I spent the rest of the day being treated like a Princess. I felt amazing. Everyone commented that I looked really good as well, so that was kind of them. I spent a few hours in the Gryffindor Common Room with Harry, Ron and Ginny, just laughing and hanging out, but it was nine pm and I needed to go get my homework finished, so I went back to my own Common Room, to find Draco sitting down, reading a book by the fire. He wasn't wearing his uniform, instead opting for muggle clothes, a purple t-shirt and jeans with Converse. He snapped the book shut when I entered.

"I'm going home for a few days."

I frowned. "Why?"

He frowned too. "Nothing you really need to know about."

I stepped back, stung. "Okay then… uh, do you need anything or…?"

Draco stood up and stretched, and I couldn't help but admire his toned stomach – what little I could see of it, anyway.

"No. I'm fine." Draco said shortly. He came over to me and, instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and he hugged me back. It was a tight, short embrace with many mixed emotions thrown in. I tried to put a lot of unsaid things into the hug, and perhaps he understood them, for he nodded once and left, Flooing off home. I was cold now. He'd been so warm from sitting next to the fire, and the places he had been were now flooded with cold air. I shivered and sat down where he'd been sitting, and picked up the book he'd been reading. I read for an hour straight before realizing I had homework. I did that and then headed off to the shower, where I stood for a long time, puzzling over reasons why Draco might have had to go home. There seemed no logical explanation. He was one hundred percent healthy and I would have heard if something had happened to either of his parents. I had seen him open a letter this morning, presumably from his parents, and he had turned ice white, all the blood in his face just disappeared. I soaked my hair and washed it thoroughly, something that took a long time considering how long it was now. I thought about reasons for him to go home for a long time, while I shaved my legs and armpits and washed. When I got out I dressed and tapped my hair with my wand, which dried it automatically. I tied it up and went downstairs and up Draco's steps, carefully not making a sound even though I knew he wasn't here. I pushed open the door and saw the letter he'd been reading, which was lying on his unmade bed. His room was exactly the same as mine, but not decorated at all. The only personal effect was a gold ring he'd left on the side table. I ignored it and read the letter. It took a moment for what it said to really penetrate. His condition? What condition? Surely if it was serious everyone would know about it. I put the letter back down and left the room hurriedly. If this was serious – what was I going to do about it?

(I know this is a short chapter, but trust me, you will like the next one ;))