Rollercoaster LOVE

Two's company

I awoke and stashed the bottle behind the bar. I'd missed last nights dinner, not that anyone would have noticed. I ran up to the tower to change and notice Ginny and Hermione still sleeping. They truely were great. I loved them more than I could ever express.

I quickly get in the shower and freshen up before anyone notices that I hadn't slept here. Looking presentable I decided to wait in the common room and apologize to Ron. He didn't mean to be so agressive I'm sure. Malfoy has been tantilizing him for years.

Iheard his voice coming from behind me and see him walking with Harry. When he finally sees me he puts his hands up as if I'm going to hurt him, again. I roll my eyes and walk toward them.

"I'm sorry." I say.

"Nah, I was too much. Me too." he said.

"Things have been.. crazy." I say. Not exactly the best reasoning but it was the best he was getting from me.

I look over his shoulder and see Lee, Fred, and George walking towards us.

"Sparky Sparks. Missed you at dinner last night." Lee says.

I shake my head. " Wasn't feeling well." Imumble.

Fred and George exchange a look and watch me. Icould see the pity in thier eyes.

"Come on, bacon awaits." Fred says throwing me over his shoulder.

I punch his back and laugh.

"Fred, put me down." I manage to get out giggling.

"Not until you say the password." he says holding me tighter.

"Are you a portrait?" I ask him.

"Just a statue, love." he replies.

By now the girls had caught up to us and everyone was laughing. It felt good to be surrounded by friends. It was alone when my dark memories would consume me.

We reached the Great Hall and Fred set me down before we walked in so we didn't get yelled at. George came up and grabbed my hand leading into our spots. I wondered if he knew the war that was brewing inside me. He deserves the world.

____________

The next few weeks I'd sneak out and go drink my alcohol but my stash was getting low and my tolerance increasing. I'd sneak back in time for bed and was able to hide it well from my friends. I hated lying to them but it was the only thing that would make me stop feeling. George still spent time with me but he would often go off with Fred, Angelina, and Alicia. I missed him.

As our next Hogesmade weekend approached, Draco found me in the library studying.

"Sparks, go on a date with me." he said.

"Excuse me?" I ask looking up.

"You heard me. I miss our time together and would really like to catch up." he tells me.

I bite my lip, nervously. I knew it would set my friends off. I didn't want another lecture from the boys but I did need more Firewhiskey. Reluctantly, I slowly nod.

"Wear something warm, it's supposed to be cold." he tells me just before walking away. As I watch him go I wonder why I couldn't just love him.

________________

The weekend came and I searched my cupboard for a comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater. I find my scarf and wrap it around my neck. The bruises were finally healed and Dumbeldore told me the night before Maxim would be going far away. Like Azkaban far away. I still didn't trust anyone but Draco made an effort to keep me safe.

I made my way to the common room and see Fred and George taking Alicia and Angela by thier hands leading them towards the carriages. I sigh and look for Draco. He was leaning against a pole and was wearing a suit. He looked handsome and I felt a blush creeping up. Maybe this is the way it was supposed to be.

He spots me and takes my hand leading me to the carriages.

"I'm surprised you agreed to come." he tells me.

"I am too." I say honestly.

"Where's your posse?" he asks side eyeing me as he's faced toward the window.

"They seem to all have paired up." I say to him. It was true. Even Lee had been bringing a Beauxbaton girl with him this trip.

"Good thing you have me then, Amber." he says as he now turns toward me.

I give him a small smile and nod. I felt like I was using him. Which, to be fair, I was. I needed to go to Hog's Head and knew Draco wouldn't ask questions, or so I hoped.

Getting off the carriages Draco wants to stop at Honeydukes and the quill shop so we are headed there. He grabs my hand again and gently pulls me along.

"Draco, I just need to stop in Hog's Head for a moment." I tell him.

He raises his eyebrow but lets me lead the way. We get in and there is a new bartender I don't recongize.

"Stanley, they have you working here now do they?" Draco says.

"Yeah, the Knight bus kicked me out for a bit." the man says to Draco.

I look up at him and realize they'd known each other making this all that much easier. I ordered the bottles and it took little convincing. Apparently he knew who my father was and thought better than ask questions, for which I was grateful.

"Are you throwing a party, love?" Draco asked.

I feel my heart flutter. Looking at him, I turned my head to the side. If anyone would understand this it might be Draco.

"Draco, how do you deal with the stress of your father?" I ask him.

He looks at me confused.

"Sometimes I have a drink.. or what you saw the night you'd caught me.." he explains.

Not wanting to think about him with Pansy I nod. I grab his hand and decide to share my secret place with him.