Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 40: Half truths

Maeve:

I wake up on Monday morning with a pounding headache. I feel as though my body has been through a straining workout, muscles sore and weak. I head to the hall, later than usual. I find the Slytherin table to be completely full. I find a seat next to Aria. 

"Hey" I greet her.

She doesn't respond.

"What's wrong?" I ask confused. She gives me an evil glare.

"I thought we were supposed to study together yesterday. Where were you?"

Shit.

"Oh shit Aria, I completely forgot." I lie.

"So?" She raises her eyebrows expectantly.

I shake my head in question.

"Where were you"

"I was in the library. I had to finish herbology" I lie again.

"I was there. I am pretty sure I would have noticed you" She challenges.

"Honestly Maeve, what is going on with you? I barely see you these days"

She speaks a little more seriously now.

"I was at the back Aria, you probably didn't see me" I lie for the third time.

She clicks her tongue and keeps eating.

"Anyways I gotta go, see you in class"

She stands, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl in the middle of the table.

"Aria wait, I'll walk with you" I call her but she keeps walking away, completely ignoring me.

I grab a piece of toast and run after her. I get right behind her and grab her arm. We both stop walking.

"What?" She asks with her mouth full of apple.

"Aria, I'm sorry. I forgot, honestly."

"Something is going on with you. I can tell. If you don't trust me to tell me then that's your problem"

She starts walking again. I follow her.

"Look, I'm sorry I have been distant. I know I have." I start apologetically.

I trust Aria with my life, she is my best friend. She has been there like the sister I never had. But this, this is bigger than anything before. I will tell her, when the moment is right.

"Listen, let's meet after classes tonight. Just me and you" I go on.

She raises her eyebrows but accepts.

"Fine"

I feel like utter crap lying to her. We have always shared the deepest of secrets. We always trusted each other and it makes me sick to keep this from her but it's not up to me and I know it can end badly if I told her.

I walk out of the castle, the freezing air hitting my face. Spots of dirty snow still patched around the grounds, melting away slowly. I rush inside the greenhouse and drop my bag to the floor.

Herbology ends and as I grab my things to get to charms, Nott gets closer to me, coming from the opposite side of the table, looking around for any listeners.

"Hey gorgeous" Nott greets me, breathing heavily.

He's late. He stumbles as he sits on his usual spot next to me.

"Hey" I whisper.

"So, I heard you got invited to Slughorn's party" He asks smiling.

I completely forgot about that.