I hope this chapter didn't take too long to publish, the last chapter got a lot of reviews demanding for the next update.
I hope I didn't disappoint.
Also! I found a new Draco/OC story that stole my "Unexpected" title, so I decided to change mine to make it unique again. I'm sorry if this confused anyone.
Disclaimer is still the same.
I spent most of my night thinking about Draco.
We had started off this year like any other year, on the train and in the classrooms, exchanging playful arguments and hurtful words. But it seemed that something about him this year was different. He was holding in a painful secret. A secret that he didn't trust me enough to share with. A secret that had him looking exhausted and ragged. A secret that had him looking weak. He was in an awful state of mind, and I would think that our fighting would have intensified because of it. Sure we had our little spats every now and then, but it was nothing like before. Hell, in third year we almost tore each other apart with our words alone. But now he would be quite bipolar around me. One minute he would be arguing with me, then attempting to flirt with me, then avoid me all together, and now act on good terms and be cordial? He was driving me insane! And, consequently, he had me feeling bipolar around him as well.
I mean, why should I care at all? He is just Malfoy.
But a voice in my head would always contradict my reasoning, making me thing that there was an underlying conclusion that I wasn't entirely aware of. So far, there were only two things I was completely sure of: Draco was hurting this year, and for some insane reason, I cared enough to find out what it was.
Draco's POV
I punch the Vanishing Cabinet in aggravation. I was getting no where with this awful contraption. It was such a simple task! And I couldn't even do it right. I felt like such a failure. I leaned against the cabinet and slid down the floor. I looked down at my hands and balled them into fists. Taking deep breathes, I tried to clear my head. Getting all worked up wasn't going to help accomplish anything. I closed my eyes and opened them up a minute later. I felt so drained of all my energy. All this sneaking around at night and keeping in all these secrets was rotting me from the inside out. It was becoming too overwhelming. It didn't seem like anyone was catching on, except Madelynn. She saw right through my act. I suppose I should have seen this coming, after all we were sort of, for lack of a better word, frenemies. We might not know everything about each other, but we knew enough to know when something is wrong. I sighed and remember that night I caught her past crufew. She had offered to be there for me, if I couldn't handle bottling everything up anymore, she said that I could go to her. I couldn't help but wonder if she already knew what I was, what I had become. I wished that everything could go back to the way it was. I wished I didn't have to have so much responsibility hanging over my head. I just wanted to go back to being the normal Draco, that wouldn't be stressed out and could goof off without a care in the world. I wish that I could pick on Madelynn without the dread of saying too much...
I clenched my teeth and let out a sigh, going over the options. I tried pretending like there wasn't anything wrong, and acting like I was still the kid from last year. I had already tried staying away from her, it didn't do anything but make me want to talk to her more. I tried to just be around her, and not talk at all. I felt like the only option I was left with was to give in and tell her. Tell her everything that's she's asked about since she found me in the Owlry.
I let out a hesitant sigh.
No.
How ridiculous and desperate would I be if I actually gave into that pathetic whim? No, I simply couldn't do it. I had too much pride.
Maddie's POV
I was late to Potions class that morning. Due to all the thinking that occurred last night, I didn't get to sleep until around two in the morning. So naturally, I woke up late and was forced to skip breakfast. I didn't have time for a shower, but since I took one last night after laundry duty I thought it okay to go without one. I left the common room still buttoning up my shirt as I ran through the halls. I was in such a rush. I was certain I looked like a train wreck when I entered Potions. Most of the class turned around when the door opened, and Professor Slughorn stopped his lecture mid sentence. He stared at my messy haired and exhausted figure curiously.
"Miss Gooding, do try to wake up earlier next time." he said and waved a hand over to my desk.
"Sorry Professor." I mumbled. I even sounded tired.
He nodded in understanding and went back to talking.
As I made my way down the isle, I noticed that Malfoy had scooted his chair as far away from Zabini as possible. When my eyes landed on Zabini's face, I bit my lip and squinted my eyes as to not bust out laughing. His eye looked even worse than it had last night. I suppressed a laugh as I sat down in my chair next to Hermione. She gave me a questioning look.
I leaned over to her and whispered, "You saw Zabini's face? I did that last night."
Hermione turned to look out of the corner of her eye at him. Her face went into pure shock as she looked back at me. I just smiled brilliantly. When I looked back a few minutes later, Zabini was trying to hide his face behind a book. He was obviously embarrassed to be beat up by a girl. I giggled to myself and eyed Malfoy. He looked so exhausted with head rested against the wall. He was as close to the wall as anyone could get and as far away from Zabini as he could be. I wondered about this, but figured I'd ask him later. I was in enough trouble already.
I was walking with Kris to lunch like always. She seemed so excited for tomorrow's trip to Hogsmead, as was I. But all this talk about Hogsmead reminded me that I still have detention tonight.
"Ugh." I groaned and put my face in my hands.
"What's wrong Maddie?" She gave me a confused look.
"I just remembered that I still have detention tonight. And after what I did to Zabini yesterday, Snape is probably gonna kill me!"
I had told Kris about what had happened last night as soon as I reached the common rooms. I woke her up and everything just to get it off my chest. She had started laughing, saying that he had it coming. It made me feel a lot better. But after I had bailed, I didn't know what happened. If the rest of the laundry went undone because I pulled that stunt, that I was probably going to be tortured some more.
Great.
We entered the Great Hall a little earlier than we usually did. As we sat down across from each other at the table, I saw Zabini sitting down the table in the seat that Malfoy usually resided. Pansy was holding an icepack to his eye and I saw him groan. Neither one of them noticed me looking, so I averted my eyes before they did. I took a french from a platter and felt someone sit down next to me swiftly. I turned my head to greet the person and almost had a heart attack.
"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" Kris was the first one to talk.
I was too busy being in shock, that I couldn't find my voice. Malfoy met my gaze and gave me an amused look.
He started addressing the question, but answered to me instead of Kris. "I'm not talking to Blaise anymore. We kind of, got in a fight last night after you gave him that shiner."
I stared at him in utter confusion.
That explains why he was acting weird in Potions.
"So... that still doesn't answer the question." I said sourly.
"I know." he said simply as he put food on his plate.
I looked over at Kris and she smiled slyly at me. I knew exactly what she was thinking and I rolled my eyes. I looked back over at Malfoy, his eyes looked more tired than ever today. I frowned.
"You didn't sleep last night, did you." I said it as more of a statement than a question.
He glared at me. "I don't know what you're talking about."
I shook my head. "Do you even own a mirror Malfoy? You look like hell. You need to get some sleep. Take a nap during your free period or something."
He stiffened at my words and smirked at me. "I look like hell? You're the one that woke up late and didn't have time to even brush your hair."
I felt heat rush to my face as he finished. "And since when do you care about my well being, Gooding?"
I glared at his use of sarcasm. "I don't."
"You don't seem too convincing, Maddie." he narrowed his eyes as he said my name.
I could hear Kris giggling to herself. She was obviously getting a kick out of this.
"Stop trying to change the subject, Draco." I mocked him.
He just rolled his eyes, not even giving me a response.
My glare softened a little as I stared into his hypnotic grey orbs. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"That's none of your business." he turned back to his food. I glared at him.
Kris smiled and started sarcastically clapping. "You two are so cute, really."
I saw Malfoy look up at her out of the corner of my eye, and roll his eyes.
"Please." he said as he put a french fry in his mouth.
She smiled wider. "You two are so clueless. You don't even see how well you complete each other."
I looked up at her like she was crazy. "Are you kidding me? How does this git complete me?"
Malfoy playfully looked hurt. "I'm a git now? How original Gooding."
I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly.
Kris just shook her head, still smiling.
"You're not gonna let this go, are you?" I asked Kris with a pleading look.
"No way." she said with a little laugh to complete her sentence.
Merlin, kill me now.
Turns out, Merlin didn't kill me.
Classes had gone well during the rest of the day. I didn't get in too much trouble, except in Transfiguration class. McGonagall had made it perfectly clear that I wasn't to accidentally throw paper at the back of Pansy's head again, or there would be consequences. I was walking out of my last class, The History of Magic, with Seamus Finnegan. His thick Irish accident had always brought a smile to my face. I wondered why I never became good friends with Seamus, he reminded me of the twins, with his mischievous attitude. I made a mental note to start talking to him more.
Dinner went rather well, also. Malfoy sat with me and Kris again, but he seemed to be more annoying this time. Thankfully, Kris had kept her thoughts to herself and let me eat peacefully, well as peacefully as I could with Malfoy there. But I did hear a giggle come from her whenever Malfoy and I would exchange glances or pick off each others plates. She was such a child. But, I guess I'm a child too for letting her get to me.
I said my good bye's to Kris and both me and Malfoy left with Zabini. I was happy that this would be my last night of detention. I was tired of doing labor that wasn't my choice, but I had a feeling in the pit of my gut that tonight was going to be dreadful.
This was our last fateful walk to Snape's room, and we were sort of positioned in a line. Zabini lead, not wanting to look at either of us, which made me wonder what he and Malfoy had fought about. I walked a few feet behind him, and Malfoy a few feet behind me. Strangely, I felt rather self conscious walking in front of Draco. I couldn't tell if he was looking at me or not, but I decided to straight my posture a bit, just in case.
When we finally got to the classroom, Zabini opened the door and slammed it right in my face.
Bitch.
I narrowed my eyes at the door as I reached for the handle. Apparently, Malfoy had noticed my hesitation and went for the handle as well. His hand ended up clasped over mine. I looked up at him with shock bleeding through my eyes. He just smirked at me. Something in my stomach bubbled up.
"Don't get hit by the door this time."
He pulled the door open with his hand still over mine and walked through. I followed quickly after him trying to compose myself and cool down my face. Snape averted his eyes from the boy in front of him and glared daggers at me. I pretended to look innocent and act like I didn't know what I had done. I saw Malfoy try to suppress a laugh. Snape turned around and I narrowed my eyes at Zabini.
I whispered, "Tattle tale" under my breathe and got an amused look from Malfoy.
I expected, when Snape turned around, to tell me I had an extra week of detention. Instead, he clasped his hands together and cleared his throat, as if preparing for a big speech.
"Tonight, you will be accompanying me into the Dark Forest. Professor Slughorn has requested a new batch of Belladonna plant, and I volunteered us to retrieve some."
He seemed to be looking over our reactions. Malfoy stiffed his posture, but kept his face blank. I looking at him like he had just told us he was pregnant. And Zabini looked like he was about to lose it.
"The Dark Forest?! Are you crazy? Thats not safe!" I rolled my eyes.
"Duh, its not safe. That's why he's making us do it, git." He looked back at me with a murderous look on his face, but all I could stare at was his eye.
He turned back to Snape. "Why do we even need to get this plant anyway? It doesn't sound too important, I've never heard of it."
I crossed my arms and interrupted Snape as he was about to speak. "Maybe you know it as Deadly Nightshade, and it is quite important. Its part of the first year's potion making-kit."
Snape looked at me as if I just took the words out of his mouth. I smirked, happy that I actually knew something school related.
"Right you are Miss Gooding. Now if there isn't any more complaints, lets be on our way before it gets too late."
As Snape lead the way out of the classroom, I could have sworn I saw Malfoy shudder out of the corner of my eye.
The forest was dark and smelled of wet dirt and sod. The trees that loomed over head made creaking noises when a lone gust of wind would blow past. The fog was excruciately thick and I could hardly see anything without my wand to illuminate the way. Snape lead the exploration with Zabini on his heals, obviously frightened out of his mind. Malfoy and I walked side-by-side a few feet behind. We both had our wands extended out, working together so we made sure we could see as much as was possible--my wand to the ground so we could see where was stepped and his up high to keep an eye on where Snape was leading us. It felt like we had been walking forever when Snape finally stopped in front of a huge tree. Its trunk must have been as big as five Hagrids standing in a circle, and down at the bottom where the trunk met the ground were dozens of Belladonna plants. They looked rather magical the way the light from our wands lit up the purple shrub.
"Now, you three keep a look out for centaur and other dangerous creatures, while I try to pluck these from the ground." Snape stated as he got down on one knee for support.
Zabini started complaining about how muggy it was in the fog and how the moon light didn't show through the trees.
What a baby.
I rolled my eyes and look up at Malfoy. He seemed tense, like he wasn't comfortable here. Even more uncomfortable than I was. I elbowed his side to get his attention and gave him a reassuring smile. He averted his eyes, not too proud to be caught in his scared state. I giggled at the thought of Malfoy being scared and looked to where Zabini was. He was over to my left with his wand extended out in a desperate attempt to see what was sneaking up behind him. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. He looked a little offended by my outburst. I composed myself and put a hand over my mouth to make sure I would make anymore noise.
Malfoy rolled his eyes and turned to me. "You're in quite a good mood for someone who is being held against their will in the Dark Forest."
I gave him a fake smile. "I'm just trying to keep the atmosphere light. There really isn't any sense in me acting scared, it'll just make it worse."
He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by something hitting in the side of the head.
"What the bloody hell was that?!" He yelled as he rubbed the side of his face.
I bent down and picked up the unknown item, shining my wand's light on it in my hand.
"Its a rock." I stated. And just then another came zooming towards us. Without a second thought, I grabbed Malfoy's arm and pulled him to the ground. The rock sored over head and hit Zabini in the shoulder.
"Ouch. What the--"
"Get down!" He did as I instructed and got on his stomach.
I looked down at Malfoy and blushed. I was half way on top of him with his left arm still in my grip. His eyes rippled through mine with a certain curiosity that I couldn't place. I couldn't find my voice as I pulled myself off of him. I hesitantly sat up and peered around the tree next us, but I couldn't see far enough to tell if anything was approching us. I quickly pulled my head back behind the tree as another rock flew past. The sound of hooves could be faintly heard in the distance. My eyes narrowed as I put two and two together. Snape seemed to be utterly oblivious to the circumstance.
"Snape!" he turned and looked at me, seeing all of us spread out on the ground and several rocks scattered around. His eyes widened.
"Is there something that you forgot to tell us? Are we in the centaur's territory? Is that why they're pelting us with rocks?" I was furious.
Draco lifted himself off the ground and sat next to me behind the tree.
"It didn't seem crucial to mention. I figured a fair warning to look out for them would suffice." Snape began to get up as the hooves picked up speed.
Zabini was still laying on the ground with his hands covering his head.
"Are we under attack?" Malfoy asked me.
I was debating on whether or not to peek around the tree again. "It seems like the centaur think we're intruding."
Snape quickly grabbed the bags of Belladonna plants and walked briskly past us, talking over his shoulder to us.
"Get up, get up! We have to move."
Obviously.
"Stick together."
We all got off the grounded and ran quickly after Snape. A rock hit my back and I turned to see the centaurs' shadowy outline approaching. I kicked it into full gear as we ran faster. We jumped over roots and ducked under fallen tree trunks and ran through mud puddles, our wands' light bouncing off the tree's surrounding us. Once we were out of the centaurs' territory they stopped pursuing, but continued throwing stones. I didn't bother looking back once. I kept running even when we reached the edge of the Dark Forest. I kept running past Hagrid's hut and the Whomping Willow. I kept running through the hallways of Hogwarts castle. I kept running until I reached the Slytherin common room, and was safely thrown onto of my bed. I didn't change into my night clothes I didn't even pull the blankets over me. I just laid there on my bed, fully clothed, breathing heavily, waiting for my dreams to consume me.
I was running through the Dark Forest after someone. I didn't know who I was chasing or why I was chasing them, but I kept up the pursuit. The figure was wearing a Hogwarts robe with the hood up, so I couldn't see their face. I was running faster and faster and faster. I felt tears run down my cheeks and my legs weaken, but I didn't give up. Abruptly they stopped running and turned to face me, still with their hood up. I stopped in front of them and held out my hand. They took it in theirs, and I reached up to pull down the hood to reveal their face. The most famous pair of grey eyes buried themselves into my blue ones. His mouth contorted into an expression that I never thought I would see on his face. A smile. His platinum blond hair fell into his eye lashes. He lifted his left hand to my face, letting his finger tips graze my cheek softly. I closed my eyes to his touch and felt a bubbling in my stomach that I knew so well...
Boom!
I opened my eyes to the pleasant concrete floor of my dorm. I had that dream again, and this time I knew who I was chasing.
Draconis Malfoy.
I willed myself into a sitting position and looked down on my fully clothed form. Why was I having that dream again? I suspected it was because I was in the Dark Forest last night, and that might have triggered it. I sighed aloud and pulled myself back up to my bed, feeling the aches and pains I had from being pelted with rocks. I shook my head and rubbed my eyes. I was dreaming of Draco, but why? He was already in my thoughts, why plague my dreams too? I got up and made my way to the showers, remembering what day it was. Saturday. It was the day I got to see the twins again, the day of the Hogsmead trip. I smiled to myself and silently hoped that I wouldn't look to worn out for the day ahead.
Review!:]
I think I know where I'm going with this story from here, I just need the time to type it out. Let me know what you think and tell me if you have any suggestions.
