Jump

Chapter Six

When I opened my eyes, I could tell it was evening time. The sun was low out of my window. I sat up and blinked the sleep out of my eyes. I stretched my arms above my head and swung my feet around so I could stand up. When I stood up, I realized I was still fully dressed, shoes and all. I kicked off my boots and changed my clothes into a pair of Slytherin sweats and a black tank top. I brushed my hair out and put it in a bun and checked myself in the mirror. I looked dead. Maybe I just need some food. I decided to go grab some dinner from the great hall. I walked out to the common room, and it was empty. I shrugged my shoulders and made my way out into the hallway. There were a few students out walking around. I waved to a few of them, and they smiled back. I ended up running into Ginny who seemed to be coming back from dinner.

"Stillstone! My dad said he met you earlier. What were you doing in Knockturn alley?" She asked.

"I took a wrong turn while out shopping this morning. I saw him and asked him for help. He brought me back here! Your dad is really, very nice." I said, trying to change the subject.

I didn't want her knowing what had really happened. It would be a short leap from her finding out I was a death eater. Just as that thought crossed my mind, I realized I was wearing a short sleeve shirt. I checked to see if she had seen it yet, but she didn't seem to notice. I tucked my arm behind my back in hopes I could hide it. She smiled at me and nodded before continuing to walk down the hall. I took a sigh of relief and continued walking into the great hall. Maybe I could find an empty seat by myself. As I walked in, I could see all of my friends. Oliver was chatting with Lavendar Brown. He smiled at me and began to walk my way. The last time I saw him was at the yule ball.

"Hey Stillstone. How are you?" He asked concerned but I knew he was referring to me and Draco.

"Really good." I smiled. "I'm just really hungry." I gave a little giggle before continuing to walk to the Slytherin table.

Once I got closer, I could see Draco sitting with Zabini and Crabbe. He had his back to me, but Zabini looked up and smiled at me. I gave him a little wave and his expression faltered. Draco craned his neck to see what was going on and quickly jumped up and with large strides began to walk my way. He grabbed my arm and turned me around. Dragging me out of the great hall. Once we were back in the hallway, he looked around to make sure no one could hear us.

"Quinn, what in bloody hell were you thinking?" he whispered.

I looked down and realized I had been waving to Zabini with my dark mark arm. Zabini saw it. He knows.

"You have to be more careful. People will try to hurt you for this." He continued.

I looked at him with a stern face and nodded. He was right. He took his jacket off and helped me put it on. It was a too big, but I'd rather look silly than have people see my arm. We walked back to the table and sat down with Zabini. He gave me a soft smile, but his eyes kept flashing to my arm.

"New huh?" he said, looking back down at his plate and eating.

"Shove it Zabini." Draco seethed.

We sat in silence and finished our food. The boys finished first, but they waited for me to eat. They joked and teased each other about old memories. It was nice to see Draco smiling again.

"Remember when Harry spun you on your ass in Snapes class?" Zabini grabbed his chest and let out a loud, deep laugh, throwing his head back.

"Remember when I punched you in the face?" Draco mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Oh, wait I haven't done it yet." He clenched a fist and shook it at Zabini with a smirk.

He placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed, still talking with Zabini. I looked down at his hand and back up to his face. I wanted to go back to this morning. Back to the few moments we stood in the sun and Draco said he loved me. I wanted him to love me like I loved him. I could feel tears coming to the surface and a lump formed in my throat.

"Stillstone. You ok?" Zabini asked slowly.

Draco looked down at me and worry shot across his face.

"Quinn?" He whispered.

I stood up and slowly turned to walk out of the great hall. I didn't feel like eating anymore. I just wanted to go lay back down. I continued walking until I bumped into someone. I looked up and could see Harry Potter. He furrowed his brow at me.

"Quinn, you ok?" he asked.

"I'm- I'm fine, thank you." I croaked.

"You don't look fine. Is everything alright?"

I could hear Draco's shoes on the stone ground behind me. He was moving fast. He finally popped up right beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

"Quinn? What's wrong?" he whispered in my ear, glaring at Harry.

"Quinn, is he bothering you?" Harry asked with his chest puffed.

"Fuck off Potter." Draco shouted.

We began to walk away, and I could hear Harry scoff.

"You didn't have to be so rude Draco." I whimpered.

We walked until we had made a left and a left again, into the abandoned boys bathroom. He sat me down on a counter and placed his fingers under my chin, lifting up my head enough so he could see my eyes.

"If you don't tell me what Is wrong-" he started to say until I cut him off.

"Do you love me?"

He stood up and blinked a few times, almost like someone had flicked him on the nose.

"Wha-"

"Do you love me?" I sternly asked again.

"What is this about?" He questioned with irritation in his voice.

"It's a simple question Draco." I stood up and crossed my arms. "You have no problem showing me your feelings some moments, then others you turn a cold cheek. I want to know how you really feel because you are giving me whiplash Draco."

He took a step back and leaned against a wall, crossing his arms.

"What if I said no?" He coolly asked.

I shook my head and bit my lip before turning to leave. Once I reached the door, I turned my head just enough so he could see the side of my face.

"I know you do, but until you're ready to admit it to yourself, then you're my problem Draco."

I walked out and could hear him sigh as I did. I rounded the corner and joined the crowd that was walking back from dinner. I saw Zabini and caught up to walk with him. He gave me a smile and nudged my shoulder.

"You ok?" he asked.

"I will be."

The next day I woke up and there was a note on my bed. I quickly grabbed it and unrolled it to see it was a letter from my mother.

'My dearest Quinn.

I am sorry I never wrote you for Christmas. Or ever really. I have not been the best parent since your father passed. I know that. I miss you and your brother dearly. I wanted to share with you that I am getting help. I am seeing a doctor and they are going to help me feel better. Maybe this Christmas you and Fynn can come home, and we can celebrate the holidays together. I know that is your favorite time of year. I hope you are doing well in your classes. I look forward to hearing from you.

Love, mom'

My heart wanted to explode. I had to find Fynn. I jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed. I brushed my hair and put it in a ponytail. I grabbed the letter and ran out into the common room. Draco was sitting on the couch with his feet propped up on the table. When he saw me and our eyes met, he quickly stood up and opened his mouth to say something.

"Have you seen Fynn?" I ask quickly before he can speak.

He cocks his head to the side and his eyes grow dark.

"No." he slouches back down on the couch and puts his feet back up.

I wanted to tell him about the note but right now Fynn needed to hear it first, plus Draco is not number one on my list anymore until he can learn to open up with me. I still loved him of course but I needed him to figure out how he feels. I walked out of the common rooms and down the hall towards the great hall. Once there I could see my brother at the table eating breakfast. My heart began to flutter, and a smile grew on my face. I sprinted to him calling his name the whole way. He turned to look at me and his expression changed from bored to confused. I slammed the note down on the table in front of him and waited for him to read it. After a moment his eyes shot back up to mine and he stood up so fast his plate flew to the floor. He threw his arms around me, and I grabbed him so tight I thought we would become glued.

"This is great!" He beamed.

"I know, I'm going to go write her back right now." I excitedly cheered.

"Ill come with." He nodded.

We began to walk out of the great hall when I bumped into Draco. His eyes were tired, and his face looked bored.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To send a letter to our mother." Fynn cheered.

Draco looked at me with confusion on his face. He opened his mouth to speak but I pressed my finger to his lips.

"I will share with you, when you share with me." I said with a stern look.

He furrowed his brow at me and let out a sigh of defeat. I removed my finger from his lips and sweetly smiled at him.

"Quinn." He pleaded.

I turned and continued following my brother to the owlery. Once we were there, I grabbed some parchment and a quill and began writing all about school and the ball. I told her that I was growing closer with Draco again and that he might come home with me at Christmas. I left out all the bad things, especially about my dark mark. I would probably never tell her about that. Once I was done, I rolled it up and tied it with a string. I tied it to the foot of the school owl and watched as it flew away. I turned to see Fynn still writing, and I let out a small laugh. I rustled his hair with my hand and left the room. Back out in the hall I decided I would go for a run then take a shower. I needed to do some studying tonight as well. I stopped by my room and grabbed a bag with some clothes in them and my books and headed out for the track. It was still cold outside but not as cold as it was in December. The sun was starting to warm the school these days.

I made it out to the track and began my ritual of stretching and running. When I was done, I headed back to the school for a shower then I would head to the library to study. I reached the showers and passed by Draco who was joking around with Crabbe and Goyle.

"Quinn." He shouted.

I turned to see him smiling at me.

"Can I join you?" he asked very loudly.

"Oh. So, you can let everyone know that you're fucking me, but not that you love me?" I shouted back.

His face fell from a cocky smirk to irritated. I turned and walked into the washroom as I heard Crabbe ask him what I meant. I shook my head and took my shower. when I was done and dressed, I stepped out of the washroom and Draco was leaning against the wall by the door.

"Hello Draco." I said.

He pushed off the wall and began following me to the library.

"Quinn." He started. "Quinn I'm sorry."

"I know Draco. You're sorry and you didn't want to hurt me. I have heard it all before." I waved my hand to dismiss him, and he stopped in his tracks.

I reached the door to the library and placed my hand on it to push it open.

"I LOVE YOU." I heard him shout.

I stopped moving and whipped around to stare at him. Students were walking around, finishing up a few errands and studying before classes tomorrow. They were bumping into me trying to get in and out of the library. They all walked two feet around Draco. Of course.

"I LOVE YOU QUINN STILLSTONE!" he shouted again, raising his hands in the air above his head.

I stayed in place as he walked over to me. I kept my eyes locked on his and as he approached me, I dropped my bag. He grabbed my face in his hands and began kissing me. I raised my hands and placed them on his and our heads moved rhythmically side to side. I pulled back and looked at his face.

"I love you too" I replied