The Point of No Return (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 6: What I Hate About You

         “I can’t believe I did this. What the hell is wrong with me? Damn. This is not what I wanted.” I leaned my elbows on the ledge of the astronomy tower, resting my chin in my palms.

            “Laney’s probably right. When is she not? This sucks. What am I supposed to say? ‘Hi, my best friend thinks I have a crush on you. Isn’t that strange?’ We can’t even have a normal conversation like regular people.” I sighed, talking to only myself.

            Once again I jumped and screamed when Draco Malfoy’s hands found their way to my waist, giving me a quick squeeze. It was just enough to scare the hell out of me.

             I spun around to look at him with a slight glare. “What possesses you to do that to me?!” He laughed and I saw something I’d never seen before; a smile. A small, unintentional smile. But a stunning, breathtaking smile at that. I felt my expression soften and my cheeks burned with blush.

            “Stop laughing! It’s not funny!” I giggled a little myself and smiled. I stopped when he stopped and I looked at him carefully. I noticed that the small smile faded.

            “Why do you do that?” I asked curiously. My head involuntarily tilted to the side and I wondered what he thought of me. Could I really be that bad? I didn’t think so.

            “Um… I don’t know. To piss you off?” I smiled at his attempt to hide something. For once he wasn’t sure of something. “Forget it. Why did you say that I’m not as bad as Monica told you?” He just HAS to turn this around on ME!

            “Because, you aren’t. Monica is… very wrong about you. You’re not simply evil like she thinks. But I think you’re more complex than she gives you credit for. You’re always devious…but when it’s just you and me, it’s a little different, I think.” I didn’t understand why I said so much. I thought I was only going say the first sentence, but it all just spilled out.

            “Yes. At least I know the truth now. I don’t see why we can’t have a normal conversation like regular people.” He smirked and my eyes widened with fear.

            “How much did you hear me say?” His smirk got bigger. “No! Draco! No, I didn’t mean for you to hear any of that! How much? Really! Just tell me!” I fell on my knees and folded my hands, begging him to tell me and praying he didn’t hear all of it. I pouted and waited for him to stop laughing.

            “Oh, I heard all of it. Every little thing. Perhaps I won’t ask about the crush thing now.” He sighed and his fresh breath fell on my face. It sent a chill through my body.

            “Natalie, get up. You look like a filthy mudblood.” A scowl crossed his face and I laughed, knowing that I was a muggle born.

            “According to you I am a mudblood.” I reached my hands up towards him, waiting for him to pull me up off the cold floor. He looked reluctant but gave in and took my hands. As his hands touched mine a tingly feeling spread up through my arms. He pulled me up in one swift, fluid movement.

            “Thanks.” I let go of his hands and stood still. “You called me Natalie.” I noted in surprise. He’d never done that before.

            “Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

            “I don’t… know. That is your name.” That was not the answer I was looking for. I want something more than that.

            I crossed my arms and sat down on the floor. I sat with my knees to the side since I have to wear a skirt all of the time now. I could become quite uncomfortable.

            “I hate you Draco Malfoy.” I told him grumpily. “You hate me?!” His voice was sarcastic and he obviously didn’t buy it.

            “Yes. I hate your guts.” He sat next to me against the wall with his knees pulled up a bit.

            “At least you don’t hate all of me.” He laughed and I almost slapped him. I turned towards him and raised my hand in the air. Just as it was about to meet his face Draco’s hand caught my wrist. “That would not be a fine idea. Father would personally have you punished if you laid even one hand on me.” His eyebrows raised and I rolled my eyes.

            “What do you hate about me?” I tried to breathe, as he lowered my wrist and finally let go, but breathing in a situation like that is literally impossible.

            “…I don’t know.” I mumbled and stood up. I headed toward the stairs and looked back at him. “According to Monica, you’re the bad guy… and I don’t understand why.” I confessed.

            He got up and came towards me. He came so close that I had to look up at him. As I started to turn away his warm hand caught mine. I only turned my head and felt a warm tear move down my cheek.

            “But being evil is so much more fun.” He smirked a little, then frowned when he saw my wet eyes. “I’m sorry, Natalie, if I’m not who you wanted me to be.” He squeezed my hand and then was gone.

            I closed my eyes tight. The only thing I could feel was my hand… the one he’d held so gently and yet in a way that says that he’s truly sorry. I had changed my mind. I changed my mind about Draco Malfoy… and I never thought that would happen.