𝐀 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 [Draco×OC]

21: I'm here... I'll always be here.

Draco's POV

No matter how much I ask Angie not to get into trouble, she always finds a way to do it anyway. Her hand was getting worse and worse, and I was thankful that that idiot Nott kept healing her. I'm sure she already knew the way to Umbridge's office; it was no wonder, considering every class was a confrontation between them. I remember one time when Angie didn't say anything at all, but just let out a loud sigh when Umbridge asked her to sit properly. I still don't understand what's so hard about following instructions; why did she always have to be strong and defiant? Why couldn't she just behave? Why did she always need to have the last word?

The answer to all those questions was why I liked her so much.

All the frustration I felt from watching her act that way was overshadowed by the concern I had for seeing her hurt, no matter how much she brought it on herself. I didn't even mind much when she provoked Umbridge and got kicked out of the classroom, because every time she did, Angie would look at me as she left, either to mock Umbridge or just to smile at me. I still remember the time after a confrontation with Umbridge over her abuse of authority when Angie blew me a kiss while leaving, smiling triumphantly. All those things made me think I was close to earning her forgiveness someday, or at least being close to her again.

However, my curiosity grew daily about what she was doing between classes. Many students from different houses spent long periods out of sight in the school corridors, and, of course, among them was her, but also Potter, which didn't sit well with me at all. I had tried asking Nott, but of course, without success.

-

"Do you know anything about Rasmüssen?"
"Why would I tell you anything about her if I knew?" he asked without even looking at me.
"Come on, Nott, don't make things more complicated."
"I'm not complicating anything, Malfoy," he said, closing his book violently. "If anyone ruined things with her, it was you. I have nothing to discuss with you."

-

Mr. Filch, the squib caretaker Hogwarts had years ago, told Umbridge he had seen several students enter through a door on the seventh floor, but when he went to check, the door was never there. I thought the old man was crazy, but Umbridge had asked us to approach him and keep an eye on the area.

Could it be...

The Room of Requirement! How had I not thought of it before?

I suggested to Umbridge that whatever Potter and the others were doing, we would find out in the Room of Requirement, and that I could show her how to get there.

Finally, we were standing in front of the wall where the door manifests.

"It's here," I said, pleased with my discovery. "Potter and his friends must be here."

After the door appeared in front of us, Umbridge smiled and gave me a look of satisfaction.

"You don't know how much good you've done for this school, Mr. Malfoy! Your father will be proud of this."

Suddenly, the professor pointed her wand at the door, casting a spell to break it and reveal the interior of the room. I was certain that whatever Potter and the others were doing, we would see it inside...

As the door was destroyed, there they were. Many students from different houses, but mostly Gryffindor, were there in the Room of Requirement.

"I knew you would be in this place!" Professor Umbridge said.