my inheritance (g.w x o.c)

chapter four: late night run-ins

"What brought you up here tonight?" he called just before I went down the staircase. I turned back to look at him before smiling softly.

"Just the stars."

"Yeah?" he asked, daring me to admit the truth. Though, I was an impeccable liar so there was no way he knew I was lying.

"Yeah," I nodded. "A meteor shower should be coming through soon."

"Then why don't you stay?"

I thought for a moment. "I've got too much on my mind to watch a meteor tonight."

"You had Slughorn's dinner, didn't you?" he asked, taking slow steps towards me. "Ginny was there."

"Yeah, I know," I nodded. "I saw her."

"I've heard Slughorn's had this club ever since he first started teaching. Picks the best and the brightest but also everyone with connections to see if they're good enough for the Slug Club."

"Slug Club?" I asked, a smile playing on my lips. "Is that what it's called?"

"Supposedly," he shrugged. "That or Lee just made that up. Either way, it better stick."

"Slug Club," I repeated with a little nod. "Weird, humorous, but interesting. Pretty much how the evening went."

"Is he as invasive as they say?"

"As invasive as Rita Skeeter though in a less obvious but somehow more nauseating way."

"Merlin, that sounds awful."

"Truly." He smiled slightly.

"You know, I've never seen a meteor."

"Never?" I asked. "But we saw them in Astronomy."

"I'm glad you think I was paying attention to the stars in the sky."

"Oh, what were you paying attention to?" I teased. "The stars in my eyes?" I batted my eyelashes, and he laughed.

"Usually the back of your head was all I could see of you, but when you'd bless me with a glimpse, then yes, the stars in your eyes."

I crossed my arms, letting a smile form on my face. "Well, look at that, Weasley's got words." I walked past him. "Come on, it should be coming through any minute."

"I thought you had a lot on your mind."

I hummed, leaning against the railing and looking up at the sky. "I suppose you've caused me to forget about it for just a moment." I felt him looking at me but kept looking up. I saw a bright light and smiled, grabbing his arm and pointing at the sky. "Look." 

I think he pulled his attention away from me, but I honestly don't know. I was too encapsulated by the bright streaks that ran across the sky. I couldn't believe I'd almost missed this because I was thinking about my family. I could genuinely stare at the night sky forever. A never-ending canvas of stories and pictures. I loved it. As the shower passed, I sighed, subconsciously letting my head lean against his arm as I stared at the sky. 

"That was beautiful."

"Yeah," he nodded. I looked up at him. "Beautiful." For a moment, we stared at each other. No one had ever watched the stars with me. It was kind of nice to not be alone. He glanced down at my lips, licking his own. He spoke in a lower tone. "Is this the part where we fall madly in love?"

I laughed lightly, letting go of his arm. "In your dreams, Weasley." I slipped my hands into my pockets, studying him for a moment. "We should probably head out."

"Yeah," he nodded. "You can go first. I'll wait a minute. Wouldn't want the Slytherin princess to be caught with the likes of me." I gave him a little smile before turning to leave. I stopped at the top of the stairs.

"Hey George?" I called, looking back at him. He turned around from looking over the railing. "I've never had someone watch the stars with me, but..." I hesitated for a moment before shrugging. "I think I kind of liked it."

He smiled. "I liked it too. A lot more interesting than Professor Sinistra's class."

"I like to think I'm entertaining. I mean, we can't all go around selling snackboxes and fireworks."

"It's hard work."

"I'm sure," I nodded. "I'll see you around."

"See you."

I walked back to the Slytherin common room with a little smile on my face. All was well until I heard a footstep ahead of me. I looked up, putting my hand on my wand. I walked slowly and silently forward. The moment I saw movement, I fired a spell in their direction. The person flew back and fell to the floor with a groan.

"Lumos," I whispered, lighting up my wand.

"Are you bloody kidding me?" Draco snapped, pushing himself off the floor.

"Draco? What are you doing out here?"

"I was just working on something."

"Something for him?" I questioned as he brushed off his pants. He paused, looking at me.

"None of your business."

"I'm just trying to help, Draco."

"Well, I don't need it."

"So you're making progress?" I asked as we started walking.

"Yes."

He most definitely was not. "Good." We were quiet for a minute.

"So why are you out this late?"

"The meteor shower was tonight."

"Oh, right," he nodded. Draco and I had been friends since we were kids. We were practically raised together since my grandfather was always off doing his own business. He was the closest thing I had to a brother so watching out for each other is what we do. "Have you talked to him lately?"

"No. Just when we left at the beginning of the year. I can write to him if you need me to." But sometimes it's just nice not to speak to him.

"No, it's okay."

"Are you sure everything's alright?" I asked as he pushed on the stone to open the Slytherin common room. "Because I can try to help. If you'll just tell me what he wants you to-"

"You're just as bad as Snape," he mumbled, walking through the entrance. "When are you two going to realize I'm capable of doing it myself?"

"I know you are," I promised, grabbing his arm to stop him from going further. "But I also know the pressure he can put you under. So if you need a sounding board, I'm here."

"I've got it." He pulled his arm loose, walking off to his dorm. I sighed, looking around to see everyone had already gone to bed. I ended up spending about an hour or so reading a book by the fire before heading to bed myself.