Purebloods and Peppermints

Comfortable Silence

~Sophia's POV~

After about a week, Christmas holiday started. I sat in Astronomy tower and watched student trickle out of the castle one by one. I recently found comfort in the Astronomy tower and visited it often during the day when I had a free period or during dinner when I didn't feel like socializing. Nights were spent in the common room reading with Malfoy. 

Every night since we first read together in silence, we've been meeting in the common room. It's nothing formal or planned. I'm not even sure if it's deliberate, but he doesn't leave when he sees me come down the stairs. I guess that's something. Then again anything as small as eye contact could be considered progress when it comes to Draco Malfoy. 

We tended to sit on opposite sides of the room. Him on the green, leather armchair and me on the black, velvet sofa. Every now and then I would look up from my book to check the time and catch him staring at me. Our eyes would meet briefly, just for a second, before he darted back to whatever page he was reading. Malfoy didn't read textbooks anymore. Instead he read novels that also seemed enjoyable to me. He was currently reading "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. 

Malfoy also knew my thoughts on the idiocy behind pureblood supremacy and I knew how he idolized it. After the first night, he didn't say anything about muggles and how little he thought of them. We never talked about bloodlines. In fact we never talked at all. We just read in comfortable silence. 

Now it was an icy December morning. I knew that the last of the students would be leaving today for home. The Weasley's left for the burrow as soon as they were done with exams. We said our goodbyes almost two days ago. Even though they both swore to me that they weren't upset I was staying behind, I still felt a pang of guilt whenever I hugged them before they left. Fred took notice of this and lingered into our hug for just a minute longer. I would miss the comfort they both provided the most. 

Among the stragglers waiting to leave were two of my roommates, Pansy and Daphne. I hadn't spoken to Pansy since the night of our conversation about Malfoy. I think she was embarrassed that I saw that side of her. I decided to leave them both alone and give them the space they needed to pack. Besides, I had Christmas gifts to buy. 

I threw on my brown boots and blue penny-coat before apparating to a small field about 200 feet from Hogsmeade Village. The frozen ground cracked under my feet and the wind bit my cheeks as I walked towards the shops. Every now and again, a snowflake would fall and land on my eyelashes. I blinked them away quickly as to not get them in my eyes. 

I reached into my pocket to feel for the small roll of parchment I grabbed prior to leaving. On it was a list of names for whom I was to purchase presents for today. The rough edges of the parchment cut my finger as I ran it against the edges. I quickly drew back and watched as the crimson blood from the cut stained the pure, white snow beneath me. I gave my finger a quick shake or two and stuck it back into my pocket before venturing into the village before me. 

After about an hour, I was finally finished shopping in Hogsmeade. It wouldn't have taken me so long if I hadn't have been absolutely mesmerized by Zonko's joke shop. It was absolutely overwhelming. The bright colors and blaring noises would've captivated even Harry's Aunt Petunia. They had things in there that would satisfy Fred and George's wild imaginations. I had nose-biting tea cups for Freddie and George, new knitting needles for Molly, never-ending parchment for Hermione, and a tattooing quill for Sirius. The last person on my list was Arthur. I knew I wouldn't be able to find his gift in the wizarding world. Due to his large admiration of muggles and their inventions, I thought it was best to purchase him something from their world instead. 

I closed my eyes and pictured the small book shop I visited every so often. My mind turned and the earth seemed to spin around me, pulling me in every direction it could. Then after about a second, there was a crack and I landed on the cobbled street of Poole Road. Westbourne bookshop has always been a favorite of mine. When I was little I used to go with Mum and Dad every Sunday. I would pick out a new children's book while Dad browsed the newspaper display up at the front and Mum tried to find a new recipe book that she didn't already have in the cupboard at home.