Disclaimer: I DO NOT own the Harry Potter Series. That right belongs solely to the amazing J.K. Rowling. I DO, however, own the plot, Oura (not her last name, again the literary goddess Rowling) and my favorite cat, Sterling.

Chapter 18

They met in the Room often after the first time, though not intentionally. Sometimes, Oura would go to just get away from all the noise and pressure from everyone, and everything, outside of the giant oak doors that acted as the barrier between the real world and the surreal, weightless suspension that existed in the Room; a calm type of floating that only she and Draco shared. The redhead would often stroll into their Common Room, as she soon began to think of it as, and see a delicate mop of silver-blonde hair over the edge of one of the couches. She would smile softly at him and he would nod before turning back to whatever book he was currently reading. Their Common Room seemed to have every book they could want and it wasn't uncommon for Draco to be the one to slip through the doors to see Oura curled up in the plush arm chair, buried so deeply into the novel on her lap that she wouldn't even notice his entrance. The house-elf that had served them before, Aster, had become rather taken with "Missy Oura". The elf was quite loyal to the witch, appearing in seconds if the redhead would need anything at all. Aster had also, to the surprise of both 5th years, tutted over Draco like a mother hen, and seemed determined to make him gain at least 10 pounds.

After the first couple of incidental meetings, the two began to relax in each others company. Granted, Oura practically ignored Draco outside the Room, as he did her, but behind the large, oaken doors, they found that they didn't really mind the company of the other. In fact, Oura seemed to be spending less time with her friends and Terry, and more time curled up in the armchair that she had seemed to claimed, reading quietly. Her blonde companion, if she could call him that, seeing as they weren't really friends, hadn't asked any more questions concerning the night they originally came to the Room, and Oura certainly wasn't going to bring it up. It was as though there was an unspoken rule that the night of the full moon was a taboo topic of conversation. If that was off limits, however, then they weren't going to touch the would-be-kiss... thing... event... whatever it was with a ten foot pole.

As the days went on, Oura began to notice change begin to manifest between herself and her former enemy. It wasn't that they were simply more at ease with each other, though that was part of it, but there were these accidental... touches. Nothing huge, to be sure. They were little, subconscious things, things she wouldn't have noticed if it was anyone but Draco. They brush shoulders when they stand at the bookshelves, despite the fact that the shelves were built along the entire wall. A hand resting gently on her shoulder when she's sitting at the counter, as the blonde reached over her to grab a quill. Their fingers brush when he hands her a mug of Butterbeer that Aster brought them from the kitchens. Little things.

They rarely spoke to each other, though, opting to, instead, sit in a companionable silence that neither seemed to mind. If Oura needed help on Transfiguration, or Draco on Herbology, they would speak in near whispers, as though preserving the calm tranquility that blanketed the Room, warm and comforting, away from all the hecticness that came with exiting the shield-like doors. So peaceful was the room that Oura could dip into a good novel and when she would surface, hours passed. The two would rarely, if ever, let each other know how late it was getting, leaving whenever they wished, without so much as a goodbye. It was not rude, though, not in their eyes, anyways. It was not as though they were friends. They simply shared... something. Neither party really knew what it was they held. Secrets, maybe, but it was something bigger than that. Like a kind of truth. It was as though both wore a mask, a mask that they had worn for so long, it was almost part of their skin. But, when they enter the Room, the mask would slip and eventually fall into a puddle by the door, to be picked up when leaving. Oura often watched Draco slip through the doors and see a wave of tension fall away with the mask. She could only imagine that she, herself, appeared to do the same when she stepped over the threshold.

So rarely did they speak to one another, that it came as a surprise when Draco touched her shoulder one night as he went to leave, bringing her back to the real world. She peered up at him slightly confused. The blonde seemed fairly uncomfortable, an emotion Oura was unaccustomed to seeing on her former nemesis' features. He cleared his throat gently.

"I... Tomorrow night." She blinked at the oddly random statement, before he went on. "It's the full moon."

Oh. She had practically forgotten about that. What with tutoring in between classes, and coming to the Room during most of her free time, it had slipped her mind. She started, realizing he was looking at her expectantly.

"I suppose it is..." She trailed off.

"I'm guessing that you'll be coming here, then?" The redhead nodded, casting a weather charm. Clear night tomorrow. Damn. She was hoping to be able to get a couple things done. There were a couple plants that bloomed only once a year, usually the first week of a winter month. She needed them for a potion she was experimenting with. Oura was going pick them tomorrow, since she hadn't been able to tonight. Well, that was out of the question now.

"I never did ask," the blonde broke through her thoughts. She flicked her gaze back to her companion. "How did you keep it a secret from everyone? I would think that at least Looney Lovegood would know."

Oura glared at him for the comment against her best friend, but let it slide in order to answer him. "I'm fine if it's cloudy. The moonlight has to touch me for it to be a problem. I learned about the Room just in time for the full moon in October, and after that, I just came here. I usually get up early after an episode, so it's easy to slip back into the common room and pretend that I was already up." She shrugged. "As to Luna, I'm surprised that she can hand in homework on time, for the amount of attention she pays to the real world."

Draco nodded and cleared his throat again. "Do you... I mean... If you want, I can, uh-"

"If you don't have anything else to do," She replied, understanding his meaning, "If the weather charm is wrong, I'll probably get rather bored, sitting in here by myself."

"Right. When does it rise tomorrow?"

"Five."

The blonde nodded again. "I'll be here then." He turned away, task complete, placing his mask back on and slipping through the doors without so much as another thought. She sighed, her head falling back against the armchair, unaware that she was smiling softly to herself.

xXx Hello my little Owlettes! Sorry for the delay in posting. I actually cut my finger a few weeks ago while cooking and had to get some stitches, so I wasn't able to type. I'll try to post multiple chapters this week, to try and make up for it, but I'm not sure if my muse decided to pay a visit or not, so no promises. Also, as I no longer have a Beta, let me know if you spot any errors in this chapter, and I'll try to fix them asap. As usual favorite, follow and review. It means a lot to me! xXx