Chapter 25: Draco

Draco could convince Jill to have something to eat together later that day after everyone was finished with their classes. It was a nice, yet chilly Friday afternoon; he noticed when he looked out of the big windows that were covered with the picture of snowflakes. He glanced around a tad nervously, something for him to do for a while and shook his head again, as if he shook off some paranoia. Jill, on the other hand, enjoyed some lasagna that smelled terribly good. They have been sitting in the great hall for the longest time and chatted about the curiosities they came across during their conversation.

"So you believe that's actually happening right now?"
"Yeah. My…mark has been hurting a little. It usually does when he's close. I believe it won't take long anymore and…he might fall into Hogwarts. You are an inexperienced witch…I…" He paused. "I believe things won't end up very well here, I believe Harry knows, or maybe he doesn't, I don't know about that boy…and quite frankly I don't care…I believe they could be coming here and fight him again just like they did some time ago. I'm just saying that it feels like something is lingering out in the air. But we can't leave. The students…we are forced to stay here. Ever since HE is in charge for everything that's a matter of politics, he regulated it all. There's no opportunity to leave. We sit here and wait, that's what we are doing…and we are being taught…like an army that awaits their leader…"

"What…do you believe is wise to do, then?" She asked and sipped on her tea, glancing over to Severus Snape, who's been sitting upright in the middle of the professor's area and doing absolutely nothing but holding his chin higher than the rest. Jill was looking to the left and right, trying to do this without being caught; of course she was scared Bella could be somewhere close but she wasn't. Draco paused a little and stared at his food, poked his

lasagna a little and shrugged. It took him a while to answer.

"I don't know. It's difficult, it's…as I said. We can't do a lot. I'm not keen on another fight but it's my duty to stay here; I can't leave like a coward…even if I wanted to."
"When I was in Snape's office…he told me that Hogwarts changed its curriculum. You were there too. He also said that it's new that they accept students that are older than 17. Actually you guys graduate at 17, right?"

"Yes…that's what I meant…when I said we are trained like an army…it wasn't our choice to be here. We had to go on…that's why I probably seemed a little provoked when Snape said that they "accept" older students in, lately. It had nothing to do with being accepted but rather pushed in…I couldn't understand why you would come here but…you were the naïve girl that didn't know so I can't blame you."

"This is crazy…what about your parents?"
"You see…my mother was scared something could happen. She's a little calmer now that she knows Bellatrix is here, too. As close as we are to the dark lord…we…can't change his mind. He decided that all students need to be trained to serve him when needed. That's the only reason why Snape is the new headmaster. He's just as loyal to him…"

Jill's head hurted so much now. Those were some news she had to tell Kolem, definitely. All students here...are actually running through training for HIM? She looked at the little first grader, or so she thought he was, biting into his chicken sandwich happily. Did he even know?

"Don't tell anyone." Draco whispered in a frown. Jill frowned back. It was as though he read her mind. "It'll fall back on me and it could cost my head. Unless you're keen on that…"
"I won't mention it…" She rubbed a hand through her hair, still knowing Kolem needed to know sometime. This school made her sick, seriously.

"You're troubled, aren't you?" Asked Draco and she nodded. "Then why did Snape accept me in even though he knew I am useless when it comes to fighting?" She asked and Draco shrugged, not knowing the answer either. Then she remembered the letter that Kolem had written and asked her to give to Snape in case something remained unclear. She didn't know what he wrote down but it must've been convincing enough to accept it. So she accepted it as well and finished her last bit of pasta. This was delicious. As she looked up with a smile, the first smile for a long time, it vanished the next second. A woman with black curly hair, a black laced dress and snow-white skin just sat down close to Snape, she flipped her hair over her shoulder nonchalantly and her dark eyes scanned through the great hall. Jill's lids narrowed, her nostrils flared, she bit the inside of her bottom lip. Sudden aggression caused her to clench her fists under the table and she had to look away from Bellatrix Lestrange, a woman for who she did not have any words left.

"Let's go." She said and got up. Draco seemed a little confused but followed wordlessly. While they were walking to the common room and sat down on the large, black, leather couch, Jill then asked, a little off topic.

"Tell me why you dislike Harry so much anyway?"
"I told you…he's just annoying. It doesn't help much that our houses have competed against each other for the time they existed…"
"Is he like some sort of rival to you?" She asked and he nodded. "Yes, in a sense. As much as Gryffindor and Slytherin always competed, Harry and I did as well. Ever since we entered this school, that is."
"I never understood the concepts of rivalry…"
"Huh?"
"When you have a rival…you try to be better than them. I don't understand why somebody would do that. It causes so much work. It's like you don't look back. Because looking back, you'll see a bunch of people trying to climb up, too…and they're already on their way. Trying to push you down the throne, one day…I believe…you should be the best person you can be…And best what your abilities offer…and if, somewhere on your way trying that, you happen to be someone that other people look up to…that's when you can truly say you achieved something…" She fiddled with her hair, as she usually does when she's philosophizing. Then she looked over to Draco who seemed to be thinking about what she said, and then huffed lightly while he crossed his arms. He knew, somewhere deep inside, that Jill was right, although someone like him could never admit. She had to giggle at what she had seen, of course it was clear, even to her, how Draco was way too proud. Jill was so busy fiddling around with her hair that she didn't notice how close he sat to her; she could feel his breath tickling on her collarbone area. Draco glanced at the female he observed closely, she didn't wear her regular robe since she didn't attend any classes today. Instead, she was wearing a very skinny pair of black jeans and a loose mint green colored pullover that had white polka dots. It matched well with her fair skin and contrasted nicely with her black hair that she put up to a sideway bun, some wavy strands sticking out.

"You're…beautiful…" Whispered Draco and Jill blushed when he scooted yet a little closer.