The Facade

Chapter 31

I slowly woke up and became aware of the day outside by the soft lilting of the birds. I opened my eyes to a rather unfamiliar image.

I was in Malfoy's room. A soft body was against mine and I quickly became aware of Malfoy, very close to me, his face facing me.

Slowly, last night came all back to me like a flash, and I recalled every second.

Even the part where I asked him to stay with me.

His arms were wrapped around my body, keeping me close, his body was touching mine, there was barely any space between us.

He stayed.

My eyes focused on his face then, his hot breath was hitting my nose, his eyes were closed. He was still asleep, and so I took the chance to steal a very deep glance at him so very close.

Like this, Malfoy could seem so harmless and innocent, he looked so much at peace that I barely resisted the urge to touch his soft skin and trace my fingers along his jawline. I could almost forget everything he is and just enjoy the moment, enjoy the fact he had stayed with me.

It may have been a request I made half asleep, but I was actually glad he chose to stay. There was no denying that.

It was then that I noticed.

It was the first night where I didn't have nightmares.

Which was astounding. Counting on yesterday events at the Ministry, I was one hundred per cent sure I would have nightmares of it, just like it happened in the bathroom, but perhaps much, much worse.

His chest moved along with his breathing, going up and down slowly. I felt my hand slowly moving up to touch his-

"Do you know how rude it is to watch other's sleep?" He spoke and I jumped startled for hearing his voice out of the blue.

He opened his eyes and they immediately met mine. They were contemplative and calm, yet I could sense some worry still in them.

Both of us became aware of how close we were and of his arms wrapped around me. In an apex of a moment, we disentangled and retrieved some distance between us.

Malfoy cleared his throat. "How are you?" He asked.

I stared at him in bewilderment. I felt way better, calmer, but that awful sensation was still tugging at me. I didn't know if it was guilt, sorrow or regret, or maybe altogether. I just knew it felt overwhelming still.

I didn't even know their names.

I looked away from him to stare at the ceiling. "I'm fine." I lied shamelessly.

"You used to be a better liar." Malfoy commented.

I sighed and closed my eyes, I kept feeling his staring gaze burning at my head and that just made me want to tell him how I really, truly felt.

"Edens?" Malfoy's tone was so soft that his voice caressed my ears.

I opened my eyes and took a reassuring breath. "Did you know the kid's names?" I asked, turning to him to stare at his eyes.

His gaze roamed my face as he thought over what he knew. "I know a few." He admitted. "The boy who gave you the flower was Thomas, the girl that also pulled you to play with them was Lilah, and I don't know much more than that."

Thomas and Lilah.

Thomas, the kid I saw myself forced to torture, only to be killed then by Voldemort. His death was on my shoulders no matter who conjured the curse. I could have tried to stop it, yet I played the easy path and just did what I was told.