The night could be better. The air was crisp,, the wind blowing, and the girl sitting. Quite the week it had been. Of course she received all sorts of detention, mostly with Professor Snape, but she was okay with the consequences as long as Nathaniel could be healed. Luckily for magic he could. He was released from the hospital wing yesterday. Of course they did not patrol together again that night, but part of her wished they had. This is where she came to think, the astronomy tower. Now she had to think of an apology, which would be easy enough based on her deep remorse. maybe he would never talk to her again. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

"I didn't expect to see you here," an all too familiar voice called, disrupting her thoughts. The boy came forward, but she did not turn around. She was petrified. He stepped closer. "How are you?"

She almost laughed. What was he trying to do?

"What do you want?" She snapped. By now he had reached the ledge as well, leaning back on the wall facing her.

"Oh my, someone is not in the best mood, perhaps I should leave."

"No wait," she began this was her chance. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Nathaniel laughed, bringing a rush of blood to her cheeks.

"So am I." There was a moment of silence between the two.

"Really," they said in unison. "You first, no you first."

"Nathaniel I didn't mean to, I'm so sorry," the girl finally began.

"No I apologize for calling you ...that" he paused for a moment, "that word."He was clearly uncomfortable with the situation but did his best to resume a normal stance.

"No I was being unreasonable," Alle began. "I'm sure you had a valid reason for missing." There was a moment of silence. More than a moment, the two sat quietly, one waiting for a response, the other formulating one.

"They want to brand me," Nathaniel finally spoke. "They want to give me the mark." Alle looked away, of course that's where he was. She opened her mouth to apologize, but he continued.

"Do you think that's who I am? Am I one of them? Those people who use power to kill, and would kill, for power. I am not a killer, I don't want power. Do you know what I want to do? I want to be a potion professor. They would die if I told them that. If I told them any of this," he paused as though he was gathering his thoughts. "They say they love me, but they don't understand what love means. I can never love, not them or anyone." He sighed, signaling his conclusion there was more silence.

"I'm not going to apologize because we don't get to choose the lives we live. But I can say that I know how the brand feels," she paused composing her thoughts. "My family is afraid of me. I'm some sort of abomination to my parents. They want me to grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer, but here I am at some boarding school. But even then do you know how I know that they care? Every year they wish I wouldn't go back. Just know that your parents must love you too to want you to do what they think is best for you. In all honesty, you're top of your class and the most talented student at Hogwarts. They have plenty to be proud of."

"Thank you Alle, I didn't mean to burden you too"

"Just like I didn't mean to melt you," she added with a smile. He chuckled, "Of course Jonsie." Alle felt the pull of a genuine smile on her lips as she too laughed a little.

"Thank you," the boy said, looking up toward the girl.

"For what?" She was quite confused thinking that it had to be sarcastic.

"Listening." She was dumbfounded. Nathaniel Malfoy had just told her his deepest secret and he was thanking her.

"Any time," she voiced sincerely. He raised an eyebrow.

"I might have to take you up on that." he smirked.

"Then tell me more," she challenged, not wanting to push him, but at the same time looking to do what she could. Of course she expected him to laugh and walk away, ending the forbidden acquaintanceship.

"Honestly?" he probed, prepared for a negative response.

"Honestly." she said firmly," Why don't you take a seat?" The boy eyed the ledge she was sitting on and shook his head.

"We sit all day in class, I'll stand over here." Alle felt a surge of disappointment run through her, but she nodded acknowledging his choice.

"Well my sob story begins with a little brown haired boy named Nathaniel. The impure Malfoy. The boy who should not live. They legitimately considered pretending I had never been born and killing me or giving me away. Of course all of the tests were done to prove I was pure Malfoy blood, but I was an embarrassment. They put all kinds of spells on me to make sure my hair would stay Malfoy blonde and it worked. It fixed the world's perception of me, but not my father's," he paused to look past the girl into the night sky.

"How constantly he would yell to my face of my worthlessness. So I strove to prove him wrong. Nothing is more motivating to a child than their parent's hate. Well," He looked back at the girl, "and you." She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing in an attempt to receive some sort of elaboration.

"There isn't a boy who isn't going to compete, especially with a girl," he added with a smile. "All of these years I have tried so hard to hate you and be mean to you but," suddenly he spoke no more.

"But what?" the girl asked.

"Nevermind. I don't know what I'm even saying." He stood up straight, giving the girl a nod and bowing to feign chivalry, "My lady." Alle nodded back and he spun on his heels and walked away.