BANALITY : Draco Malfoy

34

Waking up I feel rested. My mind slept along with my body, which is a new and unusual phenomenon. The first breath I take is the most fulfilling breath to enter my lungs in quite some time. It doesn't matter that I slept on one of the sofas nor that there is noise bustling about the house early in the morning. I slept so peacefully after Draco gave me that potion.

They have enough bedrooms for us, but Draco and the others determined that only the first two floors are safe for me to stay on due to anti-muggle charms. As it happens, the pair have only managed to complete renovations on the first level of the house, so the bedroom upstairs is inaccessible as of now. Draco thinks we are lucky that they decided to do any renovations at all because otherwise, I might have been gravely harmed upon stepping foot in the entryway.

We awake early. Weasley and Granger left an hour after dinner. The five wizards and witches discussed me, once more behind a locked door, for several minutes before Weasley stormed out in a huff with Granger following close behind.

Now that it is morning, only Potter, Ginny, Draco, and I remain in the house. Potter woke me up when he came in to stoke a fire. Draco was already awake. Fortunately, there is a bathroom on the main floor that I use to brush my teeth and hair. After dressing, I go into the kitchen.

Potter and Ginny are making food and Draco watches. Potter has some sort of pastry, while Ginny is multitasking between several pans and dishes. She is cooking an omelet with spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms, while also trying to butter her toast as well as make what looks to be French toast. Draco looks over at me, before dropping his head.

"Good, you're ready," Ginny finally says, looking back at me. "You can take over the French toast."

"It would be easier if you used magic," Draco points out.

Ginny has her wand in her hair, which she pulls out. She spins it between her fingers and points it at Draco, "it would be easier if I sent bats flying out of your nose."

Draco doesn't look away. She breaks first, putting the wand back inside her bun. I take over cooking the French toast.

"I've really got to get to work, Gin," Potter tells her. "It's already looking like Ron and I bunked off yesterday. I'm still trying to scramble together an excuse."

"I told you to tell them I got hit with a bludger," Ginny rolls her eyes, flipping her omelet. "My medical records will be sealed, so unless Robards wants to break the law to find out you lied, it'll remain that way. You're good at occlumency anyway."

"Ron's not," Potter corrects.

Draco's eyes flash, "Weasley doesn't know occlumency? He's an auror."

Potter sighs, "well, do you suggest I teach him by slicing up his head every night? I've never seen Robards use legilimency on a Death Eater, much less Ronald Weasley."

Draco doesn't seem satisfied, "Goyle might not be capable of legilimency, but I'm sure they'll find someone."

"And they are going to track down the people who hate you most out of everyone in Britain to try to find your location?" Potter shakes his head. "It's not happening. Many wizards may think Death Eaters are stupid, but they certainly are not quite dumb enough to attack aurors who are working to bring you to trial."

My food is done, and so I plate it. Ginny only takes a minute longer. While she is reaching into the fridge to grab apple juice, Potter leans down and kisses her cheek. She seems stiff. I can't tell if Potter notices. He finishes the last sip of his coffee and hurries out of the room, pushing past Draco who stands in the doorway.