The Change Love has Wrought

Chapter 2

Draco woke the next morning not feeling the least bit rested. All night he tossed and turned, like a ship caught in a storm at sea. He just couldn't sleep. As he opened his trunk to fetch a robe, his eyes fell on the small Slytherian coat of arms on his robes. It was the same as always. It hasn't changed and never would, but for some reason it seemed to have more emphasis today. It took him until he was done dressing to realize why. Today was the day Gwyneth would begin to wear it. Gwyneth, the same reason he couldn't sleep. Why was his every thought about her. She was nothing to him, she was simply a first year halfblood, but yet he couldn't get her out of his mind. He scowled and walked down the stairs to the common room. He wouldn't think about her anymore, it was senseless. As he walked to breakfast with Crabbe and Goyle, he managed to push her out of his thoughts. It wasn't until she sat next to him at the table that his thoughts were filled with her again, along with a strange warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. What were these feelings! He didn't care about anyone, especially a halfblood! No he wouldn't think about her anymore, weather she sat by him or not. He ate his breakfast making the occasional sneer. It wasn't long before the mail arrived. A parcel or letter didn't appear in front of him, but he wasn't dissapoinyed. He hardly ever relieved post. It wasn't until a small letter appeared in front of Gwyneth that he glanced at her. As she opened the letter he went back to eating. Arles a minute later he heard a small choked back sob and looked up to see Gwyneth run off. Crabbe laughed. "Looks like the little rat got bad news. Wonder what made the rodent scurry off." Goyle laughed as Draco felt a hot anger rising within him. He clenched his jaw and asked "Why did you call her that?" Crabbe looked at him. " Cause. Her face looks like a rat." He felt the anger rise in him again, this time it was as hot as white iron. "She don't resemble a rat in any way. You're obviously too dumb to notice. If anything she looks like a fawn." Crabbe laughed, obviously not picking up on his anger. "That's great Draco. Little Fawn we can call her. That's a good one." Draco glared at him, but stopped himself from saying amything. They might call her that as an insult, but in reality it suited her. She was a little fawn. He looked back at the door where she ran out. As much as he wanted to, he refrained himself from going after her. He had a reputation to keep. He couldn't just go running after upset first years. He finished his food and walked to his first class. As he went through his classes, he couldn't help but wonder what made Gwyneth cry. As lunch came he saw no sign of her. It wasn't until he was in the common room after dinner that she finally reappeared. As she entered he sent Crabbe and Goyle to fetch a few snacks. She wandered around and sat in the chair next to him. He looked around to make sure the room was mostly empty before he spoke. "What was that this morning. You ran." She looked up. "It's my mum. She's sick, she was already before I left but-" Draco tilted his head a bit. "But what? What happened?" Gwyneth sniffled a bit. "She's gotten worse. She's in the hospital." Draco nodded. "Well..I'm-" He stopped before he could say 'sorry'. What was he doing! Why does he care about her mother! He was Draco Malfoy and he is better than some halfblood! He mentally slapped himself. But she's not just any halfblood a new voice told him. She's the halfblood you love! He quickly stood up, startling Gwyneth a bit. "I have to go" He said as he practically sprinted up to his room. His roommates weren't there, good. He sat on his bed. It couldn't be true could it? He didn't actually love a halfblood, did he? He shook his head as he answered the question in his mind. He did, he loved Gwyneth. He was doomed. He was a pureblood. No one in his family has ever loved a halfblood. If his family found out he was doomed. The only chance he had was to ignore it, ignore her. Oh but you know you can't. You love her, you won't abandon her. There it was again that little annoying voice in his head. What was it called again a concious? Yes that was the word. Why couldn't he just wave it away like a fly. But it was right, he couldn't just ignore her. Maybe if he wanted long enough it wold go away along with whatever feelings he has for Gwyneth. Yes that is what he would do. In a week it will be fine, everything would be fine. With that thought he slipped into his night clothes and went to bed.