January 10, 1997
"You couldn't have chosen a more....appropriate spot, Brooks" Malfoy scowled. His face was scrunched up and his hand was held in his lap. He mentioned not wanting to touch the tables.
Nott beside him, looked rather happy and chugged his ButterBeer down with such ease. Malfoy sipped on his Fire Whisky, sulking. The ButterBeer in front of him getting cold.
She smiled and let out a small snort after finishing her jug along with Malfoy's. He sneered at her in a disappointed manner. With a hiccup, she said, "Wonder what time it is."
Malfoy glanced at his wrist and huffed. "It's 8:47"
She gave an exaggerated gasp and stood up patting Malfoy's shoulder, urging him to stand up. The Three Broomsticks seemed to be less crowded than usual and was now disappearing with people.
"We've got to go. We've got to give in bed"
Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "Give in bed? Brooks, you're not wasted, are you?" He glanced down at the 12 jugs in front of the seat, which she sat in moments before. "You've only had a dozen ButterBeers."
She grinned and held tightly onto Nott. Nott was holding onto her waist and trying to hold her up with all his might, as she wasn't helping at all. "She's only had ButterBeer and she's like this. Imagine what she'd act like after one shot of Fire Whiskey." Nott shook in fear.
Malfoy abruptly stood up and held onto her when Nott tripped over the stool laying ajar. Nott let go of her and waddled his way, helping Malfoy. Malfoy sighed heavily, glancing down at her. "What's gotten into you, Brooks? You've surely gotten a thing for drinks. Certainly ones you seem to not tolerate."
He stared at her droopy face and smiled softly with a scoff. "Theo, help her up" he whispered, nodding to Nott. Nott walked over and lifted her up by her underarms and propped her unconscious body onto Malfoy's back.
The sky was dark and cold. The air and snow wasn't helping. Malfoy's heavy breaths and his footsteps were the only thing heard, along with Nott's. He gripped tightly onto her bare thighs as she layer sleepily on his back.
Her lips unconsciously came in contact with his neck and Malfoy giggled. A very genuine one. Malfoy smiled softly and nuzzled the back of his head against the top of hers.
"Where d'you reckon we take her? I certainly don't know the Gryffindor's password" Nott shook her head vigorously, glancing at Malfoy. He held a stern look and swayed his way. Malfoy who was struggling with her weight and his tired self, sighed.
"I know the password but the whole lot will be there right now. It's safer to go to the hospital wing right now. I doubt Pomfrey would be there."
Nott scoffed and grinned playfully at Malfoy, who returned nothing but a weirded out glance. Nott gaped at him then closed his mouth. "You know the password to the Gryffindor's common room? How?"
Malfoy groaned, pulling her higher up his back as she was slipping down. "I have my ways but it's how I've been taking her up there at times I found her dozing off in the middle of no where." He whispered.
"You've been taking her up? Holy hell, mate. You can't seriously come to like, Brooks, that much?"
Malfoy smiled softly. "I don't reckon I like her, mate. I know this sounds crazy, especially since we're....." Malfoy stopped himself frowning deeper than the Black lake. "- I don't wanna lose her, Theo. I can't afford that. I know I sound so fucking selfish but she's the only thing keeping me sane. I would've lost myself in that fucking Room of Requirement if it wasn't for her."
Nott listened patiently. The castle was coming into view and Malfoy's legs seemed to slowly give up. Pushing through the aching pain, his legs were giving- he continued to carry her, limping around the path.
"You like her that much, huh? How's the cabinet coming anyway?" Nott asked, trying to avert the sentiment topic. Malfoy glanced at him in deafest and gave a long sigh before opening his dry mouth.
"It's coming along" Malfoy lied. He thought for a moment and closed his eyes. "No....I'm no where close to repairing that darn old thing. I can't fucking do it, Theo" Malfoy bit his lip.
Nott looked at Malfoy in sorrow. The two had been put up to something they couldn't handle. It pained Nott to see his fellow friend in a state like this but there was nothing he could do to protect him from He Who Must Not Be Named.
They took foot into the castle and Malfoy huffed tiredly. His legs started to wobble. Taking slow, heavy steps, Malfoy made his way to a bed in the Hospital wing. After only placing her onto the bed and tucking her in tightly, was when he sat down and sighed.
His legs never felt better. Nott took a seat beside him and massaged his own head. "Your legs, okay?" He asked, staring consciously at Malfoy's legs. Malfoy threw his head back and laid on the bed. Nott chuckled.
"I'm so fucking exhausted."
"So am I."
The two sat in silence. The corridors seemed to be deserted and empty. The hospital wing looked no different. Nott gathered himself up and settled himself on the bed, at the right side of Rye's. Malfoy laid on the left.
Malfoy sat up once again and looked at her sleeping face. "You reckon she'll leave me after finding out?" Nott looked up at him as if he was crazy. "I'm planning on telling her, Theo."
Nott now sat up with his legs crossed and slapped his forehead in despair. "You must be out of you god damn head to be thinking of something stupid like that. As long as your mouth is sealed, you have no reason to worry about her leaving you."
When Malfoy didn't respond, Nott continued. "She has no clue, Draco. No fucking clue. And I reckon that's the best way for you to continue having her in your life." Malfoy sighed and stuffed his head into his cold hands.
"If you want her out of your life, once and for all..." Nott paused for a second, glancing at her face then at Malfoy's. "Go on....and tell her............tell her that you're a Death Eater."
Malfoy clenched his jaw and looked away, not seeing the silhouette of a tall student lurking the abandoned corridors. He turned on his heel and frowned deeply.
"What have you gotten yourself into, Ryera?" said the boy in an American accent with a hint of British hidden beneath.
