A Surprise
As I entered the Head Boy and Girl common room, I felt a little more relaxed. Denali flew off my shoulder and landed on the arm of the couch. As I walked by him to my dorm room, I ran a hand down his folded wing. He hooted softly and I smiled.
I had opted to skip lunch. I was too tired. I was not too terribly hungry either. As I reached out for my doorknob, I heard a footstep behind me. I turned around, my hand heading for my wand. When I saw it was only Draco, I almost let out a sigh of relief.
"Yes?" I inquired while I shot a glare at Denali. He must still be mad about this morning.
"Just wondering why you aren't going to lunch." he stated. I nodded my head and turned the doorknob to enter. There was not a question to his statement. I did not need to answer.
When I stepped in, I felt someone behind me. They closed my door and I felt my hands go clammy. I was both enraged and unnerved. One, it was my bedroom. Two, it was my bedroom and a boy had intruded in its perimeter.
"What do you think you are doing?" I said. My voice wavered. My blood pressure was too high for it to be calm.
"Afraid?" Draco looked down at me. I took a deep breath to steady myself.
"No." I answered firmly, mostly to convince myself. My voice was still shaky and Draco laughed at my uncertainty.
"I think you are," he said smoothly. I took a step back.
"I'm not." I said trying to convince myself again. My brave front was crumbling fast. I was being exposed. Draco just laughed.
"Hmmm." he said, "Purple." he added after noticing my furnishing. Everything was purple, from my bed sheets to the chairs.
"Like I said in my class, I like purple." I replied. I needed to sit. I walked to a chair and sat down. I dropped my bag to the floor.
"So I noticed." Draco stated as he took the chair across from me, "I also see you are not like most girls. You don't have a lot of make-up." he assessed while looking at my vanity.
"Just enough to outline my eyes, even my skin tone, moisten my lips and rosy up my cheeks." I responded.
I got up from the chair and started walking towards my bed. I needed to change bandaging and I had just remembered where I left them. When I reached it, I took off my shirt. I was not worried about what Draco might see. I had my tank top on like I normally do. I could tell Draco was not so much worried as he was entertained.
"Do you randomly take clothes off for any guy?" he asked with a bemused looked upon his face. I turned to him and snorted.
"Oh please. I am just changing my bandages." I answered while turning back, "Besides, I was not too terribly concerned since I have my tank top on." I started taking off the bandages on my shoulder.
My shoulder was fairly sore. I was having trouble getting the cloth off. When Denali had perched on it, he had made it bleed. The bandages were stuck with dry blood. I was doing a lot of teeth grinding when Draco decided to get up and help me.
Draco took my hands into his and lowered them to my side. He gently took the bandages off. He then started to put some salve onto my wounds and then wrap some cloth around them. I had started feeling instant relief when the ointment started to sink in. I sighed, a sigh of relief.
"Better?" Draco asked softly. I looked into his eyes and saw they had changed to a blue-gray.
"Much." I responded and reached down for my shirt. I remembered that I was going to be a student this time. I could not wear my black shirt. I walked over to my trunk to pull out my white shirt and then I realized that I was in slacks and not the regulation skirt. I hate school.
I bent down and opened my trunk. I started rummaging through my clothes. I found the bloody cloak and shredded shirt from last night. I took them out and a flash of pain coursed through my wound. I sighed and set them aside. I continued my search for my school clothes.
"You know, I think I will look at your book collection." Draco stated as I pulled out my shirt and skirt. I laughed.
"I have shorts on, you idiot. You don't have to make it obvious." I said while I started undoing buttons on my slacks.
"Do you always dress in layers?" he asked while I slid my pants down. I grabbed my skirt and pulled it over my shorts before I answered.
"Yes, just in case some random guy invites himself into my bedroom." I replied while slipping on my shirt, "Actually, it is more out of habit than because of random guys coming into my room." I added as I buttoned up my shirt.
Draco started walking over to me. I noticed his eyes were still that blue-gray. They were most mesmerizing, for I could not look away. They held my gaze captive with some unseen force. Almost like he had this switch that he flipped on to make me look at him.
"What color are your eyes?" he asked unexpectedly.
"Brown." I answered. He shook his head slightly.
"No. You are lying." he said, "And you know it." he was trying to seduce me, "They are a light brown. They also have some green too. Just a pale green." he was being observant. I felt like being observant too.
"You are getting too close and they are brown." I said firmly. In an attempt to make him stop walking forward, I held my hands up in front of me. They were there to remind me of my personal space.
"Right." he said with a knowing smile, "What if I purposefully wanted to be this close?" he added while crashing into my palms. I felt the power of his chest on my fingertips, "Your eyes are most intriguing." he said silkily. I was tempted to let him have his way with me right then and there, but my head was screwed on tighter then that.
"They are brown and that is final." I gave his chest a shove. To my dismay, he did not even budge. He smirked. 'Damn him!' I thought to myself.
"Only I go where I want to." he whispered coyly, "And I am quite comfortable right where I am." I took a step back only to have him step with me. I started to quickly back up and smacked into a wall. He had kept pace with me and now I was pinned.
Eye contact had remained constant. I could not look away and he refused to look away. A mixture of nerves and want was coursing through my system hindering me from thinking. My blood pressure was awfully high. I could hear my blood roaring through my veins. I knew I had to break his gaze.
With great difficulty, I looked down. I could feel my pulse slow down a bit. Not much, but it helped with the pounding in my ears.
My resolve was weakening and he could see that. I felt even more exposed. The wall that I had carefully built around me was crumbling because some big shot thinks he can seduce me. Well, he was doing a good job at it. Although, that was the total opposite of what I wanted. I felt Draco snag my chin between his index finger and thumb and he raised my face so I could look into his eyes. I remembered that my hands were still on his chest. That made my heart flutter with hope.
"You know, you are really cute when you are uncertain." he whispered. Draco's voice was smooth and sweet.
"Oh really?" I asked huskily. If I could not control how my body was going to react, I will control how close he gets. I knew that at this point, he was too distracted to even think I would push him away. The way my voice sounded, he thinks that I am so smitten with him, that any rational thought was long gone. I decided that I would prove him wrong.
I shoved him away. Just, out of the blue, shoved him away. I pushed off from the wall with my back, and used every ounce of strength I could muster from my arms. Draco flew back. He stumbled and ended up tripping over his own two feet. After he was out of my personal bubble, I felt air come into my lungs. Air that was not thick with lust. Pure, clean air. I felt my pulse start to return to normal and my blood pressure drop considerably. Draco looked up at me from the floor.
"I said I was comfortable." he snapped. He was obviously annoyed at how I interrupted his little game.
"Good." I replied sarcastically, "Since you can get comfortable easily, get comfortable with the floor." Draco stood up gracefully.
"Never you mind." he snarled. He changed his tone from angry to knowing, "Now I know what kind of wandless magic you can do." he sneered. My heart skipped a beat.
"No you don't." I said defiantly. I was building up a front. For my safety's sake.
"Yes, I do." he replied, "It is Conjuration." he said matter-of-factly, "And only Conjuration." 'Crap!' I thought. I sent him a glare and pointed to my door.
"Since you are done proving yourself all knowing, get out of my room." I said sarcastically. Draco smirked and walked over to my door.
"'All knowing,' I like that." Draco stated, "Don't fret about me telling anyone. Your secret is safe with me."
"Get out." I growled. The whole school was going to know by tomorrow, I just knew it. Then the questions about why I am teaching Defense when I should be teaching something else will come. Draco flashed me a devilish grin before opening the door.
Denali swooped in and scared Draco. If I was not so concerned for other things, I would have found it funny. Draco cursed my owl before stepping out and closing the door behind him. I looked at Denali and he looked backed at me. Worry was flooding his ebony eyes. I smile shakily.
"'Tis okay Denali." I said. I walked over to my bed and looked at the grandfather clock next to it. I saw that I still had half an hour before lunch ended.
I fell onto my bed and curled up into a ball. It had been a long morning and all I wanted was to sleep. I decided that twenty minutes would be good. So I closed my eyes and let the warm waters of sleep drown me. They caressed me and held me tight. I did not think of anything. Not missing my friends. Not knowing that Draco was planning my demise. Not about Denali being mad at me. I did not think of a thing. And that felt so good. Well, it felt good until some persistant tapping invaded my thoughtless sleep. My face broke the surface of the warm waters and I felt instantly cold.
I shivered before standing up and reading my clock. I had slept for only ten minutes. I cursed softly before opening my window. A chickadee fluttered in and landed on my bed. I recognized the bird. My face broke out in a huge, happy grin. All thoughts of being angry were gone. I untied the small roll of paper and gently patted the bird on the head. She chirped happily. The chickadee decided that she was going to rest on my shoulder. I let her seeing as how I knew her. Even Denali was hooting softly out of happiness. I enlarged the paper and unrolled it. I laughed out loud when I saw the familiar handwriting.
Henny Penny milove,
How are you doing? Adjusting to Hogwarts well? I hope you are. Poor Dee made a fuss when I told her that she would have to fly to Scotland. How is she doing? Feed her for me, please.
Well, I mainly wrote this letter to see how you were doing so far away from the home land. It has been two weeks since I saw you or heard from you. Wow, only two weeks? Damn babe, I miss you.
Anyway, tell me how everyone is without...Him. Terrible thing that happened last term. Did you hear who was supposed to actually do it? Some boy by the name of Draco Malboy, I think it was. Or something along those lines.
Well, I guess I will let you get back to doing whatever you were doing. I hope your first day is good. Meet any cute boys yet? I love you lotsa!
Love always,
Kadie Rose!
I sighed as I placed the note on my bed. I felt tears spring to my eyes. 'Oh, Kadie, I miss you too.' I thought to myself sadly. Kadie, my best friend up in Alaska. I recall when we said good-bye, we were both crying like no tomorrow. I wanted to cry now, but something was tugging at my mind. Malboy sounds an awful lot like Malfoy. Kadie normally does not get first names wrong. She will, however, forget your last name within seconds. The closeness of the names scared me.
I grabbed my bag and 'Accio'-ed every book and paper that I would need for the next two classes. I packed all that and headed for my door. I was going to class early. Denali flew across the room and I stopped. I looked at him sadly when he landed on my shoulder.
"Not this time, love." I said, "This isn't my class. I can't bring you. I am sure Dee would love for you to keep her company. She did have a long flight." Denali hooted softly in understanding. He pushed off my shoulder and landed next to Dee, happily. Both loved each other's company immensely. I smiled at the hooting and chirping.
I walked out my door. I shrugged my bag onto my good shoulder. I glanced around the Common room while I closed my door. The neutral tones of the room made it enjoyable and comfortable. Nothing like my room. The colors were supposed to make mine spontaneous and loud. I smiled to myself at the difference in tones.
I had walked out of the Common Room door when I heard footsteps behind me. I did not need to turn around to identify my stalker because I knew who it was. Instead, I pressed on pretending not to notice him.
"Sownbinder." the familiar drawl floated to my ears. I clenched my jaw in annoyance.
"Yes?" I responded without stopping or turning around.
"Stop!" he ordered sharply. My temper flared.
I may take a lot of crap from people, but when they start to order me around, like I am a slave, I do not like it. I refuse to take orders. So, my response to his order was to make a quick, fluid turn around and keep my march going until I was a few feet away from him. My posture was rigid. I could tell he felt my anger radiating off of me. His cool facade faltered and some fear flashed through his face for a moment. Then he covered it up.
"I dare you to order me around again." I said softly and dangerously. When he did not do anything I hissed, "Go on, do it." Draco just remained silent and unmoving, "Order me around again, and I will harm you. Make no mistake. I do not take that kind of shit from people. Especially from pigheaded pricks like you." I added vehemently.
I turned on my heel and felt my ponytail slap his face. I was too angry to feel any sort of satisfaction. So I just started to walk away, or would have if I did not feel myself falling forward. I felt his hands on my back far too late. I hate it when I am too pissed to be observant.
I felt my hands slap against the smooth stones of the floor. My knees scrapped on the cold stones. My face came quite close to kissing the blocks. Just then, any rational thoughts eluded me. I felt arms my start to shake. I was not angry any more, I was furious. I stood up slowly. I did not look at him.
"I hope you know what you are doing." I murmured to myself. That was when I turned around and faced Draco.
I slowly made my way to only a step in front of him. He was watching my closely, waiting for me to do something. After I completely stopped in front of him, I swung my fist and plowed through his jaw. He jerked his head back and I brought up my other fist and struck his eye. As I was bringing my arm back, I jabbed him in the cheek with my elbow.
Draco stumbled backwards while he clutched at his jaw. He had one eye closed. Before I knew what I had done, I had brought up my leg and kicked him in the stomach. Draco doubled over, sputtering and coughing. He was gasping for breath. I was about to raise my hand for another hit, when I felt strong arms pin my arms to my sides.
"Get off me!" I screeched. I started to struggle against my capture.
"Calm down!" a familiar voice said urgently. I immediately halted all movement, save for breathing.
"Mark?" the name came out breathless and quiet.
"Yes." he said sharply, "Now, can I trust you enough to let go?" his body was tense. I nodded.
After he let me go, I turned around and engulfed him in a hug. He returned the affection with as much tightness as I did. When we released each other, I slapped him across the face. His head jerked back and he sent a glare my way.
"Bitch!" he snarled.
"Bastard!" I growled, "I did not need your interruption."
"Yes, you did." Mark responded matter-of-factly, "You were going to kill the poor boy. And I could not let you do that." he flashed me a white smile and I returned it.
"I missed you." I said happily.
"I missed you, too." Mark replied with a quick kiss on the cheek, "Now, git to class." he pushed me down the hall.
"Fine." I said resignedly, "Catch you later?"
"Yeah." he replied. We heard a cough.
"Someone had better help me." Draco mumbled through a swollen lip, "I am not walking around like this."
"Too bad." I said as I walked down the hall. I needed to get to class.