Some weeks had gone by and I hadn't as much as coughed in Draco's direction. At first I was quite bothered by the abrupt halt in our rekindled friendship but as the weeks went on I found myself far too busy to even dwell on the matter.
I was busy with Dumbledore's army and fighting to make peace within the wizarding world whilst Draco was busy leading the Inquisitorial Squad doing… well whatever Draco did best, tormenting student using his authoritative stature in society, or at least the society created within the walls of Hogwarts. Before the fight and before I had slapped him, in and in-between classes if we caught each other's eye we would exchange a quick glance, a fleeting smile, something, just any form of acknowledgment that meant I saw you and I see you seeing me. But not anymore, It's hard to fix any relationship when you're constantly being pressured by external sources to sever all ties. The trio had been relentless in informing on why Draco was no good and why it was for the best we end all communication other than when it was absolutely necessary.
On top off all of this McGonagall had set me exercises to practice my occlumency. Before I moved onto anything else she said it was paramount that I perfected the skill of closing off my mind. Not to mention final exams on the horizon. Ultimately I was preoccupied for the most part. But every so often I would slow down just enough to dwell on my own state of being. My mind would skim over an array of subjects, mother, keeping alive, who my real father is, Draco. It hurt to think that the person I've known the longest was now not a part of my life, essentially, I am perfectly aware that I would be spending the summer in his family manor, but I've been there, practically lived there. It is an easy place to avoid someone resembling that of a small castle as opposed to a home.
Harry snaps a finger in front of my face and I zone back into the room. "Were you listening to what I was saying?" Harry asks, I look past him and see our small group of rag tag rebels and smile slightly. I was so proud of them, for standing up for what they believed in, for actively doing something to better the lives of those around them even if it meant getting in harm's way.
"Yeah." I answer, lying through my teeth.
"Then what did I just say?" he enquires with one eyebrow arched.
"Team work, morals. Screw Voldemort, you know, all that jazz." I answer, struggling not to smile.
"Yeah right." He chuckles and tosses a copy of The Daily Prophet at me, it smacks me straight on the head. "You're a bit of a wonderer, do you know that." he retorts as he dodges the paper that I fling back at him.
"All the best people are, wouldn't you agree?" Luna speaks dreamily into the room. In our brief time together I had gotten to really enjoy her company. She makes me view life from a new lens, a weird lens where nothing is quite what it seems.
We hadn't quite started today's session of Dumbledore's army, not everyone was present, just then Colin Creevey comes rushing into the room. He slams the ancient doors behind him and rests his small frame again the hardened wood and tries quite obnoxiously to steady his breathing. We're all on our feet and start making our way towards him.
"Mate, take it easy." Ron says, resting a hand on Colin's shoulder, a look of worry evident on his pale face.
"Can't" he exhales out. "Had to run… had to run." He says again his breathing not calming down. "Draco was tailing me."
"What?" I say a little too loudly causing a couple of people to look back at me. "Sorry…" I say a lot quitter this time. But my outburst had given Colin a moment to catch his breathe.
"Draco and Blaze were right on my tail." Colin finally admits. His eyes as wide as saucers. "I couldn't shake them for ages."
"Are you sure they weren't still following you when you came in here?" Harry inquires, pushing himself to the front.
"Yes I hid in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom for ages. Then I had to hop from classroom to classroom, I even had to hide in a broom closet for a minute or two. What a journey."
"Right." Harry starts, he claps his hands together and we all turn our attention to him. "First of all well done Colin for shaking off Malfoy and his minions." He starts and Colin receives a few claps on his shoulders and well done shouts. "But secondly what have we learnt today guys? That Draco is hot on our tails. We need to step up and be ten times more cautious than we already have been. This is getting real." We all nod and I look around, everyone face sobers up at the end of Harry's talk. Things were getting real. Umbridge was starting to make living in Hogwarts unbearable. She kept implementing all these new rules. It was difficult to breathe without breaking one of them. So far I have had 20 points in total docked by the Inquisitorial Squad. None by Draco, every time I'm doing something that breaks the rules conveniently Draco is nowhere to be seen, I don't know if that's because he hates me now and would rather avoid me altogether or because it is his last shred of friendship shining through, but either way this was another one of those thoughts that drifted its way into my brain when my wind decided to wonder.
In today's lesson I was teaching the spell Relashio. I thought it paramount to learn as the spell forces an object or person to release its hold on something, or repels objects with the force of another object. A handy spell indeed to have within ones arsenal.
When I was satisfied that everyone had grasped a basic enough concept of the spell I released them to practice and perfect in their own time. I always make my own way back to my dorm after these gatherings for nothing more than to have five minutes alone with my own conscious. It was on today's stroll back to Gryffindor tower that I rounded a corner and catch sight of none other than Blaze Zabini. Pure luck of course. I roll my eyes as he catches my eye and struts over.
"Well what do we have here?" he drawls.
"I don't know Zabini, what do we have here?" I ask back sarcastically.
"It would appear that this little Gryffindor has found herself out of bed after hours… now what shall we do with her?" he asks and I resist the urge to do to him what I did to Draco.
"I honestly do not understand why you're referring to me in third person but if you're going to give me a detention then just hurry up."
"Not so quick, it appears that a number of Gryffindor's have been caught outside of bed after hours tonight. Suspicious indeed." He smoothly says. However I don't swoon as he gazes at me with his intense stare that countless other girls seem to succumb to. Instead I feel myself chill to the bone. If others have been caught then we're one step closer to being revealed.
"Zabini!" I hear shouted from across the hall. I look up and Draco is there. He doesn't look at me, nor does he acknowledge my existence. "Come." Is all he says before he starts to turn on his heel.
"But as you can see I am currently engaged in a conversation with Miss Seraphine here" he protests to his ring leader yet still managine to appear suave.
"Who?" Draco inquires appearing edged yet nonchalant simultaneously. I sadden at his response but do not react. Zabini then looks me up and down, shrugs once just before he scuttles off towards Draco. I watch their retreating forms, a piece of me longing to call him back.