Two Sisters, Two Loves

Sixth Year is Tough

*Krista’s Point of View*
  “Neville, knock it off.”
  I tried to sound stern, but I’m laughing too hard to do so.
  He grinned, nipping at my ear, “Please?”
  “Not tonight,” I giggled, “I need to finish my homework. Now, please stop. People are staring.”
  “Let them stare,” Neville chuckled.
  I laughed and pushed him away, “No way. I hate having attention drawn to me.”
  He grinned, scooting close to me again, “Precisely.”
  I kissed his cheek, “Maybe later, but I really need to get my work done.”
  “I’m craving it though,” He whispered, “It’s been a month.”
  “Hush. Nobody else needs to know,” I grinned.
  Never would I have expected Neville Longbottom to get this way, but then again I wouldn’t have expected myself to get this way either. I finished my supper and stood up from the table with my notebook and quill, giving Neville a peck on the lips before heading out of the great hall and to the Hufflepuff common room. I’m not kidding when I say I need to finish my homework. Neville and I are together so much, I always forget or don’t have the energy to do it and my grades are starting to slip. My parents may like Neville, but if my grades are down, he’ll be history.
  I entered the common room and walked over to one of the tables where my book bag still lied in wait for me to return. I sat down next to one of the desk lamps, pulling my bag closer and flipping it open. Textbooks, rolls of parchment, ink bottles and potion supplies filled it to the brim. I pulled out my charms textbook and two sheets of paper with a bottle of black ink.
  For about an hour and a half, I finished tonight’s homework as well as make-up work some of the professors let me do to catch up. It’s getting pretty late, so many others have already gone to bed. I removed my glasses to rub my tired eyes. I could hear someone sit in front of me and I put my glasses back on.
  “Hey, Justin.”
  He smiled, “Hey, Krista. You’re up late.”
  I yawned, “I know. I was doing homework and now I’m ready for bed.”
  He laughed, “I don’t blame you. So what’s the update on you and Longbottom?”
  “We’re still together. I’ve just been busy with this.”
  Justin looked disappointed. I don’t think it was the answer he wanted to hear.
  “That’s cool. I was just curious because you haven’t been with him as much this last week.”
  I shook my head, “I’ve just been catching up on work. Everything’s fine.”
  He smiled, “Oh nice... I’ve also been hearing that your sister and Malfoy split. What’s that about?”
  “I don’t know much, but they haven’t broken up. He’s just being weird. Probably shaken by our dad.”
  Justin looked confused, “Your dad?”
  I sighed, “Let’s just say if he knew they were going out, Malfoy would vanish with no trace.”
  He winced, “Oh... I see. Well, I’m glad at least things are working out.”
  “Thanks, Justin,” I smiled.
  “No problem. Night, Krista.”
  “Night, Justin.”
  He headed to bed and I finished packing up my things. Heading over to the girl’s dorms and into my own. Luckily the weekend is coming up and I won’t have to worry about any more homework. I changed into my pajamas and quietly climbed into bed so I wouldn’t wake my roommates. I have high hopes about this year.
 *Kenzie’s Point of View*
  I stared at my plate, but didn’t touch it. Hermione and the guys did their best not to mention him in front of me. I’m too worried and it’s stealing my appetite. Besides a class or two, I haven’t seen Draco since the night we got back and it’s scaring me. Even Blaise and the others haven’t seen him. He’s so distant and we’re so close to our one year mark. I know he’s worried about what my father asked of Dumbledore, but that would never stop him. I really hope he’s okay.
  “Kenz, you feeling okay?” Hermione asked.
  I shrugged my shoulders, twirling the end of my fork on the table with my head resting in my hand.
  Harry tried to reach out to me, “You want to talk about it?”
  I shook my head, allowing the fork to slip through my fingers and hit the tabletop with a loud clanging. The three of them watched me with worried expressions, glancing at each other for an idea of what to do.
  Eventually I couldn’t take it anymore and I got up from the table, “I’ll see you guys around.”
  I tuned out the voices around me as I left the great hall. I need to find Draco. He’s all I want right now.
  “Oi, Lewis. What’s the matter?”
  The familiar Irish accent caught me off guard a little. I don’t want him to know it’s about Draco, but I have a feeling he already knows. Pretty much everyone does.
  “Nothing you need to worry about, Seamus.”
  He looked concerned and a little hopeful, “You sure? I’ve been hearing that you and Malfoy split.”
  I glared at him, “Who told you that? We didn’t split. It’s just been rough because our parents hate each other. My dad pretty much has spies around the school.”
  He pressed his lips together, “So your parents found out and you’re not supposed to be with him?”
  I covered my face with my hands, “I knew you wouldn’t understand. Our parents don’t know we’re together, but my dad hates the Malfoys so much, he wants me to stay away from Draco. Even as friends. And Draco’s worried something will happen if we’re seen together too much.”
  “But nobody has seen him. Are you sure that’s the case?”
  I nodded. I want to believe that he’s just scared. That’s all it is and it will blow over soon. I turned away from Seamus and looked upstairs. Draco was watching us from way above. His lips pressed into a grim line.
  “Draco!” I called to him.
  Instead of answering, he vanished over the railing. I had to catch up with him.
  “I’ll see you, Seamus.”
  I didn’t wait for his response and took off up the stairs, calling Draco’s name. I pounded up each step to get to where I saw him, only to find him not there.
  “Draco?”
  Still no answer. I sprinted down one corridor that led to the higher floors just in time to see someone turning the corner.
  I gasped for breath, “Draco, wait!”
  Nothing. I took off after him as fast as my burning legs could carry me. My lungs about to burst. I turned the next corner to see him a few feet ahead with his back to me.
  I approached him cautiously, “Draco, love?”
  He stayed silent for a few moments before answering a bit angrily, “What?”
  I cowered a little bit, speaking softly, “Where have you been?”
  “Why does it matter?”
  I stepped closer to him with a sweet whisper, “Because I miss you. I’m worried about you.”
  He turned towards me a bit. I still couldn’t see his face.
  “Then you’d be the first and if you knew, you’d be the last.”
  “Draco, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?” I tried not to cry.
  He sighed, “You remember that letter I sent you over summer? When I said I just want to run away and take you with me to keep you safe?”
  “Y-yes. Why?”
  He shook his head, “I still want to. More than anything, but now I know if I did, you’d be in even more danger. I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt because of my own stupidity.”
  A tear rolled down my face, “What does this have to do with you being distant?”
  He turned around to face me. The sight of him making my heart clench. He’s pale as a ghost. He’s lost weight and dark, baggy circles cradled his tearful eyes.
  “It’s all to protect you. My family’s in a dark place, Kenzie. I don’t want you to be involved.”
  I came closer and wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace, “We’re a team now, Draco. If you really see us with a future together, we must fight through to it together. I’m not letting you do this on your own.”
  He hugged me back. His entire body quivered and I glanced up to him. I’ve never seen him cry so hard.
  He pressed his forehead to mine and swallowed hard to force back more tears, “You’re amazing, you know that? I’d be a lost cause without you.”
  I shushed him, “Don’t say that. You’re just going through a rough time.”
  He shook his head, ashamed to look at me, “This is so much more than rough. If it wasn’t for you, I would have pitched myself off the astronomy tower by now.”
  I gaped at him in horror, “Please don’t say that, Draco. I don’t want to imagine it.”
  He leaned closer, whispering against my lips, “I’m sorry...”
  I sighed in relief as he kissed me gently. This was all I wanted the entire week.
  “You need a distraction,” I breathed in his ear, “There’s something I’ve been wanting to give you for awhile, but you’ll have to wait until Saturday.”
  He looked disappointed, “Why Saturday?”
  I raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to figure it out.
  His eyes lit up and looked excited, “It’s our one year, isn’t it?”
  I nodded, giggling at his excitement as he hugged me tighter. For once in a long while, he was full of life again. I don’t know what’s going on with him to make him so frightened and angry, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make him smile again.