|| Star-Crossed ||

30

Slow Motion

2 DAYS LATER...
CAROLINE POTTER

Time is moving slowly. Slower than usual. I'm in Max's dorm, just laying on his bed and staring out the window. I've watched owls fly by and the night come and go. I'm just sitting here. It's been days since Sirius died. The first day, Max brought Harry and Hermione and Ron and Ginny. He let them in to see me. I didn't say anything and eventually they left. After the 3rd visit, Max stopped them from coming. He knew I didn't want them there and I think they knew too. Max tried to get me to eat too but he gave up on that this morning. Now he just comes and goes, leaving me be. Sometimes he'll sit next to me on the bed and stroke my hair or rub my back. When I start crying, he just pulls me into his arms and holds me. Once I stop, I lay back down and he lets me be again. It's been days of this but today everything changed...

"Caz," he said when he walked in later in the afternoon. I didn't move and I didn't say anything. "Caz, please. This is important." he said. I wiped my eyes and sat up. When I turned around, he was standing in the doorway. "What is it?" I asked. "I've given you time, but I won't let you go on like this forever." he said. "Max, I-" I started. "When Cedric died, you were there for me. And you did the same thing and I know now that I needed it. So get up." he said. "I don't want to." I said. "I don't care. Get up," he said. I just laid back down. The next thing I knew, he picked me up and started dragging me towards the door. "Max! No! Stop, I don't want to go outside!" I yelled. "Too bad!" he yelled. He grabbed my hand and pulled me all the way out of the portrait and shut it behind him. I tried to go back in but he wouldn't let me. "Max, what's the Hufflepuff password?" I asked. "I'm not telling you," he said. "Max, please." I said. "2 hours." he said. "What?" I asked. "You spend 2 hours outside, and then we can go back," he said. I sighed. "Do I even have an option?" I asked. He smirked. "Not really," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Fine." I said. Then we started walking. "Where do you want to go?" I asked. "How about we go to the great hall? You haven't eaten in 2 and a half days." he said. I looked at him. "Really?" I asked. He nodded. "Are you hungry?" he asked. I shrugged. "I guess." I said. He smiled. "Let's go." he said. As we walked I kept looking around... for Draco. As much as I didn't want to see him, I wanted to see him. I needed to. I needed him to know that it wasn't his fault and I didn't blame him. And I loved him. We sat down at the tables and started to eat. "Do you feel a little better?" Max asked. I nodded. I scanned the Slytherin tables and Draco wasn't there. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes," a voice said.I turned around and Theo was standing behind us. "Theo- I- Are you ok? I mean, I'm sorry. For stunning you. I didn't want to." I said. He sat down next to me. "I know. I know what happened. It's alright." he said. I nodded. "Are you ok? I'm so sorry for what happened to Sirius." he said. I smiled. "I'm fine, I mean- I'll be fine." I said. I kept looking around as we spoke. "He's not here." Theo said. I looked at him quickly. "What?" I said. "Draco... he isn't here," he said. My face fell. "What do you mean? Where is he?" I asked. "He went home for the weekend. To see his mum." he said. "Why?" I asked. "You don't know?" he said. He looked confused. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Max shaking his head. "Theo, tell me!" I said. "Don't-" Max started. "Tell me!" I said. "She's going to find out eventually," Theo said to him. Max sighed. "Fine, just get it over with." he said. "Theo, please. Just tell me he's ok." I said. "He's fine. He's safe and fine. But- his father. Lucius was arrested. For what happened at the Ministry." Theo said. I felt so sick. Draco lost his father and I couldn't help but feel relieved. "Draco went home to be with his mum. He'll be back tomorrow." Theo said. "Oh," I said quietly. He nodded. "And Bellatrix?" I asked. "What about her?" Max said. "Was she arrested as well?" I asked. They were quiet. "She got away. Didn't she?" I asked. "Yes," Max said. I just nodded. I looked back at Theo. "Thank you, Theo. For telling me." I said. He smiled and nodded. He stood up and I hugged him. He went stiff for a moment before hugging me back. "It's ok, darling. You're alright." he said. I nodded. "You're a good friend." I said. He chuckled. "Thanks," he said. Then he left. I turned back to Max. "Can we go back now?" I asked. He gave me a small nod and we walked back. When we got back to his dorm, I laid down and cried into the pillow. He just rubbed small circles on my back and whispered soothing words. Eventually, I fell asleep.