My Hogwarts First Love

CHAPTER 8

" I heard about what you did," Hermione says.
"About what?"
"About Hufflepuff's kids"
"I don't know what you mean"

You look at her feigning ignorance.

"Don't worry. They didn't tell everyone. They just told me, Ron and Harry"
"That sounds like anyone. What's your business with me, anyway?"
"Have you heard about Dumbledore's Army?
"What's that?"

Hermione explains to you the purpose of the group and all as you listen to her.

"Then, why are you telling me? I'm in Umbridge's squad, remember?" you ask sceptically.
"I want you to join us. I know you're not a bad person, so I'd like you to be on our side" she adds.
"I'm not sure. I'll think about it", you reply, thinking.

She nods and starts to go away before she stops and faces you again.

"One more thing. It's about Malfoy" Hermione says.

That name manages to get your attention. You can see her face have mixed emotions about telling you this.

"We think he's up to no good. We still don't know what it is, so we're trying to get to the bottom of that. But I think you should know...", she pauses.

"I understand he might be your past, but can you help us keep your eyes on him?" she asks carefully.

You nod, trying to process what she just said. Thinking.

"I'm not sure if this is relevant, but lately he's been sneaking somewhere and only went back late at night.", you say, unsure.
"Where did he go?"
"I don't know what room it is. It's on the 7th floor in the left corridor of the castle. But I just saw him mending or doing something, I don't know, to the old cabinet there"

Hermione looks confused with the information, still doesn't know how to piece that.

"Maybe it's irrelevant, I don't know. I hope it's nothing", you look solemn.

"But if it's important, just so you know, I'm snitching on my most beloved person. So I hope you can spare him, if anything..."

You trail off, shaking your thoughts.

"I hope it's nothing too" Hermione finally says, before you two part your ways.

On the weekend, you can see everyone's been dying to go for an outing to Hogsmeade. But not you. You're so exhausted with so many things to think about, so you just decide to rest yourself somewhere in the castle.

The castle is almost empty. You barely cross with another person as you walk through the castle. But somehow fate finds its way. Across the hallway, you saw Draco walks in your direction. You're not sure how to face him. After all this time, being avoided by him makes you think your relationship already ends.

You both make eye contact for a brief second, but no one says anything. So you avert your gaze, thinking it's better this way and just let him pass. But still, your heart defies you. Stopping in your track, you turn around to call out to him, only to see he's stopping his track too.

"Draco..."
"YN..."
"I need to talk to you, about something"
"Sure. Let's go somewhere more private" he says quietly.

You follow behind him without questioning. Somehow, the direction you're heading to seems familiar.

"This reminds me of the time when you lost your book, YN. We walked together to the tower to find it", Draco says, smiling a bit.
"Yeah. You help me find it. Only to betray me later"

Your remark silenced him.

"I'm really sorry about that, YN. I did that so Pansy will not bother you anymore" he answers.
"That doesn't matter anymore."

You both went silent. As you arrive at the top of the tower, you quickly head to the edge to observe the scenery.

"I always like it here. It calms me down." you say.
"... I know, honey."

You're on the verge of breaking as you hear Draco called you honey. But you try to compose yourself as you ask.

"Why, Draco? Why did you ghost me?"

You turn to look at him. But he's just silent. Not looking back nor avoiding your gaze. He just looks... tired, devastated even.

"Did I bore you down? Or you found someone else?"
"... No, YN"
"Then, what? Did you unlove me? "you push again, desperate.

Silence. He just looks at you. His face looks as desperate as you, but he still says nothing.

"I want answers, Draco, not silence. Please... Just say anything", you try to swallow down your tears.

"You can just tell me if you have someone else, Draco. Heck, you can even say you dumped me in front of everyone. But then, you make me feel crazy, you make me feel like it's my fault."

"... I was in pain"

You sob on the floor, hardly care if you just embarrassed yourself in front of him by expressing that. Out of the blue, he rushes to hug you tightly, almost crushing your body. You look up to him and all you can see is his face messy with tears. You hold his face in your hand, trying to wipe his tears.

"There's a million reasons why I should give you up. But the heart wants what it wants"

He leans his face to your hand before he slowly closes his distance and kisses you desperately. A kiss so desperate, as if he wants it to convey something to you. You both succumb to yourselves, not wanting to let each other go, even if it's only for that moment.