Swallowing Stormclouds

Chapter 7

For a few moments I said nothing, what do you even reply to something like that?

"What I mean is... I've always felt like I was forgetting something important, maybe you didn't feel it as bad as me, but I lived where all those memories were created, every turn in the manor, every corner I spied it always felt empty, I realise now that it's because of you... you are my childhood." I sit and just stare, still unable to form any words.

I hear the clearing of a throat and I turn to see Harry. "Classes are finished for the day... I thought I'd check up on you." I look between Draco and Harry and suddenly I feel extremely exhausted, my brain was now crammed full of new, altered memories, I needed time alone to sift through them, I needed to properly comprehend them. I turn to Dumbledore and he smiles at me, an all knowing smile.

"Harry, you may go, I'm sure Aria will manage from here, she is a very capable young women." I can see the protest forming on Harry's lips but he doesn't let it escape his mouth. Instead he looks to Draco and sends him a look filled with pure hatred. I swallow a lump in my throat, I was perfectly aware as to why they disliked each other, Draco was infamous after all.

After Harry left the office I counted a few heart beats before I also existed. Draco followed suit. When we reached the bottom of the gargoyle statue we turned to face each other. Our eyes are filled with emotions that our brains cannot fully comprehend yet.

"Thanks." I say first, breaking the silence.

"For what?" he asks, a confused smile growing on his face.

"For being my friend." I say back, smiling. Draco doesn't know what to say next and instead he studies my face for a few moments. Small petite nose, my almond shape eyes, my warm honey skin then emanates heat, the little beauty mark under my right eye.

I study his too, he is pale, his sharp jaw line demanding attention, carved of the same alabaster the statues in Rome adorned. Most captivating of all were his eyes, they were grey, but in the light of the candle light I saw specks of ice blue, cold and daunting and I silver despite myself. Although we're both just stood there staring at each other, there is no awkwardness evident. Draco pushes his platinum blonde hair back and I noticed his knuckles are scabbed, like he's been punching someone, or something.

"I have something I need to do." Draco says first. I simply nod, not sure if a good bye was in order. To my surprise he doesn't turn around to walk down towards the dungeons, instead he walks past me, heading for a floor above ground most likely. I fall into step beside him since I was heading for the Gryffindor tower.

We walk together in silence for a while, neither of us sure how to break the ice. "We had some good times didn't we" Draco says finally speaking up. I chuckle to myself slightly and try to hide my face, I hate my face when I laugh.

"Remember that time I dared you to climb that willow tree and promised to catch you if you fell?"

I snort rather loudly and cover my face once more. "Yes and when I screamed for your help you ran off back inside to eat tea like I wasn't off stuck in some tree somewhere."

"Ah yes, some of my most award worthy acting took place that night when I pretended I didn't know where you were." Draco replied laughing between words.

"Seems like you always been a bit of prick then huh?" I inquire laughing alongside Draco.

"Yes, I guess I have been." Draco drawled, we had stopped laughing as we approached the stair case that set off towards the Gryffindor tower.

"Um... I guess this is me." I say softly, a bit sad to be parting ways. Draco nods and turns to ascend a different pair of moving stairs.

"Oh... I'm glad, that I remembered I mean." Draco says, his back still facing me, there's no need for anything else to be said as we both walk our seperate ways, knowing this would not be our last encounter.

Dumbledore was right, things will never be the same.

I didn't see Draco at dinner that night or at breakfast that morning. Harry asked me if I was feeling okay but didn't push the matter of what happened earlier and instead acted like my life didn't just change forever.

Classes were... enjoyable. Although me and Draco were yet to have another conversation, it was refreshing still, to be within the same proximity of him and not feel like my heart was about to drop into my stomach.

It was at a history of magic lessons when I finally shared a class with the trio. I was sitting next to Hermione on a two person desk behind Harry and Ron when Draco came tumbling in. He was with a handsome dark skinned boy who oozed charisma and game. A rather round pale boy trotted in behind them, they were joking around and nudging each other. The bulkier one must have underestimated his strength and sent Draco hurtling harshly towards Harry's desk. Regaining his composure Draco turns on his friend.

"You buffoon, control yourself." He spits out.

"Watch where you're going you dirty ferret." Ron spits, he was re stacking his parchment and retrieving his quill which had gone tumbling towards the other end of the table.

"Me? Dirty?" Draco scoffs. "That's rich coming from you, I bet those robes you're wearing once belonged to your farther." Draco spouts.

"At least his farther actually loves him." Hermione retorts, a smirk playing up on her face.

"Don't talk to me, you filthy little mudblood." Draco spits with pure venom. I gasp slightly, that word resonating within me, it was a word people threw around a lot when I was a child and in the pure blood society, if my memory serves me correctly, which I wasn't so sure it did. Draco who had an angry look on his face turned to me as if realizing I was there. The scowl on his face immediately drops, but he doesn't smile like he did yesterday. His face is instead expressionless. He doesn't say another word and instead takes his seat on the Slytherin side of the room. I don't know why but it felt like a slap in the face, he didn't even acknowledge me. So much for rekindling a forgotten friendship.

When lessons end I was asked to stay behind to talk to talk with Professor Binns regarding my school work, I wasn't behind and seemed to be comprehend all he had taught, I think it was more to congratulate me, none the less I was the last to leave.

When I walk out of the classroom I am greeted by a waiting Draco. He doesn't say anything and simply walks alongside me, our next lesson is transfiguration and we share that class. When we approach the classroom Draco stops. I turn to him questioningly, he simply nudges his head forward in a 'go' motion. I do and he starts walking slowly behind me. I'm guessing he doesn't want to be seen walking in with a Gryffindor.

I was correct of course because a few moments after I have taken a seat Draco enters the room, he doesn't even look in my direction and I'm left pondering as to whether this is what Remus felt like when my mother didn't acknowledge him publicly. They're friendship must have been difficult, all that secrecy and pretending each other was irrelevant to the other in the eyes of the public. But it was a friendship worth fighting for because they turned out to be lifelong friends... maybe me and Draco were worth fighting for.