Short Change Hero

Chapter 23: Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Chapter Twenty-Three

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

"Welcome to your life,
There's no turning back,
Even while we sleep,
We will find you,
It's my own design,
It's my own remorse,

Of freedom and of pleasure,
Nothing ever lasts forever,
Everybody wants to rule the world..."

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Lorde

Saturday October 19th, 1996

Just after dinner, almost eight at night- Hallway just outside of the dungeons

Draco ambled slowly down the abandoned hallway, reaching up to his face in order to rub his eyes lightly. It had been almost a full day since he talked with Granger, and he still couldn't rid the lingering feeling that he felt after he had said those rather distasteful words to her. Rolling his eyes he stopped just outside a nook with a window in it, to think about how he was going to get that picture from her without apologizing. A Malfoy does not, apologize over something that was the truth, and it wasn't as if he was feeling guilty.

'Knowing Granger, she wasn't about to just hand the photo over nor would she just allow me to erase small fractions of memories in order to keep her from blabbing to a professor about that damned package.' He thought callously pushing aside the thought about apologizing while he sneered. 'Granger sure had a knack for sticking her nose along with that bushy head of hers where it was not only unwanted but where it didn't belong.'

Groaning quietly, Draco then continued walking down the hallway, knowing that he needed to speak to her about it, just couldn't quite decide whether it was best to wait until later or to get it over with. Either way, he knew that he would have to work it out with Granger and quickly before she gets any of those clever and rather ridiculous ideas of hers.

The past week had been rather stressful to say the least, and in that moment Draco decided that some alone time in the astronomy tower where he would be able to enjoy the silence, was much needed. As he neared the room just before the stairs that lead to the tower, his mark burning, causing him to suck in a mouthful of air knowing immediately that the Dark Lord was currently summoning or talking with another death eater.

Draco grabbed his left forearm in an attempt to take his mind off it, and he then walked into the room on his right, but was met by the distinct sound of sniffling. Normally he would have continued walking, ignoring whomever currently upon the stairs, but the sniffling sounded almost familiar to him.

He noted that the only light was that of the full moon, bright enough to see where he was going, but dim enough so that it was somewhat difficult in identifying who was there. Taking a step closer, he took a deep breath, but stopped as he recognized that fuzzy mess of curls instantly, which rendered him somewhat confused.

'I'm sure it takes a fair bit to get Granger crying. ...' Draco thought as he stood there, making sure that he was in the shadows out of sight. Watching carefully, he could see a tear roll down her slightly rosy cheek while she pulled out her wand. As she inhaled shakily, he realized at how meticulously he was observing her and took two steps out into the light.

"What in Salazar's name are you doing Granger," he spoke evenly, letting his brows frown slightly while she whipped her head in his direction as fast as she could. The look on her face he decide had been oddly attractive, with her doe like brow eyes wide brimming with tears, and the rosiness of her cheeks deepening slightly under the moons light.

"If you're looking to be hexed, Malfoy, all you need to do is say one more word," She growled at him, while he tensed slightly at the sudden brush of ire that contorted within her words. Taking two steps towards her, he surveyed her as she jumped hastily to her feet.