Rhapsody of a Veela

Part 39 - Flower Moon

Of course, Hermione had to ask you if you had told Fred at all. The moment she had figured out that she was the only one whom you had told of the recent events, apart from Harry having known since you found out yourself, her worries for you only heightened. But in a Hogwarts without Professor Dumbledore, what could you possibly do but to keep it to yourself? It was not like you could just send a letter by owl along to the Order of the Phoenix, or even speak freely with Fred during Hogsmeade weekends. The puritanical tyrant, Dolores Umbridge had made well sure of that.

So for the moment all you could do was to stay inside the castle, and put all your trust into the silly magical stairs to the girls dormitory. Hiding away from mercenaries, death eaters and werewolves as if they would pop out of nowhere, any moment you let your guard down.

It was lucky you could do as you pleased, as Umbridge was strictly prohibited from expelling you by the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge himself. No, instead you were to stay right were you were, to be closely monitored as you should be. It was all according to plan, the mercenary himself had said that you were right where the Dark Lord wanted you to be.

During the weekend, you did not sleep much at all. Your paranoia and fears kept you up with no effort, where you sat looking out of the window at the full moon looming above the dark skies. You kept wondering what was out there, what darkness was waiting to lure you out like a moth to a flame. Was Fred and George even safe in their Diagon Alley flat?

During breakfast on Sunday, Ginny had told you that one of your roommates, Lavender Brown had gossiped with others about your odd behaviour, thinking that you were lunatic or something. But if anything, you certainly did not have any energy or patience to deal with silly rumours like that. Seeing the girls giggle and whisper to themselves did not exactly make you feel like returning to Gryffindor tower right away, as you had planned. Instead you walked in a different direction from everyone else, towards the astronomy tower where you were quite sure you could avoid all your peers.

The climb of the stairs would've been exhausting for most, you however easily floated above them all thanks to your Veela magic. In your arms you were carrying several books on astronomy you had to study for your O.W.L.S examination, and it was certainly good for you to keep yourself busy despite everything that was going on.

As you reached the last step of stairs and landed your feet lightly back on the ground you came to notice that you weren't alone in picking this spot. Near the railings of the large opening of the tower sat a blonde-haired Slytherin boy, his feet swinging above the intimidating height below. As you walked a little closer, he turned around and looked at you with a spiteful look that eased up the second he saw you.

"Oh it's you"

"Do you mind if I stay here for a bit Draco? I just needed a quiet spot"

"Not at all"

With the lightest astronomy book in hand you sat down next to him by the railing, trying not to get dizzy as you looked down on the school grounds before. The students in the courtyard seemed so small and far away, scattered like ants.

"I also wanted to thank you, for bringing me to the hospital wing a few days ago" you hesitantly continued,

"I was there for a while after too, waiting for you to wake up. But that filt-.. Granger girl refused to let me stay"

You had to pull a smile, she had very good reasons to be suspicious of him afterall.

"You can't blame her for being sceptical..." you mumbled, "Whenever she sees you, you're always up to no good"

"Depends on who's talking" Draco snapped back, "You and your friends are the ones running around with your illegal clubs and.. and portable swamps"