From the End to the Start

Chapter 6

Maleficent nipped to the Owlery before breakfast the next day. Whenever they exchanged notes, she and Diaval always used the school owls instead of their own. Just another part of the secrecy she instigated, Maleficent thought sadly.

She walked back towards the great hall with her stomach in knots out of apprehension. She's never been an open sort of person, but Maleficent knew Diaval deserved something more than what she's currently giving him. There was more vulnerability in that letter than in all the years of her childhood, and she could only hope that it was enough.

Diaval was mindlessly mixing his porridge when the morning post came. Not expecting any letters at all, he was surprised when a school owl dropped a letter in front of him. He was even more surprised when he saw whom it was from. He didn't open it immediately for fear of his admittedly nosy friends reading over his shoulder. It was just before lunch when he finally found the time and the courage to open the letter. It went:

Dear Diaval,

First of all, thank you so much for the chocolate. Yes, you did get the right one. Thank you for remembering.

Second of all, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say or how else to make this better than offering my measly apology. I know that I cannot make this even remotely okay, but I just thought I'd send this letter anyway.

You were right- I wanted to protect myself. But that doesn't mean that I didn't genuinely want to protect you too because the truth is this- I'm afraid of my parents, and Stefan, and the poisonous environment I live in and I don't think you deserve to be tainted with that.

Just because we don't hang out or talk in public doesn't mean that I don't care about you, because I do. You're my best friend, Diaval (then again, you are my only true friend). I just want to make sure you know that. If I've ever made you feel like I'm ashamed of you and if I've ever hurt you, however unintentional it was, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You don't have to write back if you don't want to.

Yours,

Maleficent

Diaval tore a piece of parchment and wrote "Astronomy tower tonight, after dinner". He rushed to lunch, making a mental note to send it later. He realized they would have to remain secret friends if this was going to work. It was difficult and distressing to have to hide their friendship from the rest of the student body, but she needed him- that much he could tell. And while it might be true that he had friends in Ravenclaw, friends he spent the most time with and friends who he didn't have to deny association to, hers was the relationship he wanted to keep the most because for some reason, she has become his best friend too.

The weeks flew by swiftly, and before they knew it, it was almost time for the holidays. With the promise of vacation and the second Hogsmeade trip coming up, the students were alive and excited. In almost every class, it seemed like the students' minds have already wandered away despite being physically present.

Maleficent, on the other hand, felt absolutely terrified at the thought of Hogsmeade weekend fast approaching. She has planned to do this for a month now, and she would hate herself if she backed out at the last minute. She was no Gryffindor, but who said Gryffindors had the monopoly on courageousness, anyway? Besides, didn't her uncle say that in order to be happy, she'd have to be brave?

"Lef." Diaval nudged gently her shoulder with his, rousing her from her thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I've been talking for the past few minutes and you're not even listening!" Diaval exclaimed, half-amused, half-exasperated. They were currently in an abandoned classroom, sitting on the teacher's table side by side.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

Diaval looked at her worriedly. "Are you alright?"

She nodded dismissively. "Yeah. What were you talking about?"

"My parents are taking me to France this vacation. I've never been, so I'm excited. I've been talking to Professor Flitwick, and he says France has some interesting local history of witchcraft that I would do well to get into."

Maleficent chuckled at his enthusiasm over research. "France is nice, although I've only been to the wizarding communities and believe me, they're not interesting at all. I wish I could go back there and really explore the place."

"I'll take lots of pictures and mail some to you, if you want."

Maleficent smiled softly. "That would be nice. Make sure you tell me some good stories too. I've nothing to do for the holidays at all!"

"You can always study." Diaval grinned, jesting.

Maleficent gave him a deadpan stare. "No, Diaval. Just no", she said, which elicited a guffaw from him.

After the last strains of his laughter died down, Maleficent balled her fists, heaved a sigh and said, "Diaval."

"Hm?"

'There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Sure, go ahead."

Legs swinging back and forth, bouncing against the body of the table they sat on, she drawled. "As you might remember, I bailed on that first Hogsmeade trip. Well, I'd like to actually go this time, and well, I- I was wondering", she paused, taking a deep breath, "whether you want to come with?"

Diaval, whose eyes were fixed on his lap whilst listening to Maleficent, suddenly whipped his head in her direction. "Are you serious?"

She nodded, biting her lower lip in anxiety.

Eyes comically wide, he queried, "Are you sure about this?"

"Well- yeah. Yeah."

Diaval glanced at the ceiling in an exaggerated expression of consideration. "On one condition."

"What?"

"You have to buy me my first butterbeer."

"You didn't have one last trip?" Maleficent raised an eyebrow.

Diaval shrugged. "Too many people in the Three Broomsticks and I spent way too much time browsing the shops. So is it a deal?"

It was Maleficent's turn to give him a toothy smile. "Deal."