Mudblood - HP fanfic

Part 1

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, related words or the idea of 'Dramione'. All copyright of characters, settings and related words goes to J.K. Rowling.

'They get scary when they get older,' Ron muttered to Harry.

I couldn't take it anymore. It was all his fault. 'Ron, you spoilt everything!' The two of them sheepishly ran up the stairs, my voice echoing after them. Why would he ruin tonight for me? I just wanted one night to be happy, and I was. Completely and blissfully happy. Why did he have to ruin it for me? Did he get some sort of twisted enjoyment out of never letting me feel special?

I sank down onto the stairs, all the anger gone. I just couldn't believe that such a magical night could have ended so badly. I buried my head in my hands. I could hear people walking past me, could feel their eyes on me, but I didn't care. It's not a crime to cry.

I shakily stood up. It may not be a crime to cry, but it was always a thing better done in private. I didn't need Ronald getting any satisfaction from people, telling him how I was sobbing my heart out. I trudged up the stairs, and turned left towards the dormitories. I stopped. Did I really want Parvati, Lavender and Fay fussing and claiming that they were going to kill 'that Ron Weasley'? I shook my head in answer to my own question, and instead turned right.

I walked, not paying attention to where my feet were taking me. I just needed to get away from the great hall. I just needed to get away.

I walked for what seemed like hours, then finally looked up. I was in a corridor I'd never seen before, with doors leading to rooms I hadn't even known existed. My heart gave another lurch as tears started leaking out my eyes. I never should have stopped walking.

I heard footsteps behind me. I ducked through the nearest door, not caring where it led to. I just didn't want to go through all the questioning, not yet. That could wait until morning.

I closed the door behind me, plunging the room into darkness, except for the moonlight spilling through the window. It could have been such a perfect night. I gave an involountary sob.

I let my eyes adjust to the darkness, then looked around. It was a normal classroom, with a few rows of desks and a blackboard at the front, with an ancient grandfather clock for company. I looked at the clock. Almost eleven. Everyone should be asleep by eleven thirty - I'd go back then. That way I could avoid all the worried gazes, and all the gossip about my blotchy face. I could stay here until then. I was safe. No one would find me.

I started shaking as the sobs started again. I sank down in the corner, my back against the wall. I just couldn't believe tonight had been spoilt by Ron Weasley. Him, of all people. He was supposed to be my friend. So many thoughts were flying round in my head; memories of the happiness I had been feeling what must have been only half an hour before, though which felt like a lifetime ago.

I was so caught up in my head that I didn't notice the door opening and closing, or the shadow crossing the room. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. The pointed chin and blonde hair belonged to the person I wanted to see the very least. Malfoy.

'What do you want?' I tried to spit, but it came out as a whine. He sank down beside me, and said nothing. 'I said, what do you want?' This time my anger showed.

He shrugged. 'I heard what happened. I wanted to make sure you were okay.'

I leant back in disbelief. 'You wanted to make sure I was okay?' He nodded. 'You, who have been calling me a mudblood and insulting my friends since you first met me, wanted to make sure I was okay?'

'I still hate Potter and Weasley,' he spat, then his expression, surprisingly, changed to a look of genuine concern. 'But I have nothing against you. The mudblood thing is a habit.' He looked at me earnestly. 'And I really am sorry.'