Summer Holiday

Chapter 23

Draco sat in his bedroom speechless after Sophie left. Why couldn't she understand? Of course he couldn't admit that he thinks about her when she's not around. It was natural, but he could never tell her. Her admitting to him that she thinks and talks about him only proves that they are more than acquaintances, and Draco knew that was dangerous. Caring about anyone would only end up hurting him.

Only Draco and Sirius attended breakfast. Draco sat in his chair lazily practicing transfiguration on the vase on the table while Sirius read the Daily Prophet.

"Feeling out of practice?" Sirius asked as he glanced up from the paper.

Draco grunted and shrugged. He set down his wand and began eating from his plate.

"I can teach you what I know if you'd like." Sirius offered.

Draco's ears perked up and he straightened in his seat. After all, Sirius did fight in the previous war. He thought for a moment. "No. I'll manage." Draco figured it would be better to avoid any relationship with Sirius.

"Suit yourself." Sirius returned to reading his paper.

A knock at the window interrupted the quiet kitchen. Sirius rose from his seat and greeted the owl at the window which had two envelopes strapped to its' legs.

"Ah. Draco. Looks like one is for you." Sirius handed the letter to Draco.

Draco eagerly reached out and took the letter. The Malfoy family seal was on the front of the envelope.

"Is it from your father?" Sirius asked.

"I'm not sure." Draco stood up. "I'm finished now." He motioned for Kreacher to take his plate. Draco left the kitchen and headed for his bedroom.

He sat down and stared at the envelope. If it was from his father, it could contain anything. He slowly and carefully opened the envelope, pulled out a letter, and unfolded it.

Draco,

I cannot say much in this letter as it could be intercepted, but I am so proud of you. I hope this letter finds you well and safe. Remember to be careful who you trust. You may find an ally in an unfriendly face. I love you Draco.

Love,

Mum

He sat with the letter still clenched tightly in his hand. He couldn't believe what he just read. His mum was proud? She had never said that before, and he certainly never heard it from his father. He folded the letter back up and placed it in the envelope. Draco couldn't think clearly and wanted to tell someone about the letter.

He wanted to tell Sophie about the letter.

He desperately tried to convince himself to leave it alone and he didn't need to tell anyone about it. Before he knew what he was doing he was headed for his bedroom door.

Damnit

The door quietly closed behind him as he headed for Sophie's bedroom. The door was open a crack already. He poked his head in and found no one inside. He walked down the stairs and saw Sophie curled up on the sofa, a blanket on her lap and a book in her hands. Draco rubbed the back of his neck, then headed for the living room. He took a seat on the chair next to the sofa.

"I uh..." Draco cleared his throat. "My mum wrote me."

Sophie did not move. She kept her eyes on her book.

Draco waited for a reaction. "Verilia."

Sophie still did not move.

"Okay." He let out a sigh. "You want an apology." Draco acknowledged. "I don't know how to give you that. I mean....I just....it isn't fair. You know what kind of family I grew up in. My father was right and I was wrong. That's how it was. And then at Hogwarts with my friends, I was right and they were wrong. I don't know how to talk about conflict." He waited. Still no response. "I'll be nicer to Sirius okay? and I'll....be nicer to Lupin."