Secrets

Tabby was sulking, she knew it was the noble thing to do by telling Harry to leave her alone, but it didn't make her feel better. That had been weeks ago now, and she was beginning to get effected by the lack of communication with people. It was the beginning of the Christmas holidays, but she didn't feel very festive. The castle was quieter than usual, so she had found it harder to avoid Harry, Ron and Hermione, who had all decided to stay over the holidays. She was on her way to the library to do some extra work on her Transfiguration assignment. She walked through the big double doors, and then turned on her heel, and walked straight back out again. Hermione had been in there. She had been so careful to avoid Hermione at all costs; she had decided that a confrontation would be a bad thing. "Where can I go now," thought Tabby in a panic. She didn't want to go back to the common room in case Hermione turned up. She resolved to go and do something she hadn't done for a long time.

It was a cold night, but as Tabby settled herself on the roof of the astronomy tower, she smiled to herself. She hadn't stargazed since the first week, and that had been for homework. She laid back and let the power of the stars sing out to her. She found it so comforting knowing that everything in front of her eyes was closely linked to the past and the present, and understanding it gave her a great sense of power. She laid there for hours, letting Mars tell her about Ron and Hermione's attraction to each other, allowing Jupiter to tell her about the A she was going to get on her Transfiguration essay even without the extra work, listening as Gemini giggled over Neville's accident he was due to have next week. Tabby was completely submerged in thought. She nearly fell off the roof in fright when a deep voice spoke from behind her.

"Hello Kitty."

"Do you enjoy nearly giving me heart attacks Draco?"

"Well it is amusing, yes."

"How did you find me up here?"

"A Slytherin first year came to tell me that some Gryffindor had been sneaking up to the astronomy tower. Naturally I had to come and investigate."

"Yeah, you mean you wanted to hand out a few detentions."

"Well it's a perk of the job," smiled Draco wolfishly, "so Miss Kitty, what are you doing up here all on your lonesome?"

"Just watching."

"You can read them can't you?"

"No, what gave you that idea? I just like looking at them, reminds me of how insignificant I actually am."

"Firstly you're not insignificant, secondly, my father told me about you, Tabby. I knew there was something about you, but I couldn't work out what, so I wrote to my father. He hasn't gone crazy yet, surprisingly and he managed to remember who exactly you are."

"You're bluffing Malfoy."

"Am I? Would you steak your reputation on it?"

"Are you blackmailing me Malfoy?"

"Well what have you got to bargain with?"

"Nothing, I won't bargain with you," said Tabby.

"Now see I don't agree, once you hear what I have in mind. There's something I want from you in return for my silence."

"Draco, if you truly know who I am, then you should know I can't be blackmailed. I could erase your memory in a second."

"Maybe that's true, but you won't."

"Why shouldn't I? Give me a reason?"

"Because," said Draco pausing dramatically, "now you have someone who truly understands you, and that you can talk to about everything."

Tabby spat, "as if I'd tell you anything so you can run off and tell Voldemort." Tabby was trying to think how she could get away, but Draco was blocking the only exit.

"Ouch." She looked over to Draco. He moved towards her sitting as closely as he dared. "Tell me Tabby, do you really think that? Look into my eyes and tell me if I would do that. Hell, while we're up here why don't you ask the stars?"

Tabby looked into his eyes. She knew he wouldn't. She knew he disagreed with his father's way of things, and that since his father had been captured two years ago, he hadn't had anything to do with Voldemort. She knew this without looking at him; she had seen it on that first Friday night. She could see the troubled look in his eyes. What she had said had really stung him. She instantly regretted it. As much as Harry, Ron and Hermione hated Draco, he had never been terrible to her, not once, and she knew that he was only joking about the blackmailing.

"Sorry Draco," she said still staring into his eyes, watching as the steely grey faded to a much warmer tone.

"You're forgiven. So come on then how come you're here? Why are you and Dumbledore lying to everyone?"

"It's a long story Draco."

"I have as long as it takes."