Relentless - A Dramione FanFic

A Late Night Connection

Draco quickly grabbed his books and rushed through the portal. He still had an hour before Astronomy was scheduled to start, so he'd have to find a way to kill some time. He desperately wanted to visit Hermione, but knew better than to risk Madam Pomfrey still being awake. Draco opted for a stroll down to the boat house. An eerie sense of deja vu hit him as he'd walked through the door. He'd met with Severus in the boat house on the first day of school every year, but this one. He could still hear the argument they'd had on Draco's first day of his first year.

"Draco. I know it is incredibly difficult to see her here, and not be able to be yourself around her. Trust me, my heart aches for you. Really it does. But you CANNOT breathe a single word to her that would make her think you are anything but the prejudiced pureblood your father thinks you are. If she develops feelings for you here, she will be in grave danger. She will become Lucius' first target. Do you understand that? If her views her as a distraction, he will seek her out and destroy, especially since she is a muggle born."

"You think I don't know that? I understand full well why I have to put on this act, but that doesn't make it any easier, Severus. I love her! And she loves me! Just a week ago, we were laying under the oak tree, planning our future. Now we are here, and she's alone, struggling to make friends. You know that was always a problem for her. She cried about it all the time. Its not her fault she is too smart for her own good. Why can't everyone else just see what an amazing girl she is? If she could make one friend, just one, this wouldn't be so hard for me."

"Give it time, Draco. Its only the first day. No one makes a ton of friends on their first day. The first years are too worried about getting lost to socialize. Trust me, Draco. She will find where she belongs, just as you will."

"My father has made sure of that, hasn't he? Did you know I didn't even have five minutes to myself before Pansy found me? She thinks just because our parents are friends that we are friends as well. She's seriously messed up. She tried to make out with me! Aside from the fact that we're only eleven, I would never want to lay my hands on that girl...EVER!"

"That is understandable, but you need to be careful you don't alienate any of the friends your father has approved of. That will only make him suspicious. I'm not saying you have to be physical with her, but please try your best to get along."

"Fine. Can I please go up to bed? Its been an exhausting day."

"Yes, of course. I'll see you bright and early in the morning. You've got Potions first thing."

Draco hopped onto the oars' storage box and allowed his feet to dangle over the dark water. The gentle rhythm of the waves was soothing. He stared into the depths, every once in a while, catching a glimpse of something shimmering just below the surface. There were untold number of mysterious creatures that called the black lake home, most of which Draco hoped he'd never have the pleasure to meet.

He does, however, have a soft spot for the fairydragon seahorses. They are ten times the size of a normal sea horse and had delicate silver wings that served as fins. Draco had saved a litter from a roaming grindylow in his third year, and they have been sort of like his pets ever since. They are peaceful creatures and have no natural self-defense mechanisms, therefore they live only in places that provide shelter, such as under the boat house. Draco made a mental note to come back and visit them during the day time as soon as possible.

***

Professor Sinistra had her eye pressed to a telescope in the far corner of the tower when Draco arrived. He highly disliked coming to this tower because it was there that Dumbledore had died. He could have opted out of Astronomy after fifth year, but he continued as it was the only class Hermione took without her two best friends.