Chapter XIII
Sometimes I still find myself looking at my arm and thinking that at any moment it will burn again. It's scaring, and I can't really stop the feeling of pure lost and fear that came every time I look at the light mark. The pain at the time it faded was almost as bad as when it was made.
I was an idiot in the beginning. All pompous about the fact that the Dark Lord had give me such an important job. Selfish, gullible and a fool. After everything the war forced me to learn, I can't even image how I could be so boastful.
But in order to learn the good things, you may face the bad ones, just so you know what really is right. The world has a twisted way to treat people. One may think that the past is just something that will remain a memory, but it may just be the essence of the future.
There are times, many if I could be truthful, that I just wish to forget. It would be bliss to be ignorant. But that would be pure cowardice, not that I'm the most fearless person as it is. Besides it wouldn't change the fact that other people would still remember, and not much would change.
Sighing I walked the empty corridors at the forty floor, and started down the stairs and headed to the Great Hall. That's why I don't like to be at this place when it's empty and don't have anything to do. I tend to think too much.
-Lost in thought Malfoy?
It took me all my willpower not to jump in surprise. I could swear no one was here this time, but yet again life proved me wrong. And when I turned to see the source of the voice, I almost didn't recognize who it was.
-Not anything you should know about Nott.
He was tall as always, but not as thin as the last time I saw him. His hair was darker, and his rabbitsh eyes were different, more deep and forlon. Theodore Nott wasn't really a sociable person, but we talked sometimes. Even though most of the times were to badmouth Hermione.
-No need to get all antsy Malfoy.
-I didn't know you were here.
-You don't really spend too much time out of that common room of yours. How's life with Granger by the way?
He didn't ask that with venom, and his face was blank, but after dealing with Death Eaters all that time, you can't trust faces too much. He was standing in the middle of the hall, and his posture was relaxed, I could even tell that he was a little bored.
-We managed not to kill each other.
At this he smirked, and all that nonchalant character couldn't fool the slytherin there. He walked until he was at my side, and we continued like that until the gates. It was warm, but the wind made it bearable.
-For all that I've heard you two are almost engaged and Granger is pregnant. Some even say that you had a fight with Potter and were in the infirmary for a week, not that I know how the savior of the wizard world could have done something and the papers had lost this piece of gold.
I couldn't hide the amusement off my voice.
-Oh, yes. The marriage is at the end of the year, we're having a girl, that was pretty good to make, and it was actually only three days.
He smirked again and shook his head.
-So the bookworm is good at that too?
-She worn me out.
At that he snorted and looked at me like I had gone crazy.
-You're different.
-So people say.
We were still walking, and almost at the Quiddith field. It was a nice day to fly, and I was tempted to get my broom but remembered that I wouldn't be alone this time.
-We were all a bunch of assholes.
I was surprised at that. He stopped and looked at the sky. It was peaceful and clear, and the urge to fly came to me again, a little harder this time. It has been so long since the last time I played. I sighed and looked at my side. Nott was silent, and seemed to be contemplating some sort of thought. He isn't as prejudiced as I thought he would still be.
-You changed too.
-Well, after I got out of here and my father was locked, I started to think about things. When you have time, and stop hearing praises to the Dark Lord all day...I don't know. I just saw some things I didn't before.
-I can't say I can relate that easily.
He looked back at me, and his face was somber this time. His shoulders tensed and he didn't look like a rabbit as much as before.
-I got some news about what was happening here. I heard about your father, can't say I'm sorry.
-You shouldn't be.
That's when a panting Blaise resolved to appear. He looked like he was running for some time, but what really couth my attention was the look of uncertain in his face. He stopped in front of me and raised an eyebrow at Nott.
-Theo, what are you doing here?
-Getting some air, I was bored.
-Hum...right.
Blaise paused a little, like he was pondering something.
-Zabini you had something to say to me, or you just like to go running at the fields? And shouldn't you be with the rest of the happy people at Hogsmead?
His body went rigid and his slightly confused face turned into a frown. Zabini looked at Nott again, almost as if he was uncertain if he could speak with Theo right there.
-That's actually why I was looking for you Draco. Weasley and Luna were with Granger at Flourish and Blotts and then they headed to Honeydukes, but Granger forgot a book-
-Always a bookworm.
-Quiet Nott. Get to the point Blaise.
Zabini sighed and got closer to me. He tried to put his back at Nott, like he didn't want to be overhead. But Theodore didn't mind and only inclined his head to try and hear better.
-She got attacked Draco.
It took me three seconds to assimilate what he had said. Then I felt like the place was too hot, and had too little air. Blaise looked at me apprehensively. I sighed and tried to calm myself.
-What happened?
-I don't know all the details, Luna only told me that Granger got back with a gash in her arm, and a bloody cheek. They're at the Hospital Wing, she's fine now but...
-Dammit Blaise tell me, but what?!
-She told she saw your father, it was him Draco.
That took all the air from my lungs, and I got a little nauseous. For a moment all the memories came back. The manor, mother, the Dark Lord, the dream, everything came like a blur.
-His father? Are you crazy Zabini? His father is dead, has been for a good time. I read the Prophet, they wrote about it.
-I know Theo, but that's not the first time.
Blaise started to tell Nott about his mother's encounter with my supposed dead father, but I couldn't hear them. My mind was racing with ideas about how my father could possibly be alive. And again I thought about Sirius Black and Croush, but none of it made the least sense. How could he have done it?
-Draco?
The two of them were looking at me with apprehensive faces. Blaise was a little pale and Nott bore an expression of pure lost. I really didn't know what to say, or if I wanted to say something to begin with.
-You said that Hermione's in the Hospital Wing?
-Yes.
-MacGonagall talked with Potter or Weasley?
-Not yet, Granger asked to talk to you first.
-Right.
The three of us headed to the infirmary in absolute silence. I didn't know what Nott was doing going there with us, but I assumed he wanted to understand what was going on. When we got in the Hospital Wing the first person I saw was Madame Pomfrey. She was a little disturbed, and kept muttering something under her breath.
I walked a little more to the left, and saw Hermione lying on a bed, with ginger and Lovegood at her sides whispering. The blonde one was the first to notice us.
-Hello Draco, Theodore. I told Blaise he would find you at the Quiddth field. Hermione agreed too.
At the mention of her name, I looked directly at Hermione's face, and discovered she was looking at me too. Her arm was bandaged, and her cheek had a little dried blood, but aside from that she was looking fine. When I spoke my voice was low and soft, and she smiled.
-How are you feeling?
-I had worse.
I couldn't stop my eyes to travel to her arm, were I knew the letters would still be.
-I need to talk to you. Can we be alone for a moment?
She directed it to the girls, but Blaise and Nott nodded and the four of them got out. I walked to her bed, and sat at the end of it, never breaking my gaze from her.
-Blaise told me about what you saw.
She sighed and dropped her head. She crossed her fingers and began to play with them while speaking.
-I was just getting out of Flourish and Blotts, because I forgot a book of advanced potions and I really needed it. Luna and Ginny wanted to grab dome things from Honeydukes and they were a little bored because I took so long choosing books. More like Ginny was bored, you know Luna.
I smiled at her attempt to lighten the mood, and began to do circles on her knee. It became a habit. She raised her head and looked at me, smiling again.
-I know, but let's not talk about it with Blaise.
She frowned and looked a little surprised.
-With Blaise? What he has to do with Luna?
At that I was surprised. Hermione is almost always with ginger and Lovegood, I just assumed that they talked about things like that. I'm almost sure girls go to one another to gossip about the guys they are with, and tell how we are fools, but supposed to have the right intention. Or just to brag, that's what Pancy used to do. And it was bloody annoying.
-You don't know?
-I don't have the slightly idea about what you're talking about.
-Blaise and Lovegood are together.
-What?!
Her face was a little red of surprise and her moth was open with something akin of outrage.
-I caught them snogging last night.
-And she didn't tell me? Now that's why we have friends.
Even if she was annoyed about not knowing, she was smiling. Hermione don't get angry about a lot of things, and when it has to do with friends, she can't really be mad for too long. It makes her guilty.
-Not that I don't want to tell you about the compromising situation I found them, but I think we have others things to talk about. And I would like to do it before Potter and Weasley came here and try to kill me for supposedly affiliating with my dead father and trying to murder you.
She was serious this time, and she shifted on the bed to get closer to me. I stopped playing with her knee, and helped her sit up.
-Right, sorry about that. It just took me by surprise. I was passing by an alley and I noticed that it was deserted, but I was trying to get a faster way, and that was it. But when I was almost at the end, I heard something behind me. I was so shocked with the person I found, that I almost didn't make it in time to dodge the spell. That's where the gash in my arm came from. But it was aimed at my chest. It's been some time, but it was you father Draco, I am sure.
-When I finally think I'm free of him, he came back from death to punish me again. It's almost funny.
I chuckled a little, but it came so full of despair that the sound was horrible.
-Don't say it like that. You're free now, and he can't do anything about it. Harry and Ron will get him, and put him back in Azkaban. Harry defeated Voldemort Draco, don't worry.
She came a little closer and hugged me. That's when it all hit me. If he is back he will try to get my mother. She just started to get better, I can't let him destroy all her happiness again, I won't let him. And then he goes after Hermione, it must mean that he knows that I'm closer to her, how I don't know. And if he tried to kill her….Merlin it will be a nightmare.
I sighed slowly and inhaled that delicious scent of hers, and I almost lied to myself and thought that yes, Potter would make it all better again. But I know noting will be so easy. I hugged her, and bought her head to my shoulder, so I could start playing with her hair. After a long pause, in which she was silent, her body began to shake, and I heard muffed sobs.
-I don't want to experience it all again Draco, I'm so tired of fighting.
-I know, I am too.