Former Animosity

20. Invasive

It's sometime afternoon now, and we're both packing up some clothes to go home.

"Just so you know, I'm not allowed to apparate."

"I'm aware."

He stops to look at me, skeptical.

"What? How?"

"The goverment informed me of it after I testified for you and your mother."

"Ah. Right."

He went back to packing.

"Have you seen my scarf?"

I ask Malfoy, scratching my head. He throws my green scarf at me as I caught it. I put it aside, to wear it later on the road. We were still in our uniforms, They didn't fit inside of our suitcases so we wore the thickest clothes to save some space. It was cold anyway.

"Bring a scarf for yourself, it'll be cold out."

"I'm not stupid, Potter."

After some packing, we went down and found out most of the students have left. We tried finding our friends to say goodbye, but they were nowhere to be found so we left just like that. Outside school, we've already noticed a lot of newspaper scattered around.

No doubt the cover was our faces. Draco picked one of them up.

'Harry Potter, Savior of Hogwarts, married to a male Death Eater.'

"Why are you reading that?"

"Just curious. They're funny with it, I'll give them that."

While giving out a breathy laugh.

"You're not... you're not bothered they called you a death eater?"

I ask carefully.

"I've come to terms of it. I mean, I am a death eater. I don't think anyone can change what's carved into my skin."

He held on to his arm, where I assumed the mark was. I said nothing after. I was too afraid to. This was a fragile subject and I don't want to upset him. Not in the middle of walking.

We're going to the train and by then, people were already swarming over us. Wearing uniforms really backfired. A green scarf too, apparently. Clicks of pictures which made me terribly anxious.

I was thankful I casted a protective charm layer over us. Nobody can hurt us by touching our bare skin. But it won't last long.

"Mr. Potter! Please give us an interview!"

"Are you wearing his scarf?"

"Why did you marry your childhood enemy, a death eater?"

"Are you two inlove?"

So many questions from so many people. I was genuinely feeling dizzy by the minute. I felt vulnerable and so out in the open. Malfoy could probably sense that. He stood infront of me, with the swish of his coat, guarding me, almost...

"Enough! Let us through!"

I was frozen. I couldn't do anything to protect myself from getting invaded by reporters. He pulled me into the train and into a compartment. He put down all the blinds, leaving us with privacy.

He seats infront of me, I sigh so heavily. He put his hand just above on my knee. His hand was light, he didn't let his hand's weight rest over me. Then he calmly asks me

"...Are you okay?"

I nod, not saying a word. He sighs in relief. He pulled his hand off.

"Your fame will bring us death. Literally. We were lucky I reminded you to layer us with protection."