YEAR 7 | Draco Malfoy

29.0 the ambush

The time Claire had dreaded the most arrived faster than she wished.

Christmas break had started and within a few hours, she'd meet her parents again after more than three months of no contact.

The last weeks felt like a total blur because between meeting with Evander to practice her duelling skills and studying for her exams, there wasn't a lot of time left.

Now that her gaze was fixated on the window beside her she regretted not appreciating the time back at Hogwarts more.

A lot of people had made it difficult for her but the knot that was forming in her stomach at the sole thought of going home softened those memories.

Time was passing without Claire's consent and every tree or cloud they passed made her get more and more anxious.

The neat white blouse that hugged her neck made her feel like she was suffocating but, she had to look presentable when she'd face her parents.

Her hair was pulled into a tight bun and not a brown hair dared to frizz or fall out of place, Claire made sure of that.

The bun was making Claire's headache more than it already was while she tried to block out any thoughts about her parents.

She wasn't the only one dreading to go home.

Draco himself felt like the time was slipping through his fingers and the pressure that came with coming home made it worse.

He was afraid to face his mother after having so little contact with her in these last months.

The manor that his family called home had never been kind to him or his mother and he regretted leaving her behind till this very day.

His hands were balled into fists under the table for no one to see while he tried to calm himself down.

Draco's signature black suit was bothering him, the tight sleeves and undershirt making him uncomfortably shift in his seat.

Nobody realised or paid attention to the two Slytherins sitting closest to the window, withering away in agony.

Most of the students were thrilled to finally go home after months of dealing with Death Eaters and dark hallways.

They would never understand that a place like what Hogwarts had become offered more warmth and safety than someone's family or home.

Draco closed his eyes while he repeated soothing words to himself, the swaying of the train making him sick.

Someone's leg brushed against his and he looked up at the girl across from him who was, like himself, in pain.

"Sorry." Claire whispered.

She pushed her leg against the seat and tried to sit up straight, feeling as if her anxiety was going to eat her alive.

He felt deeply for her when he realised he was looking at his reflection.

Draco needed to reach out to her in a way nobody had ever done to him.

His mind began racing with a million thoughts about how he'd communicate with her.

The group of friends that were surrounding him wasn't making it easier.

He looked around the room but everybody seemed to be too busy with themselves, so Draco forced himself to speak up.

"Come with me." He whispered to Claire.

She looked at him like he had gone mad before looking at their friends, afraid of what they'd do if they had heard him.