disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter Characters, It Can Only Go Up From Here is a work of fanfiction and all mine
a/n: im thinking im going to write 24 chapters.. just because i like the number- or possibly, if i can come up with enough, 30
yay for long stories! )
Chapter 16: And the Chaos Begins
She was having the most amazing dream- Draco was climbing into bed with her, pulling the covers over their heads and laying close to her. He wrapped his arms around her body and she smiled as he pressed himself closer against her body and rested his head on her neck. It felt so real... too real. Slowly her eyes fluttered open and as she rubbed them she felt a slight warm feeling on her neck every few seconds. Anxiously she turned to face the source. As soon as she did she flipped- literally.
"David!" She flipped on the bed and jumped rapidly off of it, accidentally pushing him in the process. "What are you doing?! Are you crazy?!" She held her blanket to her body as if she had been violated.
"I was just getting cold and well, I haven't felt you in a while-"
"Ugh- David- God- we're not even dating anymore. Okay?"
"I know, but-"
"There are no 'but's. David, we can't- you can't do things like that anymore." She closed her eyes, frustrated and slightly disappointed.
"I'm sorry I just went to the bathroom and when I came back- you looked so good and peaceful0"
"Whatever David. Just promise you won't do it again." She pulled on her robe.
"I promise." he said, still slightly drowsy. Sighing she washed up quickly. Where was Selena? Re-entering her bedroom she found Selena still asleep.
'Lucky brat's a deep sleeper.' she thought. "Let's go get something to eat." He got up and followed her inot the Heads' dorm room- she made a inward prayer that Draco wouldn't be there. She didn't feel like making an entrance with David in just her turquoise nightgown and robe on a Sunday morning in the Great Hall. Thankfully he wasn't there, though she wouldn't admit to herself that she was a little put off. 'He must be mad still.' However, he had left a complete meal for her- cinnamon blueberry muffins (not likely to be his but from a house-elf), orange juice, and sliced strawberries.
"Wow- great service. Do they do this for you everyday?"
"Um- not really." she lied. She let him eat most of the meal and she just watched him, recalling every feature, every blemish and every freckle. What was she going to do? "So... how long are you staying here for?"
"Well with the information of a Christmas ball from your HeadMaster, he recommends I stay till then. You don't mind, do you?" She did. A lot.
"Uh no, not at all." She shot him a weak smile. Oh she was screwed. Very screwed.
"Okay so what should we do first of our day together?" David asked, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"David- I don't think we can- well I mean I-"
"Just spit it out Alina," David's expression darkened.
"I'm seeing someone right now." She watched his reaction.
"As in dating? For how long?"
"It's only been recently but David- I can't hang out with you all the time while you're here- he wouldn't really like that."
"And you?"
"I wouldn't either.. I'm so sorry,"
"Why should you be? Like you said, we're not dating. We haven't been for a while." Alina groaned inwardly, knowing that David wasn't actually as okay as he said.
"You don't have to stay here, you know,"
"I want to, Alina. I still do." He looked at her.
"Okay then- so- do you want a tour?"
"Sure." he said apathetically.
"Right- I'll be back in a moment." She rushed into her own room to change into a miniskirt with black leggings, flats, and a gray hoodie. It was the beginning of December, sure, but it was still fairly nice out. "Let's go," she said as she came back down. She led him through each floor, telling him to watch out for the moving staircases. After making rounds throughout the school she took him outside to the fields.
"Nice," he remarked.
"Better than our old stadiums, right?" she smirked.
"Loads." she smiled with some pride and led him by the lake and through the courtyard and past Hagrid's cottage.
"It's completely different, isn't it?" she said.
"Yeah... too different." They headed inside.
"It does take a while getting used to it... in fact I don't think I really am yet. I find random rooms and secret places I've never noticed the first time I've walked by them." They walked in awkward silence the rest of the way till they reached the Great Hall. It was already the afternoon- after all, Hogwarts was big. "You hungry yet?"
"Not really."
"David not hungry? That's a first." she joked playfully.
"Just not really in the mood." he responded.
"Oh come on- Dumbeldore's bound to make an announcement for you today." She stood directly in front of him, forcing him to look at her. Her eyes pleaded with him to comply.
"Alright."
"Thanks David," and she pushed the doors open.
"Ah- right on time- perfect. Students, I'd like to introduce to you a student currently visiting our school for a while- Mr. David Christopher Blake." All turned to look towards the entrance, including a particular blond-haired Slytherin. David made a slight nod and there was polite applause. Alina motioned unnecessarily for him to follow her to a seat at the Gryffindor table. She could hear girls muttering about him and she felt a twinge of jealousy. As soon as they were seated, she ventured a glance at the Slytherin table. Draco was staring right at her. He was reading her mind- this time she let him.
She watched his expression alter from confused to hurt to suspicious and curious. She thought 'We'll talk after' and turned back to David who was now gulfing down the food in front of him. She smiled- good o'l David. Further down the table someone was looking at her- Alina looked up and saw Selena, who was giving her another warning glance. Alina only looked away.
"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you- and him," Romilda Vane winked at David as she spoke. David hardly noticed and got up with Alina and both walked towards the front of the Great Hall to the staff table.
"I trust that Miss Thomas has thoroughly showed you around Hogwarts,"
"She has sir. But if I may ask again, I don't know where my room is."
"Certainly- it is written here, on your map."
"My map sir?" David took the piece of parchment from him.
"I believed it would be quite useful to you during your visit. Your HeadMaster has informed me that you are an excellent student and that you will be staying here on the terms that you will complete your own independent study. So while you may not be attending classes here, you may feel free to use any of our facilities so that your stay here is not utterly wasted and idle."
"Thank you,"
"And I take it you understand already the level of behavior we expect from you while you are here?"
"Yes sir,"
"Very well. Miss Thomas, would you be so kind as to inform him of our time schedule?"
"Yes sir,"
"That is all. Thank you- and if I may say so the weather is absolutely magnificent for a visit to Hogsmeade."
"Do you mean we're allowed to go today sir?"
"I don't believe we have another Hogsmeade visit coming up before the Winter Ball, and considering that you two are both responsible seventh year students, yes, you are allowed to. Be sure to be back at Hogwarts at exactly six-thirty."
"Thank you sir," Alina said. They both turned to leave. "Wow- I can't believe he's letting us leave the grounds," Alina whispered to him as they walked towards the doors. "Security has been awfully tight and strict lately."
"I can only imagine," said David, in a monotone.
"Okay David- what's up? Hm? Tell me what's going on." She stopped right before they reached the doors to the Great Hall. All were staring, but hardly anyone could hear, except for Draco, who was of course, interfering and reading her mind.
"Nothing's going on Alina," he whispered forcefully. "Now can we just go-"
"No- we can't. David, are you mad at me for dating him?"
"No I'm not. And who is he anyways?"
"None of your business. And I don't believe you. I told you that you didn't have to stay, David."
"I don't care, Alina. And I've already told you that I don't want to leave-" he softened his voice. " I don't want to leave you again."
"David- I don't love you anymore and I can't love you anymore, you know that-"
"Really? Do I? Because I'm beginning to think that you could love me again, that we could be together again, it's just that you're trying to get me to leave again-"
"You know what David, that is exactly what I am doing. I mean, what did you think was going to happen if you showed up here after not seeing me for five months? Huh? Did you think I would just fall back immediately into your arms just because you came all the way over here for me? Honstly David, you know you're wasting your time. So why do you still want to stay? So that you can persuade me to break up with him?" David was silent, only looking at her. He was hurt. They both were hurt.
"David- I do want you to stay. But you have to realize that we can't ever be together again, okay? It's impossible."
"Nothing's impossible, Alina."
"David-" she was becoming increasingly aggravated.
"Fine- alright- do whatever the hell you want. But tell me at least who you're with."
"Draco Malfoy." she said more quietly than before.
"What?" he stopped whispering and all in the Hall refocused their attention upon them.
"Let's talk about this outside David," she tried to get him to leave the Hall.
"A Malfoy? Alina, even I know enough about them to know that-"
"That what? That I shouldn't go out with one?" she lowered her voice. "Let's go" she said forcefully. "Dumbledore's being generous enough as it is." They left, but before they did she looked at Draco. He looked extremely ticked. 'Crap' she thought. Too late- she followed David out of the Great Hall, pushing the urge to go and explain everything to Draco out of her head.
a/n: again, ReViEw!!!!!!!!!!