Chapter VII
A small owl landed on Hermione`s shoulder. It had a letter almost it`s size. Hermione must have recognized the little thing, because her face changed the second she put her eyes on. She was sat next to me, on the floor. The moment she opened the letter I inclined my head to see what was written. With just the few words in the beginning I knew who it came from.
Dear Hermione,
I can`t believe that they put you with that bastard! Ginny told Harry about it but he didn't want to tell me anything, but in the end I got her letter and there were this nonsense about you forgiving Malfoy. I couldn't believe at first, but then I owled Gin and she told me it was true and that I shouldn`t worry too much because she was keeping an eye on the ferret. Mione I really want you to give up on the Head Girl thing, but I know that you will say no, and that I am not being sensible. I think we need to talk, I really don`t want you close with that kind of guy. I don`t know who had this stupid idea of making a dorm for the Heads, and I don`t understand why. When Percy was there he continued sleeping in our dorm. I was furious at first, and almost tried to get in Hogwards, but Harry stopped me and told that you knew how to take care of yourself and all. But we still need to talk.
With love, Ron
Hermione was quiet for a minute, then she began to write something in a piece of parchment. She put it on the small owl, that was flying nonstop in the common room, and petted the thing and it was gone. I didn`t know what to speak. I can`t force her to do anything, and if she tells me to get out, all I can do is leave.
-Why he has to be like this?! It`s so infuriating! I´m not a little girl that need to be taken care of. I`m a grow up women that survived a war! Sometimes I just want to punch him, what with treating me like a child?!
-Good idea, just remember to tell me the day and time, because I have to witness this glorious scene.
She looked at me and I could almost see a smile.
-I know that he can`t see you right now, and see the difference, but he has to trust me. He`s so stubborn sometimes.
-What were you hoping for? We are talking about Weasel here. Come on, you can`t expect a gentlemen.
- Don`t call him that. And you seem to know how to behave like one?
-You can be sure of that, Mr. Granger.
She giggled a little, and I smiled at that. The fluffy ball got in her lap and looked at me with a superior expression. That thing can`t be a normal cat.
-Stop looking at me like that you stupid monster. Just because you got there doesn`t mean she likes you more.
-I seriously don`t believe you are bickering with a cat.
-I told you he isn`t a cat.
She laughed at that, and I felt better knowing that she forgot about the letter, even if it was for just a moment. Speaking the truth, I was expecting something like that from the Weasel King. That bastard had to go and kill my joy even when he isn`t here. What surprised me was that Saint Potter didn`t said anything. Leave it to Potter to be the so kind hero.
-Are you feeling better?
-Yes, just a little weak. I`ll be as good as new tomorrow.
-Good, so you can patrol with the prefects.
-Own, don`t let me with them alone.
-Stop behaving like a child, it`s your duty.
-If you accept my offer about the bath I promise I`ll be a good boy.
She threw a pillow that was on the floor on my face, but it just made me smirk even more.
The next day was quite boring until lunch. Blaise got me there, and he was grinning like a mad man. He sat on my right, and didn`t even got anything to eat before starting speaking.
-So, how`s paradise?
-Dunno what you`re talking about.
-Come on Drake, don`t do this with me. Speaking about it, why you skipped classes yesterday?
-I`m flattered that you noticed my absence. Got some fever.
-And I presume that our dear Granger took care of you?
He did something with his eyebrows and smirked. I`ve been a nice guy for too long, come on it won`t kill to play a little. I`m a Slytherin in the end.
-Yeah, and she gives great baths. Hum, that was a good one. She sure knows what to do with her hands….
He was with a face so shocked I had to laugh. That was a bad thing to do. The Great Hall was full of people talking merrily while eating, but when I started laughing it gradually become quiet. First the slytherins on the table, and then Ravenclaws, Huffepufs and last Gryffindors. I didn`t keep it for too long, it was just for a few seconds, but I think that the fact that I can laugh was a shock for them.
After a minute they began to talk again, but some keep glancing at me and whispering. That's what I get for playing Blaise`s game. And the stupid idiot really believed.
-It`s being some time since I saw this place so quiet. But back to business, you got her in a bath? Man, that is something I would like to see.
-Blaise, can you stop it? I was joking idiot, and you`re creep.
-You say this, but I know you thought `bout her that way. They say that the quiet are the better. Someday I have to find that myself.
And he kept blabbering. This time I didn`t say anything, and had to bite my lip to not answer some things. After lunch I got back to classes. Arithmancy is a pain, but I have to keep with it just a little more, and then I`m free.
When I got back to the dorm Hermione wasn`t there, so I dropped my things in my room and headed do the east wing to find the prefects. On my way there I founded little Weasley, and as much as I wanted to just pass without been spotted, she didn't seemed to let me.
-Malfoy, where´s Hermione?
-Don`t know, and I don`t have to keep spying her all the time like some people do.
-You`re a git.
-They say that a lot. Bye ginger.
She made a grunting noise and I got away before she could say anything. Man, what is it with Weasleys and being a pain? The more I hope to get rid of them, the more they seem to appear.
The halls were almost emptied, save from the few people that were trying to get back to their dorms. It was raining a little outside, and the clouds made it seems like it was later then it really was.
I was just beginning to get immersed on my thoughts, when some whispering caught my attention. Some gryffindors girls were talking on a corner, it has to be the troublesome ones, and they were looking at a copy of the Daily Prophet.
-Did you know? The muggles think it was some kind of revenge, because it seems like the victims were a rich family with lot of enemies. But the Ministry of Magic said it was a wizard. They`re saying that muggles couldn`t have killed someone that way.
-Do you think it`s one of the Death Eaters on the run?
-It can be.
So that's it, I didn`t knew about that. After the war ended I stopped reading the Prophet. It was full of things about my father`s death, and me. It was sickening to read about how Saint Potter saved the Wizard World, with his dauntless friends.
I know we were the bad guys, I know Potter did something good, but it still gets on my nerves how he`s so perfect. The gryffindors girls stopped talking when they saw me. I could see the fear and aversion on their faces.
They all began to walk away . It`s not like I was expecting some kind of greeting anyway. After a quarter of an hour I spotted the prefects. They looked at me all at the same time, and then headed out for the four corners of the castle.
The rain stopped and I remembered that it`s almost Christmas. Well, I don`t really want to get back to the manor, but I feel bad letting my mother there alone. Even if I know that she won`t get off her room the whole time.
He was my father, and I admired him when I was young, but after all the things I had to do because of him, I can`t make myself mourn his death. He don`t deserve my mother`s love, never did. Sometimes I think I don`t too.
When the patrol ended I got back to the Heads dorm. Hermione was on the sofa, reading a book. She was wearing her muggles clothes, and must have just got out of a bath, because her hair was wet.
-This one got here twenty minutes ago. I think it`s for you. I tried to give him some water, but when I got next to him he pecked me.
-Sorry for that, he`s my mother`s owl. Hello Apus.
Apus is a big gray owl that my father gave my mother some time ago. He just behave when it`s in the presence of purebloods. But Hermione doesn`t need to know that. He was on the armchair I like to sit, and was looking at me indignantly.
-What is it with all the constellations names?
-Hum, my mother`s favorite subject was Astronomy. It`s kind of a family thing.
When I got the letter and began to read, I couldn`t help but smile. My mother didn`t send me anything until now, and I was surprised to see Apus. But when I saw what she wrote I was more happy than all the time since the beginning of the term.
Dear Draco,
Hello my son, it`s been a long time since we last talked. I know it`s my fault, and that I`ve been avoiding you all this time, but it still hurts too much. I know that you blame him for a lot of things, but there were a time when we were happy. I was afraid to send you this, because I can tell you don`t want to get back to the manor. I would love if you come here on the holydays, but if you prefer to stay at Hogwarts I will understand.
With love, Narcissa.
I was so happy that I ran to my room. I grabbed the first parchment I could see and my quill, and replied that I will be there for sure. When I got back in the common room Hermione was standing next to Apus, with a curious look.
The owl may have noticed my good mood, because it raised its leg the moment he saw me. I attached the letter and he was gone. I couldn`t stop smiling. When I was beginning to think about seeing my mother again, I felt someone touching my arm.
-You`re strangely happy, what was it?
-My mother, she wants me back!
-Of course, why wouldn`t she?
-You don`t understand Hermione, this is the first time she talks with me since the end of the war. I was thinking about staying here on the holydays, but she asked me to go to the manor.
She smiled at that, and made a caring face.
-That`s good Draco.
-That`s not good, that`s wondrous! I miss her so much.
And it happened before I could stop myself. It`s just that I was so happy, and she was there, at my side, smiling like she was truly happy for me. I hugged and twirled her in the air, before I came back to my senses and put her on the ground. She was blushing.
-Hum…..You see….I-I`m sorry…about that….sorry.
-Yeah….It`s not a prob. You`re just happy.
-Yes.
It became a little awkward after that, so we bit good night to each other and got into our rooms . I was so excited that it took me one hour before I could sleep.