What a Riddle

Dumbledore's army continues

"Where are they!?!" Umbridge barked angrily as she stepped over the rubble into the room of requirement to investigate.

Draco and I shared a look. He was clearly worried about me and I gave him a weak smile before Umbridge turned to us.

"Ms. Riddle, Mr. Malfoy" she said sweetly though it looked like she was going to blow up any moment. "Split up and take four of your classmates to search the castle, I want those rule breakers found!"

I didn't argue just nodded to Draco before I went left, Pansy and three others followed me while the rest went with Draco.

Medusa moved from my arm to my hanging loosely around my neck as we walked the corridors. Students of the other houses stared as we passed in our patrol to make sure all other students were following she-demons stupid non logical rules.

'I'm not sure your working both sides are working. They all cower in your presence'  Medusa hissed her tongue flicked out.

'It's working' I whispered back to my familiar.

Medusa looked at me with a look of uncertainty before looking down at other students with her beady eyes.  

A half an hour passed and I dismissed the team of Slytherins I was leading around the castle.

I continued my walk but not to look for obvious rule breakers but in the direction of the astronomy tower, in desperate need of privacy and room to breathe.

"Florence"

I stopped at the sound of my Uncle's voice. We hadn't properly talked since we argued the night I intervened when Professor Lupin turned werewolf.

"Uncle" I nodded my head slightly as I turned to face my Professor and the man that raised me.

He stared at me a moment. Taking in my appearance. "Are you well?" He asked the question almost timidly. A thing he never done before.

"I am fine" I answered though I knew I didn't exactly fit the guidelines for that answer.

He studied me again and for the first time I felt uncomfortable under his gaze. Wanting to squirm under his experienced and watchful eye but I held my ground and stared right back at him. Without saying anything he turns and walks off.

Stunned I didn't move till he's out of my line of sight. A sigh escaped my lips before I returned to my destination of the astronomy tower.

~~~

"Hermoine, how did you know Umbridge was coming? A real hero you are" Ron spoke somewhat loudly as the golden trio found a spot in the library. A small smirk appeared on my lips at the not so quite 'golden trio'.

"The club would be gone if not for you, Moine and who knows what Umbridge would have done to us if she caught us" Harry said this time.

I watched from the shelf isle I was in as Hermione just smiled "a witch never revels her tricks" she said playfully as she made brief eye contact with me. I kindly smiled back at her before moving on to another isle.

I felt arms snake around my waist and my smile returned as I recognized the familiar apple and mint cologne Draco wears.

"found you" Draco whispers against my ear causing involuntary shivers to run up my spine.

"I didn't think I was that hard to find" I quip as I enjoy this happy moment.

"You'd be surprised" he mumbled into the crook of my neck.

"Not getting into trouble are we?" I playfully say as I turn in his arms.

"I think we're beyond that point" his hand travels to mine and rubs the ring on my thumb turning the moment somber. I pursed my lips as reality came crash back down. "Sorry" he apologized

"No, don't be" I shake my head "It's not something that can be ignored"

He sighed "yeah" Draco stayed quite a moment looking down "I have something to confess" My heart pounded at his words but I stayed silent allowing him the time to talk "I've been working on the animagus potion secretly and tonight it's finally ready I'd like you to be there if your not mad"

I released my breath "I'm not mad" he raised his head and quirked an eyebrow at me "I might be erritated that you didn't tell me earlier but there is nothing more I'd like to do to support you. Does Cissy know?" Draco shakes his head side to side "Uncle Sev?"

"No" Draco says quietly

"Oh Draco" I raise up on my toes to brush my lips against his. "You should know I'll always be by your side no matter what"

"Thanks Flor" he kisses me for a moment

~~~

Draco and I snuck through the halls at midnight. My enhanced hearing helping to avoid the patrolling professors. Once we were outside we raced to the cover of the woods.

"Ready?" I asked lowly the sounds of drizzling rain surrounding us.

He nods and takes a few steps away from me closing his eyes in concentration. It didn't take long for something to start happening. White fur spreading as he got on all fours and I realized Draco's animagus was an albino lion.

My lips turned into a smile at the sight of Draco trying newfound abilities. Turning into my wolf I trotted over to him giving him a toothy smile. He playfully pounced on me and we played for hours like we did when we were kids. 

Finally letting loose while no one was watching.