Chapter 36

Lucia

I've never blamed Mother for what Father put me and Draco through. In my eyes, she had always been a victim. But in that moment, as Father led me back up the stairs, when Mother had left rather than watch Father force me to re-shackle Draco, I felt an anger so strong, I didn't even know what to do with it. When we finally reached Father's study again, I silently took Bobbins' hand. Mother came up to hug me but I remained stiff. I didn't meet her eyes when she said goodbye and not to worry. Father said nothing about my behavior—maybe he didn't even notice. I nodded at Bobbins and then Father gave the order and, once again, I was back at Hogwarts. Not even a full hour had passed. After saying goodbye to Bobbins, I made my way through the halls again. It hadn't even been a full hour. I wondered where Gabbie and Angie would be. Or Alex. Suddenly, I remembered that I had told Jonathan to come up to me at dinner. I wondered if he had looked for me. I suddenly realized that I really didn't want to see anyone. No one would understand. So instead, I went back outside and walked around the grounds until I found a quiet spot, overlooking the Forbidden Forest. The sun was setting in the distance and little by little, stars were coming out.

I don't know how much time passed before I heard him.

"I looked for you."

I didn't look to see who it was. But I shrugged. "Great for you."

"Can I join you?"

When I didn't answer, Jonathan slid in beside me. There was only about an inch of space between us, but I could feel the warmth emanating from his body. I wondered if Draco was shivering in the basement cell. He sat there silently, looking at the sun sink lower in the sky.

"I heard Draco took a short leave of absence," he said.

My heart started racing and tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

"It's all everyone was talking about at dinner. So when I didn't see you, I figured you'd gone home too."

I shifted away from Jonathan and pulled my knees up to my cheek, hugging them close to my chest.

"Are you okay?"

I still couldn't speak. I really just wanted Jonathan to go away.

"Of course not. Well, he won't hurt you from home," he said. "You don't need to worry about him for now."

Finally, I whirled on him. "Can't you take a hint?" I yelled.

His look turned confused. "What…"

"Just because I didn't say no, don't join me doesn't mean I wanted company! I don't want to talk about anything or anyone. I just want to be alone."

He held his hands up. "Hey I'm sorry. I'll stop talking. What do I know, anyway? I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I just noticed you and Draco went missing at the same time, so I was nervous."

I sighed. "Sorry. I'm just not in the greatest mood. I'm sorry you weren't able to catch up to me at dinner." Then I decided to push him away from the topic of Draco. "There's no reason to have gotten nervous about it, though," I said, smiling. "Why were you nervous?"

He shrugged, a small smile forming on his lips. His blue eyes seemed to pierce right through mine. "Maybe because I thought this really interesting girl had taken back her offer to give me a second chance to get to know her."

I rolled my eyes. "Right."

He shifted closer to me. "I'm being serious. Besides, I am someone worth getting to know," he smirked. Confidence was practically surrounding the air around him and it made me roll my eyes again. His hand reached out and deliberately covered the top of mine. My skin tingled where he touched me and I wanted him to let go and hold on tighter at the same time.

"Am I going to get that chance you promised me?" His eyes seemed to bore into me. My heart started pounding, but I carefully extracted my hand from under his.

"Maybe," I said. "But, I'm going to head back to my room, now."

He let out a playful grown, but shifted away from me.

"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked. His lower lip jutted out and he looked like he was…..pouting.

I laughed. "Pouting doesn't suit you." Then, I got up.

Jonathan also got up.

"Goodnight," I said, beginning to turn.

I felt a hand close around my wrist. I felt that should bother me, but for some reason it didn't. I turned around to face him and his other hand brushed my cheek before he let go. "Thanks," he murmured. My skin tingled again.

"What for?" I said. "I didn't agree."

"But you didn't disagree either. That means there's hope," he said. This time he smiled. Then, he abruptly let me go and turned to walk away. I stared after him before turning and finally going back to face Angie, Gabbie, and of course Alex.