Estranged • Harry Potter {2}

15

Hermione brought me food the next day, but I hadn't moved from my bed. I didn't touch any meal she gave me and I wasn't sure I even wanted to.

"Cora." She yanked the covers back and I sat up to grab them but she was faster. "Talk to me about Draco."

I glared at her. "Why?"

"Because I said so. Come on." She gave the blankets back and made herself comfortable on my bed. I sighed and leaned back against the headboard.

"He's using a vanishing cabinet." I told her.

"A what? I thought those didn't exist anymore." She frowned.

"Me too. But there's at least two. One in the creepy shop and one here. Guess the ministry didn't get them all did they?" I snarked.

"So what's he using it for?" Hermione ignored my attitude.

"I don't know. They're tricky to use, it's like apparating. If you don't focus, bad things can happen. Transporting something magically wasn't always very safe." I explained.

Hermione nodded. "Well... we're thinking it's how Harry can get rid of the book. It might be a good time for you both to-"

"No." I shook my head.

"Hear him out. Please."

I sighed and slumped, picking at the threads in my blanket. None of them would ever trust me fully.

I reached under my bed and grabbed the small pouch of potions before getting up and walking out without so much as a warning. Dressed in my poofy Gryffindor sweater, some jeans and a part of slippers, I quickly went down to the common room where all my friends sat.

"Alright I'm sick of this." I stood in front of them all and pulled out a bottle, holding it up. "Veritaserum. Cooked it myself, it's foolproof. And we all know I'm a wonder with a cauldron just like Potter so don't worry, it's real."

Hermione sat on the back of the couch as everyone was all ears. I popped the cork and drank the whole bottle, tossing it to Ron.

"Ask me anything you want in about 3... 2... 1." I strapped the strings of the bag around my wrist and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

For a moment, the whole room was silent.

Hermione looked around as I grew impatient and bit her lip, standing up again.

"Do you really consider me your best friend?" She asked.

"Absolutely." I replied softly.

"Did you know about Bellatrix coming to my house?" Ron asked, hardly looking at me.

"Not until I arrived at school and was told it happened. I was locked away the entire time." I answered easily.

"Is Draco a deatheater?" Harry asked quietly.

"Initiating." I said, looking him up and down. He was leaning his elbows on his knees, looking the most shameful. "He hexed Katie and I'm guessing gave Slughorn the bottle."

"Those were meant for Dumbledore." Ron frowned.

"A plus for the ginger." I spat.

"Are you a deatheater?" Harry asked quickly.

"No. Hence being locked away all summer. And all of Christmas." I sighed.

"Do you know Voldemort's plan?" Ginny asked.

"If I did, at the rate I'm going, I would be dead by now." I shrugged.

"Why are you helping Draco?" Harry finally looked at me and after everything, I realized, they still didn't get it.

"Because I love him." That wasn't easy to say. I took a deep breath and let the potion work for itself. "You know Draco as a bully. You know him as someone seeking fame, and attention and craving affections from people in power. You know him as the racist boy who makes your lives a living hell.

"The Draco I know, kissed my knee better after falling off a bike. He's the Draco who taught me to ride a broom. He's the Draco who snuck food from the kitchens. He's the Draco who pushed back when people came after me. He's the Draco that pulled me out of the way yesterday." I directed that last part to Harry and he dropped his head.

"People do desperate things to stay alive. I'm not saying he's right in any way. I'm not saying he's evil either. I'm saying he's human. I'm human. If he is doing what he can to protect me, I'm going to return the favour the best I can."

The room was quiet and an incredible weight was suddenly lifted off my shoulder. Harry stood up with the book.

"Let's take a walk?" He asked.

I nodded. "Let's."

Harry led the way out of the common room and I followed, not looking back. He waited until we were on a moving staircase before looking at me.

"I'm sorry. For everything. I just want to know how to beat him and I feel like everytime I take a step forward, I'm still a hundred steps behind." He explained.

I nodded, following him down the corridor slowly. The potion was making my head hurt.

"You do know you'll need all the help you can get." I said.

"Part of me knows that. The other part just doesn't want people to get hurt." Harry replied.

"People will get hurt no matter what Harry, it's a war." I told him.

"Why does there have to be one though?"

"Because both sides refuse to give it up. And when beliefs become stronger than morals... war happens." I didn't even know I thought that way but that made a lot of sense.

"I didn't know who I was firing at yesterday. I just wanted him to hurt... the same way he made me hurt all these years." Harry confessed.

"It's alright. He's a bully and kind of deserved it." I clapped my hand over my mouth and Harry chuckled. "I never said that."

"Thought you couldn't lie." Harry smirked.

"It's not a lie, I'm telling you what to do." I snapped back.

He laughed and together we conjured up the Room of Requirement. I led Harry to the cabinet and pulled off the cloak. Someone must have put it back on. I opened the door and Harry put the book in.

Stepping back, Harry slid his hand into mine once again.

"One more question." He asked. "Do you love me?"

I licked my lips, wishing I hadn't taken that potion anymore. Not saying it hurt, but saying it, still might hurt anyway. So what the hell?

"Yes." I whispered.

"Good."