Chapter 8

I hadn't spoken more than two words to Draco in little over a week. I knew he was avoiding me but couldn't figure out why. Had I done something wrong?

Rainey had been sorted into Gryfindor, so we had quite a few classes together. Even though the Slytherins sneered at the Gryfindor's that didn't stop me from sitting with my friend.

I was walking back from dinner, thinking about Draco when I was grabbed from behind. I was about to scream but a hand covered my mouth. I was about to kick my foot back when a familiar voice hissed in my ear.

"Calm down and follow me."

The hand was removed and I spun around to face the same person who was crowding my thoughts.

"Draco! What are you doing?"

He glared, "Follow me!"

"Why should I?" I questioned.

He glared again. He didn't have to give an explanation and we both knew it. I was curious. He led me down the hall to a girl's bathroom and walked in.

"Uh . . . Malfoy. This is the girl's room."

"I know come on."

He walked over to one of the stalls and knocked on the door.

"What do you want! Come to pick on me?" Came a whiny voice from the other side.

"No Myrtle it's just me."

I raised my eyebrow as a ghost floated out of the stall.

"Hello there Draco." The ghost giggled flirtatiously.

"Hello Myrtle." Draco replied.

The ghost, just realizing I was there, glared at me. "Who's she?" Myrtle asked sticking up her nose.

"She," I mimicked her snotty pose. "Is Sydney."

Myrtle glared at me as I glared back.

"Myrtle I was wondering if you could tell me where the secret passage way into Hogsmead is?"

"Of course I know, but why should I tell you?" Myrtle said crossing her arms defiantly.

"Myrtle, Myrtle, Myrtle, I may just have to ward the prefect's bathroom against ghosts. Then bye-bye free peep show."

"Fine! You tap the statue of the one-eyed witch, and say 'Dissendium.' Then follow the tunnel through her hump and you'll be in Honeyduke's cellar."

"Thanks Myrtle."

Draco grabbed my hand and led me out of the bathroom.

"Why are you taking me to Hogsmead?" I asked trying to pull my hand out of his.

"You'll see, just come on, before someone sees us." Draco led the way through the tunnel. I followed, curiosity making me go.

We waited for the coast to be clear before we walked out of the trap door. Draco put his finger to his lips signaling me to be quiet. We snuck up the stairs and blended in with the crowd.

I was led out of the shop and down the street. Neither of us said a word. He took me into a little tea shop. We sat down across from each other at a tiny round table.

I looked at Draco and for a split second I thought he looked nervous. He quickly put back up his mask as he noticed I was looking at him.

"So what are we doing?" I asked

"Do you want Tea?"

That was random. "Um . . . sure, I guess."

Draco poured a cup. What a gentleman. I took a sip looking at him through the steam of my tea. He didn't say anything so I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind.

"Why did you kiss me?"

"Because I wanted to."

"What the hell kind of answer is that?" I asked getting annoyed.

"The truth. Look, I like you."

"Then why have you been avoiding me?"

"I haven't, I'm a Malfoy we don't avoid people, we don't have to."

"Well I'm a Longbottom and I know when someone is avoiding me."

"I haven't. I've been busy."

"Doing what?"

"I-I can't tell you."

"Cause you've been busy avoiding me."

"No. Look I'd tell you if I could. But it's a family thing. Malfoy's don't discuss family dealings."

"Why did you bring me all the way here for tea?" I asked deciding to drop the subject, for now.

He looked at the tea cup, stirring slowly. I... Just . . . Felt like it, okay?"

I looked at him for a minute, then stared at my tea. "Okay . . . so . . . "

"So what?" He snapped.

Couples were staring at us. This was a place for those idiots who were madly in love and needed a special place just to hold hands. This kind of place made me feel sick.

"Hey, do you want to get out of here and go look in the shops?" Draco asked bursting through my thoughts.

"I don't know . . . I think you should get back and take a nap, you seem a little cranky."

"Ha, ha. You're really funny." Draco said dryly.

I shot him a smile than stood up. "Come on then lets see what this little town has to offer."

"Not much." Draco snorted behind me.

We walked out and started to look around in the shops. It was getting darker earlier and the town was glowing with the lights of the street lamps.

After looking around for a good half-hour we decided it was time to go back. We snuck back through Honeydukes and through the tunnel. We walked back to the common room quickly, it being past curfew and all.