Chapter 10

In a Different Light

December 25, 1996

"Don't," Myrtle simpered. "Don't cry." The boy beside her let out a definite wail and sunk lower on to the bathroom floor. "It will be all right."

"No it won't." The boy managed to say between sobs. "He is going to kill me."

Myrtle was not sure who the boy was talking about, nor did she care. "Who would want to hurt you?" She said as she greedily took in the boys features. Something about his handsome sleek blonde hair and his grey washed eyes made her feel alive again, well in a manner of speaking.

"You don't understand." the boy moaned.

"Tell me then," Myrtle pressed. How she longed to hold him in her arms and comfort him. "I am a good listener."

The boy could not speak, but continued to cry uncontrollably.


I moved through the halls happily, comforted by the slight weight on my finger. I thought I might walk to the library. Which happens to be conveniently located near Professor Snape's classroom, where he just might be grading papers? I started to hum to myself rather loudly.

I hadn't slept at all last night. I was too busy analyzing Professor Snape's actions. And I had blissfully concluded that Professor Snape, no matter how stubborn he may be, and no matter how much he hated himself for it, he really does like me deep, deep down.

Suddenly I heard something that completely drove my cousin out of my mind. It sounded like a dying animal. I listen carefully to hear where the sound was coming from, the boy's bathroom.

I opened the door a sliver and peered inside.

"Please don't cry," said Moaning Myrtle, the ghost who haunted a bathroom on an upper level. I looked through her to see none other than Draco Malfoy, practically lying on the lavatory floor, sobbing. Tears streamed from his tightly shut eyes. His expression was full of pain.

Without a second thought I marched straight in there. As soon as I entered Myrtle started screaming for me to go away and Draco shot up like a bullet, wand raised. His eyes were bright red and sobs still escaped his mouth. I slowly took out my wand and placed it carefully on the tiled floor. I'm such an idiot, I thought, ignoring all may common sense.

I began to approach him, completely defenseless. My breath became heavy, I felt naked without my wand. I was right in front of him now. He moved his wand arm, I flinched, but he stored his wand safely in his robes.

"What are you doing here," he said hotly?

I didn't answer. I wasn't actually sure what I was doing. I walked into one of the stalls and brought back a wad of tissue paper and handed it to him. He gave me a red eyed look of suspicion before blowing his nose. What could possibly have happened to make Malfoy this upset? Myrtle let out a final scream and dived into the nearest toilet.

I had no idea what to do or say, the awkwardness of this situation was unbelievable.

"Draco," I said with no real intention of say anything more.

"What?" he almost shouted. He clenched his teeth and breathed through his nostrils deeply. Even though he looked horribly angry, tears still poured down his pale cheeks. He looked so broken and scared, definitely different from the boy who had cursed Neville.

"I-" I started but was at a loss for words. I took his hand and slowly lead him back to sit on the floor. I took off my purple backpack and set it on the floor between us.

We didn't talk nor did we look at each other. I could hear him flicking involuntarily at the zipper on my bag. I wrapped my arms around my knees, listening to his breathing slow.

I wasn't going to offer words of comfort, not that I could have thought of any and I wasn't going to ask what was wrong or if he would be okay, because it was none of my business. We just sat there together, quietly. And after what seemed to be hours, he got up and walked away.