Ten Questions (Harry Potter x Slytherin reader)

Chapter 52

The last thing I had expected to happen while studying alone in the girls dormitory was for Draco Malfoy to storm in completely unannounced in the late evening. 

I instantly slam my textbook shut, seething with rage as I quickly get up from my seat.

"For God's sake, Draco, this is the girls dormitory! You can't just come in here whenever you want-"

Of course, he decides not to listen. I'm shocked when he grabs me by the arm and begins to drag me out into the common room, where Blaise and Daphne and a handful of Slytherins are. I'm so angry- so appalled by his audacity that I struggle to find the right words to scream at him.

Upon seeing us, both of them cock their heads to the side in confusion, as if to say 'What's going on?' I only stare back at them blankly, trying to communicate that I, too, have no idea what is happening. Blaise begins to rise from his seat, only for Daphne to yank him back down. 

By the time Draco has led me out of the common room, I say at once, "Malfoy, if you don't let go of me this fucking second, I will kill you. I swear."

"It's Potter," he says, ignoring my violent comment. He doesn't even care to look at me. Then, a grin begins to creep across his face. I don't think I've seen him this happy in weeks, and that worries me. "Umbridge-

"My arm, Malfoy. I'm not kidding."

To my surprise, he falters for a moment as his eyebrows knit together, as if he wasn't even aware he was holding onto me in the first place. Almost instantly, he lets go. "Sorry," he mumbles, and I'm surprised when it sounds like he means it.

Malfoy, for the last month or so, has been... different. He's been more quiet- more reserved. He seems bitter and angry most of the time, as if holding on to something that nobody else knows. While he used to spend most of his time parading around the school, boasting about himself or taunting innocent Gryffindors, he has been difficult to find anywhere outside of class. 

However, it seemed like the old Malfoy, in this moment, was back as if he had never left. 

"Don't ever pull that shit again, especially in front of other people, or I swear-"

"You'll kill me, yes, I know, Pucey," Malfoy interrupts, rolling his eyes.

There are so many things I want to say- to do. How dare he? Thinking he can go and do whatever he pleases because he has been made leader of Umbridge's ridiculous club. If we weren't so closely tied together through families, there's no telling what I would do right now.

Instead, I draw in a sharp breath and let it go. Crossing my arms, I force myself to look at him and raise an eyebrow, as if suddenly bored of the situation. 

"You were saying?"

"It's Umbridge," he tells me at once, quickening his pace down the hall. His smile returns again, and he looks at me with a wild look in his eye. I don't like it. I fight the urge to slap him across the face. "She knows where Potter and his friends are hiding out."

"What?" This time it's me who grabs Malfoy by the arm. Stopping abruptly, I pull him back so that we're both standing still- taking a moment to breathe and collect ourselves amidst the chaos and confusion. "How?"

"It was a student. Marietta Edgecomb- that Ravenclaw girl. She told Umbridge about ten minutes ago and confessed everything."

It suddenly becomes very quiet, as if time itself has gone still. My mouth opens, then closes, not sure what to say. 

That little-

I'm forced to collect myself. My expression unchanging, I nod slowly and try to process everything. After a few moments, I avert my gaze to Malfoy, and he raises a brow, as if trying to anticipate my next words.