Estranged • Harry Potter {2}

16

With everything going on, I nearly forgot how time worked. The end of the year was coming fast which meant exams and which meant... I hadn't studied enough and could fail. Hermione promised me she wouldn't let that happen so it was all we did for weeks. Between visiting my brother and making sure things didn't go bad between my friends and me again, my schedule was full.

"You know the clocktower is a great place to read you know."

I looked up and moved my chair closer to his bed. Draco was groggy and his hair was a bit messy but I didn't bring it up, knowing he would freak.

It had been a few days and Draco was getting better but ever so slowly. Madame Pomfrey assured me he would live but it might be a while before he was his normal self again. I thanked Merlin for that and helped her out by handing her one of my best healing potions.

She had been giving him a drop or two twice a day and it seemed to be doing the trick.

"What's new with you?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Not much."

That was a lie. Harry had gone to Hagrid's the other day and got the answer him and Dumbledore were looking for. A Horcrux. Strange word but something very valuable.

I didn't quite get it but I wasn't about to ask Draco.

"You and Potter still together?" Draco spat his name out like poison and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes and we snog every chance we get." I smirked. Draco shivered and gagged and I laughed. "We're alright. Not quite the same but alright."

I put a bookmark in the book Hermione gave me for Christmas and sat back in my chair.

"Well tell him he's a Git." Draco whined.

"I will do no such thing." I kicked his bed and he winced. "I can leave you all alone in the sick ward you know."

Draco looked at me, eyes narrow. "You wouldn't."

"No?" I shrugged and stood up, about to put my chair away when Draco called me back. I sat back down and got comfortable again, enjoying how much he needed me.

I opened the book and got back to reading, flipping the pages hungrily.

"I love you Cora. You know that right?" He asked.

I looked up at him and nodded. "Of course."

"Good. Good." He nodded again and turned to the ceiling. His eyes darted a little but I could tell he was just thinking.

He did that sometimes.

I looked back down at my book, a bit weary that he said that.

Once he had gone back to sleep, I decided to check out that clocktower. The minute I set foot up there, the wind hit me and suddenly I felt like I could breathe. I slowly walked up to the railing and let out a breath as the scenery completely astonished me. I knew Hogwarts was a beautiful place but this was... this was something I never thought possible.

Thestrals cried out as they flew overhead, a few babies a little slower than their parents and I watched them put their wings to use.

If I had wings, I would go and never come back. I know who I would be leaving behind but part of me didn't care. I could have true freedom. Go anywhere, see anything. The world would be mind to explore.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I jumped and spun around, seeing Dumbledore at the top of the stairs.

"No I'm sorry. I didn't even make sure students were allowed up here." I said, blushing awkwardly.

"Of course you are." He said, walking closer. "Unless of course you want to jump, then it would be out of the question."

I giggled. "No not unless I had wings."

"Good answer." The professor chuckled and joined me at the railing.

I turned around and together we enjoyed the view of the sun going down.

"I understand you've had a tough few years." Dumbledore said suddenly.

"To put it lightly." I replied quietly.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be so blunt. Just you and Harry seem to be the only ones who don't mind it."

"That would be right." I nodded.

"Now that I have you here, I want you to know that here, you are loved." Dumbledore said. I looked up at him but he wasn't looking at me. "You my dear, come from a very scared family who will do anything to survive. It's every man for himself in your blood, but you came out differently."

"I don't really understand how that happened." I chuckled nervously.

"Stupid twist of fate?" Dumbledore guessed. "Or perhaps... just meant to be."

"I guess that's just not enough for me." I admitted.

"It's not much to go on for most." Dumbledore agreed. "Still, you should know that you are very special. One way or another, being yourself can help many people."

"Thanks Professor. I don't think so but the kind words mean a lot." I said.

"Sometimes kind words are all we need."

He was such a wise, weird old man.

"I've had my fill for now. Thank you again, professor." I pushed away from the railing and started the walk back.

"Oh and Miss Malfoy?"

I turned back. "Yes?"

"Remember who you are."

I smiled a little nodded, heading downstairs.

Those words didn't stress me the way they used to. I wasn't my family name. I wasn't sure if it didn't suit me or I was born in the wrong house or like Dumbledore said, a stupid twist of fate. Either way he was right. I wasn't like them. And that was a blessing in its own.