Rain pelted the windows, running down the pains in rivulets like tears. The sky beyond was dark with thick storm clouds. They blocked the light of the moon and stars, leaving the world below in an unrelenting darkness.
A fire burned in the hearth, casting shadows about the walls as the flames dance to the rhythmic drumming of the rain against the glass. Draco stared hard at the unfinished essay before him, desperately trying to chase away the lingering nightmare that had woke him.
Blaise had been waiting for him when he'd returned to the common room. He accused Draco of purposely avoiding him, even of cheating on him. Draco denied the accusations, and for that he was punished.
Draco raised a tentative hand to his face, his fingers brushing his cheek where he knew a bruise had formed. The spot was tender, and he winced as he pressed a little too hard. He resolved never to let anyone know. Blaise hadn't meant to hurt him, had he? No. Blaise loved him.
Draco pulled out his wand, coming to stand before the mirror above the mantle. Placing the cool tip of the wand against his cheek, Draco muttered a spell. Immediately the blue-black bruise disappeared, hidden behind a well practiced glamour. No one would learn of Blaise's outburst, and Draco would do his best to forget.
Harry Potter was confused. He watched Draco Malfoy all through breakfast, trying to discover what it was that was different about the blonde. He still looked the same: same golden hair falling in his eyes, which were the same silver-ray they had always been. Yet something was indeed very different.
The old Malfoy wouldn't have helped him. The old Malfoy wouldn't have comforted him while he broke down. The old Malfoy would have laughed in his face. The old Malfoy would have told the world that Harry Potter was weak. This new Malfoy was a mystery, one Harry found himself desperately longing to figure out.
Author's Note
Alright, short chapter--I know. But I came up with this at school today and loved it too much to muck it up with useless jibber-jabber. More soon. I just got the Halfblood Prince soundtrack, and it is bringing forth my muse. I've suddenly got so many ideas that it's getting hard to write them down fast enough. Also, I'm over halfway finished with the finale of "Deluded". I know many of you are looking forward to the ending--as am I. I promise there will be more up soon for you all to read.
Love,
Cara Nicole Luvitz