Dancing in the Rain
Disclaimer: I'm not Rowling.
My wrists are hurting. I scratched them with my fingernails. Blood oozes out of the scratches. I scratch them more. More blood. I look at my nails and see my blood on them.
I hate being discussed in front of people. Why must father shout so? His words are echoing in my head still. I start banging my head against the cupboards in the library. A couple of books fall out. But the noise in my head does not stop. I hit my head again on the cupboard.
I hear footsteps behind me. Maybe it is Draco. I turn around. The boy is standing before me. He steps forward. I back away.
'Go!' I say.
He doesn't move. 'Go!' I repeat.
Why can't this boy listen? He is staring at my bleeding hands. I put my hands behind me. He steps towards me and pulls my hands from behind. His eyes widen at the sight of the blood. He points his wand at my wrists.
The blood vanishes and the scratches heal at once. I start scratching them again.
'Stop,' he says softly, holding my hands. I pause to listen to his voice. It sounds musical. I wish he would speak again. I look up at his face. He wipes my tears. His hand is on my face. I put my hand on his. He smiles at me and tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. His touch is so warm.
I don't answer. I want him to keep speaking. I love his voice.
'You have beautiful eyes,' he says. I don't listen to what he says, just to his voice. I want him to keep speaking. I love his voice. It takes my breath away.
His face looks as soft as his voice. I extend my hand towards his face and touch his cheeks. His black skin stretches under my pale hands. I close my eyes. I want to feel his voice. I move my fingers over his lips. His warm breath grazes my fingertips. I feel his lips smiling. I smile too.
I open my eyes and withdraw my hand to feel my own cheeks. They're as soft as his. He reaches out and takes my hand away from my face. Then he leans in and kisses me on the cheek, whispering my name. After he pulls away, I touch the moist imprint on my cheek.
I hear footsteps coming towards the library. Instinctively, the boy backs away. Draco enters the library.
'You're okay, Ebbie?' he asks.
I don't answer.
'Listen, Ebbie, you can come downstairs now. Father has gone out,' continues Draco.
But I don't want to leave. I want to stay here, and replay the last ten minutes again in my mind. For the first time, I wish Draco would go away.
I go and sit at the table by the window. Draco and the boy come and sit beside me. The boy is not looking at me or Draco. He is staring at the floor. His chin is almost touching his chest.
I see fat raindrops splatter against the window panes. I love dancing in the rain. It drowns my tears. I get up to go downstairs into the garden. I know Draco will not let me get wet in the rain. So I run downstairs as fast as I can.
'Ebbie! Wait!' I hear Draco behind me. I run down the stairs and out into the garden.
The rain caresses my face and trickles into my eyes as it pelts down on my body, soaking me thoroughly. My dress clings to my body as I spin around, taking in the smell of the rain washed grass. The sky is a dark angry grey. My troubles seem to melt away in the rain. The flowers seem to be dancing in happiness, as the rain pelts down on them. The ribbons in my hair blow in the wind. I hear the song the rain sings to me as I twirl around with my hands in the air.
I see Draco running towards me, with a hand sheltering his head.
'Come back inside, Ebbie! You'll catch a cold,' says Draco. He pulls me by the hand and walks towards the house. I don't want to leave.
'No,' I say.
'What do you mean no? You have to come inside,' he says impatiently, tugging at my dress. He takes me inside and shuts the door.
'Look at you, you're soaked,' scolds Draco.
The boy is standing some distance away, staring at me. His eyes are running over my body. I blush. Draco notices.
'Stop staring at her like that, you pervert!' says Draco, hitting the boy on the head.
'How many times have I told you not to wear that dress and go out into the rain? You can see right through it when it gets wet. You're almost fourteen, don't behave like a little girl,' says Draco.
I say nothing. The boy is still staring at me. I cannot look into his eyes. I nervously try to pull my dress away from my body, so that it can dry faster.
'Go upstairs to your room and change,' says Draco.
I obediently ascend the flight of stairs, water dripping down my neck.
After I change, I go back downstairs in the living room and sit by Draco. I wish that the boy would not stare at me. It makes me so nervous…
'Would you like to eat something?' asks Draco, offering me a sandwich.
I push his hand away. It is still raining. The rain pattering on the roof sounds like dancing feet, beckoning me to come and dance with them. I open the window and stretch my hand out. I cup my hand to catch some rainwater. Then I spread my fingers, and the water flows in between my fingers like every other bit of happiness I have ever had.
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