Chapter Ten

Fifteen minutes later, Draco was gone and I was in the common room. Ginny, Harry, and Hermione were on the couch by the fire, so I decided to go sit with them. I sat on the floor between Ginny's legs and she automatically began playing with my hair.

"Weren't you going to go to the library, 'Mione?" I asked.

"I was, but I want to wait for the Three Musketeers to return," she answered. I looked up, but immediately turned back to the fire. If looks could kill...

"Yeah," Ginny agreed. "I hope McGonagall gives them a month's worth of detentions."

"Oh, come on, Gin," Harry cut in, "they just don't know how to feel about this. Think about it, after the war we were all really confused. People were killed, friendships were destroyed, and Malfoy was the one who started it all by letting the Death Eaters into the castle to kill Dumbledore. Hell, this is hard for me, trying to trust him. But I love you guys too much not to." I couldn't speak. He was right. Malfoy was the first one to make a move…

But he was different. Just the fact that he was willing to laugh and joke with me, Hermione, and Ginny was proof. I knew he was different.

"What the hell was that, Taylor?" I heard. I jumped up and turned to face the "Three Musketeers" as Hermione called them. I crossed my arms over my chest and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you on about, Weasley?" I asked icily. He scoffed.

"I'm talking about the fact that you just fed us to McGonagall for that stupid ferret!" I rolled my eyes.

"Again, Ronald, that was four years ago. Drop it."

"No! He's evil, Ari! I will not allow you to date him! He's going to turn you over to the dark side!"

"Honestly, Ronald! I'm not even dating him, and this is not Star Wars!" I found myself regretting the day I let him watch the original trilogy with me.

"And this isn't a joke, Taylor," Seamus said. Actually, it was more of a growl. His temper was absolutely ridiculous, almost as bad as Ginny's. His blue eyes were narrowed to slits and his hands were fists at his side.

"No one's joking, Finnigan. I'm being completely serious when I say that I trust him and I believe that he's changed. You don't know what he's been through." Well, to be completely honest, I only knew the basics, but that was enough… Wasn't it?

"You know what, guys?" Dean cut in. "I'm out. I'm not going to fight my best mate over some bloke. If Ari wants to date him, fine." He looked at me and continued, "But don't expect me to throw him a welcoming party." I nodded, and Dean made his way up the stairs to his dorm.

Seamus just stared at him with a confused expression. "Shay," I said softly. "Please trust me on this." I knew 'Mione would talk some sense into Ron so I wasn't really worried about him. "Shay."

"Ari, I can't just overlook the fact that he has the Dark Mark on his arm. I can't overlook the fact that he was Voldemort's right hand man. I can't overlook the fact that he stood by to watch while Hermione was being tortured by his crazy aunt. He's not a good person, Ari. Think about it."

"You're right, Shay. He did do all those things," I said, my heart aching. "But he regrets it, and he's willing to prove it to anyone who will listen. He willingly sat at the Gryffindor table, and didn't belittle 'Mione or Ginny once when they came to sit by us. He's trying, Shay. And that's more than what you're doing." Without waiting for a response, I pushed past him and Ron and walked out of the common room.

I wasn't sure where I wanted to go, so I was pretty surprised when I ended up in the Astronomy Tower. I knew no one would be up here since Astronomy classes didn't begin until midnight. I just needed somewhere quiet to think, and I found myself thinking about a lot of things I didn't want to bring up.

For example, the Astronomy Tower is where Draco faced Dumbledore. The thought made me shiver. I was sitting in the exact spot Bellatrix stood, according to Harry. I moved three feet to the right. I could imagine Draco and Dumbledore facing off. Dumbledore trying to convince Draco that he didn't have to do it. Draco insisting that Voldemort would kill him if he didn't. Dumbledore offering him a spot on our side. Then Bellatrix and the rest of them showing up. Snape… Dumbledore falling…

I wiped the tears from my eyes. If he wouldn't accept Dumbledore's help, why was he accepting mine? Why was I different?

I decided to ask him. I wanted the truth, all of it.

I picked myself up off the ground, wiping the dirt from my uniform, and made my way back down to the common room. I would talk to Draco. Unfortunately, it would have to wait until the next Unity class.

xXx

The next Monday, I left the common room before the rest of the girls in my dorm were even awake. I didn't want to be bothered, so I decided to get an early breakfast then head up to Uniting Houses early so I could figure out what I wanted to ask Draco.

I walked into the almost empty Great Hall, grabbing a napkin and a scone to eat on my way up. Walking up the stairs, I thought. What do I want to know? Everything. Do I really want to know everything? Of course. I already know he's done awful things, but he's trying to change and that's all that matters to me… But I need to know. I need to know who I'm defending to everyone.

Professor Michaels was the only one in the room when I arrived. She gave me a small wave, which I returned after setting my things down. Picking at my scone, I vowed that learning everything about Draco's past wouldn't change anything. That is, if he even told me. He had told me about how much he hated his dad, and Voldemort, but I didn't have much to go on from that.

"Miss Taylor?" I heard Professor Michaels ask in her airy voice.

"Yes, Professor?" I looked up at her and she motioned for me to go to her. I did, sitting on her desk when she gestured for me to do so.

"I've noticed you and Mister Malfoy have been spending a lot of time together." She stared at me, her light brown eyes innocently questioning me.

"Well, yes," I stammered. "We're becoming friends." Yes, that's better than "We've snogged quite a bit."

"And, Mister Finnigan?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. Him," I said. My voice sounded cold. "He doesn't approve."

"Ah, I see." She paused. "Well, would you like to help me gather the materials for today's assignment?" she asked. I gave her a questioning look.

"What exactly will we be doing?" I asked. I didn't like the look on her face.

"Today everyone will be working with their partners to build a tower!" she said enthusiastically, clapping her hands together. She then reached behind her desk and handed me a bag and a small. I frowned.

"Marshmallows and toothpicks? How do we build towers out of these?" I asked incredulously.

"That's for you to find out together," she said. "Set one bag and one box on each table, if you please." I shrugged, hopping off her desk to begin my assignment. By the time I was finished, mostly everyone was in the class. I returned the extra supplies to Professor Michaels then made my way to Draco, who was sitting at our table in the back of the room. He smiled at me as I sat down.

"We need to talk," we said at the same time. Oh, boy.