Chapter 8

Spring was here at last. It felt like forever since it was nice outside. Everyone was getting cooped up from the dreary weather and even the professors were short tempered. I readjusted myself in the corner window in the girl's dormitory. I couldn't sleep and spent most of the morning after sunrise just staring out through the window.

Hermione's life didn't improve much after the S.P.E.W. ordeal with Ron. She was getting hate mail from the public because of people reading Rita Skeeter's story of Hermione's secret love with Harry Potter and Vikto Krum. All of which was a lie regarding Harry Potter but people believed the gossip that was written in the Daily Prophet. The one mail was laced with a bubotuber pus and when it got all over her hands she had yellow boils all over her!

The Slytherins wouldn't leave her alone after that and it only escalated when Howlers were sent to her at the Gryffindor table each week. They would tease her whenever they had a chance to without teachers seeing them.

Closing my eyes, I try to shut out all the thoughts and just enjoy the sun warming my face. Teasing me and comforting me that another day has arisen and there was no reason to let the fears of the night haunt you during the day.

After showering I found that everyone was starting to wake up and get ready for another day of classes.

'Morning.' I state to everyone

'Morning.'

They all murmured, all in different stages of waking up. Hermione, I saw had left already and Lavender was still refusing to get out of bed. Deciding to spice up my restricted uniform. I went with some slacks instead of a skirt and the school vest. Grabbing a sweater and my school bag I head down into the common room.

'Morning Dean.' I state noticing his back to me

'Oh! Morning Eva.' Dean states with a smile 'Heading down?'

'Yeah. Care to tag along?' I ask walking up to him.

He was dressed in slacks and the school's polo and sporting a Gryffindor tie to go along with it. He looked tired, but… it was Monday.

'Sure. How was your weekend?' Dean remarks following me out the portrait as we continued on, ignoring the Fat Lady attempting to sing

'Ugh. I wish she wouldn't do that so early in the morning.' I remark grimacing as she hit a bad high note

'Yes! It makes Mondays start out even worse than it is.' Dean states as we follow a stream of students onto the moving staircase

'Exactly! The weekend was good just trying to keep Hermione preoccupied with all the teasing she's been getting.' I state as we dodge a kid tripping

'Yeah I bet. I could hear some of the howlers she's been getting. Pretty brutal.'

'How was yours?' I ask smiling a hello as a few familiar faces in the crowd passed us by.

'Not bad. As always I wish it didn't go by so fast.' Dean remarks as we take a seat next to each other

'Aye, same here.' Seamus interjects across the table, 'Morning.'

'Morning Seamus.' I remark with a smile. He was bright and happy this morning…. But he always seemed to be like that

'Had a good weekend? We didn't see you a lot in the Common Room.' Seamus states grabbing food

'Yeah, I was in the library and then helped Hermione out.' I remark pouring myself a glass of orange juice

'Yeah! How's she doing?' Neville states who was sitting next to Seamus

'Well….' I began leaning in.

Breakfast continued with most of the students too dead to want to talk and we headed off to the greenhouse for Herbology. I didn't mind the class, it was nothing difficult but I wasn't interested in plants. Neville on the other hand was border lining obsession when it came to Herbology. He excelled in the class and you could really see his confidence, which never came out in our other classes.

After break I threw my sweater on as I followed with the rest of the Gryffindor's down to Hagrid's Hut for Care of Magical Creatures that we had with Slytherins. Following along I glanced over to where Draco was located next to Pansy and Goyle. We hadn't seen each other much ever since we kissed and he didn't come to the library as often.

He was teasing Hermione from the looks of it, making me roll my eyes. He was the main instigator when it came to Slytherins teasing Hermione. We all settled around as Hagrid began lessons where we learned all about Nifflers.

All I could think about was wanting to eat lunch because my stomach kept growling like crazy and dreading the fact that we had double Divination after it. When Hagrid finally finished, I packed up my things and started making my way up the hill and back into the castle.

It was nice to be out in the sun for once, even if it was still chilly. Pulling my sweater closer I nearly fell over when someone ran right into me.

'God! Careful Edwards!' Draco remarked with humor as I steadied myself

'I could say the same for you Malfoy.' I retort looking up at him

'Whatever.' Malofy states making Pansy laugh as they walk past me and up the hill

'Should I hex him while his back is turned.'

'No.' I state smiling at Dean as we walked together

'He did make a good-looking ferret. We could always see if it would work again?' Dean jokes

'Hahah. True but I would rather you not get detention.' I reply squinting as our eyes adjusted to going in doors

He only laughed and we continued to talk as we headed back to the main hall for lunch in the hopes it would keep me sane until the end of divination.

The rest of the week went in a blur of classes and homework and repeat. Friday finally came back around and we were all trying to behave for our last 10 minutes of double Potions with Slytherins. I continued to take notes in a flurry as Snape lectured and praying I didn't miss anything important.

Absorbed in my notes, I almost jumped out of my seat when a piece of parchment flew in front of my face and landed right on my notes. Hastily grabbing before Snape notices, I unfold the note in my lap and when Snape gets distracted by Neville I glance down.

Meet me in our window room after.

Draco. Sliding the paper underneath my notes I glance to my right and make eye contact with him and nod before focusing back on Snape. Those last 10 minutes dragged on and I couldn't help but focus on what Draco wanted. Then berating myself that I should worry so much about a guy who can't even be friends with me in public. Ugh!

Once Snape released us, a sigh of relief came out and everyone was in a flurry to escape the dark dungeons and celebrate the weekend.

'There's something I need to do, so go on without me.' I state to Lavender and take off down the hall before she can question me.

After about 10 minutes I finally open the door to the secret window room. My stomach flipped as memories of the last time I was here and how it involved kissing Draco Malfoy. Turning the corner, I smiled realizing I got here first. Dumping my bag, I made myself comfortable in the pillows, enjoying the time to looked out at the landscape.

I couldn't even tell you how long I sat for but I jumped when I heard the door shut and footsteps alerting me that he finally showed up. Making my stomach once again flip I glanced up to find Draco towering over me with a smirk on his face.

'I see you've made yourself comfortable.' Draco remarks dropping his bag next to mine before continuing, 'leave any room to share?'

'Sure, do u want the end or the window?' I ask but already knowing his answer

'The end of course.'

I scooch over and readjust a pillow and try not to freak out as he sits very close to me. I'm so pathetic. Calm down. Taking in a deep breath I glance over at him.

'So any plans for your weekend?' I ask, trying to make small talk

'Not really.' Draco remarks

'Sounds exciting.' I tease glancing down and watching Hagrid as he walks around outside of his hut 'Do you have any ideas on what you think the last task will be?'

I glance at him for a moment before continuing, 'Seamus thinks they'll have the task in the Forbidden Forest. If they go along the same lines as how they had the second task at the Black Lake.'

'It's possible but I doubt they would allow that seeing as it is Forbidden. I have a notion that it could be something on the school grounds. Seeing as it's the last task and all.' Draco remarks

'That's true, it could be. To be honest I'm not really sure and no one talks about the previous tournaments.'

'The tasks are never the same which is why no one talks about the other tournaments. They won't help the champions.' Draco remarked

'Hm… fascinating.' I state glancing at him, 'that would make sense, to not repeat or have similar tasks. Otherwise what would make it difficult or mysterious.'

Interesting in deed. Thoughts began to swirl in my head about the tournaments and how long they might have been going on for. I wonder-

'I won't be able to meet up much in the library.' Draco began breaking me out of my thoughts,

I glance up to him confused, 'what do you mean?'

'People are beginning to ask where I'm going. They were starting to see a pattern.' Draco replies as if it's the most obvious thing in the world

'Oh.'

'Looks, it's probably better this way. Don't tell me your friends would be any less thrilled than mine if they knew we were hanging out.' Draco states with a piercing look

'No… they wouldn't be but-'

'But no. Things are beginning to change around here.' Draco began angrily, running his hands through his hair 'you won't understand…. At least not right now but-'

He groans in frustration and I am at a loss for words, 'but what?'

'Damn it! Look!' He growls grabbing my shoulders, our faces inches apart 'I can't explain this but you need to trust me. No one should know we're friendly with each other.'

'Why! You can't just spout out some evasive comment and expect me to take your word for it!' I shout back at him 'If you regret us becoming friends just say so! Don't make this about some imaginary thing!'

'No! It's not that!' Draco states releasing my arms from his grasp 'It's not about what I want. It would…. It would be better if we just pretended this never happened.'

What! I was in complete shock. Staring at him trying to form words. I was hurt… no. Disappointed.

'I see.' I begin hardening my face, 'So meeting here was for whose benefit? Yours… or mine.'

'Shit! Eva.'

I turn sharply back up at him. He never says my name. He softens his features when we lock eye contact.

'I tried to just pretend that nothing's going on. I thought ignoring you would be enough.' Draco states looking at me, 'It wasn't. I didn't want to do that to you.'

'So telling it to my face that we can't be friends is easier?' I retort angrily 'I wish you would just explain better.'

'Look, don't tell me you don't know that it isn't safe to be in Europe right now. Hell, you said it yourself your parents were here in London because of the rumors.' He began turning away to gather his thoughts, 'I mean, your friendly with Saint Potter for god sake! Don't tell me know don't know what I'm talking about!'

I stare at him in shock. His hair was wild, his eyes baring into mine. Desperately searching for acceptance and understanding.

'Are you-' I start but my voice cracks

'yes' Draco states softly, 'sooner or later people will start picking sides. Once that begins we'll never speak again.' Draco mutters darkly

'What do you mean? Which side are you on Draco?'