Falling Star

If We Have Each Other

It's quiet. That's the first thing I notice when I enter my room. Everything looks the same as when I left it back in September. I stand in the doorway for a moment just observing and listening. It's so quiet, and I'm going to be stuck in here for at least the rest of the week. I long for the Gryffindor dormitory and common room, filled with laughter and chatter and the crackling of firewood. There would be none of that in my big, open room.

I sit on my bed and tug off my shoes. I throw each one as hard as I can at my closet door, putting all of my anger from the last few minutes into it, and they each hit with a satisfying smack.

My ears strain listening for any sign-footsteps, shouting-that I had just made too much noise. After a few moments of silence, I assume I'm in the clear.

My hands itch to throw something else. Destroy something. Do anything to expel the rage that has built up within me. Rage at my father. At Voldemort. At myself. Why did I back down? Why did I let Draco get in the middle of it all? If I can't take care of myself against my own father, how would I handle...I yank a decorative pillow off of my bed and chuck it at the wall. It's not nearly as satisfying as the shoes.

A few hours pass, and I exhaust myself by pacing and throwing more pillows. It's going to be a really long week.

I have finally calmed down enough to relax. I'm sitting in my window seat, staring out into the dark night, when Draco quietly eases my door open, steps inside, and closes it behind him.

I pull my knees up to my chest to make room for him, and he sits down opposite me, copying my position on the seat.

"You okay?" I ask. His cheek is still a bit red from earlier.

"Yeah. I'm alright," he answers.

"I think I was sorted into the wrong house," I tell him, still mad at myself for not holding my ground with Father.

Draco gives me a puzzled look.

I continue. "I didn't act very brave just standing there and watching you argue with him. You shouldn't have had to jump in the middle of a fight that I started. I wasn't thinking. Thank you though. For defending me."

Draco purses his lips and knits his brows together. He doesn't say anything right away, seeming to choose his words very carefully. "You definitely weren't sorted into the wrong house." He chuckles. "You're braver than I am, Li. I think that's the first time I've really stood up to him. And I'm sorry for that."

I know it took a lot for him to admit that and apologize. I can't stand the pitiful expression on his face. "No worries. Clearly, I can handle myself," I joke, rolling my eyes and trying to lighten the mood.

Draco smiles a fraction. "I spoke to Mum," he says quietly, frowning again.

"And?"

"She didn't say much about...you know what. But she promised she and Father would keep us out of it. They want to protect us from...everything."

I nod, glad that we would be kept out of our Father's business but still wary of it all.

I rest my chin on my knees. "Are you scared?"

"Of?"

"Him...being back. What happens next. What happens if our parents can't keep us out of it all. You were right with what you said earlier. I am scared of it all. Terrified."

He takes several breaths, and I give him the time he needs to answer. "Yes," he finally says, barely above a whisper. "I'm scared, too."

I nod in understanding, my eyes getting misty from the heaviness in the room.

"Do you think-do you think he hates me?" I ask, biting the inside of my cheek.

"What?" Draco says, clearly caught off guard by the question.

"Our father. Do you think he hates me? I know I make him angry a lot and that he's disappointed in me. But I've never thought he hated me. Until tonight when he threatened to kick me out of the family."

Draco blinks a few times, considering what I've said. "No. He doesn't hate you. He just..."

"Has a funny way of showing me otherwise?" I joke.

"I guess."

I just hum in response.

After a few moments of sitting in silence, Draco says,"I can't do it without you, you know. I'd go crazy here by myself."

"I know. Me too."

"So please-"

"I promise I'll try to lay low this summer," I interject, already knowing what he's about to ask of me.

"Thank you."

"But since I'm doing this for you," I smile and nudge him with my foot, "you have to keep me company when you can this week or I might just die of boredom."

Draco rolls his eyes. "Deal."