Lavender Brown's Requiem

A HariPo fanfic

by mew-tsubaki

Note: This is very loosely based on the movie Brown's Requiem with Michael Rooker and Tobin Bell and I didn't watch the whole thing, so I don't wish for too much grief. Oh, and of course the Harry Potter charries belong to J.K. Rowling. Other than that, READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 14: Revealing a Mask

July Twenty-Ninth, a Broiling Summer

So. Here we are –Expresso Momento.

Currently I'm in a disguise of black hair and dark brown eyes with a narrow nose. Yeah. So not me.

But as I watch the freckled woman dart her eyes not so discreetly around the shop, I realize that's someone else who's out-of-place today. Although, I understand her nervousness. It's unlike Draco to skip his mocha latte in the morning.

Finally she gave up and paid. I followed suit and pursued her outside. I managed to follow her to the end of the street. Then she disappeared. She just…disappeared. Now, when you're used to magic and all it entails, it's a little hard to be surprised. I know I haven't seen it all, but I've seen most of it, and this… This left me speechless.

I closed my gaping mouth and ran a hand through my hair. I'm beginning to think I really do suck as an investigator.

As I stood there debating my capabilities, a man bumped into me. It brought me back to reality, and so did Draco's face. There were severe bags under his eyes.

"I'm very sorry, miss," he said, and then he ducked into the coffee shop.

I was a little shocked that Draco hadn't paid more attention after apologizing. I mean, my disguise wasn't ugly; I was very pretty. Huh. I wonder if Draco couldn't let his eyes wander because he had me. Ooh, I like that thought.

I went back to the coffee shop just in time to see Draco get his drink and go. Well. It seemed like everyone was in a hurry today.

Work at the bank that day was brief and tense. The one time I did see Draco, he was taciturn and distracted. I wondered by what. Never before had I seen him like this. And it was not the last time I would.

Over the next four days, the bags under his eyes grew and he said less and less, even when I was with him as myself. I felt awful because I couldn't help him. I didn't even know what the problem was, but I instinctively knew it dealt with his Death Eaters.

"Draco." I interrupted his thoughts at dinner Sunday night. We were at the Steak Place that night, eating steak tips and chips. I'd put my napkin on the table. "Why are you so tired?"

"I'm not tired," he lied, watching his knife and fork work to cut the meat.

"You have dark circles under your eyes."

"I'm fine, Lavender." He ate some food and still refused to look in my eyes.

"Why won't you tell me your troubles?" I have to admit –truthfully, his clamming up hurt.

"Why should I have to tell you anything?" he snapped. When I didn't speak, he met my gaze and regret seized him. "Lav, I didn't mean-"

"It's what loved ones do," I cut off. Yes, his words had hurt, but I'm a strong woman.

He dropped his eyes and sighed. "But don't you wonder what makes us love each other?" Draco thought aloud.

Ungh. Ouch. Ouch, ouch, ouch. I may be a strong woman, but that tore me. He… He was right. Why did we love each other? Was it even love or just mere attraction? For me, it had always been that inexplicable something in his aura that'd pulled me to him and told me it was love between us. But now I questioned it. If I loved him, why didn't I know why?

Shakily I stood. I fumbled with my purse and left enough money to cover my food, though in doing so I knew that would hurt his male pride. But I wanted to just get out of there at that point.

"See you," I mumbled over my shoulder. I ducked my head as I left the place.

I could hear his footsteps behind me. "Lavender! Lavender, stop! Lav!!"

I continued on, picking up my pace. I was afraid that if I saw his face, I would give in and let him make nice. But this was too big an issue, because it's what defines a relationship.

"Lav, stop!!" Draco caught my arm, shrinking back when I shook my head and sent my braid flailing. "Lavender, can you-"

"No!" I Disapparated as soon as he let me go.

A bit of a sad note, but it's been a month since they had that little kinda-I-love-you exchange, and almost two months since they started dating. Besides, something's bothering Draco –but you'll find out what in the next few chappies. 15, however, is the longest chapter (longer than 11) and I just need to finish typing it up. It will reveal a lot and 16 reveals some stuff, too, so you CANNOT miss 15 OR 16, okay?!! It's central to the story!!!

So go review!!

-mew-tsubaki