Chapter 3: Contemplation

Authors Note: Yes I know that Harry Potters Birthday is NOT during the school year, but i changed it for my own purposes. Thank you and enjoy.

Draco lay in his bed, breathing heavily from his long run back to the Slytherin dorms. He hadn't slown down the entire way. He ran his hand through his blonde hair in frustration. What had happened in there? It was like he had been possessed. He shook his head. No, it had just been fascination for her control. She had obviously been hurt by that stunt.

Now that he was on that subject, what had happened? First, one of her so called 'friends' had sent her on a wild goose chase making her late to the party. Her own twin's birthday…wait. That meant it was her birthday as well. Obviously someone didn't like her all too much. He smiled. That was a rather Slytherin thing for someone to do. What else had he learned?

Well, obviously there was her sharp tongue. Not many people had the guts to insult him to his face. It must be a Potter thing. But he had never been on the receiving end of Rose's tongue before, perfering to avoid that group at all costs. He had decided tormenting them wasn't as much fun anymore after 5th year.

And that book. That was probably the weirdest thing. Snape was very protective about his private collection.

And she's beautiful when she cries.

"Wait! What? Where did that come from?" He gasped, sitting up. "It's not like I care about her. It's just for the money."

Then why, he heard a small voice in his mind mutter rebelliously, did you want to do anything to stop her from hurting?

Harry knocked gently on the dorm door and waited. He heard quiet movement before the door slid open. Rose stood before him in her pajama's rubbing her eyes. She must have been asleep.

"Rose? Why aren't you at the party? Ron told you to come at noon right?" he asked quietly, concerned. Rose had been acting really oddly lately, but he couldn't seem to figure out why.

"Hello Harry. I…yes, Ron told me. I'm just not feeling to well, so I decided to go to bed." Harry frowned at that. She had seemed alright at breakfast.

"Do you want me to get the nurse? She could get you some pepper-up potion. Of I can just stay up her and keep you company."

"No. It's fine. I've just got a cold or something. Go enjoy your party." She offered him a small smile. His frown deepened.

"Well, if you're sure," he said hesitantly.

"I am."

"Alright. Well, Happy Birthday then," Harry said quietly, pulling her into a hug. The two twins stood comfortably like that for a long moment before pulling apart.

"Happy Birthday Harry." Rose watched as he disappeared down the stairs. She wiped furiously at the traitorous tear that leaked out of the corner of her eye.

"Happy birthday Harry Potter."

Draco slipped out the door of his dorm room and silently out the main doors. He had been watching Filch for years and could tell you exactly where the old man was at any given point during the night. It made it easy to get out of the school at night, even after curfew.

Draco liked the quiet night that draped itself over Hogwarts. It was calm, unlike everything else in his life seemed to be. Living in Slytherin dorms was like living in a political house. You couldn't say anything that might offend anyone, because they always new someone, who knew someone, who could…do things.

He wandered aimlessly towards the lake when a flash of red caught his eye.

"Rose," he whispered. She sat on the beach with a small eidsel on her lap. A tray of paints sat beside her, along with a small plate she obviously used for mixing.

He walked up quietly and sat beside her in the sand. She didn't look away from the painting, but he knew there was no way she hadn't realized that he had joined her. He could tell by the new stiffness in her darkened figure.

The brush in her hand gently caressed the paper in long stroke, highlighting the moon in her picture. He cocked his head to the side. He knew art, and this was bery goos. His thoughts were interrupted when she spoke.

"I know it was you in the dorm today. So I suppose you saw what Ron did. Come to make fun of me?" she asked quietly, the motion of her brush never stopping.

"No," he replied simply, watching her face. Her unemotional mask stayed firm, but her eyes flickered over, lightning fast before returning.

"Oh."

It's just for the money.