Rhapsody of a Veela

Part 32 - Haunted

                                                                           February 1996

It had been a month since the mass breakout of Azkaban. No prisoners had yet to have been captured, and so every single DA meeting in the Room of Requirements felt more important than ever. It was as if this was the very thing you had prepared for, as Umbridge's lessons were of no value whatsoever. The main problem was still all the Slytherins of her little fanclub, who seemed to work very hard at finding out just what you all were up to. Their sneakiness often only gave them trouble however, falling victim to mischievous traps Fred and George gladly had arranged for them.

In the halls of Hogwarts you felt hunted, Draco had set out on a separate mission on his own. It seemed like after Christmas, his parents must have really pushed him even further on their matchmaking agenda. While you still doubted he did, they certainly knew the truth about your parentage. And because of that you were of value, especially now after the Dark Lord had returned. If they could secure his daughter in their family, they probably thought they would be even more important in the Wizarding World the Dark Lord had envisioned to create.

By now Draco had learned to block most of the jinxes you preferred to send at him, whenever you could not shake him of your trail. Eventually he cornered you outside in the courtyard, practically begging to talk to you. It seemed he was more than desperate to do his parents bidding.

"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked pleadingly,

"Because I think you're a traitorous git, that's why" you snapped back,

"We used to be friends"

"Or so you thought" you replied bitterly, "Did you ever even ask your lovely parents, why this courtship is so important to them?"

"I know when to not ask questions..." Draco said, ridden of all his usual heavy weighing arrogance. "..and I had to break up with Pansy.."

"Have you got no will of your own Draco?" you almost laughed, finally almost understanding why he could so easily do Umbridge's biddings. As much as he fancied himself as a leader, he'd rather be the blind follower.

"Of course I do!" he finally spat back, those cold blue eyes finally catching some fire.

"Then why don't you prove it?"

As he stepped closer to you, you instinctively stepped back. For a brief moment it seemed like his frustrations might get the best of him, his eyes a little glassy as he looked at you after holding his tongue for what he was initially planning to say.

"... I'm not trying to court you just because they tell me to alright?"

"It's also because I want to"

"Don't.." you whispered, pushing past him once he had glanced at your lips for a second too long.

As you walked up the grand stairwell towards Gryffindor Tower you ran into Fred, who looked unusually scheme-less for the time being, but upon seeing you he lit up immediately.

"Where are you.. going right now?" you asked innocently,

"Just to yet another torturous detention with our favourite professor, why?"

You smiled smugly as you grabbed the collar of his shirt, bringing his face closer to yours.

"Because I had something better in mind.." you said with a grin.

"Oh" was all he could say, before you kissed him eagerly. Dragging him along towards the seventh-floor corridor to find the Room of Requirement where no George or Lee could possibly disturb you.