|| Star-Crossed ||

44

Exhausted

CAROLINE POTTER

It's the first day of lessons and I couldn't be more excited. After everything that's happened, I just want some normalcy. Something to take my mind off of everything. I woke up early, put on my uniform, grabbed my bag and headed to the Great Hall to meet Max for breakfast. We always have breakfast together on the first day of lessons. He's a stickler about it. Every year he reminds me that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I just know I missed him.

When I walked into the Great Hall, Max was sitting at the Hufflepuff table talking to a boy named Parker. They were laughing and Max was blushing. I walked closer and I could hear them talking. "If you want, maybe we could go to Hogsmeade together sometime?" Parker asked. Max smiled. "Yeah, that sounds fun," he said. My heart swelled. Max and I never talked much about his love life. He didn't like to.  But as far as I knew, he'd only ever gone out with one girl, Macy. And he'd only ever had sex with me, one time during the Yule Ball because we both wanted to lose our virginites. I'd never really thought about it but maybe he really was gay. I walked over and smiled. "Hi boys," I said. They both smiled at me. "Hi Caroline, I was just talking to Max. But he's all yours now," he said with a smile. I nodded and looked at Max. "Max, are you ready?" I asked. He nodded. "I'll talk to you later, Parker." he said, winking at him. Then we walked away and sat down. "So, Max. Is there anything you want to tell me?" I asked. His cheeks turned red and he looked down. "No," he mumbled. "You like Parker. Don't you?" I asked. He looked at me with fear in his eyes. "Please don't be angry," he said. "Max, why would I be angry?" I asked. "Because- I- I think I'm gay." he said, his voice shaky and quiet. I smiled and held his hands. "Max, you are my best friend and I love you. Nothing could ever change that. If you are gay, then you're gay. I support you and I'm happy for you." I said. His eyes lit up and he smiled. "Really?" he said. "Of course. You deserve happiness, and if you like Parker you should go for it. He likes you too, I can tell." I said. He nodded and hugged me. "Thank you, Caz." he said. I nodded. "How did you know you were gay?" I asked. He shrugged. "Home has been rough since Cedric died. Dad works a ton and mom is just sad. I've been hanging out with muggles and I don't know. I guess I just started experimenting." he said. I nodded. "I met this guy at a muggle club. His name was Landon. We fooled around a bit. I don't know. It felt right." he said. "I'm happy for you," I said. He smiled. "Enough about me. How are you? How was your summer?" he asked. My face fell. He didn't know. How would he? I have to tell him, he'll find out eventually, it's better if it's from me. "Max, I have to tell you something. Something bad." I said. He looked at me with concern. "What is it?" he said. "This summer, when Harry and I were at the Dursley's something happened- to- to me." I said. "Did they hurt you? Are you ok?" he asked. I nodded. "It was the boys, Dudley's friends. The same ones from before." I said. "Oh no, what did they do?" he asked. Tears filled my eyes and I looked down. He took my shaking hands and looked at me. "Caz, what did they do?" he asked. "They- r-r- they r- raped m- me." I said in a shaky voice. His face dropped and he froze. "What?" he said as his voice cracked. "Theo tried to fight them off but there were too many. Dudley beat him up and they took me upstairs and did it." I said. "They all did it? All 3 of them?" he asked. I nodded. "Fucking hell, Caz." he said. He pulled me into his arms and I exhaled a shaky breath. "Are you ok? Why didn't you owl me? I wouldn't have come and got you. You could have stayed with me." he said. "It's ok. I was fine. Theo brought me somewhere safe. With Blaise and Enzo." I said. "What about Draco? Does he know?" he asked. I sighed. "Yes. He came and saw me. His voice, I can't explain it. I was still unconscious and his voice pulled me out. We talked but something was wrong. He says we can't be together." I said. "Maybe you need to let this go, Caz." he said. I shook my head. "No, I won't just let him go. He loves me and I love him. I won't give up on us." I said. He sighed. "I know but maybe he really doesn't love you any-" he started. "Just stop. I know Draco. Something else is going on and I'm going to find out what it is. I don't care what I have to do." I said. He nodded. "Let's just eat. Lessons started soon," he said. We ate and talked some more before heading to our first class with Professor Slughorn. Potions. I walked in and we sat down. Then I watched Draco walk in. He looked exhausted. He sat down and rested his head on his hand. Theo sat down next to him and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and Theo patted his shoulder. I miss him.

DRACO MALFOY

As I sat down, I sighed from exhaustion. I spent all night working on that bloody cabinet and still nothing. Theo sat down next to me and tapped my shoulder. "Just stay awake for a little longer and you can sleep during lunch. I've got you, mate" Theo whispered. I nodded and he patted my shoulder. I sat up and Professor Slughorn began. But all I could focus on was Caroline.