A/N:I know I wasn't supposed to post this today, but I'm leaving on a project, and sice I'm not sure that I'll have internet there, and probably won't have time to write either, I'll put it up today. After that, the schedule will come back to normal.
Here's another chapter. Enjoy:))
Chapter 116: On better terms
Ginny and Hermione were still sleeping as I got out of bed, but by the time I came back from the bathroom, they were already awake.
"Morning."
"Morning. What time is it?" Hermione looked at the watch on her wrist and sighted.
"It's eight o'clock."
"Why did we wake up so early? It's not like we went to sleep at a reasonable hour. And neither did the birthday girl here."
"I don't know. I'm used to staying up really late, thanks to your brothers, so little sleep is not really something new. But waking up early..."
"Never mind. Let's go eat something. I'm starving."
We didn't bother changing our clothes, and as we got into the kitchen, we noticed that no one else did either. But the fact that everyone was wearing pyjamas wasn't the strangest thing there. Right at the middle of the table were seated Ron and Draco, on opposite parts of the table, obviously in a heated discussion but not yelling at each other.
"I really don't understand how you can support the Chudley Cannons. They haven't won a match in years."
"Maybe not, but we believe in them and one day they will return to their former glory."
"Really? Don't you remember what happened last month, when they were playing against the Falmouth Falcons? The Cannons' keeper left with both arms broken. And the score was-"
"You're expecting anything else from the Falcons? They're the most violent team in the league, you know it."
"So what?"
The girls and I exchanged some looks and sat next to my brother, who was about to drop his head into his eggs and bacon.
"Harry, are you awake?"
"What? Oh, yeah, just, we've been here for a long time and the two of them somehow started discussing Quidditch and I got lost at some point. And before you say anything, I know that I'm the youngest seeker and all, but I'm not that much of a fanatic."
"And they're speaking just like that? And you've got nothing against it? No hexes thrown around the room?"
"Well, after you fell asleep on Malfoy last night," he shot me an accusing look " his mom made him speak more to us, and from there, the conversation just flowed and we realised that he's not as bad as we thought."
"Oh, so you dropped your Death Eater mania?"
"Oh, no, that still stands. I'm just more willing to accept that maybe he didn't want it after all."
"Well, still better than nothing. Where's Mrs Weasley?"
"Mrs Malfoy sent her back to sleep and made breakfast herself, and then she went to the library with Sirius."
I slid on the wooden bench until I was sitting next to Draco.
"What are you two arguing about?"
"Chudley Cannons obviously."
"I still don't understand why you hate that team so much."
"Right? He has no reason to."
"They haven't won a match in such a long time?"
"And you hate them because they did nothing? Obviously Slytherin."
"No, I'm angry that they're still in the league. Only the best teams are supposed to be in it."
"They are, they won the Cup 21 times."
"Yeah, and the last time was in 1892."
"Ok, I'mma leave you to it then." I got back to my original seat. " Can you pass me the eggs Gin? Thanks."
"So, what are they talking about now?"
"Chudley Cannons. And I think might have made it worse. Changing the subject, what else happened after I fell asleep last night?"
"Not much really. An owl came with something for him. Love letters from Parkinson most probably. Or questions from Zabini or Nott about his departure. They must want to know how he escaped probably."
"Come on, you're telling me now that every Slytherin became a Death Eater over the summer?"
"Why not?"
"You're so, ugghh! You know what? Never mind, continue."
"Let's see, then we spoke about the OWLs and the twins told us about the NEWTs and then they left. Then he carried you up to bed."
"What?"
"Yeah, why did he do that? He's been bullying you since first year."
"Yeah, and I stood up for myself."
"But still, he may even hate you more than he hates me. So why did he do that? "
"I don't know dear brother, you shouldn't underestimate how much hate he actually has for you." I told him with a smirk.
The next days went on just as weird as the morning after our birthday. Draco became friends with Ron somehow and started getting along with the others ad well. One day, he came up to me in the library, while I was looking at all the books on the shelves, hoping to find something entertaining to read.
"Hi."
"Oh, hi Dray. How are you?"
"I was looking for you actually. We haven't talked about that since your birthday. I was wondering, if you'd want to give me a chance, would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me after we get back to school?"
I stopped and turned to him.
"Really? On a date? Are you sure about this? I mean, Parkinson is gonna go full crazy if we do this, along with the rest of the school probably. Besides, it would be really dangerous, especially now."
"Well, we can go somewhere more private if you want. Or we can set up the Room of Requirement and have a nice dinner there or something."
"That actually sounds pretty good. And a really smart ideea."
"No, it's just disguised sneakyness." I laughed harder at that than I probably should have.
"And to think Harry actually thought you were a heartless bastard."
"He actually said that?"
"No, he used worse words. That's mild compared to his spoken thoughts."
"Well, at least it's better now."
"Yes it is."
The last month passed fast, without any more fights in the household. There were a few deaths within the wizarding community though, as well as some Muggles. The Death Eaters cared less and less about being caught and everyone who entered the house had to be questioned to prove their identity. It was stressful, but necessary.
"You know, Malfoy this will be a hard year. Everyone in your house is bound to know about what happened."
"I know Potter. But most of them aren't even supporters of You-Know-Who. I'll be okay as long as I don't attract too much attention from the wrong people."
"And you will be fine. We all will. But we still need to watch each other's backs." I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. Since my birthday, I started spending a lot of time with Draco and have been more friendly with him than the others have; other than Ginny and Hermione though, who made it part of their daily plan to question me about it, no one asked about it. It felt nice to not have to hide as much as before anymore.