Okay now. I am ready for all of your angry words for the very, very late update of this story. I am so, so, so sorry. I had to move house, my computer broke down, the internet would not load, I started a new course. I got hooked on Naruto and Sasu/Naru fics.
These are all true, though not in this specific order.
As I have mentioned, I WILL finish this story. I have already planned out part two and chapter 1 is already written. Okay, this chapter is kind of like a filler, with random scenes thrown in. When the story is complete, I will come back and sort it out properly but for now, this is it. The next chapter WILL be out in a week or so, not six months!!
To all who reviewed, I am eternally grateful. Please find it in your hearts to review again!
Okay. I do not own Harry Potter. I just struggle bringing out chapters of a fanfic at random intervals....
DARKNESS OR LIGHT. WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?
Chapter 28 - The Lead Up To OWL's
The room wasn't actually small but it wasn't very big either. At that moment in time, it was dark. There were no windows to let any light in and there were no torches on the walls. The only light came from two Candles, situated on opposite sides of the room.
Draco was very grateful for this fact. He didn't want anyone to see his face at that moment. He was sitting on the floor, his legs crossed, in front of a small table. The table had a red tablecloth with gold stitching draped over it and a picture of Harry sat upon it. Beside the picture was a tall thin vase that held a single red rose. Nothing else was on the table apart from a wand box containing Harry's wand.
Ron walked into the room and sat down, cross-legged on a cushion next to Draco and placed a CD case on the floor next to him.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"Aren't your legs cramped yet? You've been sitting in the same place for a couple of hours now."
"I'm fine."
Draco stared down at his hands, which rested in his lap. That morning, Dumbledore had performed a small service for Harry, with the Aurors that had found him, Sirius, Severus, McGonagall Ron, Hermione, Pansy, Mr and Mrs Weasley and himself. Dumbledore had agreed to let Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini in on the secret and so had also been to the service. Blaise had been shocked and upset when he was told and had begun to cry silently. Pansy spent her time trying to comfort him. Ginny on the other hand had been angry. When she had been told, she just stared at Dumbledore in disbelief, and then had lunged at him, arms outstretched and fingers like claws as if she was trying to strangle him. Fortunately Ron had grabbed her before she had reached the target of his neck and had dragged her out of Dumbledore's office, hissing and spitting. Ron had told him later that she had Promptly burst into tears when she had reached the common room.
"When did you want me to put that song on for you?"
"Whenever. By the way, are you sure about this business of taking me in? I mean, I haven't actually been pleasant to your family over the years."
Dumbledore had called him into his office again, a few days after he had taken himself and Ron to see Harry's body and had told him that the Weasleys had offered to look after him during the summer. He had been surprised and had declined politely, but Ron had insisted, telling him in firm tones that he was going to be staying with his family. Draco had finally agreed but was a little concerned about how he would be treated. The twins were pleasant enough, although one had to be constantly on guard around them. The older Weasley was hardly at home and the youngest hated him.
"Of course I'm sure. My parents wouldn't have offered if they didn't want you staying with them. If they don't like someone, they say so."
"Okay. Thanks Ron."
"Anytime." Ron stared at him for a few seconds, and then tapped the CD case with his fingertips. "Where did you hear this song anyway? It's not the kind of song I'd expect your father to let you listen to."
"It's one of my mother's favourite songs. I always heard her listen to his album when he was away." Draco wrapped his arms around his knees and leaned his chin on them. "It always struck me as sad, but hopeful as well but I'm not quite sure what he is actually saying. The song can have two meanings."
"I don't know Draco. I don't know this song at all."
The room was silent for a little while, both Ron and Draco staring at the picture of Harry., so they were both a little startled when they heard a sharp tap on the other side of the door.
"Ron, Malfoy. Are you in here?"
The door creaked open and the youngest Weasley peered into the room.
"Hey Ginny. What is it?"
"Are you both done? Its dinner time."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Ron stood up and brushed the front of his robes. "Let's go Draco."
Draco shook his head, not moving from his seat on the floor. "I'm not hungry. I'll stay here. Could you set up the player before you go though?"
Ron nodded, and then picked up the case from the floor. He took the disk out and moved over to the player that was sitting in the corner of the room. Two small speakers were attached to it on a small length of wire. It was the Christmas present that Pansy had bought Ron and he had kindly let Draco use it. Ron put the disk into the player and then pressed play.
"I'll leave you to it then. Make sure you eat something later."
Ron then left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. The room was quiet for a few moments before a few strands of music began to make itself heard. Draco reached over the table and picked up the wand box containing Harry's wand. The box was mahogany red with a small black label in the middle with 'Ollivanders' etched onto it in silver. Draco opened it and stared at the dark brown wand nestled in white silk. He remembered the day Harry had got his wand. Granted, he wasn't actually with him when he had bought it, but was with him on that day, just the same. At that time, they were just two eleven year old boys, getting ready to start a new school. No malice, misunderstanding or hatred. Only innocent curiosity.
Draco closed the wand box and hugged it to himself. He felt liquid slide down his cheeks but made no move to stop them. He felt empty, desolate. Like a hole had been opened inside of him and he couldn't fill it. Was this what his life was going to belike from now on? A feeling of total loneliness?
And what have I learned from all these tears? I've waited for you all those years. Then just when it began, He took your love away...
A sob welled up in Draco's throat at the words that practically echoed his feelings and he gripped the box in his hands tighter. He looked at the still picture of Harry with damp eyes.
So the words you could not say, I'll sing them for you. And the love we would have made, I'll make it for two. For every single memory, has become a part of me. You will always be.......My love.
"No more," Draco stumbled over to the player and pressed the stop button. "Please."
The music stopped and Draco breathed in sharply. He wiped his eyes and composed himself. It wouldn't do to go out in public, looking like he had just bawled his eyes out. He then reached under his robes and grasped the slightly warm, half snake. Ever since the morning a couple of weeks ago, when Dumbledore had shown him and Ron, Harry's body lying in a casket, his necklace has been warm. Even when it wasn't next to his skin, it was never cool. Draco was also curious as to where Harry's part of the necklace had gotten to. It wasn't the kind of thing that would have got stolen, especially by a Deatheater. He had mentioned it to Ron but the other boy had suggested it had probably fallen off from around Harry's neck and was probably just lying around somewhere.
Taking in a few deep breaths, Draco picked up the player, opened the door and stepped out. The door vanished as soon as it closed and Draco nodded in approval at the secret room, then he turned and headed towards the Griffindor common rooms. He got the portrait entrance, then his shoulder was gripped from behind. He turned and stared into the face of Blaise, who was holding a cup of hot chocolate in his hands.
"Draco. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Draco sighed and nodded, while whispering the password to the Fat Lady, who nodded at him and opened the entrance. He walked into the empty common room and dropped onto the red sofa next to the fire. Blaise curled up next to him, his hot mug of chocolate grasped tightly in his hand. He looked tired, Draco noted. Tired and saddened.
"How are you feeling?"
Draco snorted, folding his arms and staring on the far wall. "Don't you think that is a slightly stupid question?"
"Perhaps, but I still would like to know. It's been a couple of weeks now Draco and I was wondering, as a friend, just how you are coping."
"To put it simply, I'm not." Draco moved his eyes from the opposite wall and moved to look at Blaise. "I thank Ron for getting me out of bed in the morning. Without him, I probably wouldn't even get up."
Blaise nodded and the room went silent for a few moments.
"Have you dreamed of him recently Draco?"
Draco' eyes widened and he stared at Blaise questioningly. "What brought this to mind?"
Blaise stared down into the depths of the dark liquid in his mug, sloshing it around slightly in his trembling hands.
"Well, for a while now, I see him in my dreams. There are two different ones and all others are slight variations of them. In one, he is calling out, crying for help. In the other..."
Blaise trailed off and he covered his eyes with one of his hands. As Draco watched, he saw a tear slide down his cheek from behind his hand.
"What? What is it?"
A shuddering breath was drawn in and Blaise sniffed quietly.
"Don't be mad Draco, but I've had dreams of Harry, not exactly innocent dreams for quite a while now. Since coming back to school I think. I can't do much about them, even if I wanted to. When you started going with him, they were all that I had to vent my frustrations with. No matter how I acted with him, I would never have made a move against you." He leaned forward slightly and placed his mug onto the table in front of him. He then covered his eyes with both his hands. "At first it was just that. Dreams with no worries and no problems, but after New Year, after we had gotten sick, the other dream began. Harry, calling for help. He sounded so lost, so alone, but I couldn't see him. All I could see was darkness."
He began to sob violently and Draco reached out and squeezed his shoulder tightly. Blaise then leaned forward and pressed his face into Draco's shoulder and his hands came up to grab his arms.
"I miss him Draco. I can't help it. I love him and I miss him. I don't know what to do anymore."
Draco couldn't say anything, in comfort or otherwise. He knew how Blaise felt and understood.
"Haven't you had any dreams of him?"
"Nothing like what you have had," Draco replied, pushing Blaise upright again. "I just see him die in front of me again and again and there is nothing I can do!"
They both fell silent again and stared into the fire. After a few moments, Blaise picked up his chocolate and began to sip it. Draco sat still for a few minutes longer, then he sighed and stood up.
"I'm going up. See you later."
Blaise nodded absently and Draco headed up the staircase to the boys dorms, trusting Blaise to let himself out of the Gryffindor common room when he was ready to go.
"Troll Wars! Why does this subject love Troll Wars so much? And why are they so important exactly?"
Pansy flicked through her History of Magic textbook for the fifth time and scowled in annoyance. She hated history. Positively despised it and watching Draco sitting beside her, his nose apparently glued to the pages of his book wasn't helping her any. She grabbed at another history text and tried to read. By the third paragraph, her vision had begun to swim and she had forgotten what she had just read.
Pansy let out a snort of frustration and slammed the book closed with a loud bang which made everyone in the library turn and scowl in annoyance at the interruption.
"I can't do this. I can't keep focused."
"Well, neither can I, with your incessant moaning," Draco replied, his hand leaving one side of the book he was holding and relocating itself in his hair, clenching strands tightly. He didn't take his eyes off the page in front of him. "Be quiet or leave."
"Yeesh, don't get stroppy," Pansy leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms out in front of her. "I was only commenting. Anyway, how is it you can focus?"
"I can't while you are yapping."
"But how can you anyway?"
Draco looked up and glared at her, pushing his book away from him.
"I can, because I have to. If I don't focus on something constructive, I will feel weighed down again, do you understand? I have to keep occupied."
Pansy nodded and sighed. She then began to twirl her wand between her fingers. "Did Ron say how long he was going to be?"
"No, just that he had to speak to someone. He'll be back soon." Draco went back to his book.
"Hmmm," Pansy absently continued to twirl her wand. After a few seconds, the grey stick of wood slipped from her fingers and the base hit the tabletop, tip pointed at her forehead. The next thing she knew, there was a small boom and she was engulfed in purple smoke.
"Still booby trap your wand Pansy?" she heard Draco ask though the smoke.
"Nah! What made you think that?" Pansy muttered sarcastically, waving away the smoke from her face. "I just forgot to deactivate it, that's all."
"Obviously."
The smoke cleared and Pansy noticed that Ron had entered the Library, a large book under his arm.
"Hey guys. Sorry I took so?..long?."
He trailed off and stared at Pansy questioningly, then began to laugh. The other students in the Library once again turned at the noise and soon, everyone in the room were sniggering.
"What? What is it?"
"Unless your head just randomly starting to sprout flowers on a regular basis is normal, than absolutely nothing." Draco replied to her question with a completely straight face.
"Oh no," Pansy cried in dismay, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small hand mirror and stared at her reflection. Sprouting from various places on her head was a couple of different types of flowers. "Damn it. I better get to the Infirmary to get this sorted out," she sighed. She gathered her books and left the table. She hadn't quite left the vicinity when she heard Draco mutter to Ron.
"Well, that certainly brightened up my afternoon."
McGonagalls small project, Ron decided was a stupid waste of time. Not only did it distract him from the very necessary task of studying, it also was something that he wasn't very good at. Trying to express himself without getting angry.
'Describe in your own words, how you think you are coping with your OWL revision and explain what you hope to gain for the future.'
Ron growled in annoyance, earning him a sharp poke in the ribs by Draco, who was sitting on his left side. Much to his frustration, he noticed that Draco had already written at least ten lines.
"Ron, what's wrong?" Pansy whispered from his other side.
"Nothing," he replied, "just wondering how to start this."
Pansy made a noise in agreement, and then turned back to her own paper. Ron leaned back and stared at the grotty grey ceiling for a few moments, trying to get his thoughts together. He then picked up his quill, dipped it into his ink and then began to write.
'I have never been very good at studying, mainly because I have problems focusing on one thing at a time without constantly worrying about other things at the same time. I usually look to my friends for guidance and together we make up a revision timetable. I don't think my OWLs will go too well, mainly because of a personal problem which has occupied my mind recently, although I will try to do my best. I hope that the results I get will help push me to do what I really want to do later. I have no idea what I actually want to do at the moment but an Auror sounds interesting.
Ron put down his quill and stared at the paper. It wasn't very long but Mcgonagle hadn't demanded an essay from them. He just hoped that it was enough.
'......After everything that has happened during this school year, I am surprised that I feel the way that I do now. My future, although it feels bleak, will hopefully be full of possibilities.
Hermione put her quill behind her ear and re-read the page-long essay she had written. It was all basically true, except she had not mentioned Harry once, not that she actually could. She had been forbidden to mention Harry to anyone. This was hard, especially as she was continuously thought about him.
She missed him so much. She still couldn't believe that he was no longer with them and a part of her still blamed herself. It was only natural after all. Malfoy had forgiven her for everything that she had done to him. He had told her that it was all Lucius' fault, not hers and that she should stop apologising. Draco had stopped referring to his father as 'father' and now only called him by his name.
Draco. He seemed so sad all of the time, even when he smiled. Hermione, now she was no longer under the influence of a potion, totally understood Draco's feelings for Harry. She was just incredibly angry that it was too late. Sure, she would have been upset over the circumstances but she felt that's he would have understood.
Hermione sighed.
The next bit of entertainment happened in the History of Magic class:
'Hermione. What is the answer to question two?'
'Ron. This scroll wasn't made to cheat on tests.'
'I know, but I'm stuck. Anyway, if that's the case, why do you have it out?'
'I don't care. Figure it out. And by the way, I accidentally pulled it out with my other sheets.'
'Hermione. Please?'
'It's the year 1749 Ron.'
'Thanks Draco.'
'Hey!'
'Sorry Granger but he would have gone on forever.'
'Hey thanks Draco. I was stuck as well.'
'Yeah well, that's not surprising is it?'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'He means Blaise, obviously, that you are stupid!'
'Pansy? You too?'
'Look. We are supposed to be in the middle of a History of Magic practice exam. Will you all focus!'
'Sorry Hermione.'
'Yeah, sorry.'
'Sorry.'
'I'm not. What's the answer to question three?'
'Shut up Ron!'
'But Herm.'
'No. Do it yourself. You only have half an hour left.'
The words faded from the parchment and Hermione shoved it under her test paper in annoyance. She didn't want to think about what could have happened if she had been caught with it on the table. The creation of it had been one of her more stupid ideas but it had been helpful when any of them had felt down. Fortunately, as this was only a test to help with revision, they couldn't actually cheat on it. No, the real exam was in a few weeks and it seemed that Ron had hardly studied.
Why was she not surprised?
There. I know it's short, but my writers block is still on me. Does anyone know the best way of getting rid of it? Any help is welcome.
By the way, the song is 'Jesus to a child' by George Michael. The lyrics made me cry, sniff.
Next chapter will not be long, I promise.
Please read and review.
Rie xx
These are all true, though not in this specific order.
As I have mentioned, I WILL finish this story. I have already planned out part two and chapter 1 is already written. Okay, this chapter is kind of like a filler, with random scenes thrown in. When the story is complete, I will come back and sort it out properly but for now, this is it. The next chapter WILL be out in a week or so, not six months!!
To all who reviewed, I am eternally grateful. Please find it in your hearts to review again!
Okay. I do not own Harry Potter. I just struggle bringing out chapters of a fanfic at random intervals....
DARKNESS OR LIGHT. WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?
Chapter 28 - The Lead Up To OWL's
The room wasn't actually small but it wasn't very big either. At that moment in time, it was dark. There were no windows to let any light in and there were no torches on the walls. The only light came from two Candles, situated on opposite sides of the room.
Draco was very grateful for this fact. He didn't want anyone to see his face at that moment. He was sitting on the floor, his legs crossed, in front of a small table. The table had a red tablecloth with gold stitching draped over it and a picture of Harry sat upon it. Beside the picture was a tall thin vase that held a single red rose. Nothing else was on the table apart from a wand box containing Harry's wand.
Ron walked into the room and sat down, cross-legged on a cushion next to Draco and placed a CD case on the floor next to him.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"Aren't your legs cramped yet? You've been sitting in the same place for a couple of hours now."
"I'm fine."
Draco stared down at his hands, which rested in his lap. That morning, Dumbledore had performed a small service for Harry, with the Aurors that had found him, Sirius, Severus, McGonagall Ron, Hermione, Pansy, Mr and Mrs Weasley and himself. Dumbledore had agreed to let Ginny Weasley and Blaise Zabini in on the secret and so had also been to the service. Blaise had been shocked and upset when he was told and had begun to cry silently. Pansy spent her time trying to comfort him. Ginny on the other hand had been angry. When she had been told, she just stared at Dumbledore in disbelief, and then had lunged at him, arms outstretched and fingers like claws as if she was trying to strangle him. Fortunately Ron had grabbed her before she had reached the target of his neck and had dragged her out of Dumbledore's office, hissing and spitting. Ron had told him later that she had Promptly burst into tears when she had reached the common room.
"When did you want me to put that song on for you?"
"Whenever. By the way, are you sure about this business of taking me in? I mean, I haven't actually been pleasant to your family over the years."
Dumbledore had called him into his office again, a few days after he had taken himself and Ron to see Harry's body and had told him that the Weasleys had offered to look after him during the summer. He had been surprised and had declined politely, but Ron had insisted, telling him in firm tones that he was going to be staying with his family. Draco had finally agreed but was a little concerned about how he would be treated. The twins were pleasant enough, although one had to be constantly on guard around them. The older Weasley was hardly at home and the youngest hated him.
"Of course I'm sure. My parents wouldn't have offered if they didn't want you staying with them. If they don't like someone, they say so."
"Okay. Thanks Ron."
"Anytime." Ron stared at him for a few seconds, and then tapped the CD case with his fingertips. "Where did you hear this song anyway? It's not the kind of song I'd expect your father to let you listen to."
"It's one of my mother's favourite songs. I always heard her listen to his album when he was away." Draco wrapped his arms around his knees and leaned his chin on them. "It always struck me as sad, but hopeful as well but I'm not quite sure what he is actually saying. The song can have two meanings."
"I don't know Draco. I don't know this song at all."
The room was silent for a little while, both Ron and Draco staring at the picture of Harry., so they were both a little startled when they heard a sharp tap on the other side of the door.
"Ron, Malfoy. Are you in here?"
The door creaked open and the youngest Weasley peered into the room.
"Hey Ginny. What is it?"
"Are you both done? Its dinner time."
"Yeah, I'm coming." Ron stood up and brushed the front of his robes. "Let's go Draco."
Draco shook his head, not moving from his seat on the floor. "I'm not hungry. I'll stay here. Could you set up the player before you go though?"
Ron nodded, and then picked up the case from the floor. He took the disk out and moved over to the player that was sitting in the corner of the room. Two small speakers were attached to it on a small length of wire. It was the Christmas present that Pansy had bought Ron and he had kindly let Draco use it. Ron put the disk into the player and then pressed play.
"I'll leave you to it then. Make sure you eat something later."
Ron then left the room, pulling the door closed behind him. The room was quiet for a few moments before a few strands of music began to make itself heard. Draco reached over the table and picked up the wand box containing Harry's wand. The box was mahogany red with a small black label in the middle with 'Ollivanders' etched onto it in silver. Draco opened it and stared at the dark brown wand nestled in white silk. He remembered the day Harry had got his wand. Granted, he wasn't actually with him when he had bought it, but was with him on that day, just the same. At that time, they were just two eleven year old boys, getting ready to start a new school. No malice, misunderstanding or hatred. Only innocent curiosity.
Draco closed the wand box and hugged it to himself. He felt liquid slide down his cheeks but made no move to stop them. He felt empty, desolate. Like a hole had been opened inside of him and he couldn't fill it. Was this what his life was going to belike from now on? A feeling of total loneliness?
And what have I learned from all these tears? I've waited for you all those years. Then just when it began, He took your love away...
A sob welled up in Draco's throat at the words that practically echoed his feelings and he gripped the box in his hands tighter. He looked at the still picture of Harry with damp eyes.
So the words you could not say, I'll sing them for you. And the love we would have made, I'll make it for two. For every single memory, has become a part of me. You will always be.......My love.
"No more," Draco stumbled over to the player and pressed the stop button. "Please."
The music stopped and Draco breathed in sharply. He wiped his eyes and composed himself. It wouldn't do to go out in public, looking like he had just bawled his eyes out. He then reached under his robes and grasped the slightly warm, half snake. Ever since the morning a couple of weeks ago, when Dumbledore had shown him and Ron, Harry's body lying in a casket, his necklace has been warm. Even when it wasn't next to his skin, it was never cool. Draco was also curious as to where Harry's part of the necklace had gotten to. It wasn't the kind of thing that would have got stolen, especially by a Deatheater. He had mentioned it to Ron but the other boy had suggested it had probably fallen off from around Harry's neck and was probably just lying around somewhere.
Taking in a few deep breaths, Draco picked up the player, opened the door and stepped out. The door vanished as soon as it closed and Draco nodded in approval at the secret room, then he turned and headed towards the Griffindor common rooms. He got the portrait entrance, then his shoulder was gripped from behind. He turned and stared into the face of Blaise, who was holding a cup of hot chocolate in his hands.
"Draco. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Draco sighed and nodded, while whispering the password to the Fat Lady, who nodded at him and opened the entrance. He walked into the empty common room and dropped onto the red sofa next to the fire. Blaise curled up next to him, his hot mug of chocolate grasped tightly in his hand. He looked tired, Draco noted. Tired and saddened.
"How are you feeling?"
Draco snorted, folding his arms and staring on the far wall. "Don't you think that is a slightly stupid question?"
"Perhaps, but I still would like to know. It's been a couple of weeks now Draco and I was wondering, as a friend, just how you are coping."
"To put it simply, I'm not." Draco moved his eyes from the opposite wall and moved to look at Blaise. "I thank Ron for getting me out of bed in the morning. Without him, I probably wouldn't even get up."
Blaise nodded and the room went silent for a few moments.
"Have you dreamed of him recently Draco?"
Draco' eyes widened and he stared at Blaise questioningly. "What brought this to mind?"
Blaise stared down into the depths of the dark liquid in his mug, sloshing it around slightly in his trembling hands.
"Well, for a while now, I see him in my dreams. There are two different ones and all others are slight variations of them. In one, he is calling out, crying for help. In the other..."
Blaise trailed off and he covered his eyes with one of his hands. As Draco watched, he saw a tear slide down his cheek from behind his hand.
"What? What is it?"
A shuddering breath was drawn in and Blaise sniffed quietly.
"Don't be mad Draco, but I've had dreams of Harry, not exactly innocent dreams for quite a while now. Since coming back to school I think. I can't do much about them, even if I wanted to. When you started going with him, they were all that I had to vent my frustrations with. No matter how I acted with him, I would never have made a move against you." He leaned forward slightly and placed his mug onto the table in front of him. He then covered his eyes with both his hands. "At first it was just that. Dreams with no worries and no problems, but after New Year, after we had gotten sick, the other dream began. Harry, calling for help. He sounded so lost, so alone, but I couldn't see him. All I could see was darkness."
He began to sob violently and Draco reached out and squeezed his shoulder tightly. Blaise then leaned forward and pressed his face into Draco's shoulder and his hands came up to grab his arms.
"I miss him Draco. I can't help it. I love him and I miss him. I don't know what to do anymore."
Draco couldn't say anything, in comfort or otherwise. He knew how Blaise felt and understood.
"Haven't you had any dreams of him?"
"Nothing like what you have had," Draco replied, pushing Blaise upright again. "I just see him die in front of me again and again and there is nothing I can do!"
They both fell silent again and stared into the fire. After a few moments, Blaise picked up his chocolate and began to sip it. Draco sat still for a few minutes longer, then he sighed and stood up.
"I'm going up. See you later."
Blaise nodded absently and Draco headed up the staircase to the boys dorms, trusting Blaise to let himself out of the Gryffindor common room when he was ready to go.
"Troll Wars! Why does this subject love Troll Wars so much? And why are they so important exactly?"
Pansy flicked through her History of Magic textbook for the fifth time and scowled in annoyance. She hated history. Positively despised it and watching Draco sitting beside her, his nose apparently glued to the pages of his book wasn't helping her any. She grabbed at another history text and tried to read. By the third paragraph, her vision had begun to swim and she had forgotten what she had just read.
Pansy let out a snort of frustration and slammed the book closed with a loud bang which made everyone in the library turn and scowl in annoyance at the interruption.
"I can't do this. I can't keep focused."
"Well, neither can I, with your incessant moaning," Draco replied, his hand leaving one side of the book he was holding and relocating itself in his hair, clenching strands tightly. He didn't take his eyes off the page in front of him. "Be quiet or leave."
"Yeesh, don't get stroppy," Pansy leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms out in front of her. "I was only commenting. Anyway, how is it you can focus?"
"I can't while you are yapping."
"But how can you anyway?"
Draco looked up and glared at her, pushing his book away from him.
"I can, because I have to. If I don't focus on something constructive, I will feel weighed down again, do you understand? I have to keep occupied."
Pansy nodded and sighed. She then began to twirl her wand between her fingers. "Did Ron say how long he was going to be?"
"No, just that he had to speak to someone. He'll be back soon." Draco went back to his book.
"Hmmm," Pansy absently continued to twirl her wand. After a few seconds, the grey stick of wood slipped from her fingers and the base hit the tabletop, tip pointed at her forehead. The next thing she knew, there was a small boom and she was engulfed in purple smoke.
"Still booby trap your wand Pansy?" she heard Draco ask though the smoke.
"Nah! What made you think that?" Pansy muttered sarcastically, waving away the smoke from her face. "I just forgot to deactivate it, that's all."
"Obviously."
The smoke cleared and Pansy noticed that Ron had entered the Library, a large book under his arm.
"Hey guys. Sorry I took so?..long?."
He trailed off and stared at Pansy questioningly, then began to laugh. The other students in the Library once again turned at the noise and soon, everyone in the room were sniggering.
"What? What is it?"
"Unless your head just randomly starting to sprout flowers on a regular basis is normal, than absolutely nothing." Draco replied to her question with a completely straight face.
"Oh no," Pansy cried in dismay, reaching into her bag. She pulled out a small hand mirror and stared at her reflection. Sprouting from various places on her head was a couple of different types of flowers. "Damn it. I better get to the Infirmary to get this sorted out," she sighed. She gathered her books and left the table. She hadn't quite left the vicinity when she heard Draco mutter to Ron.
"Well, that certainly brightened up my afternoon."
McGonagalls small project, Ron decided was a stupid waste of time. Not only did it distract him from the very necessary task of studying, it also was something that he wasn't very good at. Trying to express himself without getting angry.
'Describe in your own words, how you think you are coping with your OWL revision and explain what you hope to gain for the future.'
Ron growled in annoyance, earning him a sharp poke in the ribs by Draco, who was sitting on his left side. Much to his frustration, he noticed that Draco had already written at least ten lines.
"Ron, what's wrong?" Pansy whispered from his other side.
"Nothing," he replied, "just wondering how to start this."
Pansy made a noise in agreement, and then turned back to her own paper. Ron leaned back and stared at the grotty grey ceiling for a few moments, trying to get his thoughts together. He then picked up his quill, dipped it into his ink and then began to write.
'I have never been very good at studying, mainly because I have problems focusing on one thing at a time without constantly worrying about other things at the same time. I usually look to my friends for guidance and together we make up a revision timetable. I don't think my OWLs will go too well, mainly because of a personal problem which has occupied my mind recently, although I will try to do my best. I hope that the results I get will help push me to do what I really want to do later. I have no idea what I actually want to do at the moment but an Auror sounds interesting.
Ron put down his quill and stared at the paper. It wasn't very long but Mcgonagle hadn't demanded an essay from them. He just hoped that it was enough.
'......After everything that has happened during this school year, I am surprised that I feel the way that I do now. My future, although it feels bleak, will hopefully be full of possibilities.
Hermione put her quill behind her ear and re-read the page-long essay she had written. It was all basically true, except she had not mentioned Harry once, not that she actually could. She had been forbidden to mention Harry to anyone. This was hard, especially as she was continuously thought about him.
She missed him so much. She still couldn't believe that he was no longer with them and a part of her still blamed herself. It was only natural after all. Malfoy had forgiven her for everything that she had done to him. He had told her that it was all Lucius' fault, not hers and that she should stop apologising. Draco had stopped referring to his father as 'father' and now only called him by his name.
Draco. He seemed so sad all of the time, even when he smiled. Hermione, now she was no longer under the influence of a potion, totally understood Draco's feelings for Harry. She was just incredibly angry that it was too late. Sure, she would have been upset over the circumstances but she felt that's he would have understood.
Hermione sighed.
The next bit of entertainment happened in the History of Magic class:
'Hermione. What is the answer to question two?'
'Ron. This scroll wasn't made to cheat on tests.'
'I know, but I'm stuck. Anyway, if that's the case, why do you have it out?'
'I don't care. Figure it out. And by the way, I accidentally pulled it out with my other sheets.'
'Hermione. Please?'
'It's the year 1749 Ron.'
'Thanks Draco.'
'Hey!'
'Sorry Granger but he would have gone on forever.'
'Hey thanks Draco. I was stuck as well.'
'Yeah well, that's not surprising is it?'
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'He means Blaise, obviously, that you are stupid!'
'Pansy? You too?'
'Look. We are supposed to be in the middle of a History of Magic practice exam. Will you all focus!'
'Sorry Hermione.'
'Yeah, sorry.'
'Sorry.'
'I'm not. What's the answer to question three?'
'Shut up Ron!'
'But Herm.'
'No. Do it yourself. You only have half an hour left.'
The words faded from the parchment and Hermione shoved it under her test paper in annoyance. She didn't want to think about what could have happened if she had been caught with it on the table. The creation of it had been one of her more stupid ideas but it had been helpful when any of them had felt down. Fortunately, as this was only a test to help with revision, they couldn't actually cheat on it. No, the real exam was in a few weeks and it seemed that Ron had hardly studied.
Why was she not surprised?
There. I know it's short, but my writers block is still on me. Does anyone know the best way of getting rid of it? Any help is welcome.
By the way, the song is 'Jesus to a child' by George Michael. The lyrics made me cry, sniff.
Next chapter will not be long, I promise.
Please read and review.
Rie xx