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2 WEEKS LATER... ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK
Today is the day of quidditch tryouts and I've got nothing better to do so I decided to go watch. Hufflepuff had the pitch first, the Ravenclaw, then Slytherin and lastly Gryffindor. I arrived early and found a seat on the bleachers with my camera. Hufflepuff tryouts began and I missed watching Cedric fly. He was so talented. I snapped a few photos of everyone playing and then they left and Ravenclaw came. They conducted their tryouts and I took photos of them as well. Then Slytherin came onto the pitch. I waved to Blaise, Theo and Enzo and they waved back. Then tryouts started. But Draco never came. I can't believe he forgot tryouts were today. Usually he has that day marked on his calendar months before. I guess the stress of his task made him forget. Hopefully, Flint will let him tryout another day. Once their tryouts ended, I walked down the bleachers and headed over to the locker rooms. I waited outside and when they came out, they all looked so happy. "So?" I asked. "We all made the team!" Enzo exclaimed. I cheered and hugged them. "Good job!" I exclaimed. I hugged Blaise and he lifted me up and spun me around. Then I hugged Enzo, then Theo. He went stiff for a moment before hugging me back. "I'm proud of you guys." I said. "Yeah, I just can't believe Draco forgot." Enzo said. "Did you guys see him this morning?" I asked. They shook their heads. "I spoke to Flint. He said if Draco talks to him later, he'll find him a spot." Theo said. I nodded. "That's good." I said. Then I saw the Gryffindors making their way to the pitch. "I have to go you guys, I promised Ron I'd take photos." I said. "You should come by Slytherin tonight." Blaise said. "Yeah, there's a party to celebrate the new quidditch season!" Enzo exclaimed. My stomach lurched at the thought of a party. "I don't really do parties." I said quietly. "Come on, Belle. It could be fun." Theo said. I glanced up at him and shook my head. "I don't think so." I said. He sighed. "Just stop by if you change your mind." he said. I nodded. Then I headed back over to the bleachers. I sat down with Hermione and started taking photos. I watched Cormac wink at her and I chuckled. "You've got a friend, huh?" I teased. She groaned. "He's insufferable." she said. I shrugged. Harry conducted tryouts, running drills and scrimmiging. Then it was over. We waited outside the locker rooms and Ron came out with a smile. "I made it." he said. Hermione clapped. "Of course you did." she said. "Great job, Ron." I said. He smiled. We went back to the castle and it was time for lunch.
I saw Draco sitting at the Slytherin table and I walked over and sat next to him. He glanced up at me. The bags under his eyes were darker and deeper. The skin on his lips was cracked and his face was deathly pale. "What the hell is the matter with you?" I exclaimed. He just looked down as he rested his head on his hand. "You missed quidditch tryouts! Did you forget?!" I asked. "No." he mumbled. "Then what happened?" I asked. "I'm not doing quidditch this year." he said quietly. My face fell. "What?" I said in shock. "He said it's a distraction. That I have to focus on my purpose." he said quietly. "Oh Draco, I'm so sorry." I said quietly. He shrugged. "The only reason I came back this year is because of this task. I'm not a student anymore. It's not about lessons or quidditch or friends or love. It's about me serving him." he said. I watched the tears fill his eyes. "I'm not even a person to him." he choked out. I gently took his hand. "Draco, you look like death. When was the last time you slept?" I asked. He shrugged. "I have to work on the cabinet." he mumbled. "That's not what I asked." I said. "A few days ago." he said. My heart sank. "Fucking hell." I mumbled. "Did you eat today?" I asked. He shrugged. "Sorta." he said. I put more food on his plate and he just watched. "You are going to eat everything on this plate, then we are going back to your dorm and you are going to sleep." I said. "I can't sleep. Everytime I try I see- I just can't." he said. I looked at him with concern. "Start eating. I'll go get a sleeping potion from Madam Pomfrey." I said. He nodded. I ran to the Hospital Wing and Madam Pomfrey was tending to a sick boy. "Annabelle? What can I do for you?" she asked. "I need a sleeping potion." I said. Her face faltered. "Your father said not to-" she started. "It's not for me." I said. She looked hesitant. "I promise. It's for a friend. He needs it." I said. She nodded and handed me the small bottle. "Thank you." I said. I returned to the Great Hall and walked back over to Draco. Most of the food was still on his plate. But he tried. I forced a smile and held up the bottle. "Come on, let's get you some rest." I said. He nodded and stood up. We walked out and went back to his dorm. He laid down on his bed and I handed him the potion. "This should knock you out for at least a day. I'll stay in case you need anything." I said. "You don't need to stay-" he started. "Draco, I'll stay." I said. He smiled. "Thank you." he said. I nodded. He drank the potion and I put the bottle aside. "Go to sleep." I said. I pressed a kiss to his forehead and he fell asleep.
