RIDDLE ME THIS

37

it had been two days since Draco, Matteo, Tom, Pansy and i received dark marks.

we had spent the forty-eight hours in bed at Malfoy Manor.

Draco and i shared his room, Matteo and Pansy had one next door, and Tom was opposite them.

none of us had said a word.

we ate and drank, showered and got back into bed.

Narcissa had wrapped our forearms in white bandages but it had done little to ease the brain-splitting ache.

i'd had more than enough time to think about what Bellatrix had told me.

she claimed to have been my mother's closest friend.

she wished she could tell me more.

she had failed Isaurelia.

Draco Malfoy loved me.

Merlin's Beard.

i think i loved him too... but i had never really loved anyone except my brothers.

i had no idea how i would tell if i did.

one of the Malfoys' house elves, Gimble, had been in and out offering us snacks and board games, but i shook my head at it every time.

Draco flat out ignored the elf.

he stared at the ceiling, occasionally falling asleep, sometimes pulling me closer and kissing my head.

my hand rested on his chest and i spent most of the time staring at the ring, turning my hand this way and that, watching the way the it shone as light caught it at different angles.

"Sir and Madam," Gimble entered slowly. "Mr Malfoy has requested you both in the living room."

i shook my head at him.

"Mr Malfoy says you must come at once." the elf persisted.

Draco sighed deeply and got up, helping me up after him.

we walked out of his bedroom for the first time in two days just as Matteo and Pansy exited their room.

i heard Tom's door open and close behind us and we all headed down to the living room together.

Mr and Mrs Malfoy were already seated and there was a large sofa intended for all of us.

we got settled and waited silently.

after a while, Mr Malfoy cleared his throat.

"i am aware that none of you have spoken yet." he tapped a finger on the arm of his chair.

nobody so much as nodded.

"i think it will be good if you do." Narcissa smiled encouragingly. "receiving a dark mark is never pleasant but you must learn to live with it."

i stared at the space between them.

"Tom, Matteo, Lola," she leaned towards us. "my sister told me what you know about her best friend."

my eyes met hers.

"all of us who knew her have tried to find ways to tell you, believe me, but there are none." she shook her head sadly. "you must find out what you need to by yourselves."

"i've heard that Professor's Snape's office may be of interest to you," Mr Malfoy said slowly. "it was once the head-student's office."

my jaw clenched as my gaze shifted to the carpet.

"we will leave the room, but you must speak," Narcissa stood. "please."

Draco nodded slowly, triggering the rest of us to follow suit.