Distance // Draco Malfoy

Chapter 21

Life with a timeturner is stressful. Hermione and I find ourselves submerged in homework day in and day out, and now we hardly have a moment to ourselves. I haven't spoken to Harry, Ron or Draco for the past few days, and we've only just been in term for that amount of time. In that short space of time, I have been given over twelve different essays, all of which are expected to be handed in sometime next week. I can't complain, however. I myself chose to do so many different subjects. The least interesting of these for me is Divination. Professor Trelawny is a bit of a fraud if you ask me.

We are now walking down the green towards Hagrid's hut. It's the first Care of Magical Creatures lesson that we have this year, and I'm hoping that it goes well for him. We have this lesson with the Slytherins today. 'Righ', gather round everyone. Got a real treat for ye all, a great lesson. Follow me.' Hagrid leads us along the edge of the forest and starts to lead us inward a little. We come to an area that has been cleared of trees ever so slightly, making it much more open.

Opening the books is the problem. 'Ye'll need your books open.'
'And just exactly how do we do that?' Draco spits.
'Jus' stroke the spine, o' course.' Hagrid says like it's obvious. Neville doesn't pick up on this, and his book wrestles him to the ground. I stand around the front of the class with Hermione, Harry and Ron. In front of us is something which looks part eagle, part horse. A Hippogriff. 'Say hello to Buckbeak!' Hagrid smiles. The class gapes up at the animal. 'Now, who wants to come and say hello?' I back away with Ron and Hermione. Harry stays put. Clearly he didn't get the message that we have all backed away. 'Harry!' Only now does he look around and see the class backed away.

Draco seems to be fuming throughout the lesson. He laughs and points, jeering with Crabbe and Goyle, as Buckbeak looks menacing to Harry, and then proceeds to curse when Buckbeak bows back. He rolls his eyes when Harry pats him and the rest of us clap, me, Hermione and Ron doing so loudly. 'I think he'll let you ride him now.' Hagrid says.
'What?' Harry says sharply as Hagrid lifts him up and onto Buckbeak. 'Hey, hey, hey, Hagrid!' Harry protests, struggling with Hagrid.

Hagrid won't listen. He claps Buckbeak on the back and the Hippogriff sets off at a run. Pretty much the whole class follows to the other end of the clearing, shouting about the fact Harry is now flying on the Hippogriff. 'You're joking.' I hear someone say behind me. I whip around to see Draco. 'It's a bloody pisstake. Potter, again.' He spits, glaring at the sky.
'Well, if you don't like it, tough.' I shrug.
'What's gotten into you?' He asks, giving me a funny look. I spin around to face him.

'Nothing has gotten into me, but your habit of voicing your hatred about all of my closest friends is driving me nuts and I'm already stressed to hell, you've seen how much homework I'm getting.'
'Maybe you shouldn't be such a swat and take so many fucking classes, then.' He snaps. I can't believe he's just said that. He looks down. 'Sorry.'
'Sure you are.' I shrug, watching the Hippogriff as it circles closer to us.
'Really.' He presses. 'I wasn't thinking.'
'I really hope for your sake that you weren't.'

'Look, the Hogsmeade trip is coming up soon. I was going to ask if we could go together?'
'If you behave, sure.'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, you have a habit of insulting me and my friends must I remind you, Draco. Play nice and I'll go with you.' He gives me a very long look before nodding.
'Fair enough. Just give me an answer a week before we go.' I raise my brow. 'Please.'
'Yes, sir.' I reply, smirking.

Harry lands and the class immediately swamp him once Hagrid lifts him from Buckbeak. 'Oh, please.' I hear Draco drawl, and I can almost hear him rolling his eyes. He stands and walks right over to Buckbeak, standing in front of him.
'Yeah, you're not all that great, are you? You great big ugly brute.'
'Malfoy, no!' I hear Hagrid shout. Buckbeak rears and shrieks, sending the whole class shrieking and to the trees. Malfoy screams as Buckbeak causes a slash in his school shirt. I watch in total and utter horror.

I know that Draco likes to make things look worse than they are, but the scratch still looks nasty. 'Hagrid! He needs to go to the hospital wing.' Hermione says. Hagrid picks Draco up, shouts, 'Class dismissed!' over his shoulder and heads out of the forest. All I hear is Draco say, 'You and your bloody chicken.' Hermione turns to me, looking worried.
'That'll drop Hagrid right in it.' I hear Ron mutter as the class begins to file away through the trees.

At dinner, Draco turns up with his arm bandaged and in a sling. He really is laying it on thick, though. According to him, he nearly lost his arm. I have to admit that I feel a little disappointed in him, but then again, he's Draco. He enjoys making shit up. I can't stay all that mad at him because I can't. Just like he can't stay mad at me. 'Two seconds.' I say to Harry, standing up from the table and going over to Draco. 'Hey, you okay?' I ask. He shrugs. 'Listen, I'll go to Hogsemeade with you if you stop laying it on so thick.' I whisper in his ear.
'Whatever you say.' He smirks.
'I'm serious.' I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder lightly before going back over to see Harry, Ron and Hermione. 'What was that about?' Harry asks.
'Hm? Oh, nothing.' I shrug, suppressing a grin.