It had been days. I rarely left my room. I still hadn't barked up the courage to face Lucius. Or talk to Draco. We would see each other in the halls of the mansion and just awkwardly hold each other gaze before one of us looked away. I had received a few owls from my friends always asking how I was doing and wanting me to come visit them. But I always answered in the same vague way and told them maybe next time. At some point they stopped asking.
I had received one mysterious owl from Dumbledore saying to not do anything to rash. Whatever that meant. It had only been a week and I was already considering sneaking off to go live with the Weasleys. At least they were nice. That and I wanted to see the progress the twins had made on their new business with the galleons I had given them. But of course when I owl Ginny, she says there staying someone else. Away from the burrow. Just my luck. At this point I was even considering swallowing my pride and going over to Astoria's. Who had been the most persistent with asking me to visit.
I had curled up in bed reading a book when I heard a knock at the door. I lifted my gaze from my book for a mere second before answering.
"Come in." I say nonchalantly as I go back to reading my book. I shifted my gaze for a second to see who it was and wasn't to surprised to find Narcissa. She had been paying my attention to me lately. Which I found very odd. She had started making an effort to make conversation with me at breakfast or dinner. Which resulted me in normally eating in my room with Lopsey as company or eating in the kitchens later. I may have also just felt awkward sitting next to Draco.
"I noticed you didn't come down for lunch." She says calmly placing a silver tray full of food on the edge of my bed. "I brought a little something." I look at the food and then back up at her. I sat my book down beside me and gently took the tray from the end of the bed and brought it closer to me. I began chewing a piece of bread that sat beside the soul that was also on my tray of food. I try and give her a warm thank you smile. But I doubt it worked. She made her way towards the door once more. Before turns around as she reached for the door knob.
"Is everything ok?" She asks with a small frown. I look up at her in slight confusion. "Between you and Draco." She clarifies, "You two have looked at bit - distant."
I put on a fake small smile, "Everything's fine." I say. Though everything was not fine. Narcissa nodded her head and turned to leave. She grabbed the door knob and turned it closing the door behind as she exited. I sighed as she left and began sipping on my soup she had brought me. I couldn't wait to head back to hogwarts even though I had only been away about a week.
A couple of weeks had gone by and me and Draco barely spoke to each other. Except when we would occasionally argue. It seemed our life long friendship was coming to a stop-- and whatever fondness we felt towards each other to. Of course Narcissa had come to notice this and continued to ask about us. She wasn't giving up on asking and finding out what was happening, so I caved in and told her about how me and Draco had a disagreement.
I didn't tell her much as I still wanted to keep some things private. Mostly about my abilities and Draco knowing so she wouldn't press him. I had a feeling Draco wouldn't tell anyway. I knew he could be bad and a bully sometimes but I knew he wouldn't tell her. Telling his goons and the school was another thing. I doubted he would but I truly didn't know.
I quickly changed into fresh clothes and decided to put my hair up into a quick low before heading downstairs. I took a seat silently at the table. I was sitting next to Draco, much to my dismay. I started eating the breakfast prepared by the house elves in silence with constant glances from Draco. I glanced over him once or twice, to which he had also been glancing at me.
Which left for a very awkward silent stare before looking away quickly. I still couldn't help the slight tinge of pink on my cheeks after it happens. This time though when we awkwardly looked away I spotted Narcissa with two letters in her hands. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as she walked up to us and placed the letters in front of me and Draco. Which were properly labeled with our names on it. I grabbed mine with a confused face as did Draco. We both locked eyes before opening the letters. I tore open the seal and pulled out the piece of paper within and read it.
