Chapter 2 is up (: I had a little extra free time so I decided to post this one early. It's a little bit shorter than before; I'm still experimenting with the lengths I want to make them. But, this one is a little more interesting, still slow, but it'll pick up.
I w a s s t a n d i n g o n the platform nine and three-quarters. I was one of the first there like always, which was good because normally that ment I would get a cabin to myself on the train, but this time I was to ride in the Head's cabin.
It had been nearly two weeks since the encounter with Draco and his lot. When Mum and Dad found out what had happened, there was hell to pay. I got an earful about how wrong it was and childish and how I should be ashamed. I didn't want them to know the things he'd said about me, or them for that matter, so when asked my reasons for such behavior I only shrugged. They had enough problems to worry about without what a fowl git like Malfoy had to say.
I kept my head down as I made my way to the train. There was hardly anyone there so I went stowed my trunk away and found the empty cabin near the back of the train. For a moment I wondered who the Head Boy was, if only for the reason that we would be living together. There were a number of possibilities, but I realized I really didn't care. Whoever it was would probably tease me or be scared to death so it didn't matter. I put my face in my hands, sighing. My life really did kind of stuck.
I sat like that for a while until the noise outside the train grew loud and other students started boarding. I lifted my head and looked at the window. Children, some I recognized, some I didn't, were gathered around the train. Some would chat with their parents and sibling until the last minute, others were waving goodbye and boarding already.
I looked around the platform at everyone in view, when two white-blond men walked in front of my window. I mean one man and one disgusting rat. Lucius Malfoy dressed in long, black robes stood a yard or so away from my window with his son. Draco was in his normal attire, black slacks and shirt, and seemed to be looking rather annoyed as his father talked to him. It looked like Lucius was trying to keep whatever matter they had on a low key. My curiosity spiked, even though my heart sunk when I though of my parents.
I reached out to them but I seemed to have missed the main point of the conversation because I got was something about Draco knowing what to do and Draco nodding and walking off to board the train with everyone else. I watched as Lucius stared after him, his mind racing, and then turn and disappear into the crowd. I shook my head. This had nothing to do with me so I was not going to worry about it. So I leaned my head back against the cushion of the seat and closed my eyes.
I didn't realize I had dozed off until the train lurched forward, whistle blaring, and my eyes snapped open. A moment later and we were speeding off, beginning our tedious journey to the school. I spent the majority of the time alone, which was, considering the alternative, how I liked it. The Heads were not supposed to meet until we were almost to school. The sun was starting to set in the horizon, turning the sky a deep orange-pink color. I figured we were getting close and that I should go ahead and change into my robes.
Thankfully everyone had already changed or were too busy in their cabins to be out in the hallway, so my path to the bathroom and back were clear. It took me only a few minutes to change and make my way back. I slid the Head's cabin door open and almost went into cardiac arrest. Platinum hair fell in front of the piercing grey-blue eyes that met mine as he turned to look at me. Sure enough, there was the Head's badge gleaming on the breast of his robes. This had to be a joke. Some sick, twisted game someone was playing.
I was rooted to the spot, unable to even blink away from his stare, as we both comprehended what this would mean. I could see a comment or two play behind his lips, but he remained silent. Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I was jerked back into reality as I swung around. I immediately understood why Malfoy had kept his arrogant mouth shut; even he was not that stupid. It was the Headmaster's job to inform the Head's of their duties, and since Dumbledore had passed away, it was now Snape who stood behind me. His greasy black hair framed his face and his dark, menacing eyes fell on me. I almost winced at his glare but instead quickly moved out of the way.
I took my seat silently and Snape followed. He gave Malfoy a look and he quickly stood, moving out of Snape's way and sitting next to me. Uncomfortable did not even come close to describing how I felt sitting so close to that awful git. But neither of us moved a muscle.
"I will have no foolishness in my school." Snape started his lecture, his voice long and drawn out in monotone. "You're to make sure all the first years find their proper common room. You two will be sharing one. There is a separate room for both of you. Each night you and the prefects will make rounds to assure all students are in by curfew. If someone is found passed curfew, I expect punishment will be served." Draco nodded at the directions. I only sat there, trying to comprehend what all was being said while still in shock that I was to like with Draco all year. Merlin, my life really did suck. Snape was still talking, "-password is butter beer, any questions?" He didn't waste anytime making for the door, his long, black cape sweeping the small room. Good thing I didn't have any.
As soon as Snape shut the door behind him, Draco moved back to his original seat. I relaxed as much as I could with him still there. I gave an internal sigh and looked back out the window. It was pitch black now and I knew we'd be arriving at the school in a few moments. I risked a glance at Malfoy. He was sitting with his eyes closed and his head against the seat.
The train jerked forward, beginning to slow down and his eyes popped open. He saw me staring. His nose flared in disgust. "And just what exactly are you looking at?" I looked away knowing I had just set him off.
"It's bad enough I have to spend my last year at this God-forsaken school living on the same grounds as you, but now we have to live together?" My temper flared.
"Could you please, for five minutes, just shut your face? I haven't ever done anything to you, what gives you the right?" I was fuming again, my hands shaking. There was just something about this guy that really set me off. "I mean, it's not like you are the greatest person in the world either, you git." I growled. The anger on his face was obvious, but disappeared as quickly as it had come. Now he had that look like he'd remembered something important.
"Is it true?" he said suddenly, leaning towards me.
"Pi- what?" my eyebrows pulled together in confusion. His abnormally normal question threw me off. I was epecting something with the word 'freak' in it.
"Can you really read minds?" I was shocked. I'd never told anyone about that, how could he possibly know? "Well is it?" he pressed. I simply nodded, unable to form a sentence. He sat back, contemplating it. The train lurched again and came to a stop. Malfoy stood and took his first step in one fluid moment and was out of the cabin before I could breathe. This was definitely going to be a year to remember.
I sat near the back of the Great Hall, closest to the door during the feast. I was ready to get to bed. The dreadful fact that Malfoy was going to be there didn't make me feel better. It only ment torture morning, noon, and night. The thought of suicide passed through my mind, but I disregarded it with yet another sigh. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. At least now, I thought, I really do have a reason to.
I avoided Malfoy as much as I could while I lead some first years to the Gryffindor common room. I did a quick sweep of the school after I knew everyone would be in bed or heading to it, and quickly made my way back to the Head's room. The portrait that marked the portal into the Head's common room was of a fat lady, who looked very similar to the one that hung for the Gryffindors. Maybe they were related. I mumbled the password to her and she swung open, revealing a lovely room furnished with what looked to be some of the finest fixtures I had ever laid eyes on. I quickly noted that Malfoy was not in the room and made a beeline for the stairs. I rounded the corner and ran smack into something solid and wet as it walked out of the bathroom. I fell on my butt and my head shot up, eyes wide.
Draco was standing there, his hair and body dripping wet, and a cloud of cologne hung around him. There was a towel tied loosely around his waist and I couldn't help but look at his very defined, pale chest, from years of Quidditch. I could have sworn I saw him smirk. "Bloody hell. Steux, I know I'm irresistibly and all but could you please try to control yourself?" He sneered, his nostrils flaring in that disgusted way again. I quickly got to my feet and shoved passed him.
"Piss off, you ass hole." I growled. He grabbed my arm and spun me to face him. His face was terrifyingly close to mine, even though he towered over me in all my five-foot two glory. His grey eyes burned into mine.
His breath washed over me as he spoke. "If you know what's good for you, you'll watch your mouth." His voice was just above a whisper. "Remember who your talking to because, I don't really think you understand what I'm capable if."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You think I give a damn about you and your empty threats?" I hissed back. "You don't know anything about me, you sniveling coward. I have been through hell and back these last few years and you think I'm scared of you? You don't know what I am capable of." I jerked away from him and scoffed. His eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. "What happened in the shop the other day was nothing, just for the record. Keep that in mind." I glared at him and tried to hold back tears. "Piss off, Malfoy." I said again and backed away. "I mean it." I turned around and stalked off down the hallway. The door to my room opened before I was even to it and slammed shut behind me, locking itself. I leaned against it and slid down to the floor, wiping the tears that had now started to fall. I was such an easy crier. And he only made things worse. What was it about him that made me lose my temper so easily? I was never like this, ever. Realization of this only pissed me off more.
There was a muffled sound like a door closing and I knew he had went into his room which was directly across the hall from mine. I hoped that ment I was free to go bathe now. I lifted myself off the floor and my trunk appeared on my bed. It clicked open and my clothes started putting themselves away. I wiped my eyes again then looked around the room, noticing the décor for the first time. There was the four-post bed set in the middle of the room, which my trunk now rested on. A huge red and gold comforter spread across it. The draperies around the bed were red and gold too, showing what little Gryffindor pride I had. The carpet on the floor had the Gryffindor emblem shown into it along with an intricate pattern of gold threading around it. There was a small desk to one side of the room. My books, quills and parchments had already been unpacked and were stacked on it.
I reached for the pajama pants and t-shirt that lay next to my trunk as everything finished unpacking and my trunk stowed itself away. I cracked my door at first; peeking to make sure the hallway was clear and Malfoy's door was shut before I opened it enough to step out. Soundlessly, I closed my door back and it locked again, and I made my way back towards the bathroom.
It was still steamy from Draco's shower, and when I opened the door I was hit with the very strong smell of Draco's cologne. I had to choke back a cough as I closed the door. At least, I thought thankfully and involuntarily, it smells good. But then I pictured the rat that wore it and immediately banished the thought from my mind. I was ashamed of even harboring such a thought about someone so vile. I shook my head, trying to clear it, which was difficult with the smell almost suffocating me. I turned the water faucets on and began stripping; taking short shallow breaths, hoping that it would clear my mind.
It worked to an extent and I stepped into the warm water. It cascaded around me like a waterfall and I leaned my head back, letting it wash over me. As I did, I let my mind wander. I could faintly hear Draco's rumbled thoughts about or encounter and some other things I couldn't make out. He must've come out of his room and was now walking by the bathroom. I couldn't get a clear read on him, and that bugged me. But then again, I thought, why would I want to look into that mind? I shook my head again, blocking out all thoughts of Malfoy and began washing my hair.
After about ten minutes, I was finished and drying off. It was close to eleven thirty now, the prefects were double checking all the halls, and for that I was thankful. I was tired and ready for bed. The door opened and I was hit with a gust of cold air. Shivering slightly and breathing in the fresh, non-rat tainted air, I headed back to my room. I made it to the door when behind me, Draco's opened. I met his grey-blue eyes for a moment before turning away and slamming the door behind me again. I sighed. It was going to be a longgg year.
Right now, I am debating on if I want to do this from Draco's pov as well, but I'm still not sure. Please review with suggestions. Chapter 3 will be up some time in the next week or so, if everything goes as planned. (:
