Shit, I'm Falling For A Weasley || George Weasley

Chapter 32 - In which a secluded Malfoy mystifies me

I stare out at the horizon. It's so cold. A typical winter's day, but that's not the only reason I feel cold. I can't help but think back to the conversation with Snape a few weeks ago and sigh. Every time I try to arrange a meeting with Dumbledore, he's preoccupied or not in his office. It's like he spends more of his time outside of Hogwarts than in Hogwarts which is insane since there's huge threat outside not to mention the three death eaters casually walking around. 

And that's not the end of my problems. My eyes narrow as I catch Malfoy walking across the courtyard, glancing behind him as if he doesn't want anyone to see where he's going. This is the third time I've seen him without his gang of friends and it weirds me out. If I can't solve my problem with Dumbledore, I might as well find out what Malfoy's getting up to. 

Making sure I keep to the shadows, I follow him into the castle. He quickens his pace and I mimic him as we go down an unfamiliar corridor. Where is he going? Why is he so keen to be invisible? Is he doing something for the mission? 

He darts around a corner and I wait for a second, leaning against the wall. I can't hear his footsteps. It's like he's stopped suddenly or something. Slowly I draw out my wand, just in case whatever he's doing is dangerous or something I would not want to be involved in. Taking a deep breath I turn the corner and my eyes widen to see Malfoy staring casually at me as he too leans on the wall. He twirls his wand between his fingers, his expression unreadable. 

I stare dumbfounded. How did he know I was following him? Am I that bad at tracking someone? 

"So are we just going to stare at each other or are you going to tell my why you were following me?" Malfoy says after a pause, his voice slightly amused. This is funny to him? I'm having serious doubts about my ability to go stealth mode and he's found the joke in it all? 

"How did you know it was me?" I ask, my wand still pointed at him. He sighs at me, as if he's tired of my presence already. The notion enrages me. 

"I spent a summer with you, I think I know when you're following me," he says in a bored voice. My eyes widen. All those times I followed him in summer to see where he goes off to... he knew? And he let me follow him? He let me find him sitting by himself on a bench staring out in the horizon lost in thought. He let me find him angrily destroy a couple of boxes behind the house. He let.. he let me see him vulnerable and with eyes so haunted I felt like for once my nightmares are normal compared to what he must be having. 

"I... You. How? Wh-" I splutter as Malfoy straightens up.

"I liked having the company," he says in a monotone voice as he takes a few steps towards. My heart rate quickens as I realise what type of mess I've put myself in. I can't believe I was naive enough to think that Malfoy is harmless. He's the most dangerous out of them all, because you think he's wearing his emotions on his sleeve but then you find out that you don't have a clue as to what's going on in his head. 

"Now tell me," he says as his eyes bore into my own. "Why are you following me?" He pushes my wand to the side with his finger as his tone becomes icy. I stop a shiver from exposing my fear. I haven't ever seen Malfoy like this and I thought I had seen just about every side there was to see of his. 

"Wh-," I say but then I clear my throat and narrow my eyes. For heaven's sakes! You're a Fowler. Act like it. "What are you doing sneaking off by yourself?" I answer his question with one of my own. He doesn't seem surprised at my question- of course he must know that I've noticed his weird behaviour. 

"I'll repeat the question since obviously you seem to have trouble hearing me. Why are you following me?" Malfoy asks, his eyes hard. I glare back up at him.