Castle of Secrets

Chapter 2 ; Watching Eyes

"We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken."

I sat down at the table and enjoyed the breakfast and cheery people wishing each other a Merry Christmas and so on. Suddenly Fred and George appeared behind me, hanging on my shoulder. "Are you sure you don't wanna come to the Burrow for the holiday break? Mom wouldn't have it any other way."

"Thanks, guys, give her a big ol' hug from me, but I really just wanna bury myself in the library and get some studying done. I'll come to see you off though."

I went with everybody down to the railway station to send them off. "If you change your mind, send us an owl. I'm sure Fred and George here will nick Dad's car and pick you up" Ronald said as he gave me a warm hug, before boarding the train with Harry and Hermione.

"You bet ya old broomstick we will, anything for the little sister we never had." The twins added and gave me a big bear hug. leaving Ginny lost for words. "Hey! You have me, I'm your sister." She slapped both boys in the chest, and they too scurried off to board the train.

"Promise me you'll write, I don't know how I'm going to survive with all those morons," Ginny begged as we, too, said goodbye.

Slowly the Platform was empty and I waved at the redheads sticking out of the windows all over the train. I turned around and went to HoneyDukes to buy some sweets before making my way back to the mostly empty castle. I made my way to the library and found myself getting lost in thought, I didn't even realize someone else was there. I almost dropped my book when I looked up to see no other than Draco Malfoy, who I surprisingly hadn't heard or seen much of since the Three Broomsticks. "Why are you here?"

"What's your problem? Winter, you don't own the school. Why are you here? Don't you Moodbloods love Christmas?" he snared.

This time I didn't bother correcting him, he clearly knew that wasn't my name. Not wanting to deal with his drama I stood up grabbed my stuff, and headed to the door. I walked back to my room and threw myself on the bed. Wondering what his deal was. Why was he suddenly snarling at me? It's not like I expected him to be friendly, he just hadn't been like that before so why now all of a sudden? All of a sudden the castle felt stuffy, so I decided to head to Hogsmeade for a drink. I threw my book into my bag and headed out of the castle. I quickly regretted my choice to leave the grounds, as I could feel someone watching me. I kept looking around me to find the praying eyes without luck. I picked up the pace wanting to reach the village sooner rather than later. But suddenly my bag fell off my shoulder as if it was ripped from me. I let out a scream of surprise, only to realize I was still alone on the small road. I squatted down to pick up some of the things that had scattered around me in the snow. I hurriedly scooped everything into the bag, not even bothering to dust off the snow. I got up and started running towards the small houses in the distance. Just as I got around the corner I felt my body come to an abrupt hold as I ran into something, or should I say, someone. I closed my eyes, getting ready for the pain I was gonna feel as I fell onto the icy road. Instead, I felt a gentle grip around my waist keeping me from falling. My nostrils filled with a familiar scent of cologne and mint, My suspicions were confirmed when I heard him let out a mocking "Wow, slow down." I opened my eyes and felt strangely relieved by the face I was met with, Malfoy. I automatically threw my arms around him, holding onto him for dear life, barely holding back my tears. He just stood still, probably wildly confused by the physical affection I was showing out of nowhere. I felt my knees go weak and I guess he did as well. His arms made their way around me keeping me upright. "What's wrong?" he questioned, actually sounding generally concerned. As I had gathered my strength to stand on my own two feet, he bowed down his head slightly and started brushing my hair out my face, to make eye contact. He started wiping away my tears with the thumbs of his gloves. Suddenly remembering what an asshole he was I quickly slapped away his hands and whipped the last of my tears with my sleeves. "Can you please take me back to the castle?" was all I could get out. I didn't even want to drink anymore.