𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 - 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

12. | Brother's Secrets

I drop in my dorm for a quick outfit change and a hair re-braiding before leaving the dorm. I have to step over multiple Slytherin and other houses alike, sleeping on various spots through the Common Room. I avoid the slumped body of Draco, tucked in a corner lacking a shirt. I know if I look, I won't be able to stop.

Last night got me a step closer to my goal, even if Connor provided an unfortunate interruption. I must admit, in the back of my mind, I'm thankful. The fact that I can barely remember what has happened is telling to what sort of mental state I was in. I don't want to know what could've happened.

The halls of Hogwarts are quiet on this warm Saturday morning. The sun filters through the glass windows casting warm light on my skin. I wince as it hits my eyes, narrowly avoiding another mind-shocking headache.

The Owlery is my destination. If nothing else will clear my head, a visit with Johannas will. The crisp autumn hair hits my skin as I approach the bridge to the Owlery, cutting through my thin black sweater and raising the hair on my arm. "Ooh," I hiss, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Jaylene?" My brother's voice echoes through the Owlery, and I spy his small figure sitting in the windowsill, Hedwig pecking pieces of food out of his palm.

"How'd you know it was me?" I approach him with a little chuckle. I whistle through my teeth, earning a soft hoot from Johannas as he soars down to me.

"You always make that little noise when you're cold."

I roll my eyes with a smile as I sit down across from him. "How've you been, dearest brother?" I ask, making sure to keep my voice light.

"I better be the dearest, I'm the only one." He shakes his head slowly. "I've been alright, I suppose. I've- no, never mind."

"No, tell me."

"There's this girl."

I laugh and playfully punch his arm. "Harry James Potter! Who is it?"

"Cho..."

Both of my eyebrows shoot straight up. "Cho? Cho Chang?"

Harry's cheeks flush a warm pink. "Yeah, he mumbles. "Look, I know you had issues with her back a few years ago but I was hoping you wouldn't be too annoyed if I tried to- I don't know." He exhales, offering a little laugh. "She's pretty gorgeous."

"Oh Harry." I wrap my arms around him, biting my lower lip gingerly. "You should feel free to pursue whoever you may please, as long as that same courtesy is extended to me."

Harry grabs me by my shoulder and pushes me away from him. He gives me such a withering look I have to giggle. "Don't tell me you're talking about Malfoy."

"I never said I was," I tease, walking my hand over to Johannas to give his silky feathers a gentle touch.

"Jaylene, I love you, but God forbid you start messing around with Malfoy. I will have to do something irrational."

Too late, I want to say as Connor's words repeat in my mind. I caught you two snogging in the hall. It almost makes me grin. How little Harry knows about me, and about what I've been told to do. Finally, I have a mission he has no part of. I have something he can help very little with.

"I won't do anything rash. Unlike you. Your entire life seems to be a series of rash decisions."

"Speaking of..." He turns his attention to Hedwig, all of the sudden avoiding my eyes. "There's another thing."

"So you trying to hook up with my sworn enemy was the least of your troubles?" I ask.

"What! You said she was-"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." Harry lets out a relieved breath, and I pat his back. "What's going on?"

"We- you agree we are truly learning nothing in our Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, correct?"

"Oh definitely." My answer is automatic as I think through the past few weeks of Defense classes. Nothing like what we had previously gotten. No experience, no actual fighting, nothing but terrible bookwork. "It's doing absolutely nothing. Turning all the students into duds who won't be able to defend themselves against-"

"Voldemort," Harry finishes for me, and I nod. "There's a lot of us who agree, and want to do something. Hermione and Ron want me to teach some kind of class to help those who need to be able to learn how to defend themselves. I think it's all rubbish but they think it'll work."

"Harry," I breathe, "I think it'll do wonderful. You'll be able to help so many people, truly."

"You think?" His green eyes peer up at me through the absolute mop of black hair on his head.

"Harry, I know. You're absolutely brilliant with Defense, and I'm sure that Franchesca and Stephen would be terribly interested in learning from you."

"Maybe," he chuckles, looking down at the cooing Hedwig. "We'll see."

"When do you think it'll happen?"

"Hermione is planning on setting something up the next time we go to Hogsmeade," he explains.

"Awesome. If it's okay, I'll let some of my friends know. I think this is something the people of Hogwarts need."

"Of course, Jay. I trust you."

A pang of guilt strikes my stomach, and I rise to my feet. I have to get out of there before I start overthinking the decision to get closer to Draco, even if it's to help Harry in the long run. "I'm glad."

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

The common room has lost some of the hungover fools when I return. My favorite spot on the sofa has become free of drunken slobs, and though I'm sure some gross substances cling to the polyester surface, I can't help it. I flop into the couch and close my eyes. Time to become one of those hungover fools.

"Jaylene."

The sound of his voice makes me open my eyes immediately. Draco stands before me, still as shirtless as ever. And try as I might, I can't bring myself to look up at him, my eyes locked on his smooth abdomen.

My cheeks burn, but I don't care.

"What happened last night?" He asks, his voice unable to breach a coarse whisper.

I giggle softly, turning my eyes away from him and patting the spot on the couch next to me. This is all an act, I promise myself. Only to get what I need. What I have to have. "I'm not sure," I say aloud as Draco takes a seat next to me. I lean into him, just a bit, and my arm brushes against his. Even in my sweater, the touch of skin sends tingles up my body.

I pray he can feel it too.

"My goal of forgetting the shit of yesterday worked," he mumbles, a crooked smile on his face. "Those dickheads were giving me such a hard time about losing the game. That damn Snitch was so close to my reach." He shakes his head.

"Everything happens for a reason," I offer.

"Yeah," he scoffs. "Perhaps someday I'll tell my grandchildren how losing the first Quidditch game my fifth year led to the greatest opportunity of my life."

"You never know." I let my eyes drift close once more. Draco is silent for a long moment. Abruptly, a soft shuffling makes its way to my ears. A cold touch comes to my skin, and I realize he's wrapped my arm around me. Draco Malfoy has wrapped around me, and he doesn't care who's here to see it.

I lean into his touch with a tiny smile. Everything is going exactly to plan.

I drift in and out of sleep tucked against the chest of my brother's enemy, a child of Death Eater. And I love every second of it. Every touch to his body, every soft sound I make in response to him, is only getting me closer and closer to the task Sirius assigned me. Towards the end of the night, with Draco fast asleep against me, Connor enters the Common Room.

I say not a word, and neither does he. The slight quirk of his eyebrow conveys all he needs to say; the question "Are you okay?" floats in the silence between us.

I purse my lips, gently, and give a small shake of my head.

He nods once and leaves the room without a sound.