Let Me Hear You

[ Meetings With the Headmaster ]

I ran back to the Slytherin common rooms as fast as my legs could carry me. My mind was spinning; Snape had felt my emotions and heard my mind. I need to speak to Dumbledore. Tonight.

I mumbled the password, "pure-blood", and barged into the common room. My dramatic entrance caused all the students to stop talking and turn to stare. I huffed a ragged breath and wiped the sweat from my upper lip. "Good evening, everyone. I trust you all had a pleasant first week?" I smiled. "Better than you, it seems, Head Girl Hazel." Draco sneered with a smirk. "Oh, thank you for your concern, Draco." I smirked. "As Head Girl, it is quite tiresome keeping an eye on you all." He chuckled. "Heavy is the head, Hazel." I began walking to my quarters. "I agree, I would look quite good in a crown." I winked at him.

I entered my room and kicked off my shoes, loosening my tie. I sank down in one of the armchairs and sighed, shivering slightly. The fire was already lit, so my room wasn't completely freezing. The shiver came from the lingering anxiety that Snape was on to me. It came from the realisation that I would have to spend two hours alone with him tomorrow night.

I'm not hungry, but as Head Girl, I can't be seen skipping meals, especially dinner. Not being able to sit still, I start pacing in front of my window; I've got 45 minutes to compose myself. I need to clear my mind, practice my breathing exercises, meditate, anything to help block Snape from my mind.

All my life I have been taught to keep my mind closed; you never know who might be listening. In less than one week, give or take six years, Snape has managed to weasel his way into my mind. He has always intrigued me, fronting as the great, evil dungeon bat, but feeling more like a lost soul.

I want to learn more about him, I really do. Can I risk him learning more about me too? I'm not sure I can stay away from him now that I have heard his mind twice. Not that I have a choice, though. A few nights a week we would be alone together. Who knows what secrets will emerge?

A knock at my door broke me from my pacing and spiralling thoughts. "It's me." Came Draco's voice, soft so as not to be heard. I quickly opened the door, and he rushed in. "You know no one can see you come to my room down here, Draco." I smiled warmly. "Old habits, I suppose." He smiled back. "Come here." He laughed, pulling me in for a hug. I let out a sigh of relief and wrapped my arms around his waist. He was taller than me, so I could rest my head against his chest comfortably. "I missed you." I mumbled against him. "Me too." He kissed the top of my head, and I stood back. "Come, sit down." I ushered him to the armchairs in front of the fire.

Draco was not my best friend at the school, but we were close. Like Snape, whom I now know is his godfather, Draco presents himself as a cold and heartless bully. But, like Snape, he is also riddled with anxiety and pressure. He desperately seeks his father's approval and seldom gets it. I knew from the moment I met Draco that he was not the tyrant he claimed to be in front of his "friends". He just wanted to fit in, and the only way he knew how to gain respect was to demand it.

"How are you?" I asked. "I'm fine." He didn't look at me. "I'm lost." I sighed. "How's life as Head Girl treating you?" The fire still had his undivided attention. "Not much has happened yet. I'll be doing rounds a few nights a week with Snape, though." His head snapped to me. That got his attention. "Really?" I nodded. "Like, wandering the halls with him...alone?" I nodded again, sighing. "Yes, alone." He frowned, not breaking eye contact. "She can't be alone with him. She has no idea who he is." I could feel his heart rate increase drastically.

Frowning at his comment, I got up and moved to kneel in front of him. "Draco, what's wrong?" I took his hands in mine and rubbed his knuckles slowly. He sighed. "I just don't like the idea of you being alone with the greasy old git." He sighed. "He's your godfather, Draco. You know him better than that." I laughed softly, and he paused for a moment. "Does she know him better than that too?" It was moments like that that made it very difficult not to react to people's thoughts. "Exactly." He breathed. I squeezed his hands gently. "I'll be fine, Draco. I doubt there will be much conversing, anyway." I stood, pulling him up into a hug.