Something In The Way

21

𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙡𝙛𝙤𝙮

I added lip gloss to my lips and smiled at myself in the mirror. I looked normal. Still good. Slightly worn out, but the right amount of confidence usually hid it. 

I strode out of the dormitories, through the common room to the stone door. It slid aside, revealing a satisfied Theo. He smirked even wider at my sight.

"What's with you?" I asked, a suspicious eyebrow raised.

"Nothing, life's just great," he answered with a nonchalant shrug.

"So she did like you after all?" I guessed, grinning.

"I would say so," he grinned back, "... where are you going?"

"Up the stairs."

"Mysterious," he commented, "meeting a secret lover, are we?"

My heart leapt. He didn't seem to notice my eyes broadening for a brief moment.

"Perhaps," I replied secretively, walked past him and up the stone stairs. 

"Cora!"

Draco caught up with me. He'd been unusually friendly, not scoffing or snapping at me. It was getting irritating. I was curious why, though.

"Where are you going?" he asked casually.

I frowned.

"You don't care," I stated, and he rolled his eyes with a dramatic sigh.

"Obviously," he huffed, "I'm trying to be nice. I'll walk with you." 

I didn't protest.

"Have you been studying?" Draco asked as we passed the Entrance Hall.

"For the O.W.L's? Of course."

"Me too. I got a letter from mom a couple of days ago," he told, "she wanted to remind me to study."

"I didn't get a letter."

The words escaped my lips before I could stop them. Draco was silent for a moment. He glanced at me warily.

"You didn't?" 

"No," I said, "you've been talking to them, then?"

"Only mom. She asked how I am. That's it."

I glared at the ground bitterly. I couldn't even remember the last letter I'd received. I hated that I worried about pleasing my parents, who wouldn't even bother to check on me.

"Have you asked how... things are?" I questioned, not sure if I wanted to know. Well, of course, I wanted to know everything, but I was frightened of the answer.

"Everything seems alright. Father's been busy, I think," Draco shrugged, eyes on the ground.

"He's always busy," I remarked.

"Yeah, you're right."

I didn't feel much like talking after that. 

"I'm going upstairs," I informed coldly. 

Draco didn't respond. We parted ways as I made my way up the stairs. He headed outside, probably to enjoy the warm weather like most.  The Hogwarts grounds were now bright green. Summer was finally arriving, which seemed to have lightened everyone's mood. Well, everyone's except mine. 

And Potter's.

He sat on the windowsill at the end of the deserted corridor. In his hands, he was holding a book. I walked through the hall and sat down opposite him, crossing my legs. He raised his head.