Sadly, There Is More Than Us

{14} A Mark

The whispers around Hogwarts seem to die down in the first week, but people still move out of my way in any corridor, and most of the first years won't look me in the eye. My mother would be so proud. 

 My dreams every night are of that man, that poor man that I hurt and that I ...

Sometimes my worst dreams swap Hermione in his place. 

I have not slept much lately.

Every day I get to see Hermione Granger smile is a day worth betraying my mother. Harry is having his first trial today. Dragons. I hear them announce it from the stands. Hermione looks at me. She holds my hand, and I place my head on her shoulder. She kisses my head. 

I never thought that I would be loved this way. So purely. 

Fred walks up behind us. 'A galleon on Diggory having the fastest time?' he asks me. 

'I think she's a Potter girl', George continues. 

'You are both terrible, you know that?' Hermione says.

'Is that Draco on that list?' I ask, looking at the names of betters.

'Money is money  L/N, and he's got loads of it.' Fred says before coming up to my face to whisper, 'and recent information makes me believe that you are not far off him.'  He rubs his thumb and index fingers together to ask again for a bet. I smirk a bit at his confidence. I am happy they are treating me normally. Hermione glares at them both. 

'C'mon Freddy, I think we've outstayed our welcome' George pulls Fred away with a smirk, and they continue hassling other students for money. 

Hermione laughs, I presume a bit out of awkwardness from Fred's statements. 

'I'm glad they are treating me as they do everyone else.' I say.

'They are a handful', Hermione smiles. 

Harry performs excellently in the task, nearly breaking half the school in the process, mind you, but his ego will be fuelled by the party the Gryffindors are holding for him back in the castle. 

Hermione and I walk back hand in hand when I hear two voices speak to each other that should never be allowed to. 

Draco and Luna seem to have diverged from the crowd. 

'I'll meet you there.' I say to Hermione, and she continues on. 

Luna is leaning against a tree as Draco goes through her bag of belongings. Two boys are beside Luna, keeping her back. 

'I told you, I can give you as much Billywig repellent as you need.' Luna says. 

'Lost three galleons to a Weasley. Do you have any on you, loony?' Draco spits out at the girl. 

Luna looks at him, concerned, 'You should consider trying to make friends for once, Malfoy. It might open up new doors and give you a better personality.' she says with a genuine smile. 

Draco steps towards her. 

I let out a laugh. 

'She has a point there, Draco.' I say, announcing my presence which causes him to turn around. I can see from his face that he wasn't expecting this. He looks back at the two other boys, his unsavoury crew, who follow him around like puppies. The taller one points his wand at me and smiles cunningly. 

'You are as stupid as you look.' I start, and he raises his eyebrows, 'that is if you are pointing your wand at me.' I continue plainly and then ignore him and look back at Draco.