The Dragon in The Ice Fortress- Draco Malfoy

26

The castle's corridors seemed colder that evening, the shadows stretching longer as the sun dipped below the horizon. I found myself walking purposefully toward Daphne's dormitory, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and betrayal. The weight of the night with Draco, the dark mark, and the secrets that had been kept from me felt unbearable. I needed answers, and I needed them now.

As I approached Daphne's room, I paused outside the door, taking a deep breath to steady myself. I had always trusted Daphne, considered her one of my closest friends. But the realization that she had known about Draco's dark mark—and had kept it from me—left me feeling deceived and hurt.

I knocked sharply on the door, my knuckles rapping against the wood with more force than I intended. After a moment, Daphne opened the door, her expression shifting from surprise to concern as she saw me standing there.

"Thalia?" she asked, stepping aside to let me in. "What's wrong?"

I walked into the room, my emotions bubbling just beneath the surface. Daphne's dormitory was dimly lit, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm but muted light on the room's furnishings. She closed the door behind us, her gaze searching mine.

"I need to talk to you," I said, my voice more clipped than I had intended. "About Draco."

Daphne's face fell, her eyes widening slightly. "What's happened?"

I took a deep breath, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I found out about Draco's dark mark. The one he's been hiding. And I've learned that you knew about it. You knew, and you didn't tell me."

Daphne's face flushed, and she looked away, a mixture of guilt and shame washing over her features. "Thalia, I—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" I interrupted, my voice rising. "Why did you let me get involved with him when you knew the truth? You could have warned me. You should have warned me."

Daphne's eyes met mine, filled with a deep sadness. "I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you. Draco... he's been struggling with this for a long time. I thought—" She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I thought maybe there was still a chance for him to change, to come back from it."

I shook my head, feeling a sharp sting of betrayal. "And what about me, Daphne? Did you think about how this would affect me? I've been caught up in his world, dragged into something dark and dangerous, all because you chose not to say anything."

Daphne's voice trembled as she spoke. "I didn't want to see you hurt. I thought you were strong enough to handle it, that maybe Draco could still be the person you loved."

The pain in her voice only deepened my frustration. "How could you think I'd be okay with this? I trusted you, Daphne. I trusted you with everything. And now... now I feel like I've been living a lie."

Tears welled in my eyes, but I fought them back, determined not to let my emotions fully overtake me. "You should have been honest with me. If I had known the truth, I could have made a choice for myself, instead of being blindsided by his secrets."

Daphne took a step toward me, her own eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry, Thalia. I really am. I didn't want to keep secrets from you, but I didn't know how to tell you. I was trying to protect you, in my own misguided way."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions within me. "I need to think about what's next," I said finally, my voice quieter but still tinged with hurt. "I need to figure out how to deal with this, and I don't know if I can do that right now with you."

Daphne's face crumpled with remorse. "I understand. I just want you to know that I never meant to hurt you. I care about you, and I'm sorry for everything."

I nodded, turning toward the door. "I need some space," I said. "I'll talk to you later."

As I stepped out into the corridor, the weight of the confrontation settled heavily on my shoulders. The trust I had placed in Daphne had been shattered, and the realization that I had been kept in the dark about Draco's true nature left me feeling lost and betrayed. The path ahead seemed uncertain, but I knew I had to face it, no matter how painful it might be.

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The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of my dormitory, casting a pale glow over the room. I lay in bed, cocooned under the heavy comforter, my mind replaying the events of the past few days. The confrontation with Daphne, Draco's dark mark, and the crushing weight of betrayal were too much for me to process all at once. It felt as though the entire world was closing in on me, and I was struggling to breathe.

The muffled sounds of the castle waking up reached me through the walls, the usual clamor of students heading to their classes and the distant chatter of breakfast. But the sounds were faint and distant, like they belonged to another world. I pulled the covers tighter around myself, wishing I could simply disappear into the softness of the bed and forget everything.

It was a Tuesday, and I had already missed my morning classes. I knew I should get up, that I had responsibilities and friends who might worry about me. But the thought of facing the world, of putting on a brave face and pretending everything was okay, was overwhelming. The comfort of my bed, the sanctuary of solitude, was all I could manage right now.

The echoes of laughter and conversation from outside my door seemed to mock my misery. I buried my face in the pillow, letting out a soft, frustrated sigh. My thoughts drifted to Draco, to the way he had looked at me the night we were together, and then to the revelation of his dark mark. The pain of his betrayal was sharp and raw, a wound that refused to heal.

I reached over to the bedside table and picked up a small photograph that had slipped to the edge of the table. It was a picture of me, Draco, and a few friends, taken during a happier time. We were all smiling, carefree and full of hope. I traced my finger over Draco's face, feeling a pang of longing for the way things used to be. The warmth of his smile seemed so distant now, replaced by the cold reality of his true allegiances.

As I continued to stare at the photograph, the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. They flowed freely, mingling with the fabric of my pillow as I cried. I let out a series of choked sobs, each one a release of the pent-up sadness and anger that had been building inside me. The tears were a small relief, a way to express the hurt that words alone couldn't capture.

The sound of the castle's ambiance—the distant clinking of dishes, the murmur of voices—eventually began to fade into the background as my crying subsided into quiet, occasional sniffles. The room was now enveloped in a heavy silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of the bedclothes.

After a while, I managed to sit up, my eyes red and puffy from crying. I looked around the room, feeling a profound sense of loneliness. The darkened room seemed to reflect my inner turmoil, a stark contrast to the vibrant world outside. I knew that I couldn't stay here forever, but the thought of facing the rest of the day, of confronting my friends and the reality of Draco's choices, was daunting.

I stood up slowly, my limbs feeling heavy and uncoordinated. I shuffled to the window, drawing back the curtains to let in more light. The sunlight was harsh after the dimness of my bed, and I squinted as I looked out at the castle grounds. The beauty of the Hogwarts grounds seemed to mock my despair, a reminder of how far I felt from the life I once knew.

The thought of missing more classes and letting the day slip away was tempting, but I knew I needed to find some semblance of normalcy. I resolved to get up and face the day, even if it meant doing so with a heavy heart and a burdened mind.

I dressed slowly, putting on a comfortable outfit that I hoped would help me feel more grounded. As I walked to the door, I cast one last look around the room, the photograph of Draco still clutched in my hand. I put it back on the table, where it would be a reminder of the past—a reminder of what had been lost.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped into the corridor, the familiar sounds of the castle welcoming me back. The day ahead was uncertain and filled with challenges, but I was determined to face it. The weight of my grief was still heavy, but I knew that I had to move forward, even if it was just one step at a time.