The Quiet Before The Storm- A Dramoine Story

5. Never Too Late

Draco's POV:

Day one at Hogwarts went pretty fast. I managed to survive all of my classes without gaining much glares. It was easier to forget about everything else and concentrate on what I was doing. So maybe this was a good idea, returning to school.

I waddled my way through some first years towards the Head common room and an unpleasant thought entered my head. Granger. How am I supposed to live with her? Maybe if I avoided her all year? But that was impossible... I was the Head Boy and that meant working with her was inevitable. I would have to find a way soon or else I might probably end up in St. Mungo's, after being driven crazy.

I entered the common room to a ringing alarm. 'What the fuck is that?' I covered my ears and stared around to identify the source of the noise. Turned out it was the blackboard with the instructions. The prefect's meeting! As soon as I thought of the meeting, the blaring alarm stopped but it took a while for the ringing in my ears to stop. I threw my bag at the couch and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

I had been to the prefects' bathroom before, but the Head's bathroom was way better than anything I had ever seen. Against the wall was one huge sink with taps for warm and cold water. Two doors were present on either side of the sink. One door lead to the latrine. The other door opened into the bathing area. The shower was in the corner of the bathing area concealed by curtains. The rest of it was taken up by a pool sized bath tub with taps just like in the prefects' bathroom. Who wouldn't want to be a Head student if you get to live like this?

I washed my face and straightened my uniform. I walked to the McGonagall's office, hoping I wasn't keeping her waiting. I went straight up the stairs only to find a smug looking Head Girl already in the chair. She turned around and smirked as if she had beaten me in some kind of race which was ridiculous because I wasn't that late. McGonagall was seated at the desk and looked up at me as I entered.

"Good evening Mr. Malfoy. Please sit down so I can explain to you about the agenda for today's prefects' meeting. Firstly, have you informed all the staff of the meeting after dinner, Malfoy? And the prefects, Ms. Granger?"

"All are informed, Professor!" Granger replied and I nodded. I wondered if she had gone to all the staff as well just to see if they had been informed in spite of it being my share of duty.

"Very well, then. Here is what we shall be discussing in the meeting."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The meeting was pretty much the same as the one that happened in the train every year only this time it had to happen along with the start of the term meeting as the Head Students had not been selected. People hardly paid me attention which was a good thing for me. I was tired of the glares as if I was a freak. Maybe I was one but it would be nice if it wasn't pointed out. I trudged back to the common room, eager to hit the sac early. All the others had long gone but I felt no hurry.

My mind wandered to all the years I had spent in this castle along with fellow Slytherins. I missed those days. There were a few moments that weren't... pleasant to endure but it was nevertheless the most fun I have ever had. Everything was going great until my sixth year.

I grimaced at the direction of my thoughts. It was doing me no good. It is over, Draco! Move on! I tried to repeat to myself but that was of no use. I could not help but think that it was entirely my fault.

I didn't realise where I was walking till I bumped straight into someone. Foreheads clashed and I winced in pain. I was about to look up to shout at the person for not noticing but stopped when I saw the blonde girl rubbing her forehead while bending down to pick her fallen books. Luna Lovegood.

The old Draco would have made a drawling comment at Luna "loony" Lovegood but I had no such intentions. In fact, I felt a rush of guilt and a pit forming in my stomach. She had been held prison in my manor for quite a few months but I had done nothing about it. I had seen her grow weak and tired and yet every time I had gone down to check on her, she would say things to me. Things that made me want to run away, made me want to die.

'This is not you, Draco Malfoy. You need not do this.'

'You can do way better. You do not have to put yourself through this.'

'I might not know you, Draco Malfoy, but I know this is not something you have to be. It is never too late to change, never too late to switch sides.'

She looked up at me and her eyes softened to look like quick silver. She smiled dreamily at me and I felt a punch in the gut. This was the first set of eyes that had looked at me with no hatred or anger. All that was there was warmth.

"Draco Malfoy, it is good to see that you are back," she said, softly, getting up.

I grunted and stared at my feet. I had no idea what to say to her. She might not look like much but I knew there was more to her than she was letting on. But I was bothered by the kindness in her eyes. I would rather have her hate me than show me warmth that I did not at all deserve. I wanted to ask her to stop staring like I was just another normal person.

"I know what you are thinking, and I think you are wrong," she said, still smiling.

"How could you possibly know what I am thinking?" I snapped.

"It is written all over your face. You are sad and feeling guilty. You think that you don't deserve to be treated nicely. And I think you are wrong."

"Look, Lovegood, I don't have time for all this. I have to-"

"I still stick to what I said. This is not you. It is never too late. Draco Malfoy"

She skipped away, leaving me startled. It is never too late, Draco Malfoy. Yeah, right, like that could be true. I frowned and continued walking to the common room. I was tired and wary when I reached the gargoyle. I uttered the password and walked in to see Granger attaching some letters to an owl's leg. Maybe they are letters to Potty and Weasel. She turned around, wrinkled her nose as if disgusted and continued her work. As I dropped on the couch, she turned around and literally ran into her room only to slam the door shut with a thud. I rolled my eyes. Maybe she was off to do homework that wasn't due for another month. Who cares anyway?

I went into my room and an owl almost attacked me. Why was I getting post now? And who the hell was it?

"Ow!" I plucked the letter from the owl's beak and it nipped my thumb, leaving a scar. It flew out the window and I tore open the parchment. It was a short message.

Draco,

You think it is all over... but this is not the end. You can't escape us forever. We will come for you and when we do, you better be ready with your choice. You know the consequences if you don't... don't push us.

P

I balled up my fist as I read the note. I knew exactly who it was from. What was I thinking? Of course I cannot hide from my life. Can't I be left alone for once? I punched the mirror on the wall so hard that the glass shattered. I sank to the floor, blood boiling in my head, knuckles bleeding. I can never have a peaceful life. I can never be fine again. I rolled up my left sleeve to see the branded mark on my skin. I am marked for life.

My hand curled around an object. I picked it up. It was one of the glass pieces. My hand seemed to act on its own accord. Before my brain could think, my hand slashed across my left forearm leaving a line of blood over the ugly mark. I bit my lip to stop myself from howling in pain. 'You deserve this,' I told myself.

I let the pain subside to a slight throb. I stood up and scanned my surroundings. Glass pieces were lying all around. I pointed my wand at the mirror and muttered 'Reparo' and the mirror became good as new. I tore cloth strips from my old robes and wrapped it around my knuckles and forearm after pouring Essence of Dittany on the wounds. I shed my clothes and slid under the blankets. I closed my eyes, welcoming the nightmares, hand still pulsing with the pain.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

A/N: Sowwy for the late update... I have been really busy with college stuff... Hope you all forgive me *puppy dog eyes*

Hope you had fun reading...
Vote... Comment... Share!