The Lullaby of Fear | Draco Malfoy

Chapter Eleven

On the first of December, there was a big snowstorm.

Announcing the upcoming holidays, the leaves fall, the forests tint in white, snowflakes land on top of your nose, and the light hours grow shorter.

I was constantly reminded of the burden that holidays are. When it should be celebrated, I am mostly annoyed that they are happening at all. My parents will not celebrate anything for the first time, furthermore, I understood I will not be much wanted at home for Christmas.

However, there is still some weeks left.

As for now, I was admiring the views of the Castle from outside. The ground is completely covered in snow, as it is the sky. I am not wearing a beanie so the snowflakes stick in my hair. Except for the wind, everything is quiet.

You may be wondering why I am out here alone — Honestly, I am not sure either.

I wanted time alone, without the anxiety of having the teachers' breaths on my neck, a moment to think about nothing but myself.

Today is my sixteenth birthday.

I have always been a great fan of birthdays, but now it seems a bit unnecessary. That is why I have not told anyone, I do not like to make a big deal out of this. Daphne already knew, of course, she was the first to wish me a happy birthday.

She had bought me a new music book and some sweets, she had put it all on my nightstand so it was the first thing I had seen in the morning.

My parents obviously knew about it, they sent me an owl with a small card wishing me a happy birthday, and a brand new silky black dress. It is beautiful, but I do not see the ocasion where I would wear it.

Apart from them, nobody else needed to know. Plus, I have begged Daphne not to go around saying that it is my birthday, I knew she would. That is why, right after class, I left the castle. Thank Merlin that it was Friday and everyone was planning their hangouts.

Everyone is always anxiously awaiting the weekend, mainly because for getting out of the castle, and out of Umbridge's nightmare.

Classes are getting even worse, Umbridge's methods of teaching were not working, leave alone her methods of punishment. Couple weeks ago, Professor McGonagall and her had an argument because of this barbaric behavior of Umbridge's. After Trelawney's dismissal, they have not been in good terms.

Sitting here all alone allows me to be with my own thoughts, which tends not to be very pleasant after a while.

Fidgeting with the snow on my gloves, I hear some birds chirping close to me. I look up, realising it is actually my own owl. Aether is a female snowy owl, a very clever one indeed.

She flies around my head before flying down to my shoulder, letting a piece of paper fall into my hands. It was a card. Curiously, I turn it around to read:

Meet me on the fifth floor's hall ten minutes before curfew. I have a surprise.

There was no signing.

The neat font and clear lettering leads me to believe that this card belongs to a certain someone that lately I have been getting to know very well. For a second, I thought of Daphne, but I know her writing all too well.

Fifth floor? There is not much on the fifth floor, I wonder what he is thinking of.

Checking my watch, I see that it is six in the afternoon, meaning that I have been outside for an hour now, and that dinner is beginning. Looking up, I see the sky getting darker the longer I stare at it.

I rush up to the castle, quickly taking off my jacket, gloves, and Slytherin scarf to reveal my black robe. I then shake off the snow I was covered in.

Entering the Great Hall is always a pleasure, filled with people stuffing their mouths while others talk loudly about their days. The houses' tables full of warm food.