My heart pounded as he strode slowly toward me, his eyes everywhere but me. I gripped the rail behind me harder and I felt the blood leave my knuckles. He stopped beside me and looked at the landscape beyond the castle. With his hands on the railing he relaxed, but I didn't. I couldn't with him being this close.
"So, do you always escape here? Or is this just a random place to choose?" he asked.
I cleared my throat, "Well, uh, no actually. I did come here last minute though. The guys think I'm eating with Ginny."
"She's Ronald's little sister right?"
"Yes. Also one of the few girls whose company I don't dread."
"Tell me about them, the Weasleys." He said biting back laughter at my comment.
"What would you like to know?"
"What is it like staying with them? You know, what is their house like?"
"Well, for starters, they definitely do NOT have one room to live in. Their house is huge! Plenty of rooms for everyone. Ron and Harry share a room by personal choice."
"Oh, and why is that? Is there something I should know about Ronald and Harry that maybe he might be hiding,"
"If you're implying something about either of them, I seriously suggest you stop for your own health and safety. Ron doesn't have feelings for his same gender if that's what you're thinking." I interrupted Draco, "Their reasons were simple. One, it's been like that since they first met and became friends. Second, Harry used to have crazy dreams, well, I suppose nightmares would be more accurate. Anyway, when he would have those 'dreams' he used to scream and thrash around in his sleep, especially when Voldemort got close. His mind got glimpses of his future and it usually ended up being the answer to whatever crazy situation we got ourselves into.
Like when mixed bloods got petrified and messages were written in blood on the wall. Harry and Ron found Ginny near death in the Chamber of Secrets. Harry defeated Voldemort's first Horcrux, killed the basilisk, and found out the Gilderoy Lockhart was a fraud. I can't believe I ever had a crush on that fake."
"Mmm, Harry was somewhat of a hero when it came to the Dark Arts wasn't he. I envied him for so long. But then, I realized, his life wasn't all fame and glitz. He was the way he was because the man, if you can even call him that, that my parents worked for killed his family."
"Yeah, the Weasleys and I are the only real family he has. His blood relations are nothing if not horrid and cruel people. They treated him like a slave."
"So I've heard. What is between you and Harry anyway?"
"I'm like his little sister. He protects me and comforts me when I'm hurt or in danger. Like today when he was being hostile toward you, he knew something was wrong with me and didn't think it was the greatest time for you to try and talk to me. He looks out for Ron too and you being there trying get between us was going to set Ron off. I'm sorry."
"No apologies needed. I saw what happened between you earlier in the hall. I think I was too forward in telling you my secret, though. It probably made things harder than they already were. By the way, it doesn't matter about Lockhart. We were all just kids. I know Ronald doesn't like or really trust me all that much and probably won't give me the chance to show him, but I'll back off a bit and let you get back to normal if that'd help you any."
"It would, thank you."
All this time, Draco looked anywhere but at me. He couldn't look at me much less stare me directly in the eyes. I didn't understand why but thought it wasn't very polite to ask. He at least looked serious during our talk. I looked out at the clock and realized lunch would end and the boys would be looking like mad toms for me. Suddenly, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I looked up and saw Draco staring intently at me as if he were trying to figure something out or find something.
Smiling I said, "I'm going to guess that the Weasleys weren't the only things you came to talk to me about. Did I guess right?"
"Well, yes. I wanted to know what happened to you today. You zoned out during potions and I understand that Falkland is boring but that's never stopped you before," he said a smile ghosted his face, "and in Divination, you fell to the floor sprawled out and wide –eyed."
"I just did what the chapter told me to do. Then I had a vision."
When I didn't elaborate, he just watched me and motioned me to continue. With a sigh, I gave in.
"You remember that nightmare that we shared last night, right?" he nodded and I pushed on. "Well, it was like that except for the fact that I was just able to watch. I tried to tap Neville's shoulder but I passed through him. I saw that knife thing yet again and heard my scream. I didn't fall into blackness again. Instead, I saw Ron looking confusedly at his hands while Harry shot up and around the table. He picked me up and carried me away. That's when I came back to reality. Did you see something similar to it, too?"
"Actually, no, I only saw smoke. I wrote to Harry during class and asked if he saw anything before you passed out. He looked at me and slightly shook his head so Ronald wouldn't see I suppose. But this is serious, you're obviously in danger! You and I and all your protectors have to be on high alert, which means you have to tell them if you haven't already."
"I've only told Ginny, but she and the boys don't need to know anything other than that I couldn't sleep or it was just a crazy dream. I don't care what you tell them because they certainly will believe me more than you. Count on that."
"Fine, fine, but try and be cautious. I will to but to do that I have to be close to you. At least somewhat, anyway. Harry and Ronald won't take kindly to that at all so I'll just watch from a far for now. If anything happens to you Harry won't be the only one to accompany you to the hospital wing. Count on that."
I smiled and chuckled at his turning my words on me. I smiled at his willingness to protect me whatever his reason. I smiled at his know-how of how Ron would react toward his closeness to me. It made me feel better that someone knew what was going on inside my head and didn't think I was absolutely bonkers. I felt safer than ever when I was near him. He confused and distracted me, made me lose my head and rethink everything I knew.
"I'll hold you to it," I replied still stifling laughter.
"Did I scare you last night with my confession?" he glanced in my direction.
"No, just kind of surprised me is all. I didn't think you felt like that toward me at all."
"Of course I felt that way, I always have, at least I have for a while. You've been in my heart for as long as I can think."
"How long ago was that exactly?"
"You remember when that hippogriff was supposed to be executed and you and your small gang came up behind us and threatened us?" I nodded. "And you went and punched me so hard I bled?" Again, I nodded. "Ever since then."
" W-wh-what?"
"You stood up to me like no other person ever did. Pansy did nothing but fawn and flirt and hang all over me. I liked the attention at first but then she got clingy and wouldn't let me go anywhere by myself."
A pang of jealousy shot through me. Then confusion overtook my brain. Why should I care if Pansy Parkinson likes Draco? Because it's painfully obvious you like him back, maybe not as strongly, but you do.
"That girl is nothing but a filthy slut. She doesn't deserve your attention in the least. You're way too good for her and she's probably just using you to make Blaise or another Slytherin jealous. She disgusts me." I blurted heatedly.
I blushed as he stared at me. A big grin spread across his face. He shook his head and laughed, actually laughed. I knew I wouldn't ever get tired of that laugh or his eyes looking back into mine. It almost hurt to think that I would have to let him go for Ron's sake. I loved Ron, no doubt, but something stronger pulled me to Draco. It was tearing at my heart. One of them would scar my heart, and I would scar the one I didn't choose.
"But, why do I have to make a choice?" I muttered to myself, but Draco seemed to have ears like a hawk.
"What choice?"
"It's nothing, really, I promise."
"No, you need to tell me. I need to prove to you that you can trust me with anything, that I'm here for you."
"I have to choose between you and Ron and my heart is ripping in two because of it. There, now you know."
"You don't have to choose me. I won't hate you for it. I wouldn't seek revenge for doing me wrong. I understand that Ron came first and he's still in the spot I want to be in but that doesn't mean I'll try to force my way in."
"It's not you I'm worried about. I know with your looks and charm you could replace me physically with another girl. Ron would too, but not me. I'm pretty enough. If I let one of you or both of you go it would take me years to find someone I trust and am fond of. After you all, I don't think I could truly love someone again."
"That's not true. You're perfectly capable of finding a good soul to love or at least be fond of. We'd always wait for you. At least I know I will. So you can count on me to be waiting for you if you need me. And if you do find a man good enough, a wedding invite would be an easy way to say 'Draco, I don't need you to wait for me anymore', okay with you?"
"What if I chose Ronald over you? What then?"
"I'd secretly be here when you might decide you changed your mind."
"And if I chose you?"
"I'd take you home to meet my mother, let you stay in our awful manor, ask you to help me rid any trace of my former life i.e. the black walls, black furniture, redo the gardens with us, etc. then I'd throw a big party just for you. I'd shower you in love and affection, but I won't smother you. You could come and go as you pleased and no one could stop you. I wouldn't have to wait. I'd just have to propose when I thought you might say yes. Wow, I sound like I'm trying to persuade you to choose me. But I'll let you pick for you. I can't stop you and neither can anybody else from choosing Ron. He was their first after all."
I smiled and leaned on his shoulder. He felt solid and whole underneath. Your heart truly will break you stupid little romantic, I thought, he could make you feel like a queen though. And you want to choose aggressive, possessive? I didn't have time to feel guilty because the clock sounded as a warning lunch would end soon. We both jumped and looked at each other shyly.
"We best get going." Draco said.
"Right"
We picked up our things and headed down the stairs. We walked a ways side-by-side. I stopped suddenly.
"What are they going to think if we walk in together?"
"I've got that covered. Don't worry."
I'm sorry my last chapter was so short compared to recent, but here she is! Chapter 10. Please feel free to leave a review, comments and advice. But don't trash my story! And don't try to reach me through the forums. My forum account isn't working as of right now so any comment should be left as a review. If you need to contact me I will gladly give you my email so we can talk privately, if need be that is. I won't report you and you shouldn't worry because it is my secondary email and not truly my most important full of information one. I won't keep any emails, not even if I am asked.
3 Victoria_B14