Sorry for the short length, Jess and I have been really busy lately.
Thank you for reading, please leave constructive critique!
Edit 14/11/13
Sorry it's taking so long to get the next chapter out, I've got a lot on my plate right now! I've got most of the draft done, and it's already at 5000 words so you'll be in for a doozie once its done.
The silence of the Infirmary was broken by the creaking of the double doors that marked the far wall as the entrance.
I jumped out of the seat next to Professor Flitwick's cot, nearly tangling my ankles in the straps of my bag and rushed towards the divider to peer beyond and watch the silhouettes of Professor Dumbledore and Draco Malfoy enter.
Madam Pomfrey, now fully dressed, walked out from her office and and met them halfway; she spoke to the Headmaster in a soft tone about Professor Flitwick's condition. A few of her words floated by;
Head wound...stable...unconscious...cured.
"Yes, yes..." Professor Dumbledore murmured as he nodded.
They paused at the feet of Professor Flitwick's sleeping form and Dumbledore shook his head slowly. They turned away and walked towards Madam Pomfrey's Office. I glanced at Draco, who snapped his head around to face me. Upon seeing my stare, his expression morphed from a dulled fatigue to anger.
"Still here?" He asked bitterly.
"I'm staying to tell the Headmaster what I saw." I replied softly. He didn't respond.
"About friday-" I began but he cut me off.
"I don't care, Marlin," he hissed, "I thought I could talk to you but I was wrong."
"Someone was there, Draco." I spoke harshly, "Someone was hiding."
"Hiding?" He repeated, "You were alone. At 1 in the morning, In the middle of the staircase, waiting for the next one to arrive."
"Someone was there, okay?" I said, becoming frustrated, "I was just trying to look out for you!"
"By being a bitch?!" He spat.
The word struck me like a punch to the gut but instead of the gnawing sadness I had felt all weekend at his disapproval, his words boiled my blood.
"A bitch?" I repeated, my jaw set, "I was a bitch, because I was pretending our relationship had never changed?"
His angry stare did not waver. I advanced.
"I'm a bitch because I did what WE AGREED TO DO? To PROTECT YOU?"
He didn't flinch. My heart thudded harder and I clenched my hands into fists.
"I could have just let you talk, Draco Malfoy, let you be friendly and chatty around me, 'sullying' your reputation, 'ruining' all that you're known for but instead, I put our flimsy friendship on the line to prevent them from knowing how YOU actually are."
"How I actually am? Listen to yourself Marlin." He said, almost disgusted.
"You are, by far, the most anxious, angry and disturbed person I have ever met." I told him flatly, hoping the declaration would hurt him.
"That honour belongs to you." He retorted, "Malicious Marlin. Broke a girls arm because she called her a name."
I felt my face flush and a new rush of rage swelled in my chest.
"That was years ago," I spluttered, "and-and she FORGAVE me! That's one less then you have, Draco Malfoy...and, for something less nasty!"
Draco didn't respond; he merely stared me down.
My anger swirled in my chest, tightening my shoulders and hitching my breath. It was slowly turning into an embarrassed anger; something I felt so often after the initial outburst. I felt a fool and the knowledge of it just upset me more. I sighed and shut my eyes tight, covering them with my hands. I tried to take a deep, calming breath but it felt shaky and unsatisfying.
I gathered my thoughts as the pregnant silence between us bloated to an uncomfortable size.
Slowly, my emotions evened out and I reached again that numbed plateau where most things felt dull, uninteresting but so much better than the throb of anger.
I glanced up at Draco, who was still staring and I wondered if he had watched me the whole time.
"Look, I don't expect you to forgive me right now, but just remember that I only acted that way because someone was nearby. I only did what I said I'd do; never let on that you'd talked to me." I said, almost uninterested in what I had to say. The conversation was over and done; neither of our input mattered any more.
I felt a slow realisation trickle through my mind that this was probably the last time we would ever speak. I watched him as he looked away, staring down the corridor where the Headmaster and Madam Pomfrey had disappeared. I heard a shuffle of feet on the reflective tile floor of the Infirmary and realised that the Headmaster was returning.
He walked up to Draco and took him aside, talking softly to him. Quickly, Draco nodded and walked out of the infirmary, not looking back though I watched closely as he disappeared out the doorway.
"Now then, Miss Marlin." The Professor announced in a soft tone as he turned towards me, "Madam Pomfrey has told me that you witnessed what happened to our Charming Professor."
The Headmaster gave Professor Flitwick a somber look.
"I...I was walking back from my detention with Professor Snape," I started, not looking away from the door, "and I saw Professor Flitwick climbing the 4th Floor stairs."
"You saw?" The Professor said, a hint of a smile.
"Well…" I looked at the Headmaster's face, "I was next to him...under...a certain article of Harry's clothing…" I paused, gauging his reaction. He nodded for me to continue.
"and I don't know...I didn't want to be caught walking up the stairs next to him, so I waited till he was halfway up to start myself...and then when he entered the 4th floor corridor, I heard a thunk and the door swung open again and someone sprinted away...but I couldn't see who it was under...the...'clothing article'. It's hard to see through…" I trailed off but The Headmaster nodded understandingly.
"Where did the 'someone' go?" He asked
"They ran up to the 7th floor at least, I couldn't hear their footsteps after that." I answered slowly.
"The 7th floor?" he repeated and I nodded.
He didn't say anything for moment; he seemed thoughtful.
"Perhaps," he said, "it is time to go back to your dorm."
I thought briefly about tomorrow and cast the thought aside.
"There's something dangerous happening at the school." I spoke without thinking.
He nodded slowly, as if admitting a great sin;
"I know Miss Marlin." he spoke in a grave tone I had never heard from him before, "I know."
Covered by Harry's cloak and clutching my wand tightly, I arrived at the Gryffindor tower in half the time it usually took. I crawled through the portrait hole and was struck by the vision of Harry, who stood at the Fireplace almost broodingly, staring deeply into the flames.
"Harry," I greeted him, a dull pang of relief fluttered through my stomach as I pulled off his Cloak and shoved it into the bottom of my bag, "Something terrible has happened."
"What is it?" he asked, not turning around.
"Professor Flitwick was assaulted," I said as I approached him, "he was knocked out by someone."
"Is that why you're late?" he asked me, turning to face me, "I waited up to see you come in but it's nearly 2 now."
"2am?" I repeated and then looked at the clock for confirmation, "Harry, it's nearly 3."
He looked puzzled and glanced at the Grandfather clock in the corner of the room then shrugged hesitantly, as if struggling with the concept.
"Feels earlier." he replied, "maybe I nodded off…" he spoke slowly, unsure.
He cleared his throat.
"What happened to the Professor?"
"I think someone was inside the 4th floor corridor and when the Professor went in there, whoever it was attacked him and ran off." I explained the third time tonight, "I couldn't see who it was, though they ran up to at least the 7th floor."
Harry was quiet.
"Are you okay?" I asked him, worried
"I, um, I don't know…" he replied and held his head in his hand, "I think I just need to go to bed."
"You've been up late a lot," I told him, attempting to comfort him, "you're probably just really tired."
"Probably." he repeated and nodded at his own internal decision to sleep.
"Night then, Amanda." he said and I gave him a tight lipped smile as I watched him walk up the stairs to the Male dormitory. I sat down on one of the plush couches in front of the fire.
3 am, with classes in less than 6 hours. I felt so fatigued but I knew I would not be able to sleep.
I pawed through my bag looking for something to do. I pulled out a blank roll of parchment and remembered my promise to Candice, causing my stomach to flop nervously.
A letter to my parents?
What would I even say?
Hey mum and dad, my professor was attacked, and so was I actually - twice - and I cost Gryffindor at least 130 points this last week. Write back soon, your loving daughter.
I rolled my eyes and sat for a moment, staring at the blank parchment. It's lack of content mocked me as if it knew that sooner or later I would have to put a pen to it.
I might as well write the letter, I thought bitterly, get it over with.
Regretfully, I fished out the heavy, hard covered Herbology textbook from my bag and laid it on my lap to use a writing surface.
I retrieved my ink and quill and uncapped the ink, wet the quill, unravelled the parchment and sat there, wondering what to write.
Dear Mother and Father.
I paused, and then scratched it out immediately.
I decided then that this page would be the draft.
I stared down at the parchment and lazily doodled swirls in the corners.
Dear Mum and Dad, I wrote again.
Sorry I haven't written in a while, I've had to study a lot.
The first lie.
How are things? How's Millie doing? does she miss me? Shabby old thing. I hope she's better.
I miss her a bit. She'd always lie at the end of my bed in winter and keep my toes warm.
Anything happening there? Is everyone alright?
Good, I thought, Keep it light. Talk about our cat. Mention the weather.
Ask if anyone's attempted to murder them. Good call.
I scratched out the last two questions. I felt as though it was going to take all night.
Hows the business? I wrote instead, Still going strong?
I paused and remembered the Christmas Holidays in a months time.
Can I come home for Christmas? I wrote slowly, knowing even now that their answer would be no.
"No. Sorry. We're very busy. We'll write!"
I frowned.
Its alright if I can't… Candice offered to let me stay at her place these holidays.
Anyway, write back soon!
Love Amanda.
I could have almost sent this off but it was covered in scribbles and crossed out words, so I out a fresh piece of parchment and rewrote the letter cleanly. It looked almost immaculate. I rolled it up and placed it gingerly on top of the contents of my bag and gave it a queer look before zipping the bag closed.
I walked up to my dorm and entered; the soft snores of the girls fluttered through the room, giving the area a sensation of calm and sleepiness. I shut the door as quietly as possible and crept towards my bed. Most of the girls had their bed's curtains drawn, expect for Candice. She slept face down, hugging her pillow, and had a huge sleepy smile on her face. A soft grin formed on my face in reaction to her own.
Slowly, I climbed into bed, not bothering to change clothes.
I thought of my letter and went through it again in my mind. I felt almost proud of it, asking for so much details while discerning none of my own. It was almost masterly vague.
I had mentioned nothing that had happened in the school and I hoped, deeply hoped that they would not hear any of it. I rolled over to face Candice, whose sleepy smile still lingered. Her face lit by moonlight and I realised somewhere inside myself that I was so grateful that she was my friend. The feeling struck slow but heavily, and tears wet my cheeks silently. I closed my eyes as I reflected on our friendship, past and present, to the chorus of drowsy sounds in the dorm room.
