In My Head

Chapter Four

Juniper did in fact notice the way Draco Malfoy was acting towards her.

She knew he was frustrated, and wanted to respect his privacy. But something was itching her to ask him what happened. What happened to the brighter side of Malfoy she'd seen before..

As she watched him slowly walk into astronomy class, she couldn't stop looking at the faint eye bags that had formed on his face and how there was not one finger that he hadn't picked at. She could tell he was trying to hide it but nothing looked to be working out for Draco. Last she heard he wasn't going out for quidditch anymore, but that was just a rumor Potter and his friends probably spread around she thought. 

Quidditch was Draco's pride and joy when the season came around. Juniper remembered it was all he wanted to talk about during his third year, he was so eager to get back on the pitch once Madam Pomfrey completely healed his arm. Draco did have the tendency to get angered over a losing game, which in a way showed his passion for the sport. The way he used to storm into the common room with that certain look on his face that made Juniper laugh. 

Now a days, he basically dragged himself into each class like the only thing keeping him from falling asleep was the draughts he was clearly taking. 

Juniper suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder, "Eyes on your own paper O'Reilly." Professor Sinistra whispered. She nodded in response and lifted her quill again. 

If it weren't for her fascination on Draco Malfoy maybe she would be able to actually focus on her quiz rather than him. No one had made her feel this way before not even her Yule Ball date. Juniper did believe in a happy ending for the wizarding world but she didn't know how it was going to happen for her. Either through marriage or the muggle world she assumed. 

Marriage was the most likely for her especially since she was apart of a long line of purebloods. Once she was old enough there would be a list of other pureblood heirs waiting to be arranged for her, this wasn't much of a fantasy but it was something to look forward too besides the return of one of the most powerful beings out there. To escape into the muggle world seemed easy enough expect for hiding away any form of magic she had before. That could be close to impossible for Juniper considering she uses a charm to tie her shoes almost daily. 

She started to feel a headache from every thought that was running through her head; she grew paranoid that someone could hear her thoughts somehow. None of the students were old enough to be a trained legilimens but you can never be too careful these days. 

"What can I do for you?" The professor responded to the raise of her hand.

"Could I go to Pomfrey's? I have a headache." Juniper said quietly. 

With a flick of her wand Professor Sinistra handed her a pass with her signature on it. "Go on." She spoke softly.

When Juniper began to leave the astronomy classroom she tried to take one more look at Malfoy before closing the door behind her, but the heads of Crabbe and Goyle whispering to one another blocked her view. 

The walk from the tower to the infirmary was a long one, although it was worth getting out of the classroom for a couple minutes. Juniper swore she was hearing footsteps behind her but decided to ignore them. She was just paranoid, she told herself. 

A hand rested itself on her shoulder making goosebumps crawl up her neck. Only when she turned around it wasn't some worried first year trying to find their class. 

It was Malfoy. 

"How did you manage to get out of class too?" Juniper quickly asked, still surprised to see him.

Draco moved his hand away from her back, "I have my ways."

She rolled her eyes casually, "Ok, but why did you follow me?"