My Note: I already wrote this chapter before I actually wanted to post it on Valentines day but something better came up so I'm retyping the whole chapter. Quite sorry for the wait and appreciate the reviews.
Chapter 18: Secrets Unfold
Draco dropped the plate he was washing and splashed the combination of water and soap on his shirt. I let go of him then he spun around and looked at me.
"Look at what you did!" he raised his voice glaring at me. "You-" his features suddenly softened as he saw me staring at him with teary eyes, "You got me all soapy."
He took off his shirt and turned his back to me to finish cleaning the dishes. That's when I saw them. Numerous scars on his back. Some of them were old, you can notice since they were starting to blend in with his skin but the others were still protruding. I traced one of his scars then I yelped as he suddenly seized my hand. His hand embedding on my skin.
"Don't touch it," he commanded, letting go off me.
I pulled my hand away and touched my wrist, it was red with the force he exerted. He went back to washing the dishes. "Does it hurt?" I asked.
"Only in my memories," came his reply.
I suddenly remembered what his mother told me, "His father reprimanded him whenever he showed compassion towards others. He would constantly punish him for not being the best." It pained me to know that he was constantly being hurt. Maybe that's why he hates me so much. I am one of the brightest in Hogwarts and I'm also a mudblood. I'm sure that his father is insulted that I can outdo Draco. I can just imagine him being whipped for not beating Harry in quidditch. All the pain he went through turned his heart to stone. I couldn't control my tears and I started to cry.
Draco spun around and faced me, "What? What did I do now? Did I hurt you?" He took my hand and gently touched my wrist, "Does it hurt?"
I shook my head and looked into his eyes. I have always misunderstood him and somehow hurt him. Now, he's asking me if I'm in pain and probably wants to help. How can he still feel compassion? If I was punished for caring I would've stopped. I would never care again, but he still can. I embraced Draco silently apologizing and congratulating him.
Draco kept silent, holding me in his arms. We remained like that for a while then he sneezed and I let go. "I'm going to change. Wait here. I want to show you something." He went off to his room as I waited in the kitchen drying my tears.
After a few minutes, Draco returned. "I'm sure you're curious."
"About?"
"The dragon."
I completely forgot about the falcon changing dragon at least until he reminded me. "Now that you mention it."
Draco took my hand and walked me through the garden. We arrived in a clearing surrounded by magically tall trees. They were about 200 feet tall the least. In the middle of the clearing was the dragon, sleeping peacefully.
"So what happened earlier?" I asked.
"I wasn't named Draco for nothing. My family has been given a gift that we have kept secret for a long time. I believe that it started when my ancestor met Slytherin and he endowed my family with the gift of speaking to dragons. I bet you haven't heard of Drachiusse."
I shook my head in agreement. I have read various books and I still haven't encountered the term.
"It's similar to Parseltongue. Its just that it's the language of dragons."
"So you can talk to them, but how did he change into a falcon?" I asked.
"Dragons are magnificent creatures. They are endowed with abundant powers that only need to be triggered. What I did was awaken his power. By using Dracchiusse I am able to command him and teach him."
"And they just obey you?"
"All Malfoys are assigned one dragon that will serve as their guardian. He is mine. Onyx was given to me when I was five. At that age my father told me the family secret and taught me how to train him."
I stood there awestruck just processing everything that he had told me. A secret language given by Slytherin. Drachiusse, dragon language, command its power. There is really a lot more I don't know about Draco and it seems the more time I spend with him the more he seems human.
"You want to go for a ride?" He offers.
"NO!" I didn't mean to be rude but being near a dragon is one thing but riding it is another. I never agreed with brooms how much more a dragon. "Nope. Thank you but no thanks."
"C'mon! I'll ride with you. This is better than riding brooms. He's much faster."
"In that case, definitely not. In case you still don't know I don't agree with flying. Another thing I'm petrified of your dragon." I answered.
"After all we went through you still don't trust me. I thought you would have known me better by now."
Draco Malfoy is a devious man. He knew which buttons to push and he pushed them. I started to feel myself wavering. "No.No.No."
"It's just a ride. I'm going to be sitting behind you so you'll definitely not fall and Onyx is an obedient dragon and anyway he likes you."
"Likes me?" I said in awe. "How can he like me?" I asked.
"Because I like you." Came his reply.
That was it. It was a done deal. It's like one of the stamps that seals the deal. I was going to get on that 20 feet dragon and ride him. I must be completely out of my mind. "Okay."
He gave a satisfied smile than we approached Onyx. Onyx was still sleeping when Draco whispered on his ear then he woke up. He gave a fierce screech then spread his wings. "Lowulo!" Draco commanded. Onyx bowed his head until it reached the ground. Draco suddenly looked at me then asked me to climb his neck.
I hesitated at first but slowly and very carefully got on. Onyx's scales was so soft that it surprised me. I expected him to have steel hard scales but instead I got silky smooth and cotton soft. Draco also climbed up and sat behind me.
"If you want to turn left tap him with the heel of your left leg and vice versa. If you want him to stop just tell me, Okay?"
I nodded, then he mustered a command and Onyx's wings spread open then it gave five strong flaps and slowly we hovered above ground. Draco held on my waist making sure I don't do anything stupid like fall off. I was given confidence since I knew he wouldn't let go off me. I tapped my left heel and we veered to the left. Draco was right dragons were a lot faster it was like riding a rollercoaster at light speed. I enjoyed the wind blowing through my hair. I even gave a few shouts just for fun. I heard Draco laugh when I started cheering.
"I thought you said you hated flying?" he asked.
"I never said hate. I just said disagreed," I quipped.
We spent two hours just riding Onyx.I even felt bad that it was already midnight and we had to go down. When we landed Draco led me to my room where I kept saying I still wanted to ride but Draco said I couldn't since Onyx needs his rest and so do I. When he left I was thinking I could still go on but when my head touched the soft pillows I was out like a light.