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Chapter 3: Sometimes The Smallest Things Mean The Most
Dumfounded, I stood there staring at Dumbledore as if he'd been speaking in a different language. Maybe he was. Cause I thought he just said that I had to spend a MONTH in a house ALONE with the ass-faced blondie standing next to me. Was he barking mad?! Did he really think we'd come out of this alive, let alone sane?!
I didn't know how Malfoy felt about this (obviously) but if his face was anything to go by, I'd say he was more angry than stunned and slightly… Disgusted?
He was disgusted by the thought of having of living with me?! You, you, you BASTARD! Who did he think I was? Let's see what he thinks of this.
I smiled an evil smile, any self-respecting Slytherin would be proud of, at the idea of making every day of his life hell for a month, "Professor Dumbledore, I think it'd be best if we took jobs rather than going to muggle school because I'm not quite sure how Malfoy would be able to cope if he had to study muggle subjects, they can be quite tricky you know."
Malfoy's head snapped up to look at me so fast I was surprised it didn't break it. I smiled innocently up at him while he looked at me incredulously.
"Problem Malfoy? Don't worry, I'll look after you." I mentally cackled, this was going to be fun. Then I mentally slapped myself. I'm turning evil, what's wrong with me? This is that kind of thing Malfoy would do! Not me! Well, I guess I have been Head Girl with him for the whole year… I guess he's rubbed off on me…
Now visibly hyperventilating Malfoy grabbed the armrests of his chair so hard his knuckles turned a pale, uncanny this wasn't a good idea?
"I think Ms Granger is absolutely right Mr Malfoy! Now, if it's decided, I must arrange a job for the two of you, so if you'd let me to it please?" Dumbledore winked at me as he said this, the twinkle in his eye brighter than ever.
I got up to leave, but was stopped by Dumbledore speaking once again, "I almost forgot to mention, you will leave by car, a means of muggle transport, am I right in thinking so Ms Granger?" he raised his eyebrow at me for confirmation which I gave a small nod to. "And if I know correctly, Ms Granger has just acquired a license of sorts which lets her drive a car," again I gave him a small nod. "Well them, it's sorted Ms Granger will drive you both to the house which you will reside at for the next month tomorrow. So I expect the two of you to have all your belongings packed and ready to leave at 8 sharp tomorrow morning."
"Sir, I was just wondering what you are going to tell the rest of the students? And what I should tell Harry, Ron and Ginny 'cause I don't think they'd be too happy at the idea of my spending the month with Malfoy…" I questioned, suddenly having realised that I had no clue what to tell my friends, especially Ron, he would be so angry!
"Ahhh, I hadn't thought of that… I'm sure a little white lie about both of you being needed at your respective homes for an emergency should be sufficient." Dumbledore mused out loud.
I sighed, I hated having to lie to my friends but I suppose it was for the best, "I think that's our only option Professor…"
We both turned towards Malfoy for his acceptance of the idea, to find that he was in exactly the same position as a few minutes ago, only now his face was red with fury and glaring towards Dumbledore and me with great contempt.
"Mr Malfoy, I think you'll find that there will be no chance to the situation if you sit there with such a look on your face. I suggest you man up and have a good last night in Hogwarts for a month at least." Dumbledore announced calmly to Malfoy, but with a stern look in his eyes which would have made Voldemort, so who was Malfoy.
"Fine you pathetic old man. I'll do what you say, but not because you're telling me to." Malfoy spat, as he stand up, his voice getting louder with every word. "You don't have anything better to do but meddle with other peoples' lives do you?! First that night in June when I was about to… And now! Can't you just leave me alone?" And with that, Malfoy turned and stormed out of the room leaving Dumbledore staring at the spot he had been standing with a distinct look of pity in his eyes. Malfoy may have left the room in a strop but it didn't stop me from noticing the effect remember that night had on him. His eyes had gone that same steely grey as they had when I had mentioned Voldemort, but this time there was more in them. There was regret and guilt. Regret and guilt for not having been able to follow his master's orders or something else I didn't know… But I wanted to. There was so much about Malfoy that was a mystery to me. A mystery I was getting more and more desperate to solve. Maybe that's why I agreed with Dumbledore.
Speaking of Dumbledore, I realised I was still standing in his office, but now a weird silence had fallen over the room making me feel slightly uncomfortable. A quick glance at the great wizard told me he was still as lost in his thoughts as I was until a minute ago. I quietly slipped out of the office and started to make my way back to the Heads' Quarters. I was sure Malfoy wouldn't go there until he was certain that I was asleep. As I was walking down one of the moving staircases, I tripped and landed on my bum at the bottom of the staircase. Looking up to see what it was I had tripped over, I realised I was right about one part to do with Malfoy. He definitely wasn't in our quarters.
Crouched on the second last step of the staircase it was Malfoy, with his arms wrapped tightly around his knees and his face buried in them. He hadn't even looked up when I stacked over him. The only colour visible on him was his platinum blonde hair poking out of his deep black, obviously expensive robes. But the normal perfectly styled hair slicked back with gel was out of place, haywire from having run his fingers through them so much; it was almost as bad as Harry's messy hair.
"Malfoy?" I sat down on the staircase a few feet away from him and gently tapped his shoulders as I tried to get his attention.
"Go away Granger. I'll meet you at the entrance to the Great Hall with my stuff, okay? Now leave me alone." His voice was slightly muffled as he murmured back without lifting his head.
Malfoy never failed to shock me. There were so many sides of him which I'd never seen before, sides which I didn't think anyone had seen before. At that moment he looked so vulnerable and innocent that I wanted to pull him into my arms and not let go until he had shed every tear that was so clearly bottled inside him. I chose against it though, I had a feeling my sympathy wasn't welcome her. The war affected us in so many different ways. It had taken away my childhood, but it sometimes it seemed as if Malfoy had never even seen one. I wished that I could change that.
I slowly rose from my position next to him and whispered, "Goodnight Draco," before starting my walk towards our quarters. I don't know what had compelled me to call him Draco instead of Malfoy but I was happy I did because looking back I saw that he had lifted his head for the first time since I had noticed him on the stairs. He was staring at me as if I was an alien creature yet his eyes told me that it was exactly what he had needed.