MNS: Sorry for some of my bad descriptions in this chapter. Also, I sort of rush the year a little, but that's neither here nor there.
Part 6
I slowly put away my things and waited for everyone to leave the Potions room later that afternoon. I looked up and saw that the room was empty so I grabbed my stuff and headed towards the door. As soon as I had stepped out of the door, I felt someone grab me and push me into a dark corner. It was just Draco.
I sighed. "What do you want now, Malfoy?"
"Look. About what I said Sunday, about you being his baby sister, I didn't mean to offend you."
"You waited four and a half days to tell me that? Fine, it's alright. If that's all you wanted then I--"
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "That's not all I wanted." He leaned forward and kissed me. I felt like I was flying.
What? No way. I can't be...be...in..love...with him. But you've liked him since-- I know. Liked. But not loved. Think about it. You've been more patient with him, you let him kiss you, and you're happy every time you see him. I know, but I just can't be--
"Tori? Are you ok?"
"Huh?" I looked up to find Draco looking down at me, confused.
"Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about...something," I said, thankful that I caught myself before I told him what I had been thinking about.
A smirk crept up on his face. Realization dawned on me. "You perv! Not that!"
He looked disappointed. "Aww. Well, you can't blame a guy for trying." I rolled my eyes at him and walked away.
I entered the Great Hall and headed towards the Gryffindor table. "Where were you? We were starting to worry. You almost never miss a meal."
I laughed. "That's true. I was just...taking care of something." Darn. I hesitated. Now they're going to suspect something.
Fortunately, most of them let it go at that and continued their conversations. Most, that is. Harry gave me a questioning look, but I ignored it and tried to join a conversation. When that didn't work, I decided to head up to my room, grab my Mp3 player, and go outside. After all, it was a beautiful afternoon. Maybe I could see the sunset tonight. With that, I headed up to the dorm. Once I got there, I dashed up the stairs, grabbed my mp3 player, and headed towards the lake. Reaching my favorite tree, I climbed up halfway, sat down, and put on Fallen by Evanescence.
I stayed up there for I don't know how long, but when I got down, I had to run to the castle, for curfew was nigh. By the time I got inside the common room, I was completely out of breath. I collapsed onto the floor in front of the fireplace and laid there for a few hours. I decided to go to bed, seeing as how it was 11 and I didn't want to waste my Saturday morning asleep again.
I awoke the next morning around 7:30. I sluggishly climbed out of bed, grabbed my stuff, and got a shower. I dried my hair, tied it up in a bun, and put chopsticks in. Harry's eyes were filled with surprise when he saw me in the Great Hall. I could feel the stares of at least half the guys there.
"Who are you trying to impress?"
"No one. I happen to like this outfit."
"It's just, you never wear dresses."
"I do sometimes."
"Yeah, sometimes, meaning 'rarely ever'."
After breakfast, I headed outside. I felt like walking around I, of course, went straight to my tree. I wanted to climb it so much, but I couldn't. Stupid dress. This is one reason that I never wear them.
"This is why I hate dresses," I said to no one.
"But you look great in it." I looked around the tree to see Draco leaning against it.
"This is my tree. What are you doing here?"
"Relax. I just came to see you," he said, coming closer. "You look great."
"Thanks, but at what price? I can't even climb trees." I sat down and pulled out my Mp3 player and speakers. "Now singing I can do," I muttered to myself. I sat down and put on Gravitation, turned it up halfway and began singing along. Ah, anime. Gotta love it. I stared out at the lake, watching the light dance on the water. I felt someone sit down, but didn't look at them (being too absorbed in the songs).
Just as I switched the CD selection to another one with anime on it, I felt someone's arm around my shoulder. He leaned in and whispered in my ear. "You're a great singer."
"Thanks, Draco."
He turned my head to face him. I stared at him. Those eyes were hypnotic. I could have sat like that for hours. He leaned in and kissed me, sending a shiver down my back. I could tell he felt me shiver a bit because he continued to kiss me. I kissed back. A minute later, I broke the kiss.
"I shouldn't be doing this."
"Why not? I know you love me as much as I love you."
"Well, I guess, but I--"
"Oh, so you do like me. I knew it. No one can resist the Malfoy charm." He smirked. "So, when did you start liking me?" he questioned.
Me and my big mouth. I guess I should tell him. No use trying to hide it. "Since...3rd year," I said, not looking at him, but at the lake. "But if Harry ever found out, he'd practically lock me in my room until graduation." I quietly laughed at the thought and a smile crept on my face.
I continued to sing 'Fukai Mori', 'Dearest', and more 'Gravitation'. After the songs were over, I got up. "I better get back or they'll think I've been kidnaped by someone." I walked away.
"Wait!" he yelled as he ran to catch up.
"When can I see you again?" I thought about it for a minute.
"Well, you'll always see me in class and in the Great Hall. Plus there will be Quidditch games and--"
"Not what I meant and you know it." I smiled and nodded my head.
"I know."
"How about tonight in the Astronomy Tower?"
"Again?...Alright. Around 11:30."
He smiled, Wait! An actual smile?, and kissed me on the cheek. "Tonight," he said and we left--me towards the Quidditch field to watch Harry practice, and him up to the castle.
I reached my destination and found the girls sitting on the side of the field watching the boys play. "Hey, Tor."
I mumbled a 'hey' back and they looked at each other.
"What's up, Tori? Something you wanna tell us?"
"Yeah, you're acting...odd." I snapped back to reality.
"No, nothin'." I hated to lie to them, but if I wanted to see him again I had to.
Changing the subject, I began to ask them about the boys. "They've been here for a few hours. We came down here about an hour ago to check on them."
They began to talk to each other, but I just sat there. The boys finished up and came towards us. Did I really tell him how I feel? I felt someone shake me.
"Huh?" I looked up to find Harry looking at me.
"Hey. Are you alright? Everyone else is already headed back to the castle."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just lost in my own little world again." I smiled to show him that I was alright. He and I walked back up to the castle for dinner.
The hours flew by, but not fast enough for me. Finally, it was time. I donned the invisibility cloak and snuck out of the common room. That's when I went into stealth mode. This time, though, I ran into no dangers. Aww man. I reached the Astronomy Tower and found him waiting.
"Took you long enough."
"What? It's 11:30." I showed him my watch. "You're just early."
"I guess I couldn't wait." I just shook my head and sat down by him. He put his arm around me and we sat like that for at least an hour.
I sighed. "That star there," I pointed to it, "is beautiful. It stands out from the others."
"You like it?" I nodded. "Then it is yours."
I turned to him. "What?"
"It's yours. I'll even name it after you." I smiled and laid back down.
"I should go," I stated an hour later. He stood up and helped me up. "Thanks."
"No problem..."
"What's wrong?" "Nothing. It's just...canIseeyouagaintomorrownight?" He rushed. I tried to decipher what he said. Duh. That's what he said.
"Sure," I said, and we left. Reaching my bed, I crawled in and fell asleep.
Every other night for a few weeks I met him in the Astronomy Tower, where we sat for hours. Nothing happened, which is why I feel it is pointless to waste my time and yours by writing it down. After dinner a few weeks later, he pulled me into a corner by the stairs. He kissed me and I kissed back
"What was that for?" I asked.
"Just because. You'd better go. I think I hear your brother coming." I nodded and left.
"What were you doing?"
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing," he said, not wanting an argument to start. I shrugged and headed off, leaving him confused.
The months passed and it was Christmas break. Harry and I were the only ones from our group to stay. There were less than 30 other people staying here for the break. I didn't mind staying--I love having a big school to myself. You can run around and act stupid and no one will care. Yay!! I love randomness!!!
I got a few presents, just from friends, but at least I got some. I got a bunch of candy from Ron, a book on the Dark Arts from Hermione (how'd she know?), a book on Quidditch from Ginny, manga from Harry (Yay!), and a cookbook from Mrs. Weasley. I, of course, gave everyone else something, including Draco, who gave me a gift--a beautiful blue necklace.
I spent most of my time outside reading and listening to music, or inside doing the same thing. Sometimes I'd go outside just to walk around or I'd run around being insane like I am. Before I knew it, school was back in. Draco and I continued to see each other and everything was great.
That is, until the day he died. If you've The Order of the Phoenix, then you know who I'm talking about. Harry and I headed off, but our troops found us (the D.A. members.) They all had wanted come, but we tried to tell them to stay here. Heck, I even tried to get Harry to stay, but he wouldn't listen. So off we went, certainly to our doom. Now, like I said, if you've read the book then you know what happens. If you haven't then shame on you. Go read it! 'Cuz I'm not gonna describe it.
We came back, all teary eyed and depressed. I knew it had been a bad idea to go. How could we have let that happen? Harry and I loved Sirius like the father we never had. Then, when those evil words were said and he fell to the floor, time stood still. I could feel our allies continue to fight the battle they were in, but everything slowed down. They finished their battles and everyone just stopped. I fell on my knees, too stunned to say anything. Someone came over and helped me up. I don't know who it was and I don't care. They led me over to my friends.
When we got to Hogwarts, we were sent straight to the Hospital Wing. I was so glad to be there. Madame Pomfrey gave us different potions for our wounds. She gave me something and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I saw that Harry, who was still asleep, and I were the only ones in the room. I just sat there. I wasn't relieved; I wasn't sad; I felt nothing. After sitting like that for a few hours, Madame Pomfrey began to worry.
"Are you alright, dear?" I nodded my head, not looking at her.
Harry woke up right after she left. We just stared at each other and tears began to build up in our eyes. I was the one to cry. They silently fell down my face as Harry came over and pulled me into a hug.
"It's ok. We'll get through it," he comforted. I nodded and wiped my eyes.
Madame Pomfrey came in and told us we were free to go. We thanked her and silently headed to our dorm. It was dinner time soon after. We changed clothes and headed into the Great Hall. Dumbledore sat there silently, occasionally talking to the other teachers, who were quiet as well. We sat down and looked at those of us who had been there. Our eyes started to water so we quickly looked away and tried to eat. Tried. I barely ate anything for a few days. A bit of food for lunch and dinner or breakfast and lunch. Not much of anything. Draco started to worry.
"Hey, Tori," he said, trying to start a conversation one day in a deserted hallway.
"Hi," I whispered and walked away.
He grabbed my arm and turned me around. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I mumbled sadly, "Could you let me go?"
He nodded and let go. I walked off. After a few days, I began to act like my normal self. I ate more and talked more. You could still find me by my tree listening to music and staring off into space, but not as much as before.
The end of the year came quickly. "Are you ready, Tor?" I nodded and we headed down to the train.
After searching for a few minutes, we came upon an empty compartment and sat down. We talked about Quidditch and what we'd do over the summer, but we all avoided talking about what had happened during that last half of the year. The train arrived at the platform and we all got off. After goodbyes were said, we headed towards the Dursleys. Another summer with them. I sighed.
Of course, we spent time with Hermione and the Weasleys, but you can read about that in the book.