venoms act too fast to give the victim much time for truth-telling.’
Snape looked at Potter again, who stared back at him.

‘You are on probation!’ Umbridge said, seemingly shaking with anger.

Snape looked at her again, his eyebrows raised.

‘You are being deliberately unhelpful! I expected better, Lucius Malfoy always speaks most highly of you! Now get out of my office!’

Snape bowed a sarcastic bow at her and turned to leave.

‘He's got Padfoot!’ Potter shouted unexpectedly, surprising everyone in the room. ‘He's got Padfoot at the place where it's hidden!’

Snape stopped in his tracks.

'Padfoot?' Umbridge cried, looking at Snape and then at Potter and back again. ‘What is Padfoot? Where what is hidden? What does he mean, Snape?’

Snape looked at Potter, without an expression on his face. ‘I have no idea,’ said Snape. ‘Potter, when I want nonsense shouted at me I shall give you a Babbling Beverage. And Crabbe, loosen your hold a little. If Longbottom suffocates it will mean a lot of tedious paperwork and I am afraid I shall have to mention it on your reference if ever you apply for a job.’

Draco saw that Crabbe instantly loosened his hold. Longbottom seemed to get some colour back.

Snape left, and closed the door. Potter seemed to be very agitated and panicked, and Draco wondered what was really going on, and whether this was more than it seemed.

‘Very well,’ Umbridge said, slowly pulling her wand out. ‘Very well… I am left with no alternative… this is more than a matter of school discipline… this is an issue of Ministry security… yes… yes…’

She seemed to be working something out in her head, deciding whether what she was thinking of doing was wise. She was looking at Potter, breathing like she had just run a mile, and slapping her wand into her hand. Draco had a bad feeling.

‘You are forcing me, Potter… I do not want to,’ said Umbridge. ‘But sometimes circumstances justify the use… I am sure the Minister will understand that I had no choice. The Cruciatus Curse ought to loosen your tongue,’ Umbridge said so softly that Draco wondered whether he had heard her right.

‘No!’ Granger yelled. ‘Professor Umbridge - it's illegal.’

Umbridge, however, didn’t even hear Granger’s complaint. She seemed to be getting more and more fond of her idea the more she thought about it. She then raised her wand, pointing it at Potter.

‘The Minister wouldn't want you to break the law, Professor Umbridge!’ Granger tried again.

‘What Cornelius doesn't know won't hurt him,’ Umbridge said and she moved her wand over Potter’s body parts.

‘He never knew I ordered Dementors to go after Potter last summer, but he was delighted to be given the chance to expel him, all the same.’

‘It was you?’ Potter said, suddenly breathing shallowly. ‘You sent the Dementors after me?’

‘Somebody had to act,’ Umbridge whispered, her wand now pointing at Potter’s head. ‘ They were all bleating about silencing you somehow - discrediting you - but I was the one who actually did something about it… only you wriggled out of that one, didn't you, Potter? Not today though, not now –‘ she took a breath. 'Cruc—'
'No!' Granger screamed. ‘No - Harry - we'll have to tell her!’

‘No way!’ yelled Potter, looking at Granger in shock.

‘We'll have to, Harry, she'll force it out of you anyway, what's… what's the point?’

Then Granger began crying. Draco had to swallow a laugh at the disgusted look on Millicent’s face.

‘Well, well, well!’ said Umbridge looking pleased with herself. ‘Little Miss Question-all is going to give us some answers! Come on then, girl, come on!’

Weasley tried to tell Granger not to tell but through his gag it came out distorted.

‘I'm - I'm sorry everyone,’ said Granger. ‘But - I can't stand it –‘

‘That's right, that's right, girl!’ said Umbridge as she took hold of Granger by her shoulder and seemed to want to shake the information out of her, but pushing her into her chair.

‘Now then… with whom was Potter communicating just now?’ Umbridge said, starting to sweat.

‘Well, well, he was trying to speak to Professor Dumbledore.’

Draco couldn’t believe that the brave Gryffindor had broken. Why would Potter want to talk to Dumbledore so urgently?

‘Dumbledore?’ Umbridge said happily. ‘You know where Dumbledore is, then?’

‘Well… no!’ Granger cried into her hands. ‘We've tried the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley and the Three Broomsticks and even the Hog's Head –‘

‘Idiot girl - Dumbledore won't be sitting in a pub when the whole Ministry's looking for him!’ Umbridge screamed at her, clearly put out at not hearing what she wanted to.

‘But - but we needed to tell him something important!’ Granger cried even louder.

‘Yes?’ Umbridge said, looking hopeful again. ‘What was it you wanted to tell him?’

‘We… we wanted to tell him it's r - ready!’

‘What's ready?’ Umbridge said, shaking Granger. ‘What's ready, girl?’

‘The… the weapon,’ Granger said finally.

‘Weapon? Weapon? You have been developing some method of resistance? A weapon you could use against the Ministry? On Professor Dumbledore's orders, of course.’

‘Y — y - yes,’ Granger said through a particularly huge sob. ‘But he had to leave before it was finished and n - n - now we've finished it for him, and we c - c - can't find him t -t - to tell him.’

‘What kind of weapon is it?’

‘We don't r - r - really understand it. We j - j - just did what P - P - Professor Dumbledore told us t -t - to do.’

Umbridge stood up straight, looking very proud of her interrogating skills. ‘Lead me to the weapon,’ she said.
‘I'm not showing… them,’ Granger said looking at Draco and the rest of the Inquisitorial Squad.

‘It is not for you to set conditions,’ Umbridge said angrily.

‘Fine,’ said Granger, back to crying into her hands. ‘Fine… let them see it, I hope they use it on you! In fact, I wish you'd invite loads and loads of people to come and see! Th - that would serve you right - oh, I'd love it if the wh - whole school knew where it was, and how to u - use it, and then if you annoy any of them they'll be able to s - sort you out.’

Well played, Draco thought, (just as he thought that maybe he should use it against Umbridge, then maybe he could get back to Astoria who was waiting for him), because Granger’s words seemed to have made Umbridge unsure. She was staring at her favourite, trustworthy students with sudden suspicion. At the same time, though, Draco could see her keenness to find this weapon and be the one to tell the Minister about it. He briefly wondered if Umbridge was an affair with Fudge, and stopped that thought as quick as he could.

‘All right, dear, let's make it just you and me… and we'll take Potter, too, shall we? Get up, now,’ she said to Granger, with an ineffective comforting voice.

‘Professor,’ said Draco deciding to add to the suspicion flame, ‘Professor Umbridge, I think some of the Squad should come with you to look after –‘

‘I am a fully qualified Ministry official, Malfoy, do you really think I cannot manage two wandless teenagers alone? In any case, it does not sound as though this weapon is something that schoolchildren should see. You will remain here until I return and make sure none of these –‘ she gestured at the others ‘- escape.’
‘All right,’ Draco said, trying to look put out.

‘And you two can go ahead of me and show me the way,’ Umbridge said, talking to Potter and Granger, her wand still out and pointing. ‘Lead on.’

And out the door the three of them went, leaving Draco along with the other members of the Squad and the ones they caught. They all seemed astonishingly calm despite the recent developments. It was probably dinner time already.

When a Stunning Spell hit Crabbe in the face, Draco had a split second to notice that the rest of his Squad never took the wands from their captives. He didn’t have time to tell them off for being idiots, because soon the room was filled with spells. Longbottom who was freed from Crabbe’s hold sent an Impediment Jinx at Pucey, who let go of Ginny. Warrington started throwing curses and hit Longbottom with spell that hit right above his eye, which started swelling immediately. Draco, who really not in the mood, threw a Stunner at Ginny, who was causing the most damage, having freed Luna and Weasley. She soon had enough of him, though, at hit him with a Bat Bogey Hex.

Draco’s hands came up to his face, dropping his wand and Potter’s wand, to find that his entire face was covered in flapping bat wings. ‘Fuck,’ he growled.

Silence fell over the room about a minute after Draco was hit, and he knew that they all escaped. ‘Crabbe?’ he asked. ‘Warrington? Nott?’ But no one answered. They must probably all be unconscious.
‘Draco,’ came the rather deep voice of Millicent.

‘Millicent?’ he said tentatively through the wings.

‘I can’t help you, I’m in a body-bind,’ she said.

‘Can you see my wand?’ he asked.

‘Yes, it’s three feet to your left,’ she said.

Draco sagged down on his knees, turned left, and with his hands, searched the floor until his fingers closed around the thin piece of wood. ‘Finite Incantatum,’ he said and his face was clear. He cast the spell for Millicent too.

‘Thank you,’ she said shyly.

‘Are you alright?’ he asked.

‘Yes,’ she whispered.

‘Enervate,’ he said, and Warrington woke up. He moved on to Nott, Pucey and Crabbe.

‘What must we do now?’ Nott asked.

‘Nothing,’ Draco said. ‘I’m leaving.’

‘But, Umbridge,’ Crabbe said.

‘I’m sure she’ll be fine, she is a qualified Ministry official after all,’ he turned on his heel and walked out the door.

The first place he went was to the Library, but wasn’t surprised when Astoria wasn’t there. He had taken at least an hour and a half with this. He headed to the Great Hall, where dinner was coming to an end. He sat down next to Blaise.

‘Where were you, mate? I thought you were with Astoria, but she’s sitting right there,’ Blaise pointed at the Ravenclaw table.

Astoria was sitting with her head low, playing with the napkin in her hand, while Kim was talking up a storm next to her, gesticulating wildly.

‘I missed out meeting,’ Draco explained.

‘Why?’ Blaise said.

‘Because Umbridge,’ he said her name with anger, ‘wanted me to help her with catching Potter again.’

‘What?’ Blaise said, sounding a little taken aback.

‘Yes, he was talking with someone through Floo Fire in Umbridge’s office. She, of course, through a tantrum, and now they’re off to find some weapon. Whatever, I don’t care anymore.’

‘A weapon?’ Blaise repeated.

Draco just nodded, as he tried to get a plateful of food with what was left on the table. He felt guilty for missing his meeting with Astoria, and he didn’t know what to do. He kept looking at her, but she didn’t look in his direction.

‘Don’t worry about her, dude, I’m sure she’ll forgive you,’ he said softly.

‘Out of all the times, I had to miss this one. She probably thinks... that I regret it,’ he said more to himself that to Blaise.

‘Regret what?’

Draco put his fork, on which a piece of fish was dangling, down in his plate. ‘I kissed her,’ Draco said, turning towards Blaise, making sure no one else could overhear him.

Blaise grinned. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, really,’ Draco said irritably.

‘And? Did she like it?’ Blaise asked.

‘I hope so,’ Draco said, fear suddenly sinking into the pit of his stomach. Maybe she wanted to meet him to tell him that she didn’t like him in that way, or something.

‘Sure she did,’ Blaise waving his hand. ‘Who wouldn’t like a bit of kissing? What was it like?’

‘Blaise, we’re not girls at a sleepover,’ Draco said. ‘But it was astonishing.’

‘Aww,’ Blaise said, putting his arm around Draco’s shoulder and ruffling his hair. ‘My little Drakie-darling is growing up.’

Draco wriggled out of the grasp. ‘Stop it.’

‘Yes, okay. Sorry.’

Finally, when he looked in her direction again, she was looking at him. ‘Sorry,’ he mouthed at her. She squinted her eyes frowning, shrugging her shoulders to show she doesn’t understand.

He looked at the doors, tilting his head towards it, indicating that he wanted to go outside, and that she should follow. She nodded, and got up, saying something to Kim, who nodded too. She headed for the doors without looking back. Draco waited for a few minutes before he too, got up and left the dinner table, his plate still full of food. He didn’t see her at first when he got outside, but saw that was standing by the huge hourglasses that indicated House points.

Draco walked towards her, and then they walked out of the front doors, and she started walking to the right, not their usual direction, and he just followed her. When they were a away from all the students, Draco said, ‘I’m sorry I missed the meeting.’

She shook her head, while she was shrugging. ‘It’s nothing,’ she said.

She was acting the way she did when Draco had first scraped together the courage to talk to her. She was incredibly shy, almost only looking at the ground, not looking at Draco at all. Only then did he really notice how comfortable she had gotten around him. During last couple of meetings she was not nearly as shy. She spoke freely, made jokes, wasn’t afraid to look at him, even though it wasn’t ever really in the eye. Draco wondered why she was acting like this again.

‘Umbridge gave me something to do first, I’m really sorry,’ he tried to explain.

She seemed a little interested at the news. ‘What did you do?’ she asked.

‘Harry Potter was in her office,’ he said, and explained to her the happenings of the afternoon, carefully omitting the part where was attacked by loads of bat bogeys.

She listened intently to what he told her. When they reached the back side of the castle where the fence was to stop pupils from falling down the sheer cliff, she stopped leaned her arms over the fence, and looked out over the view they had.

‘He wasn’t talking to Dumbledore,’ she said.

‘Well, no, Granger said they couldn’t find him, but were looking for him. She said they wanted to tell him about the weapon.’

‘There’s no weapon,’ she said with surety.

‘How do you know?’ he asked.

‘Do you really believe that Dumbledore is trying to overthrow the Ministry? Nonsense,’ she said. ‘It was cover for whatever he was really up to. Probably something to do with him screaming during the middle of the exam.’

‘Heard about that?’ he asked.

‘Yes, Kim told me. The whole school was talking about it in the Library.’

Draco imagined her sitting in the Library waiting for him. ‘Did I mention that I was sorry about missing the meeting?’

He saw as smiled. ‘Yes, you did.’

‘What did you want to talk to me about?’ he asked, realising that he was clenching his fists in trepidation.
‘It seems a little stupid now,’ she admitted, hanging her head again. ‘I wanted to ask you whether you would look into the scars again. I’ll do it myself, but I don’t have access to the books.’

Draco frowned. Not what he expected, but not bad, right? ‘Of course I will,’ he said.

‘Also,’ she said, blushing suddenly. ‘I wanted to invite you to visit me at Flourish and Blott’s again.’

She rubbed her hands together nervously. ‘If you want to, of course.’

While Draco was looking at her flushed cheeks, taking in what she was saying, he wondered how he could ever wonder whether he loved her or not. If all the sleepless nights, thinking of her wasn’t any indication, then the way his heart seemed to be beating so loudly that he was scared it might burst out his chest, definitely was. He took a hold of one of her hands, and laced their fingers together. She seemed surprised by his action, and looked fleetingly up into his eyes. He smiled warmly at her, trying to set her at ease. ‘Of course I want to,’ he said.

She let out a small sigh. ‘Good.’

Draco kissed her again, and it seemed like the kiss dissolved the tension from the day, the exam and the worry of the upcoming holiday. When she placed her small, warm hand on the side of his face, he let his arm come around her waist, and he pulled her closer to him. He kissed her properly, the timid feelings that was present during the first kiss, was not the overpowering thing now. He felt surer of himself, taking control, taking his time to taste her, realising she tasted of the chocolate pudding that was served with dinner. He was so happy in that particular moment, relishing in the way she was kissing him back, taking his top lip between hers, her arms tightly around him, that he wished he could stay there forever.