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In the month leading up to Christmas, I found myself extremely lonely. Harry, Hermione and Ron were always disappearing somewhere, and Draco was busy with his thoughts – or so I assumed. I hadn't seen him much anymore.
I attended the Christmas Feast, more out of courtesy then the desire to eat. Not that Harry, Ron and Hermione paid any notice. For once, they weren't trying to get me to eat, but were muttering about something, and eyeing the Slytherin table. I sighed, and picked my way through a potato and discreetly dropped choice bits of meat onto my lap for Spark.
After dinner, Harry, Ron and Hermione disappeared, leaving me to exit the Hall alone. Draco caught me though.
"Come on, Amy." he muttered to me, dragging me down towards the Slytherin common room. On the way there, we ran into a very lost-looking Crabbe and Goyle, who gratefully followed us down to the common room. Draco let us all in, practically dragging me through. He dropped me down onto a leather couch, sitting next to me, pulling me in close. Still wary of his affections, I let him wrap his arm around my shoulders, tucking my legs up on the couch and leaning into him.
Crabbe and Goyle were pestering Draco, asking him questions, several about the Chamber of Secrets. It was clear by Draco's scowl he disliked their sudden talkativeness, probably wishing they'd leave us alone. Goyle kept looking at me, curled against Draco's side, which made me decidedly uncomfortable. When they left, in a hurry, Draco laughed, and turned his attentions to me. Thankfully, this time, I didn't need to conceal marks afterwards.
Christmas morning dawned unusually clear, the vivid blue sky contrasting with the white grounds. A pile of gifts lay at the end of my bed, distinctly smaller than other piles I could see, but a smile spread across my face all the same. I opened Hermione's first; a practical gift of a knife, that would never dull. Ron got me a box of chocolate frogs and Harry got me a stunning, old-fashioned pocket watch. Two smaller, neatly wrapped presents sat beneath those, which I considered for a while before opening. I opened the one wrapped in emerald green first, which was signed by Draco. He had got me an expensive-looking pair of dragon hide gloves, which I immediately slipped over my cold hands. The last gift was in a sleek black box, which I opened to see a stunning emerald necklace on a dainty silver chain. My jaw dropped at the gorgeous piece of jewellery, and my chest felt tight at the obvious cost of it. A small scrap of paper was set underneath, which, in flowing script writing, was signed Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. I carefully reclosed the box and tucked it safely away in my trunk, not daring to wear it without a special occasion.
I got up, dressing hurriedly against the chill in jeans and a long sleeved shirt, shrugging on a pea coat and my new gloves, grabbing a scarf for good measure. After I was decent, I headed down the stairs to the common room where my brother and Ron already sat, both still in their pyjamas and a knitted sweater. Hermione hadn't yet woken.
"Merry Christmas!" Harry called up to me. "Not turned into an animal this year?" he teased good-naturedly. I stuck my tongue out at my brother as I perched on a comfortable armchair.
"Isn't it time for breakfast?" Ron asked. Harry and I laughed, as we followed our friend from the common room.
The rest of the Christmas holidays passed in a blur of homework for me. With nothing better to do, and feeling estranged from my friends, I had plenty of free time on my hands – which was devoted to classwork, and conversing with Spark. We often played outside, down by the edge of the dark forest, where no students ventured in such temperatures. His growth spurts had slowed down, and adjusting to his new size was important, and I never had I laughed so much watching him get stuck in trees.
Class started back with a sombre feel. The Chamber of Secrets was opened, as threatened and whatever was in it was petrifying students… literally.
Valentine's Day came far too quickly, and we all got a huge shock upon entering the Great walls were all covered with large, pink flowers, and pale pink, heart-shaped confetti was falling from the ceiling. I'd thought that the Hall was only decorated during big holidays – Halloween and Christmas.
Professor Lockheart, at the teachers' table was wearing pink robes to match the decorations. He was also waving for silence. None of the other teachers looked happy.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Professor Lockheart shouted when we were reasonably silent. "I'd like to thank the forty-six people who have sent me cards! I've arranged this little surprise for you all… and this isn't all!" He clapped his hands and through the doors of the Hall, marched a dozen, surly looking dwarves… who were wearing golden wings, and carrying harps.
"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" Professor Lockheart beamed. "They will be around the school today delivering your Valentines! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a love potion! And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any other wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!"
Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands, and Professor Snape was looking as if the first person to ask him for a Love Potion would be force-fed poison.
All day, the cupid-dwarves barged into classrooms to deliver notes and other such tokens to the extreme annoyance of the Professors. I got one in every class; roses, chocolates, sweet little notes, full-out poems, cards, that kind of thing. None of them told me who sent them. I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to know. I suspected the Slytherins.
However I did figure that the note saying 'Meet me tonight, outside the Slytherin common room.' was Draco Malfoy. I met him there. I always met him, wherever he said, whatever time he said, often ignoring curfew. Pacing the corridors at night, especially at the moment, were dangerous. I was glad Draco didn't request this of me often.
He met me there, leaning casually against the wall, waiting for me. And when he pushed himself off the wall, I expected him to turn and lead me into the Slytherin common room, a sort of home away from home now. I'd thought there were strict rules about keeping your common room to your house, but I'd won Professor Snapes' approval, so I supposed he overlooked those rules in my favour. But this time Draco led me to a deserted, and very dark, potions classroom. I sat myself on the far side of the room, against a wall. I pulled my knees to my chest, hugging them, and watching Draco nervously. He was still standing by the door, watching me. I could tell this by the dim light from the corridor, which he took away by shutting the door. Now the room was black, and I waited for my eyes to adjust with baited breath, wondering where he was, what he was doing. I felt him near, and flinched slightly, surprised at his sudden close presence. However, I found myself against something next to me, cornered. I felt him move closer, and his arms circled my waist, pulling me off the desk, so that I had to stand. I pushed him away, but he didn't even budge, as I shoved at him. His wiry chest was a solid wall against my palms, bloody Quidditch training.
"Play nice." He murmured to me. "Or I'll play dirty too."
I shoved harder, unsure, straining against his arms. I heard him sigh, and in a moment, he was pulling me close and pressing his lips to mine. I tried to fight, but him kissing me completely melted my will. I relaxed into his embrace.
"Good girl." He whispered, and I felt his arms around me loosen. He pressed his lips to mine, and I kissed him back. Briefly, I wondered what Harry, Ron and Hermione would say and do if they caught us here. Then I dismissed that thought. I didn't care if they thought he was bad. They didn't know him, and I felt I did. I'd seen him cave to his father, and realise how wrong it was. I'd seen him improve from the boy who'd come to my room at night and fight with me to now, sending me discreet little smiles and notes, and spending time with me when my brother and friends abandoned me on their adventures. What they would say didn't matter to me, because the person who mattered was here with me now.