The New Me

Draco POV

I felt… New. Happy. Which, of course, I couldn't show to anyone, because I'm supposed to be all depressed and crap. But I wasn't anymore. Not when I thought of her. She made me better. And when I was with her, I felt like I could accomplish anything. Even that horrible task I was chosen for. Of course, when I thought of that, my mood dampened a bit. Everyone was always going on about how Potter is 'The Chosen One', but they had no idea about what I was chosen for. Not even Talia. How was I going to tell her? About me being a death eater now and this awful task I had to do. And how if I DIDN'T complete this task, The Dark Lord would kill me and my family.

And how did I know I could trust her? I hated to admit it, but she WAS friends with Potter, who was constantly trying to stop me. He was the only one who had guessed. But thankfully, no one believed him. But if I told her, would she believe him? Would it turn her against me, and make her tell him everything?

But I think I did trust her. I don't know why, but I did. Still, I think I would wait a little while to tell her. I wasn't sure how to do it. Another thing I wasn't sure of was how I was going to convince her that I could do this relationship. Because I KNEW I could. She's so worth it. She was just so… perfect.

And then I knew. It was a great idea. A perfect idea, for a perfect girl. Man, I was such a sap now. But I didn't give a shit. She gave me hope. This was going to be good.

Talia POV

I felt so… New. So perfect. So, myself. I was the new me. I was still the old me, but a new version of the old me. How did this happen? How could MALFOY make me feel this way? It was so confusing. But I didn't care. God, he was so perfect. How did I not see it before? Of course, in my defense, he WAS a slimy git for five years. But something had changed him. Maybe it was me. I didn't know, but I liked it. People thought I was crazy. Skipping through the halls and smiling and crap would do that to you. I hoped it would stop after a little bit, because it was SO not me.

It was almost Halloween now, a holiday which I had always loved. I loved the decorations, I loved the candy, and I LOVED the costumes. We always had a costume party in the Great Hall the day before Halloween, because you just COULDN'T not have the feast on the actual day. Only people who were in their fourth year or up could go. I know it was a little wrong, but I always loved to wear a really slutty costume. And of course, me and Blaise would always hook up. Actually, our fourth year at the Halloween party was the first time we had hooked up. But this year, it was going to be all Malfoy. I was so excited. I was going to wear a costume that would knock the pants off him, maybe even literally.

But, my plans for dressing up were stopped. By none other than Malfoy, actually. I was walking down the hallway, on my way to lunch, two days before the party, when I saw him leaning against a pillar. When I caught his eye, I smiled at him, and he winked at me. And then he gestured his head, meaning to follow him.

"Hey guys, I forgot something in the common room. I'll meet you at the table, ok? Save me some potatoes."

"Which potatoes? The chips, the mashed, or the baked?" Asked Harry.

"Yes." And I pretended to walk back the other way, waited until they entered the Great Hall, and bolted towards where Draco was. He started walking down a hallway, stopping when there weren't any more students passing us. I ran up to him and kissed the crap out of him, almost knocking him down.

"I missed you. I hate that we have to keep this quiet, because I don't know how long I can go of watching you in potions before getting up and ripping your clothes off in front of everyone." I said to him. He laughed a deep, throaty laugh.

"Whoa there. I thought we were taking things slow." He said.

"Well, I changed my mind."

"Oh, no you don't. We're doing things right. That means slowly." I pouted.

"Aw, poopy."

"Gasp! Such language!" I laughed.

"Well, can we still snog?"

He never answered me. As we kissed, I couldn't help but smile. He was a really good kisser. After a few minutes, he pulled away from me. Reluctantly, I let him.

"Ok, I actually brought you here so we could talk." He said.

"Just so you know, you should never say those words unless you're going to break up with someone. And you can't break up with me, I forbid it." I said, playfully.

"Oh, you forbid it, do you?"

"Yep, I do. And my word is law, so you're basically stuck with me."

"Well then, I guess we should go out on a date." That caught me by surprise.

"What?"

"That's why I brought you here. Not to break up with you, but to ask you out on a nice, proper date. On Friday."

"But… that's the day of the costume party."

"Yes, it is."

"I was going to wear a really sexy costume and see if you could find me."

"Trust me, this will be better."

"You promise?"

"I'll even pinky swear on it."

"Whoa. This must be a really good date you've got planned."

"Oh, it is. Now, we've got to go to lunch, because I'm really hungry. And I know you are too."

"Can't we just stay here for a few more minutes?"

"Come on." And he started pulling me back down the hallway. I liked this, walking hand in hand. I'd never done this before.

"Hey, Malfoy?"

"Yeah?"

"Should we… tell people about us?"

"I haven't thought about it very much, actually."

"Have you told anyone?"

"No. The only one I'd want to tell is Blaise, and I don't think he'd take it very well at the moment." He said, with a little laugh. "Have you?"

"No way. All my friends hate you."

"So I guess that means we're going to have to keep this a secret. For now, I guess." He said.

"I guess so." That made me a little sad. This was the first real, honest relationship I'd ever been in, and I couldn't tell anyone I cared about.

"Ok, so should I go in first, or you?" He asked me.

"Are you kidding? I'm so going in first. Harry's saving me some potatoes." This made him laugh.

"Oh, well then you MUST go in first. For the sake of the potatoes."

"For the sake of the potatoes." I repeated, but I didn't move right away. Instead, I wanted to try something. I stood up on my tiptoes, and pressed my lips against his. It was just like the kiss I shared with Blaise, but so much better. I felt all the things that Blaise didn't make me feel. Sparks flew, angels sang, and I felt like I was flying. It was amazing. When I turned to leave, I suddenly remembered something, and turned back to him.

"Wait, I don't know where or what time our date is."

"I'll let you know."

"How?"

"Just trust me!"

"Ok fine!" And with that, I went into the Great Hall. When I got to the Gryffindor table, my friends were staring at me with startled looks on their faces.

"What're all your problems?" I said after I had sat down and stuffed a few chips in my mouth.

"Why are you smiling so much?" Said Ron.

"I smile all the time."

"Well yeah, but not like this. It's like you're…"

"I'm happy, Ronald. Sue me." I said. I noticed Ginny and Hermione both still looking at me, with knowing smiles on their faces. They didn't know as much as they thought.

"Anyway, back to our original subject—" Started Hermione, but Harry cut her off

"Give it a rest, Hermione!"

"No, Harry! You've got to turn it in, it could be dangerous!"

"Hermione, how could a book be dangerous?" Asked Ron, taking Harry's side.

"Are you guys talking about the whole 'Half-Blood Prince' situation?" I asked.

"Yes. Can you please tell Harry that the right thing to do is to turn it in?" Hermione asked me.

"No, can you tell Hermione that the SMART thing to do is keep using it?" Harry asked.

"Actually Harry, this time I've got to take Hermione's side. You know you're one of my best friends, but you have no idea what the stuff in this book can do. What happens if you try one of the spells out, and it ends up hurting someone? And besides, even if it is making you brilliant at Potions, it's not REALLY you. It's this Half-Blood Prince guy." I said.

"Are you kidding me?" Said Ron.

"Whatever. I'm done talking about this." Said Harry, obviously angry at Hermione and me. Whatever. We're right, and sooner or later, he'd figure that out. Even if it was the hard way.

….

Later, we were all sitting in the common room by the fire. It was nice and quiet, watching the first of the snow falling out the window. Ron was going on about how he had killed Quidditch tryouts, but I wasn't really listening. I was gazing out the window, when I saw something flying toward it. An owl, it looked like.

"Hey you guys, something's coming for the window." I said, and then I got up and opened it so the owl wouldn't have to wait long. It hopped in and dropped a letter at my feet, and only left when I gave it a snack. Typical owl.

"Who's it from?" Asked Hermione.

"I have no idea." But that was a small lie, because I did have an idea as to who it was from. And when I opened it and started reading, I found out I was right.

Dear Talia,

I'm writing this to you over supper. I told my owl to deliver it to you when you're alone, so you don't have to explain anything.

You know that trail in Hogsmead that leads to the Shrieking Shack? Go down that path, but take the right when you see a faint, barely noticeable trail. Meet me there at five o'clock on Friday, ok? And where something warm, since it just started snowing today. I promise, next time I'll pick somewhere warm.

M

Apparently my friends had been watching me in silence the entire time, because as I re-read it, I heard someone clear their throat.

"What?" I said.

"Well, who's it from, then?" Asked Ron.

"It's none of your business!"

"Oh, come on. It's not like its anything bad, right?" Asked Harry.

"Well, not really."

"Then tell us!" They said together. So I panicked, and quickly crumpled it up and tossed in the fire.

"Oh, no, oops! Well, sorry guys, I guess you'll never know." Hermione laughed.

Five O'clock, Friday, in Hogsmead.

I was SO excited.