Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 41: Slughorn's party

Maeve:

Aria and I finally got to spend more time together this week. We talked more, and spent most of our free time between classes together outdoors, enjoying the rare sunshine February greeted us with. It's still way to cold to linger but it helps to get some fresh air at times, it clears my mind.

It is much easier to be around Draco now, in parts because of his game with Pansy, and with Aria knowing, I don't have to hide so much anymore.

My nightmare came back on Thursday night. I woke up sweating, feeling drowned, trying to catch my breath while chocking for air. Aria woke up immediately, helping me gain consciousness.

But for the rest of the morning I felt weak, my lungs always struggling, leaving me dull with absolutely no appetite.

"Aria, I am fine"

I smile back at her as she offers to walk me to the common room before dinner.

"Let me just walk you"

"You are gonna miss dinner" I insist.

"Oh shut it, I have enough time"

The corridors seem to be elongated from last time I walked them. My legs feel weary, trembling and I can feel a fever starting.

I turn to Aria as we reach the door, completely aware of the hideous way I look right now. Her eyes widen at the sight of me.

"Maeve, you don't look too well" She starts worriedly.

"I just need to rest" I speak through a weak breath.

She wraps my arm around hers and feels my head.

"You are burning up" She continues, her eyes still more worried.

"I am fine, really. Let's just go"

She tries to hide me from the crowd of people getting ready for dinner, I can feel her looking around, while my head is bowed low, trying not to be seen by anyone.

The sight of my bed is the most inviting thing right now. I sit on it and sight.

"Maeve, do you need me to call Madam Pomfrey. Maybe she can give you something" She starts.

"No, honestly. Thank you, but I just need to rest."

She nods and turns to leave. I finally lie down and close my eyes.

I wake in the middle of the night, a feeble light coming from the windows, the only other source of light coming from a dying fire that has been lit in the stove in the middle of the room. I feel normal, my breathing is fine. I had no nightmares and I feel rested.

-

The corridor leading to Slughorns office has been lit with lanterns to indicate the way to the party. As I walk alone I can hear a buzzing of unrecognisable voices and a feeble mandolin music muffled up in the distance. The echo of the empty corridors amplifies the sound of my boots hitting the stone floor, step by step getting closer to the door of the office.

I wore a light grey bluish dress, which I luckily found in my trunk. All my dresses have short sleeves, and this is the only option I had.

I am not really sure where I am at this point, I have never visited professor Slughorn in his office, but I let myself be directed by the noise, getting louder, and the decorative lighting, stronger. Finally I reach the door. Two boys outside, leaning on the surrounding wall, chatting, holding glasses, looking unusually well dressed for a Saturday night at Hogwarts.