Chapter XVII
-You can't just go and put me in Potter's crazy idea without telling me Draco!
-Blaise, can you just calm down? It's not like I'm asking you to take tea with my father, stop freaking out.
-I'm not doing it.
-Yes you are.
-No, I'm certainly not.
Let's just say Blaise didn't take the news as well as I thought he would. And that's why we're actually having this little disagreement outside of the Charm's classroom. The last time I saw Potter and his Weasel was two days ago.
After talking everything we needed, I got back to the castle and headed to McGonagal's officer to explain what Potter needed to be done. She understood the situation quickly, and told me to speak to Zabini as soon as I could. And here we are.
-Blaise, I don't have any other person to put there.
He looked at me quizzically, and after a moment of consideration I saw his smirk. Oh, here we go. That can't possibly mean something good.
-So what you're saying is that I'm the only bloke you trust here? Really Drake, I'm flattered but it's still a no.
-Why are you so against it? You only have to do some patrols at night, and scare the first and second years. It's not even that bad, Hermione does almost all the work. And you get the common room.
He sighed and dropped his gaze to the floor. After a minute he shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. His voice was serious this time, and I almost missed the idiotic Blaise from the beginning of the term.
-It's not that I don't want to help you Draco, but I don't want any more problems. This year I said to myself that I would just relax, and be reckless. No Dark Lord, no pureblood name to hold, no pretences. And it's being good so far. I don't want to get into that again.
Well that was selfish, but I can relate. Truthfully speaking, if I was him I'd've done the same. But it's not like I'll let him pass this one. Slytherins have this amazing ability to make people do what they want, and I'm especially good at this.
I took a minute to compose myself, and make my features the most concerned that I could at that time. He was still looking at the floor, so that gave me an advantage.
-Blaise, you know I wouldn't be asking for your assistance-
-You mean help.
He looked up at that, and the smirk was there again. I had to use all of my willpower to keep my face composed.
-Yes…Your help as it seems. I can't let anyone go there. Something could happen and I know that Hermione is perfectly capable of defending herself, but it would be more appropriate if someone were there to help. Potter actually agrees with me on that. And you are not useless at all.
He snorted and, to me disbelief, started to laugh. I was surprised at that, to the extent that I dropped my act and frowned. I can't see why he would find anything that I had said slightly amusing.
-What's so funny?
He stopped for a moment to take a breath, and walked to me.
-I thought one day you would need my help, after all you can't expect to live by yourself your whole life, even if you are a Malfoy. But I never thought you would actually come and ask on your own. And as if it wasn't surprising enough, you just paid me a compliment, even if it was in your twisted way.
-I most certainly did not-
He made a dismissively gesture with his hand.
-Yes you did, and don't start trying to deny it. I'll keep it in memory for a long time.
I sighed and leaded against the wall, making Blaise do the same when he noticed that some fourth years from Hufflepuff were getting near.
-I'm sure you would.
We stood silent until all of the kids were out of earshot.
-I'll do it, even if you actually tried to manipulate me. I'm wounded Drake, after all we went through?
I was more confused after that.
-That's it? After all the shit about not wanting trouble? You're really an inconvenient jerk.
He raised both his hands then turned and started walking down the corridor.
-Don't get me wrong Drake, I still don't want anything to do with it, but I came to appreciate Grangers company. And besides, now I can get to see her all the time, alone, with a common room just for us…..Hum, wonder what she wears to sleep?
If he wanted to irritate me, he just did, but it's not like I would let he get to me.
-I don't think Lovegood would like to hear that.
He paused just before turning the corner. The corridor was empty aside from us, and I got the feeling that I would get late to potions. When he turned, the grin on his face made me actually frown.
-We have a special relationship, I think Luna wouldn't mind.
The problem's that, unfortunately, it's more likely she really wouldn't. Before I could formulate a remark he was gone. I took a moment to contemplate our strange conversation. Sometimes I really wonder how we're still friends.
-Shit, I'm late!
The rest of the day was uneventful, save for some hexes on a fifty year Gryffindor that took away my patience. Ah, the old days. I was actually missing this part. I think too much time with Hermione made me too quiet. And speaking of the brightest-witch-of-our-age, here she comes.
I had just finished packing my things and was by the fireplace, on the couch. She looked tired, but when she noticed that I was there, smiled and walked to me. Her hair was as bushy as I recalled from the first years, and was throw at her left shoulder.
Even if she looks tired, her mood seems better than yesterdays. I can bet a thousand galleons that Weasley had something to do with lack of patience.
-You finished packing?
-Just a moment ago.
She sat on the vacant side of the couch, and put her legs on my lap. Almost at the same time I started to do circles on her knee. It became an habit of ours.
-I can't believe I'm saying this, and I know I shouldn't 'cause your ego is big enough, but I'm going to miss this. Sitting in the common room, reading on the couch and even your ridiculous jokes.
She kicked me lightly and I smiled. I can't say that I'm not going to miss this too, but that doesn't mean that she has to know. Hermione is a great person. She's kind, concerned, extremely intelligent and as much annoying, but all in all she's the greatest girl I ever knew.
-You just admitted that you will miss me dearly. I knew you couldn't resist me for too long. Can't blame you, with the Weasel for a boyfriend you sure need something better.
-Draco!
This time she kicked me harder, and I almost fell from the couch. Even though her voice was severe, the playful smile on her face cracked all the effect she tried to put.
-You're insufferable.
-But that makes you like me more.
Before she could say anything, she yawned. It was late, almost midnight, but I didn't want to get to my room. The school year is almost over, we just have two months until the final N.E.W.T. tests. This may be the last time I'll have to just lay down alone with her.
-You look tired. Too much time in the library?
-We have so little time, and I need to revise almost everything again.
-I still don't understand why you get so tired studying if we all know you will be the top of the class in everything.
-I'm not prepared enough.
She yawned again and shifted to get more comfortable.
-Come here, you can lay down, I don't mind.
She looked at me doubtfully for a moment, then shrugged and dropped her head on my lap. I hesitated a little before starting to play with her hair strands. They're softer than I thought.
-How was it with Blaise?
-Nothing to worry about. He's coming tomorrow, or I should say today, later.
-And the Headmistress, how did she take it all? I should have gone with you.
The orange ball jumped to her lap and she started to pet it. It all was so cozy and familiar that I got a pang of regret to leave everything.
-McGonagall knows the situation, and Potter talked with her before I got there, just so she could understand it a little. And you were too much worried with the Weasel at that time.
She sighed and I didn't know if it was for my comment, or because I began to massage her neck. I prefer to think it was the latter.
-Ron was being a jerk, and you didn't help too.
-Thanks for the chocolate frogs.
-Don't mention it.
We were silent for half an hour. She stopped moving, and I thought she had fallen asleep. But when I tried to get up and take her to her room, she startled me when she spoke.
-Promise me you're not going to get back to the old Malfoy.
Her eyes were still closed, and I presumed she was taking her time to ask it. I got a little closer to her face, to try and make she open her eyes, but she kept they sealed.
-Just for pretences love. You did a really good job here, don't worry.
She smiled that special one that make all my insides a big mess, and opened just her right eye quickly, before nuzzling her face on my thigh.
-Good.