Chapter XVIII
A/N: I'm really sorry for this guys, but I made a mistake in the last chapter (it's edited now). They still have two months to go. Thanks for everything!
The first thought in my mind the next morning was how badly my back was hurting. So much for trying to be a gentleman and don't wake Granger. Next time I'm getting to my bed and it doesn't matter if she's so comfy, or that her face is really beautiful when she's sleeping. It's the first and last time.
-Hermione, I really need to get up.
She didn't even make any movement. I tried to shake her, but all she did was make a mumbling noise.
-Granger, get off.
Nothing.
-I'm serious here Hermione.
Merlin why I still try to be reasonable with her?
-If you don't get off I'll drop you on the floor. Granger, we're going to get late for classes, for Salazar's sake!
She shifted and opened her eyes lazily, then turned and looked back at me with a frown. She dropped an arm on her face, I presume to shade her vision from the morning light.
-What time is it?
-Time for you to get off. Do you have any idea how much my back's hurting?
-Ah, don't be a baby, stop complaining. It's still too early, be a sweetheart and let me sleep.
And she turned back and actually cuddled on me. I was a little taken aback by that, and the fact that she called me a sweetheart, and not because of the actual word. It was so simple, almost like we did it every morning.
It made me think back on our friendship. That was actually the first time I had that feeling. We joked around, flirted and all, but it was never serious. It never felt that way. I don't really know how to explain it.
The name at all don't matter, anyone can say it. Sometimes you call a person special names, but without the real meaning. It's just a way to talk comfortably. But there's that time, when you say it out of habit, but the feeling comes. That was when it sank. Bloody Merling, that's it!
I looked back at her face, peaceful and with some marks on her cheeks from my trousers. I just realized what she had done and here she was, clueless and sleeping. I almost laughed at myself. Why do I always have to want the most difficult things to get?
Even if I was scared out off my mind, that warm feeling kept me so at easy that it worried me at the same time that delighted. I smiled like an idiotic fool, and for a minute I was in such a state that I caught myself thinking of ridiculous eventualities.
Then I felt a jabbing pain on my left and the warm foggy feeling disappeared at once. Reality is a pain. At the same time you discover something really good, there had to be a thing that keeps you grounded. And I could swear that the almost imperceptible mark on my left arm scratched.
-Hey 'Mione…love, can you move just a little? My back really hurts.
My voice was so soft that it surprised me. It wasn't intentional, and I really should stop right there. But I'm a selfish person, and I couldn't help it. And it didn't help either that she smiled and moved back. Shit, I'm screwed.
That day I was so immersed in my thoughts that the first time I actually listened to what people were saying, was when Blaise spoke about Hermione and the common room. We were just dismissed from Arithmancy, our last period.
-So can I go there now?
I stopped in the middle of the corridor and looked at his face.
-Sorry Blaise, I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?
He looked almost concerned for a moment, then checked if someone could hear us, and leaded me to a corner next to a painting of a hunt.
-Is it about your father?
The question didn't make sense to me at that time.
-My father? No, why would you-
-Drake, you've been off the whole day.
Someone would end up noticing. I have to get a grip on this.
-Yes, my father. I was just thinking, remembering some things.
-You sure?
-Yeah.
He didn't look convinced, so I remembered what he asked earlier.
-About the common room, you can come with me after dinner. I'm just going to get some things from my room, and it's all yours.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped in the middle of the act, glanced at me and shook his head before smirking.
-What Granger said about it?
-That she will try to cope with my absence, even if it's painfully difficult, and that she tolerates you.
-I think I can turn that tolerate to something more meaningful easily.
Even if I knew he was only joking with me, that feeling of insecurity and awareness came in full power.
-I don't think Potter and the Weasel King would like that too much.
-I don't think they're the only ones.
I decided to ignore his last comment and we continued to walk to the Great Hall. Even after almost two years I still forget that Dumbledore won't be there, with his horrible choice of clothes and that all too familiar half moon spectacles.
I have to say that it's not the same without him. Of course McGonagall do the job quite well, but Dumbledore had that thing about him. His portrait could make it almost the same, but that look in his eyes, the one that makes you think he knows what you don't, that is something only the ones that talked with him in person will ever fully understand.
Years ago it unnerved me, and I used to think he was mad and too old to still be the headmaster. Today I wish to get back to that tower, at that dreadful night, and accept his offer. It's one, if not the bigger, of the many regrets in my life.
I heard that the day of the burial was gray, and the castle looked mournful and too silent. The Forbidden Forest was quiet like never before, and all over the grounds you could hear a sad melody, hurt and beautiful.
They say his body was engulfed by some kind of magic, and the place where the half-giant laid him turned into his tomb. A big white marble symbol guarding the body of one of the most brilliant wizards of all time. Simple but majestic, like the man that kept deep secrets and great knowledge.
But what's done is done, and all I have now are the memories, and the regrets. Sometimes I think it was all my father's fault, but it's more to preserve me from the real thing than the real truth. I could have said no, could have gone to the Order and trade information for safety, but I was a coward.
And it's with this happy thoughts that we reached the Head's common room. Blaise looked more excited than I thought he would.
-The password changes every night, just ask her before you come down. Good night Ms. Martha.
Her hat was as pink as ever, and the dark light gave it a really disturbing effect. She smiled sadly at me, before looking at Blaise.
-Hello my boy. So you're still going back?
That was my turn to try and fake a smile.
-Unfortunately, yes. This is Blaise Zabini, he's a friend of mine.
-Oh, hello dear.
-It's a pleasure.
She giggled a little, and I got nauseated for the plain display Zabini was doing.
-So we have a charmer?
-Don't deceive the bloke. His ego don't need it.
-Jealous Drake?
-As if.
We were both smirking, and when Ms. Martha opened the portrait hole we got inside of the room, and I walked directly to my room. My trunk wasn't there, so I presumed the House Elfs must have taken it to the dungeons.
All I had to get were some books that I forgot to pack. After getting it all, I looked around at the place. It was empty like the first time, but all the memories it held made me feel like I had lost something special. I sighed and turned to the door, back to the common room where I found Hermione talking with Blaise.
-Hey Granger.
-We're back to the last names already?
Her voice was light, but her face made me almost give up on the plan and stay. Blaise discretely walked to my room and closed the door. She was trying not to show it, but Hermione's not the best person to hide her feelings, she was sad.
-Just for the public. But in private you can call me whatever you want.
I smirked and winked at her.
-Whatever I want?
She was actually grinning this time.
-You choose.
-You said it, Drakie poo.
I couldn't help the shills that ran down my spine. That was as dreadful as I unfortunately remembered. And I think my face showed my utter disgust, because she laughed a little, before walking towards me.
-Don't worry ferret, I don't think it suits you enough. I think I'll work on something better.
-You scare me sometimes.
-Good to know it still works.
I looked into her eyes for a moment, and my hands where just almost reaching her, but she was faster. Her arms came to my shoulders, and I grabbed her waist as lightly as I could, before tightening my hold.
Her face was on my right shoulder, and I could feel her strands grazing my cheek. She was warm, and small and smelled just like always. That unrecognized scent of sweets and flowers that I still can't put a name on- it's just Hermione. But that time it was better, stronger, and I used the rest of my willpower not to bury my face on her neck.
-Try not to enjoy being a jerk again too much.
I smiled and loosened my grip, her smell was numbing my senses.
-Can't promise anything.
-Yeah, I know you're a git, but I had to try.
We were so close that I could see that special tint of amber in her eyes, and the lines on her forehead that showed when she frowned, and I spotted a little line of ink just under her left eye. I got an inch closer and started to rub the place with my thumb.
-You really have to stop using that old quill, the ink gets everywhere.
She didn't say anything, and when I got rid of the spot, and glanced back at her, our noses almost touched. Too close Draco, that's not good. Actually it was pretty good, and she was just looking back at me, and when she gave that smile I couldn't help it.
-GET OFF YOU BLASTED BEAST!
We jumped apart at the same time, and I saw she blush for a second, before I heard something cracking inside my old room.
-I think the orange monster disapproves of the new guest.
-GRANGER TAKE IT OFF!
She took a moment to reply, and it made me glance at her face again. She was looking at me like I was something new, with the same face you do when people give you an unexpected gift. It puzzled me, but before I could have said anything she smirked and started to my room.
-I think he's not over you yet. If you miss him just tell me and I will get a way to drop him by.
-I'm sure Blaise would appreciate it, but I think they need to bond.
She laughed and I got a funny feeling in my gut. Well now you're starting to lose it Draco. She's an incredible girl, really she is. And I feel like a bloody jerk for not realizing it sooner. The Weasel don't deserve her, maybe Potter does, but Ginger has he all tamed.
-Blaise can you stop moving?! Crookshanks come here…..NO!
-GRANGER HE BITED ME!
I started laughing uncontrollably and decided do get out before something happened to me. That monstrosity isn't something you can trust. He has more mood swings than Hermione when we have tests. And that's saying something.
The hallways were empty, and I realized that I was out past curfew and I wasn't Head Boy anymore. And it was just my luck that Mrs. Norris, that blasted cat, found me when I was almost at the dungeons.
-What do we have here Mrs. Norris? A student out of bed. I wonder if I can persuade McGonagall to punish this one myself.
-I don't think so Filch, I'm Head Boy and it's my patrolling tonight.
It's not like McGonagall had already told anybody about the change. And I hat until tomorrow morning at breakfast, when I think she will announce it. He looked disappointed and I saw his jaw clench, before he turned and walked away shooting swore words of all kind.
The humidity and darkness of the Slytherin Common Room were some of the things that I didn't miss at all. I didn't even stop a moment to look at it, and headed directly to my room.
It was just as I had left it. My trunk was at the base of my bed, and I dropped my books on it before throwing myself on the green blankets.
-Can you be a little quieter for Merlin's sake? I'm trying to sleep here Malfoy.
I sat upright so fast that my back cracked.
-What the-….What are you doing here Nott?
-Trying to sleep.
He came out of his canopy wearing the most displeased frown that I had seen that whole year.
-You weren't here at the beginning of the term.
-Yeah, sorry that I'm not Blaise, but you'll have to cope with me.
He got something from his trunk that I couldn't see because of the lack of light and walked back to his bed.
-And why the change?
-Blaise had a room just for him, and I was sharing it with three more blokes. It was a simple choice. And it's not like you can demand anything anyway. Got bored of Granger? I must say I thought you were going until the end. Think about all the gossip that we will have tomorrow….I'm looking up to it.
I still don't feel comfortable around this guy. I don't know what it is, but Nott have a way to make you think he is observing everything you do. Or it could be just me being mental. After the war everyone seems to be keeping an eye on me.