Where Your Loyalties Lie

Chapter Six: End of Year

Katie's POV

After detention, I stayed in the common room. It was only eleven-thirty so I knew Draco wouldn't be back from his detention yet. I wanted to talk to him and forgive him. I missed his company and wanted to be friends again.

I don't know how long I had been sitting on the couch waiting for him, but it was some time after midnight when he came running into the common room out of breath. Jumping out of my chair in surprise, I asked Draco if he was alright. "H-h-hooded thing, in the forest," He sputtered, much like Professor Quirrell.

"Why on Earth were you in the forest?" I asked.

"D-d-detention."

"I thought your detention was with Mr. Filch?" He looked as if he was going to pass out. "Sit down on the couch. Don't talk yet. You look like you're freezing. I'll go get a blanket." I ran up to my dorm and found a big, green blanket and then raced down the stairs back to the common room. I wrapped the blanket around him and sat next to him.

"It's been k-killing the u-unicorns," he began.

"Shh," I stopped him. "Wait 'til you've warmed up and calmed down." He nodded and rested his head on my shoulder. It's a good thing nobody else was in the common room, because Draco running in like that could have caused quite a scene.

Draco's POV

I stared into the fire as I laid my head on Katie's shoulder, relieved that she was talking to me again. There was so much to say, and yet she cared more about me feeling better.

When I felt calmer, I began to explain. "Mr. Filch was only there to take us to Hagrid. We served detention with Hagrid, and were supposed to help him find the injured unicorn in the Forbidden Forest." I paused to collect my thoughts and let her take in what I had said.

"Fang, Hagrid's dog, Potter and I were in a group, and the others were in their own group. We came to a dead unicorn and a hooded figure. It came towards us and I-I ran off. I didn't stop running until I got here," I finished telling her, and waited for her reply. She didn't have one.

There was just silence for a long time, and then she said, "I'm sorry for not speaking to you. I really didn't want to ignore you."

"Then why did you?" I asked, sitting up to look at her. There were tears in her eyes.

"I had to. I couldn't let you off the hook for what you said so easy. If I did you would have learned nothing."

"But I did learn," I assured her. "I learned that it upsets you when house rivalry is brought up."

"It does. The things that are said by Slytherins about Gryffindors and said by Gryffindors about Slytherins is sickening."

"I realized that after you spoke up at lunch."

"I'm glad you did."

"And I'm glad you've decided to talk to me again."

"You're my best friend. Of course I'm speaking to you again." Katie stood up and so did I. "You need some rest. It's late. I'll see you in the morning."

She started towards her dorm when I called out,"Katie wait, your blanket." I gave it to her and she pulled me into a hug.

"Goodnight, Draco."

"Night, Katie." She let go and headed to bed. I did the same, but she probably didn't dream about me like I dreamed about her.

Katie's POV

Final exams arrived quickly. Too quickly, for some people who had put off studying until the last minute. Fortunately, I was not one of those people. Unfortunately, Maddie and Draco were.