Emily Potter: The Girl Who Lived-Book 1

Chapter 25

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Once he was reassured, he got right back on track. "Right, well, again, very sorry for that...although I do think you'd like my mother. She is an excellent cook and she is wonderful at comforting people, I guess she's just a gentle, loving...." He stopped once more.

"Mother." I finished for him. "You don't have to be afraid of that word, you know. It's not like I'm going to break down at the mention of a mom." I joked, earning a slightly bigger smile from him.

After a moment, he continued on with whatever he wanted to say in the first place. "Anyway, I um..I guess I just wanted to start over, make amends, you know? I just want some real friends." He looked down, his eyes shining with regret. "I don't think Weasley or your brother will forgive me. I haven't been the nicest person to them or Granger..."

"They'll come around eventually." I promised. "They'll just need a bit of convincing."

Draco smiled and we walked in silence to the Great Hall. When we were about to round the corner, he stopped and dropped my hand. I looked up at him, questioning why he stopped so suddenly.

"I'll go in after 10 minutes after you. Otherwise, people get suspicious and start rumors." I nodded my head in agreement, leaving him alone at the corner. I was about 10 paces away when he yelled out to me, "Emily! Wait up!!"

I turned around, and he was jogging towards me, then skidded to a halt, rather close to me.

"You know, if you wanted a place to go for the holidays, Malfoy Manor is always open..." He offered politely.

"I'd love to come, Draco, but I can't just leave Harry, and besides, my aunt and uncle would rather starve me until I died than let me go somewhere!" I joked, before looking back up at his face. He looked at me in horror, processing that what I had just said was even remotely true.

I immediately regretted my choice of words, knowing it would have consequences in the future. He barely raised his voice to a whisper,"they don't actually refuse to feed you, do they?"

I shrugged and gave him a quick hug before sprinting to the Great Hall. He didn't move a muscle.

-----------in the Great Hall------------

I located Harry, Ron and Hermione as soon as I got into the vast room. I slid into some space between Ron and Seamus; Harry and Hermione were sitting opposite us, Hermione up to her usual worries.

"Emily! Where have you been?? We've been worried sick! When Dumbledore showed up alone, we didn't know what happened to you!!!" She exclaimed, obviously upset with me.

"My apologies, you guys. I just wandered around the castle, I wasn't really in the mood for all the noise and excitement coming with dinner." I explained, then lowered my voice to a whisper, making Harry, Ron and Hermione lean their heads in.

"I'll explain in the common room later."

They nodded and I began to eat, though very little. They talked and I listened quietly, my mind traveling back to the walk here with Draco. I think he really meant what he said, about being lonely and wanting forgiveness. He came in a few minutes later, hands in pockets and head down, almost in a bee line in eye sight across from me.

He jumped right back into character amongst his Slytherin friends, probably making rude jokes about me and my fellow Gryffindors, with that sly smile on his face. They seemed to notice no difference, but it was all the difference in the world to me.

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Okay this chapter was more of a filler because, once again, I'm writing late at night. I do read all of your comments, and try to respond best I can, so keep telling me what you think!!! I'll be writing more tomorrow!