|| Star-Crossed ||

13

Secrets Revealed

CAROLINE POTTER

I woke up to sunlight and the smell of citrus and spearmint. I opened my eyes and Draco's arm was draped over me. I just looked at him as he slept. He was beautiful. His soft hair fell over his face a bit and his lips were slightly parted. I watched his bare chest rise and fall until he woke. It was perfect.

"Watching me sleep, huh?" he said with a smirk. "How could I not?" I said. He sat up and kissed me gently. "I should get back to Gryffindor. Harry is probably freaking out. I didn't tell him where I went." I said. He nodded. "Do you want to meet up to work on our project and hang out?" he asked. "That would be nice," I replied. "Meet me in the library when you can," he said. I nodded and started to pull off his shirt. He grabbed my hands and stopped me. "Keep it. It looks better on you anyway." he said. I looked down at the black button up and smiled. I pulled on my dress and buttoned it up. Then I grabbed my shoes and slipped out. I made it out of Slytherin and headed back to my dorm. I stopped by the Great Hall and grabbed some toast.

Then I saw Max. He ran over and looked at me with concern. "Bloody hell, where did you disappear to?" he asked. I smiled. "I was with Draco." I said. His face fell. "No fucking way." he said. "It's ok, Max. He apologized." I said. He rolled his eyes. "And you really think he meant it?" Max spat. "What?" I exclaimed. "He's a shitty person and I don't think he's good for you." Max said. I felt sick. "What the hell does that mean?" I asked. "He used you for sex and is clearly manipulative. I don't want you to keep getting screwed over because you are too nice." he said. "You don't know anything. Draco's different around me. And he didn't mean to hurt me." I said. Max scoffed. "Yeah, right. He'll do it again. And again and again. And I know every time you'll come crying to me and I don't want to see you hurt like that." he said. I shoved him and he stumbled back. "Fuck you!" I yelled. "Caz, he's not a good person. This is a mistake and you know it." he said. "Shut up!" I yelled. "I mean it, stay away from him." he said. "No." I spat. He turned to leave. "Don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart again." he said. "I won't. I don't need you!" I shouted.

I got back to my dorm and not surprisingly, Harry was sitting on the bed. His leg bounced up and down and he was panicking. Then he saw me and I knew I was in for it. Just what I need. Another lecture.

"Where the hell have you been?!" he exclaimed. "Calm down Harry, I'm fine." I said. "What is wrong with you? You made me a nervous wreck! You just disappeared, didn't tell anyone where you were going and now you show up in some guys t-shirt?" he exclaimed. "I'm a big girl, Harry. I can take care of myself." I said. He scoffed. "It's not a question of whether you can or can't. It's a matter of me knowing you're safe. And I didn't last night." he said. "I'm sorry, ok? I didn't mean to scare you." I said. We sat down next to each other on my bed and he sighed. "It's ok. I mean, I'm glad you're safe." he said. I nodded. "So where did you go?" he asked. "I was with Max" I lied. He stared at me. "No, you weren't. I was with Max. Seamus, Dean, Neville, Max and I all blazed up." he said. "Oh" I said standing up. "C, where were you?" he asked. "It's none of your business who I was with." I said. "Yes, it is," he said. I scoffed. "It's really not." I said. He rolled his eyes. "Fine. Don't tell me. Hogwarts is a small school. I'll find out eventually." he said. I chuckled. "Good luck with that." I said. He chuckled too. "Now can you go, I have to shower." I said. He left and I took a shower and changed into some jeans and a blouse. Then I headed for the library. I found Draco sitting at a table and his eyes lit up when he saw me. I sat down and we started to work and talk. I didn't tell him what Max said partly because I didn't want him to kill Max and partly because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. I just wanted to enjoy today.

I should have known...

We were about to go to lunch when Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Max all stormed into the library. "You have got to be fucking kidding me?!" Harry shouted. Madam Pince immediately went outside and we stood in the hallway. I stood in front of Draco to stop him from pouncing. My eyes fixated on Max and I glared at him. "How could you?" I exclaimed. "If you won't listen to me, maybe you'll listen to them," he said. My eyes watered as I looked at my brother and friends. "What are you thinking, Caroline?" Hermione said. "Guys, please." I said. "She didn't-" Draco started but I placed my hand on his chest and stopped him. "It's Malfoy! You're sleeping with Malfoy!" Ron yelled. "It's more than that." I said. "That doesn't help." Hermione said. "Do you not remember what his father did?" Ginny asked. My heart sank. "He's not his father, Gin." I said. "He's just like him." she spat. Then she turned on her heel and stormed off. Hermione and Ron followed her. Harry just stared at us. "So this is the secret guy, huh?" he asked calmly. I just nodded. "Let me get this straight. His father is a death eater. And the year Voldemort returns is the year a death eater's son magically falls in love with a Potter. There is no way that's a coincidence." he said. My stomach lurched as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I never even thought about that. "You have no idea what you are talking about Potter." Draco spat. "Really? Then why her? Huh? Why Caroline? Is it sex?" he asked. "No!" Draco exclaimed. "Then what?!" he shouted. "Did you ever think that maybe I actually care about her? That she's just beautiful and has an incredible personality and is one of the smartest people I've ever met. Maybe that's it." Draco said. I smiled but Harry scoffed. "Now I get why she hates herself so much." Draco said. "Draco, don't" I said. "What's that supposed to mean?" Harry snapped. "This whole time, I was told the Dursleys treated her like shit. But now her own brother doesn't even believe someone could love her beyone just sex or a mission." he said. My heart stopped and tears fell to my cheeks. "I believe someone could love my sister, just not you." he spat. Harry stormed off. I stared at Max. "I'm sorry, Caz. I had to. You wouldn't-" he started.

"I hate you. I hate you and I never want to speak to you again." I said. Then I left too.