Endil woke surrounded by darkness, she felt the space around her too compact, and there was not enough room. Not enough air! Her mind was jerked into a panic, her mind taking over her body and causing her throat to close up. With a gasp and heave Endil threw herself to the side, she felt velvet touch her body before she was thrown into an eye piercing bright light. Crusted eyelid's blinked at the harsh light of the morning, breaths coming in short gasps to calm herself. The curtains to her bed had been closed! She never closed them for exact reason of what had happened, so why did she close them last night?
Thinking back to the night before was hard, she could hardly remember after dancing with Draco at the ball. She looked down to realize she was not dressed in her dress, instead clothed in some school-given pajamas, they were two sizes to big for her and appeared to be made for a male. So what had happened? Closing her eyes she tried to remember, it was then that it hit her! Dumbledore, the forest, the body, silver blood, her mother. A tear formed in her already drowned eyes, that part was clear to her it was the after part then was fuzzy in her mind. She remembered Draco bringing her back to the Gryfindor common room; Dumbledore had given him permission to enter both the common room and the girl's dormitory, saying she would need help getting to be after what had happened.
Then there was Hermione, she could recall her asking Draco what had happened but he had not answered Hermione, merely guided her up to the dormitory, leaving a few angry Gryfindor's behind. She was a zombie, not saying a word, not focused on anything and not blinking. She was in shock. Draco had brought her to her bed, on it was a set of pajama's, he had been about to help her to get changed but was stopped by her hand on his own. Silver eyes looked up into her own blue, she had to look away, and the silver had reminded her to much of the blood. He had given her the clothes and then turned his back, he had been given her space but he had also been there, after she was changed he had helped her into bed and shut the drapes.
Endil rubbed her eyes, when she pulled away her hand she could see the dirt that still stuck to her pale skin. She blanched. Everybody would be in class so she would be able to have a shower in peace, she did not feel like playing 20 questions with everyone right now. Picking herself off the ground Endil gathered some items and made her way to the showers, trying her best to avoid some of the straggling students. The water was hot as it covered her completely, she tried to drown her feelings, to wash away her sadness but no matter how hot the water was, no matter how hard she scrubbed she could not wash away her memories.
By the time she had dressed and was ready to face the world it was lunch, she heard the pattering of student feet outside the door, there voice drowning in the silence of the hall as they moved away. Endil waited for some time, making sure there were no other people outside before she opened the door, peaked out and then started her journey back to the common room.
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Potions with the Gryfindor's was hell, more so then normal. Each and everyone had thrown the filthiest looks at Draco the entire period, each of them was convinced that it had been Draco's fault that Endil had come in like she had. Everyone had seen them together before they disappeared, there were millions of rumors around the school that had happened, and they seemed to get more farfetched as they were told again and again. When the class was dismissed Draco lingered behind, making sure all the student's had gone to lunch before he walked from the room. He had thought about going to visit Endil, see how she was coping but then he was not sure if she wanted company, she had been pretty out of it last night and he wondered if she still was.
He rounded the corner and saw the maiden of his thoughts walking from the girl's bathroom, her pale skin flushed red, he knew she had heard him coming because her pace quickened. "Endil" he called, she did nothing, not a pause, not a glance she just continued on. "Endil!" again nothing. "Please don't hate me."
Endil came to a sudden stop, turning slowly to face Draco, whom had stopped at the beginning of the long hallway. Why did he think she hated him? Did she hate him? At the moment she hated everyone, she hated the Elders for sending her to this place, away from her mother, away from protecting the herd. She hated Harry, if it wasn't for him she would still be at home, she would not have been seen at Hogsmead and her mother would be safe. She hated Dumbledore but most of all she hated the DeathEaters. Draco was no where in that list. He must have seen the confusion in her eyes because he continued on.
"If I hadn't dragged you away from Harry at Hogsmead you might have been able to concentrate on your job, you would have sensed the DeathEaters before anyone; you would have been able to get everyone out without them seeing you. It was my fault they saw you, your mother's death is on my hands."
Endil felt tears clouding her eyes again, why was he saying this? "Your stupid idiot, your simple minded moron..you...you" she broke down, falling to her knees on the hard floor, head in her hands. Draco was torn between comforting her and leaving her alone, he wasn't sure of what to do anymore. "It's not your fault" her words were muffled by her hands, her voice shaking as she sobbed. Without another thought Draco was down on his knees by her side, arms wrapped around her shaking body, cradling the emotional girl.
The minutes slid by, Endil's tears and sobs died down and Draco was able to coax her to her feet. He felt she needed some time outside, she had always seemed happier when she was in the fresh air, the forbidden forest was out of bounds, as was a lot of other places, but there was one spot he knew of! Without a word Draco guided Endil out of the castle, she made no protest, not even asking where they were going, a little out of character for the normally possessive guardian.
There short journey came to a stop at the Qudditch Pitch, the huge sides bore over the two, over the top she could see the tops of the silver ringed goal posts. Endil felt Draco tug on her hand gently, he had a small smile on his lips like he was planning something, Endil, not in the mood to argue, followed him obediently through the doors, through the corridors and found herself standing on the dirt ring around the bottom of the pitch.
"What are we doing here?" Endil turned her head; Draco was coming through the doors holding two brooms in his hands. Endil had a bad feeling about this.
"When ever I'm down Flying makes me feel better, I am going to teach you how to fly." The color drained from Endil's already pale face.
"If I was meant to fly I would be given wings, I'm not a bird and I'm not getting on that...twig!"
The brooms seemed too fragile to hold any weight, they were thin and jaggered but Draco assured her they were perfectly safe. She watched as the smiling teen swung his leg over the stick and kicked off from the ground, true to his word the broom held his weight as if he was nothing. He lapped around her a few times; his black robes looked like some dark flag billowing behind him. He made the action look so easy, he spun, looped, turned and stopped with no effort at all. He held out the other broom, Endil's hand shook as she took the smooth wooden broom from him. She did not like the idea of flying, having nothing under her feet, nothing to hold onto bar a thin piece of wood.
"I'll teach you and I promise you that I wont let you fall."
Endil gripped the handle of the broom tighter, his promise did little to ease her fear, not trusting herself to be able to control the broom but agreed none the less. Shakily she lifted her leg and mounted the broom; feeling utterly ridicules standing with something that muggles used to clean their houses with between her legs. Draco proceeded to instruct her on a few points of flying, Lean forward to go faster, backwards to go slower, and turn your body in the direction of the way you wish to move the broom while easing your hands in the same direction. She felt like she was a foal again, learning how to control her body so she was able to walk, One foot in front of the other, that's all you have to focus on Her mother had always told her and before long she was galloping allowing side the herd.
"Ready" Draco said, his grey eyes studying her face as she calmed herself down. "Kick off really gently, you will only hover and it will allow you to get your bearings before you start moving."
Endil took a deep breath and flicked her feet; she almost had a heart attack when she felt the broom move and the world leave her feet. She was only 30 cm's off the ground and Draco had a hold of the broom but to her it felt extremely high. She found it extremely uncomfortable to sit on and when she tried to get into the right position she felt herself slipping to the side, Draco tried to help but she felt they were fighting a loosing battle.
"I don't think I'm made for flying."
"It's always harder to keep your balance when the broom's still, lean forward a little and we will get it moving."
Draco still held a hand on the broom and one help Endil to steady herself but he allowed her to control the broom. Endil leant forward ever so slightly, the broom inched forward smoothly, and she increased the pace to a nice walking pace and was happy to see that her balance was a little better. Draco walked beside her, a hand still on the broom but he no longer help Endil with her balance, it was a little longer before he let go of the broom completely.
"Your doing great" Draco praised her, feeling a little pride that it was him who had taught her to fly. Endil did not smile, her whole focus was on the broom and keeping it steady, turning it in large circles to avoid being off balanced.
"Draco..this is great and all but how do I stop?" She heard Draco laugh from the center of the field, she would have turned and glared at him but she did not want to take her eyes off where she was going. Draco called out the instructions, lean back into the starting position and lift the broom handle just a little. Endil followed the instructions and the broom came to a jerked stop, as she lowered her feet she felt the broom drop down and she once again felt the hard earth support her body.
"See you did it and you didn't fall once!"
"I can fly as well as a 5 year old."
"You've only just started, I can keep teaching you and eventually you will fly as well as me!"
She gave a snort of disbelief but smiled none the less. She was feeling a little better after the lesson, she still had the throbbing sadness but she was slowly being distracted. She watched Draco as he took up the other broom, shrugged off his heavy robe, mounted and kicked off in one fluid motion. Endil took a seat in the high benches and watched him as he lapped around the pitch. He made flying look natural, no longer did he have the strains of gravity weighing him down, there were no obstacles blocking his path. Without his robes she was able to see exactly how his body moved with the broom, her movements were clumsy compared to him. He reminded her of the Falcons she often saw in the skies, cutting the air so gracefully, as if they were created by the air itself.
It was so peaceful out on the pitch, the only sounds that broke the silence was the sound of the broom cutting the air, Endil felt herself drifting off into a light sleep as she waited for Draco to return from his flight. From his position in the sky Draco could see her nodding off, a peaceful look etched onto her face. Draco had not realized he had pulled the broom to a stop; he was now hovering in the sky, staring at the beauty below him. His eyes narrowed when he saw Endil shiver, in her sleep she drew her legs closer to her body to preserve warmth, it was only then that he noticed the cold change in the air. They wouldn't be able to stay out here any longer.
Draco floated down to the benches, calling out softly to Endil in order to wake her. Endil didn't want to wake up, she was enjoying the eventless sleep having been tossing and turning the previous night. It was only when Draco hovered at the railings of the bench did Endil stir from her sleep.
"Ready to head back?" Draco asked, watching as Endil stood from the seats, rubbing her eyes in a way that reminded him of a child.
"Yes, it's starting to get cold and my stomach's telling me its time for dinner."
"Do you want a lift down" Draco edged his broom closer to the benches, holding a steady hand out for Endil to take. Endil stepped forward, her eyes flicking down and widening at the space that was between them and the ground. Her stomach twisted in fear, it was too high for her. Draco caught her hand before she could step away. "You can trust me."
"It's too high!"
Draco pulled her closer to the edge, while moving the broom even closer to the railing. Endil struggled but Draco did not have getting her on the broom in her mind. Endil was caught off guard when she felt Draco press his lips to hers; she had no even seen him coming! This kiss was nothing like she had expected, he kissed with such hurry, capturing, claiming and dominating her own. Endil's mind whirled, she had told herself this would not happen, she could not have any distractions getting in the way of her set task. Draco was one of those distractions. She felt his grip on her hand slacken, with a jerk Endil was able to pull herself free from both his hand and his lips.
"What's wrong?" Endil closed her eyes; she could not bear to see the hurt shinning in his eyes lest her defenses crumble. None of this was suppose to happen, she was to protect Harry and that was it, no crushes, no kissing and no flying lessons. What was a simple task was no becoming a complex problem, one that Endil was not sure she could solve. "Endil! What's wrong?"
"I can't!" She half whispered, half screamed. Shaking her head she backed away from the confused blonde, still hovering on his broom. Draco reached forward, hoping to grab a hold of her, knowing she was going to run but he could not reach her. Endil shook her head harshly, her hands clenching into fists, then she ran. Draco, predicting the flee, leaped from the broom and onto the bench, racing off after her. It did not once pass his mind that by using the broom he had discarded he could catch her.
It seemed he was always chasing her and it always resulted in him loosing. Endil had a head start but she was also faster then him, he had always prided himself on his fitness and yet this small bodied girl was twice as fast and as fit as him. Draco had given up calling out to her, he had given up on catching her but still he ran on. He wanted to know why she freaked out? It had never happened to him before; every girl he had always kissed had enjoyed it. So why was Endil so torn?
Their case lead them through the castle, Endil weaved through the students but Draco simply plowed through them. Neither took any notice to the yells of the prefects, heads or even the teachers. Draco lost speed while traveling up the stairs, his lungs were burning and his legs were slowing as he felt himself tire. Endil never wavered once; she took the steps two at a time and all but screamed the password to the Gryffindor common room. Draco reached the top of the stairs just in time to see her disappear through the portrait hole, Draco yelled out, telling the portrait to stay open but it was useless. When he came to a stop the portrait was closed.
"Open up I need to talk to her!"
"Do you have the password?" Draco growled at the Fat Lady
"Of course not you old hag, if I did I would have said it by now"
"Young man were I come from we have a little thing called 'respect'" The fat lady scowled at the panting teen, more determined then ever not to let him in.
"I don't give a damn about respect; let me in before I tear you off the wall myself!"
"You wouldn't dare"
"Watch me!" Draco hissed, advancing on, the now worried, portrait.
"MASTER MALFOY!" Draco growled as the voice of Professor McGonigall filling the corridor. "What is the meaning of all this? There are now a number of students in the hospital wing saying that you pushed them over while chasing Endil!"
Draco gave no reply, he glared once more at the Fat Lady and stalked off to his own common room. McGonigall continued yelling at him as he walked away, giving him more detentions with every step he took. By the time he got to the common room he had enough detentions for four generations of Malfoy's and he didn't give a damn. The portrait to the Slytherin common room cursed as it was slammed into the wall, Draco stormed into the room and all those in his way suffered his wrath. Even the dense Crab and Goyell were smart enough to stay away from him when he was in this mood, they simply stepped back and gave him he space.
Draco threw himself onto the bed, squirming around in an attempt to get comfortable. His body was too tense, his head to filled with thoughts. He was not angry at the fact Endil had ran off, in fact he was worried, he was angry with the fact that she would not tell him why. If it was too soon or if she did not feel it was the right time then she could have said, it really was not that hard. Draco picked up his pillow and threw it at the wall with all his might, it hit the wall with little sound and flopped down onto the floor.
"Bad day?" Came a voice from the bed beside him. Blaise had been chilling out on the bed when Draco stormed in, choosing to remain quiet until the blonde had calmed a little. He now sat on the side of his own bed, dark eyes boring into Draco's tense form.
"Piss off Blaise."
"Come on mate, its this knew thing called 'talking about feelings' apparently it's all the range with the girls."
"Don't even talk to me about girls!"
"Ahh women troubles! Who is it Pansy?" no reply. "Millicent" still no reply. "I take it their not from Slytherin."
"Blaise will you shut your big mouth before I come over there and stuff your foot in it!"
"Ok I know when I'm not wanted. But a little advice mate, there not worth beating yourself up over, were there's one pretty one, there's four other hotter ones." With that he was gone, leaving Draco in a darker mood then he had been in. Blaise didn't know what he was talking about. All he thought about was sex, truth be told so had Draco but it was different now, now he met Endil. Now everything was changed.
A/N: Sorry for the wait everybody..computer problems needed to be delt with! Thankfully a friend lent me the disk from her writing program so now all spelling mistakes are fixed yay so hopefully it will be smooth sailing from now on.