Malfoy had been avoiding me lately, but the longer I went without progress the more stressed I became. It didn't help that my schoolwork had been doubled in the last month, a thanks to the Christmas holidays approaching. A swarm of girls were huddling around mistletoe, pathetically waiting for a prince charming. I scoffed and ran through it, following Malfoy down a string of corridors, which led to the Room of Requirement. He had taken several routes I had never been to before, the changing staircases making it nearly impossible to follow him properly.
I suppose he did it because he knew I was following him, but he didn't know I knew his destination. He didn't expect me to walk in the Room of Requirement-
"Draco-"
"What are you doing here?" he turned around, horrified that I had found him. I looked down at his hand, seeing he was holding an apple with one bite missing. That's strange…
"I've been trying to talk to you all day. I wanted to know if you wanted to talk-"
"I already told you- stay out of my business"
"Draco, I know something's going on. You've been sneaking around all year, you're moody and withdrawn-"
"Why do you care?"
"What do you mean?" I said, stepping forward carefully.
"All you do is follow around that Potter like a sick puppy-"
"I do not- where are you going?" I asked as he began to move for the exit. My heart raced with every step he took.
"I don't have any reason to stay"
"Come to Slughorn's party with me!" I shouted in desperation.
He seemed completely taken aback, "aren't you going with Potter?"
"No, he and I aren't exactly on good terms right now," I thought everyone would know about that, but maybe that's only the social part of girls' lives. "What I mean to say is, I'd love for you to come with me," he looked conflicted, "what's the harm of one dance?"
Hadn't that been his exact words two years ago?
"May I have this dance?" a familiar voice asked. I turned and saw Draco Malfoy standing behind me, his arm extended courteously. I was taken off guard, to say the least.
"Harry will be right back-"
"What's the harm of one dance?" he smiled harmlessly.
"I suppose-" he took my hand and kissed it tenderly, making me freeze in my own body. This was so… out of character. He stood tall and pulled me close, swaying to the slow easy rhythm of the song.
"Just curious, but why did you ask me to dance?" from what I knew, he wasn't particularly on good terms with my bunch.
"I believe we got off on the wrong foot," he explained. You've got that right. "I'm not who they make me to be. Yes, we are, to say the least, not friends, however, you have only heard their side of the story…"
There's always more than one perspective in any situation. My mind drifted as my mother's words fluttered through my mind, filling me with the warm memory of her voice.
"…If you ever need me" he finished.
I took secret passageways and abandoned corridors back, trying to retrace my steps. I had been so set on following Draco that I hadn't paid much attention to where I was. It wasn't until I ran into Harry-
"Harry!" my eyes widened, however, he didn't look so surprised. In his hands was the Marauder's Map. "How long have you been following me?"
"Long enough to know what you've been up to"
"It's not what you think-"
"Then what is it, Jenny? Been sneaking off to study? Play some chess?"
"No-"
"I knew it," he said, turning and walking down the passage.
"No! No, that's not what I meant, Harry. Harry!" had I just confessed to something I didn't even know I did?
Feeling my chance was slipping away; I pulled my guitar out and began strumming. The corridor was dark, and I couldn't tell if the shadows were Harry's or a trick of the light. He could be gone already, out of earshot, but I didn't care. It was about time I put this song to play.
"Take time to realize,
That your warmth is crashing down on in.
Take time to realize,
That I am on your side
Didn't I, Didn't I tell you.
But I can't spell it out for you,
No it's never gonna be that simple
No I can't spell it out for you
If you just realize what I just realized,
Then we'd be perfect for each other
And will never find another
Just realize what I just realized
We'd never have to wonder if
We missed out on each other now.
Take time to realize
Oh-oh I'm on your side
Didn't I, didn't I tell you.
Take time to realize
This all can pass you by
But I can't spell it out for you,
No its never gonna be that simple
No I can't spell it out for you.
If you just realize what I just realized
Then we'd be perfect for each other
And we'll never find another
Just realize what I just realized
We'd never have to wonder if
We missed out on each other but.
It's not the same
No it's never the same
If you don't feel it too.
If you meet me half way
If you would meet me half way.
It could be the same for you.
If you just realize what I just realized
Then we'd be perfect for each other
And we'll never find another
Just realize what I just realized
We'd never have to wonder
Just realize what I just realized
Harry hadn't come back and I was beginning to feel like he wasn't going to.
If you just realize what I just realized
Oh
Missed out on each other now
Missed out on each other now
Realize
Realize
Realize…
By the time I had repeated and faded for at least twenty seconds, I figured he wouldn't be coming back. I put my guitar back in my pouch and dragging my feet back to the common room.
You really missed out on this one, Jenny. A cold chill ran down my spine as I realized I might not be forgiven. When would the secrets end?
When I came back to the archway shrouded with mistletoe, I wasn't running in hot pursuit, I was pushing through the crowd of girls. They seemed more riled up than before, probably because a male came within fifteen feet of them. I sighed, approaching the archway in woe.
To my surprise, I found the archway suddenly blocked. A gentle finger slowly tilted my head until determined green eyes met mine. Hanging by a moment, our eyes danced until our lips met. The roar of reactions seemed dull compared to the symphony soaring through me. I floated back to Hogwarts on a cloud, the warm sunshine guiding me to bliss.
It didn't even bother be that Harry's trust was blind. He has faith in us and believes me when I tell him I can't reveal everything. Maybe he understands because Dumbledore's had him do the same.
"What's happened to you? You look like you just won the world cup," Hermione said, looking up from her book.
"Oh Hermione, it's so much better than that"
"You mean Harry-" I nodded, receiving a proud smile in return.
"You wouldn't have said anything, would you, Mione?" I grinned mischievously.
"There's no fooling you, is there?" she grinned as I laughed my way onto my bed. I took a deep breath, clearing my head. Once the pleasant buzzing was gone, I refocused on what mattered.
"You know, tomorrow's Transfiguration lesson in supposed to be difficult-"
"Ugh- Hermione, you're such a buzz kill!" I rolled over, drowning my moans into my pillow.