Distance // Draco Malfoy

Chapter 37

The first task is almost upon us. Hermione and I are seated in the Great Hall this morning, and I am listening to the song Club Foot, frowning most sincerely as I work on a piece of homework which Mad Eye has set us. 'It's awful. We should not be learning things as such until NEWT standard. We're not even close to sitting our OWLs yet. Oh, Lord!' I cry, looking up at Hermione. Harry sits down at the table, next to us, looking over at our essays cautiously. 'Harry, could I have a word?' I ask, trying for my tone to be light and casual. Harry nods and stands up, following me from the hall, and I feel a multitude of eyes upon us as the post owls arrive.

'Look, I just wanted to say sorry.'
'You don't have anything to apologise for. I'm the one who kissed you, I'm the one who fucked everything up.'
'Don't be so modest all the time, Harry! Look, I'm worried for you. You're still my best friend no matter what, and the first task is in a few days. Ron clearly isn't coming round.' I fold my arms and peer into the hall, seeing Hermione running from the Gryffindor table, looking beyond flustered and tumultuous. 'Are we good, then?'
'We're good.' Harry grins. I smile and throw my arms around him, kiss his cheek out of sheer happiness.

'You're going to want to see this.' Hermione trills worriedly, handing me a copy of The Daily Prophet paper. I stare down and begin to read a long paragraph:

Harry Potter's tragic life can be mirrored in his so-called love-life. Miss Alyssia Dolittle, a girl with many talents yet someone who lacks interesting characteristics in personality, appears to be the latest source of attraction for young Harry. Recently seen kissing outside the Great Hall at Hogwarts, the two seem to be madly in love. However, another heartbreak is thrown in the way for Harry. Draco Malfoy, a talented and handsome boy, known to have a rivalry with Harry at Hogwarts, seems to also be involved with the two-timing Miss Dolittle. Harry and Draco appear to have fought it out, and much to the disappointment of Harry, he seems to suffer more heartache, as Draco has clearly won. The couple are described as "inseparable". Harry, on the other hand, is -

'Enough.' Harry snaps, taking the paper in his hands and ripping it to shreds. I see a group of Slytherins walk past, glaring at me. 'Draco. Oh, shit. I'll be two minutes.' I mutter, running from the Entrance Hall and to the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, and just in time. Pansy is about to hand Draco the paper. 'Hey!' I shout, rushing at Draco and throwing myself down on the bench, kissing him lengthily, and taking the paper when he isn't looking. 'Lyssa, give it back.' Draco chuckles.
'Babe, there's nothing in the news today, I've just read it!' I scoff. I hear a shrill laughter behind me.
'Sweet. You're trying to protect him.' Pansy cackles.
'What?' Draco snaps, and he looks at me. I feel myself flushing. Draco snatches the paper and Pansy whispers something in his ear, probably the page number.

Draco glances at me before flicking to the right page and scanning the contents. Filled with plain embarrassment, I stand and politely excuse myself from the table, listening to the sneers which I leave behind. Once out of the Great Hall, I make a run for it. I dash up the flights of moving staircases, and I recite the password to the portrait, and once the door swings open, I hurry from the common room, where I get some stares, run up the staircase and fly into the dormitory, rolling off my bed and sitting in the window sill. I stay like this for a decent hour. The peevish obloquies of Rita Skeeter are enough to send me to tears. She has left me graveled and hampered into tight corners within the grounds, and she has targeted one of my best friends in a fashion so cruel it almost feels it should be illegal. I put my head onto my knees as I sob.

Then, a tapping at the window makes me start. I look up to see a black owl sitting there, a note attached to its beak. I take the parchment and my eyes settle upon the words:

Come down, please?

I scribble a note back:

I'd rather not. I am embarrassed and peeved. Plus, I would rather fancy not getting the crap kicked and jinxed out of me by countless Slytherins.