by my side¹ - d. malfoy

Twenty-Three

LAURA WALKED into the common room. She was about to fall back onto the couch when a first-year approached her.

"Erm, Professor Snape wants to talk to you," he said.

Laura was so exhausted, especially with Snape.

"Tell him I can't. Dumbledore's orders," Laura said, collapsing onto the couch. "If Snape gets mad, just tell me. I'll tell him off tomorrow."

The first year nodded, going off to tell Snape. Laura sighed, closing her eyes for a second as she leaned back into the couch.

"Stuck in here, eh?" asked a voice, walking down the stairs.

"Yeah," Laura replied, knowing who it was, keeping her eyes closed.

"On Dumbledore's orders... what did you do?" the person said, sitting next to her.

Laura opened her eyes to see it was Draco. She shrugged, leaning into him.

"I was talking to Viktor after learning what the next task is- they ruined the Quidditch field- and then Mr. Crouch showed up out of nowhere," Laura's hands were waving everywhere as she explained everything. "I had to sprint and get Dumbledore, but then Crouch apparently attacked Viktor while I was gone... Hagrid and Karkaroff beefed... Oh! And dumb Moody showed up suspiciously on time."

"You were talking to Krum?" Draco seemed to ignore everything she had explained once she told him she was talking to Viktor.

"Oh my, don't be jealous," Laura said, rolling her eyes. "He was just asking me if there was anything between Harry and Hermione."

"Oh," Draco said. "But Mr. Crouch just showed up? Like the Minister?"

"Yeah, he kept saying nonsense. It was kind of terrifying. But afterward, Dumbledore sent me back with Hagrid and told me to stay here... so I'm stuck here all night."

"It's not like you have anywhere to be, Laura," Draco reminded her. "Well, I guess Snape wanted to talk to you... do you know what that's all about?"

"I dunno," Laura knew it probably had to do with that night and her class that day, but it was Snape. "He's been in an awful mood lately. I think he has seasonal depression but for the Summer. Today, he was being dumb during class and when I was trying to get Dumbledore."

Draco looked at her, unsure how to respond to what she had said.

"You did get snappy at him in class," Draco said. "You didn't apologize to him... did you?"

"I know," Laura groaned. "I'm almost a hundred percent sure that's why he was being annoying. But it's whatever now, he's just thick- ugh, I've been here too long."

"I feel like you haven't been here long enough," he said, putting his arm around her and pulling her close.

"Hmm, we'll see about that," Laura said with a smile, pulling away and standing up. "I'm going to go to sleep, so I'll see you tomorrow."

Draco got up as well. Laura stole a quick kiss from him before going to the stairs. However, Draco had something else in mind. He pulled her arm gently and into his arms.

"You can't leave like that," he said. There was a smirk on his face as he pulled Laura in, kissing her softly.

Laura gladly kissed him back, yet it only lasted a moment- the portrait door swung open. Laura and Draco quickly moved away from each other- Laura quickly tidied herself up.

"Laura, Draco," Laura's eyes widened slightly, seeing that it was Snape. "Laura, would you care to explain why I didn't see you in my office?"

"Nice to see you too," Laura said with a smile. "Dumbledore gave me strict orders to stay in here, and I follow the rules-" Draco gave her a sideways glance as she said this "-so I would never defy Professor Dumbledore's orders, even for my dearest godfather."