Just one more thing: I've got a couple of reviews about "Drops of water wearing through the stone" saying that Blaise Zabini is a girl. I've checked: "Blaise" is a French male name. Ever heard of Blaise Pascal? Does he look like a girl to you?
Sorry if it sounds harsh, but…
Well, let's start…
I remember"Remember, remember
the fifth of November
gunpowder, treason and plot
we see no reason
why gunpowder and treason
should ever be forgot."
I take the Hogwarts Express four times a year and just half these times I'm glad to: when it takes me back home for Christmas break first and summer holidays then. Today is one of those times…the first cause, precisely. I remember when I came back home during my first year…Maybe the only year when I'd deliberately chosen not to take this train. I didn't care about the attacks or Slytherin's Monster. Then, I am a Pureblood and a Slytherin, so I had nothing to be afraid of. Truth to be told, I was a little bit scared and surely I wasn't the only one. Whatever our dear schoolmates could say, not even we Slytherin could be so calm. But I was ready to stay nonetheless, in spite of the monster and of my feelings toward the school. The reason? Draco. I didn't want to leave him alone. It was him who persuaded me to get on this train, maybe, who forced me a little bit. He didn't want me to stay there for the same reason that drove him to wait for me outside the classroom and escort me to the following class. He feared I could get hurt.
I thought I'd never be ready on time, but he made sure I was. Differently from him, I lacked – and I still lack – of organization. I can still see my dorm, with all my clothes scattered around like the suitcase had exploded…and once it was full, it really looked like it was going to explode. I had to ask Draco to close it and even so, I had to sit down on the cover before he managed to close it. Right at the last moment. I remember how heavy that damned suitcase was and how difficult I found dragging it for the first flight of stairs. I remember it well. I had stopped on the first landing to catch my breath when somebody took my suitcase asking if "bella signorina1" needed help. I turned around just to find myself completely lost in Draco's gray eyes. He carried my suitcase to the coach and helped me placing it. He insisted on coming with me, even if I had already been entrusted to Marcus and Adrian's "cares," who disappeared as soon as we reached the station. I always have wondered if they left because they didn't feel like staying with two younger students or because they wanted to leave us alone intentionally. I've never known and now it doesn't matter. I remember it was a horrible day. It was cloudy and dark, it looked like midnight and every light had been lit. I remembered the falling snow and my hair covered with a Slytherin scarf. I remember the walk with Draco on the crowded platform, looking for Marcus and Adrian's compartment, snow and ice creaking under our boots.
I remember when we found the compartment and placed my suitcase on the net. I remember those goodbyes, almost embarrassed, his So…see you. I remember him walking away along the corridor and his puzzled face when I called him back. I remember his smile as I told him, Merry Christmas, Draco, and his voice when he answered, Merry Christmas, Torey.
I remember his pale face and his cold-reddened cheeks, the cold wind playing with the hem of his dark cloak, his eyes watching me, the snowflakes among his blond hair. All things I saw behind a window dirty with snow. I remember how sad he looked, but maybe it was just an impression I got from the gray-lead sky, the faint light, and the empty platform behind him. Students who didn't go home weren't allowed to come to the station. You had to say goodbye to your friends at the castle. But Draco and I have never been rules-followers.
I remember I tried to roll the window down to say goodbye to him again, but I couldn't and I cursed "this damned school where there isn't a damned thing that works."
I remember when the train left slowly, and Draco followed my wagon until the end of the platform where he had to stop. I remember I flattened myself against the window, trying to see him standing there at the end of the platform, against the gray and black sky with the white light of a lamp bathing his face and a raised arm to wave at me.
The train has finally arrived in London. Both outward and return journey are always unpleasant to me. I gather my luggage and I get off the train. Now I'll go home via Floo Powder Special.
Draco. As usual, I've spent the whole ride thinking about you. I'm so tired…When I come home, I'll go to bed immediately, I'm not hungry. Maybe I'll dream of you tonight, and maybe I won't.
And guess what?
I can't decide which one of these two hypotheses is the worst one.
1) bella signorina = pretty lady