The world Isn't split into good people and Death Eaters

Nightmares

"Have you - er... Been getting the daily prophet recently?" Draco asked nervously as we cuddled up together on the sofa next to the fire. I realised that whilst at Hogwarts I took so much for granted. For example, the way that Draco wraps his arms firmly around me to make me feel safe, the way that our faces are so close I can smell the mint on his breath when he talks, or even the way he stays still so that I'll be comfy. I've missed having him near me this summer, and it's only been a month.

"Yeah, I have"

"Have you been reading it thoroughly?"

"Not cover to cover" I said defensively "if they were going to report anything about Voldemort it would be headline news, wouldn't it?"

Blaise and Daphne flinched at the sound of his name. Draco hurried on "well, you'd need to read it cover to cover to pick up what they're saying. They- um... They mention you and your brother a couple of times a week."

"But I'd have seen-"

"Not if you've only been reading the front page, you wouldn't" Blaise entered the conversation, shaking his head "we're not talking big articles. They just slip you in, like you're a standing joke"

"It's quite nasty, actually" said Daphne in a voice of forced calm "they're just building on Rita's stuff"

"But she's not writing for them anymore, is she?"

"Oh no... But she laid the foundation for what they're trying to do now"

"Which is what?" I asked impatiently.

"They're writing that you and your brother are both deluded, attention-seeking people who think you're great tragic heroes or something" Draco said very fast "they keep slipping in snide comments about you. If some far fetched story appears, they say something like 'A tale worthy of the Potter twins', and if anyone gets into an accident or anything it's, 'let's hope they don't have any scars or we'll be asked to worship them next'-"

"I don't ask for people to worship me!" I lost my temper "I don't like the fact my parents are dead. I'd much rather it never happened"

"We know" Daphne tried to calm me "my parents don't believe a word of it..."

I smiled warmly towards my best friend. At least someone is on my side.

"How do they think I got this stupid cut on my arm then?" I sighed, revealing the words 'Blood-Traitor' that had been carved into my arm last year.

I noticed Draco's face twisted into an uncomfortably guilty face at the sight of it. I know he feels bad because his dad was in the graveyard that night, and I know he won't accept that I don't blame him.

"At least there's Quidditch this year!" Blaise tried to lighten the mood "I'm thinking of trying out for the team"

-

We sat talking by the fire in Blaise's living room all night, and I didn't leave Draco's arms once. Being with Draco felt so normal to me, like it was all I know, like it was all I need.

"So what do you want to do tomorrow?" Blaise asked us "I got a pool fitted recently, so we could always do that?"

"Sounds good" I managed to mumble, my eyelids getting heavier.

"Go to sleep if you're tired" said Daphne.

I shook my head "I can't be bothered to move..."

I heard Draco sigh from underneath me before I was being lifted into the air "I'll carry up there"

I didn't object, his warmth comforted me a great deal. I could hear his feet padding up the Stairs and down the hallway, and soon enough he had softly laid me down onto the mattress.