The weekend passed by in a gray haze, not only because of the dreary weather but because I hadn't been able to talk to Draco. He was very good at staying hidden and because I couldn't hear his thoughts I couldn't find him.
I walked the corridors alone, Harry, Hermione and Ron wouldn't even make eye contact with me. But I found myself unable to be angry with any of them. I was surprised by Hermione's coldness but I knew she was so worried about Harry's mental state, I couldn't fault her for that. I couldn't hate any of them.
I continued on to my reading tree, trying to overlook the eyes of the entire school and their horrible thoughts about me. News of mine and Draco's relationship spread like wildfire, people wouldn't stop talking about it, I wasn't sure if they ever would. It was easy to ignore their stares but almost impossible to silence all of their thoughts.
I sat against the trunk of my tree and opened "Pride and Prejudice". I reread the same paragraph several times before slamming the book closed. I couldn't concentrate, not when I knew Draco was somewhere on the grounds hurting because of me. He had trusted me in a way he never trusted anyone and despite Blaise's countless apologies, I really hated him for spoiling things between Draco and I. I knew Draco had so much more to share with me and I wanted to absorb every moment I could.
I jumped when my sister Iris flopped down next to me. I punched her shoulder and she laughed loudly.
"Hey Mel, how are you? Pretty terrible I expect?"
"Pretty much. You've heard the rumors then?"
"Oh of course, the whole bloody school is buzzing about it. Malfoy huh? He's cute and all, but isn't he an awful person?"
"No, he's not. He's done some awful things but he is so far from an awful person. He has a beautiful soul that hasn't ever been allowed out because of his ghastly family."
"Blimey, you've gotten really close to him then?"
"Closer than I ever thought possible. But he hates me now because that stupid Blaise had to kiss me and he saw it."
"Not to mention your friends are angry about it?"
"Oh they're furious but I'm hoping they'll come around. And if they don't, I understand."
"Wow Mel, you're handling this quite well. I don't think I've ever seen you this torn up before, not even about Oliver and I thought that break up was bad."
"Because Oliver tossed me aside like I was nothing, Draco needs me and I hurt him, unintentionally or not."
"Mel, everything will turn out for the best. Your friends love you, they'll forgive you. And if Malfoy is worth anything, he'll come around too."
I hugged Iris tightly, she was so wise for a fifteen year old. She grinned as she pulled away and kissed my cheek. After talking to her I was even more determined to talk to Draco. Iris and I stood up together and walked back through the courtyard, arm in arm.
"I'm sure Blaise would let you into Slytherin if you asked Mel, but regardless, tomorrow is Monday so you'll see him eventually."
"I know, but I'm impatient."
"Good luck sis. And just know I will always be supportive of you. I don't know Draco well enough to judge him but I couldn't doubt you, I know you'll be smart."
I hugged Iris once more and kissed her head before taking off towards the dungeons. I couldn't stand Draco being angry with me for a moment longer.
"Blaise!" I shrieked once I spotted him.
Blaise's eyes widened when he saw me, he thought I looked crazed but I was, I needed to see Draco immediately and make things right with him. I held onto Blaise's arm and dragged him towards Slytherin.
"Are you going to hex me?" Blaise asked worriedly.
"Blaise you are bloody stupid. I need you to let me into Slytherin."
"What? Are you mad? That's a terrible idea. Draco is still furious with me, it's hard enough to avoid him, and I can't let you in."
I pulled us to a stop and pinched Blaise's shoulder.
"Ow, okay okay. You're a bloody git."
"Thanks. Let's go."
I grasped Blaise's arm again and he wriggled away from me. He rolled his eyes and I laughed.
"So Malfoy huh?"
"Yes Blaise. Is it so surprising?"
"Absolutely." He snorted.
Blaise remained silent as we walked the rest of the way to Slytherin. My stomach was flipping as Blaise whispered the password. I had no idea what Draco would think about me ambushing him but I had to try. I had to talk to him.
"Stop your fidgeting Mel, he's in there. He hasn't left his room all weekend."
I nodded and Blaise rolled his eyes and pulled me into the common room. I was greeted with shocked gasps and wide eyes of their housemates.
"What the hell is she doing here Blaise?"
I glared towards Pansy Parkinson, an awful Slytherin that had silently pined for Draco for years. All her thoughts revolved around him, it had sickened me before but infuriated me now that I was involved with him.
"Stifle it Pansy." Blaise barked at her.
Blaise walked me to the boy's staircase and gestured upstairs. "Third door on the left. Good luck." Blaise said sarcastically, he wasn't thrilled about this either.
I slowly walked up the stairs, afraid to face Draco. He had been so hurt before, I was afraid of his rejection. I stood in front of his door and pressed my ear against it, I couldn't hear a thing. I wasn't sure what I was trying to listen for. My hand trembled as I touched the doorknob. I didn't want to knock. I slowly opened the door, Draco's room was dark. I peeked at my watch, it was past noon, he shouldn't still be sleeping but he was immobile on his bed. I looked towards the window and my eyes widened, there was no view other than the dark, rippling water of the Black Lake; Draco's room was directly beneath it. I had never been inside Slytherin house before, it was hauntingly beautiful.
All of Draco's furniture was a rich black with dark green and silver accents. I looked around Draco's room, the only bed was his and it was a large, four poster bed. I assumed he was supposed to have roommates but paid Hogwarts handsomely to be alone, it seemed like something his family would do. There was a dim light in the corner of the room, my eyes were finally adjusting to the darkness. Papers with tight scrawl were scattered all over the floor, what was Draco working so hard on? The new term had just begun.
I compelled my legs to move and approached Draco's bed slowly. His breathing was balanced and quiet. His forehead was creased with worry. I tiptoed closer to him and crouched directly in front of him. Now was the perfect opportunity to listen to his thoughts, surely he couldn't evade me in his sleep. I craved to know what he was dreaming about.
I closed my eyes and touched Draco delicately, hoping I wouldn't wake him. My mind was immediately overwhelmed by horrifying images. Voldermort's face plagued his subconscious. There was so much pain, so much gore, and so much fear. Draco was terrified of his future with Voldemort. I pulled my hand away, feeling sick to my stomach, no one deserved to feel this afraid.
I leaned forward and pressed my lips against Draco's forehead. I lingered, hoping he would wake now, I had to take him away from those horrible nightmares. Draco's eyelashes fluttered against my cheeks as he opened his eyes. I pulled away from his face so he could see me, he breathed sharply when I came into view.
"Melody? What are you doing here?" He said hoarsely.
Draco's eyes were still heavy, he seemed exhausted but I would be too after being haunted by nightmares like that.
"I had to see you."
"Me? Why?"
"Because I love you, you prat."
Draco shot up in his bed and lunged into my arms. I held him securely and his grip on me tightened.
"Am I dreaming?" He whispered against my hair.
"No love. I know it's completely mad but I can't help it. You are everything to me. I have spent this entire weekend agonizing over you, I do see you Draco Malfoy and I want to see more. I need to see more."
Draco didn't respond, he kissed me fiercely instead. His lips moved so forcefully as if he had missed me so much. I could feel complete adoration pouring onto my lips. His hands were like iron shackles around my body. My head was spinning.
"I missed you." He whispered against my skin.
"I missed you too."
Draco pulled away and was beaming, he looked glorious. I had never seen him so happy before. He pulled me up from the floor and onto his bed. He held me against his chest and wrapped his blanket tightly around me. I breathed slowly as his scent consumed me, his heart was beating rapidly.
"I'm so sorry about what happened with Blaise, you have to know I didn't want him to kiss me at all."
"I know Melody. He's been groveling all weekend and told me he pushed himself on you. I'm sorry he did that and I'm sorry I overreacted. But you have to know I have never felt this way about another person. I've never wanted anyone so much in my entire life. I thought I could brave everything on my own, but I don't want to anymore. I want you."
I squeezed Draco tighter, as if it was possible his heart was pounding even more. His hands shook against my sides. I knew he hadn't been so forthcoming about his feelings before. This was a completely new experience for him.
I jumped up from Draco's chest and stared into his eyes, I could hear him now. He was letting me listen to his thoughts. Why now? I pressed my lips against his and my mind was flooded with his crystal clear thoughts. I could see him as a small child, running around in the snow, his mother was chasing after him. I could see him on his very first day at Hogwarts, thrilled to finally be attending here after eleven years of preparation. Then I could see him with me, when we were sitting together beneath my reading tree. I realized he was showing me his happiest memories, there weren't many. I reluctantly pulled away and opened my eyes, I could listen to his beautiful mind all day. Draco's eyes were wide open, he had been watching me the entire time.
"How did you know Draco?"
"Know what?" Draco asked trying to act oblivious.
"Don't be coy, how did you know I'm telepathic?"
Draco tucked my hair behind my ears and shrugged. "I've noticed little things before, you're very expressive when you're thinking as if your mind is really active. I've heard you answer people that haven't spoken aloud. I'm sure anyone would notice if they focused on you enough."
"Perhaps, but promise me you won't tell anyone. I'm sure you especially can understand why I don't want to broadcast this. I'm the only telepath I've ever heard of, other than my mother and she was murdered because of it."
Draco gulped. "I won't Melody. Who am I going to tell?" Draco tried to joke.
Though we both knewexactly who he could tell that would find the information very advantageous. Whether he wanted to align with the Death Eaters or not, his parents already had, I couldn't trust them whatsoever. But it seemed like he didn't trust them either and really cared about me, so I desperately hoped he would stay quiet about it. Draco touched my creased forehead and kissed my lips.
"I won't say a word Melody, I don't want to hurt you or betray your trust. I won't say anything."
"Thank you Draco, that means a lot. You are one of very few people who know."
"I find it amazing Melody, you could be anything you want because of your gift. I'm sure you could bring you-know-who himself to his knees."
I gaped at Draco in disbelief, finding it surprising that he could talk about Voldemort so easily. "I'm sure I could but I don't want to. I don't know why I was given telepathy and my sister wasn't, I'm sure there's a reason, but I can't see myself taking advantage of this."
"You are special Melody and you deserve to be treated as such."
"Thank you. I will figure this out eventually but until then I like to pretend I'm not telepathic at all."
Draco nodded, trying to be understanding. He wasn't sure he would feel the same if he had been given my ability. His thoughts flowed so freely now, they sounded so loud since I hadn't been able to hear them before.
"Why were you hiding your thoughts from me before?"
Draco hesitated before answering and he silenced his mind again. I rolled my eyes and he smiled. He touched my cheek gently.
"You've only seen a sliver of what my mind is like, I can't have you listening to the rest, its too awful."
"I want to help you Draco, but you need to allow it."
"And I'll really try Melody, but some people are beyond help."
Draco looked away from my eyes as he spoke, he felt so shameful. He felt undeserving of my love and attention. I shook my head fiercely at his thoughts and planted light kisses on his face.
"You are good Draco Malfoy, you've just been given a very difficult life."
Draco remained silent so I didn't want to push him. It was difficult enough for him to be as open as he was, I didn't want to frighten him away now, and I was in far too deep already. I rested my head against his chest, my eyes were quickly becoming heavy and I felt so secure in his arms. I felt untouchable. I felt like Draco would protect me at all costs. It terrified me to think I might someday be in a situation where he would have to protect me, regardless of if he kept my secret or not. I hugged myself closer to Draco and allowed the exhaustion to completely overwhelm me.
