You and me

Part 10 - Beginning of new things

Since Pansy's slumber party, everything changed. Draco and I were a real couple now. Not just because our families had us betrothed, but because we were in love.
Draco could hardly keep his hands off me. Which I didnt mind at all.
We spent the remaining one week of summer holidays together, mostly he visited my place.
Mum was happy to see that we got along so well, and I wrote to Hermione and Ginny about it.

On September 1st, Draco and I were in the Hogwarts express, holding hands and chatting. I was actually waiting for my friends to come, so he wanted to stay with me. I usually sat with Ginny and Luna, but sometime we all sat with the trio. 
I saw Ginny coming our way, and Draco leaned to kiss me before moving on to sit with his friends.
"Wow" said Ginny. "Someone looks happy !"
"And someone doesnt !" I said eyeing Hermione who looked at me disapprovingly.
"Im really afraid, Mia" she said. "You should be careful...Draco too"
I knew Draco's father wasnt good news, but what could I do ?

The news of Harry's trial had spread all over the school, and there were nasty articles about him in the Daily Prophet.Harry looked exhausted and determined all the same time. I actually felt bad for the poor boy.

Hogwarts was also changing, mainly due to the arrival of our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge. She was everywhere ! I dont think there was single thing that wasnt prohibited anymore. At first Draco didnt mind her, but then it began to iritate him that we could hardly meet.

One evening as we all sat in the common room, Harry began telling us about what he had seen in the maze last year.
"Voldemort is back" he said, staring at the fire. "I really dont care who believes me, but its the truth."
"I believe you, Harry" I said slowly.
He looked up me, a little surprised.
" I have been having nightmares" I said. "And I have been worrying about this for a while now"
" Since when ?" asked Harry, now sitting nearer to me.
" The quidditch world cup" I replied.
"I never spoke about it to anyone. But I felt it at the last task too"
"Mia, you passed out that night !" Hermione recalled.
I nodded.
"But the moment Harry said it, I knew its true" I looked at Harry.
"Does he know ?" Harry was cautious about mentioning Draco.
I shook my head, no.
Harry sat back.
Hermione cleared her throat, paused for a moment and said ," Well, bad times are coming, and we're not being trained for it !"
Ron looked up at her.
"What are suggesting ?" he asked.
"Im suggesting that we need a teacher,
someone who can help us get ready for what lies ahead !" said Hermione.
All eyes fell on one person.
"Harry, we need your help" Hermione said softly. "Teach us what you know!"
Well, Harry refused at first, but then he knew that it was necessary, so he gave in.
"But where ?"

Most of the students visited Hogsmaede on wekends. The whole gang had gone to have a proper meeting, and invite any student who wished to join.
Draco wanted me to stay in the castle with him, so I stayed back. We went to library and sat at the very back, talking.
"You loom upset" said Draco, looking at me. "Whats it ?"
"Its nothing, Draco" I said. "Im fine"
"Are you really ?"
He leaned towards me and pressed his lips to the side of my neck, making me shiver.
"Draco ! Someone's going to see !" I said, putting my hand on his chest and pushing him away.
"Let them" he said, pulling me into his arms, and holding me close to his chest.
His pressed my face to his chest, breathing in his scent. Its was intoxicating, really. And I felt his heartbeat against my face.
"Feels good" I mumbled.
He kissed the top of my head, lovingly.
"Draco" I said slowly.
"Yeah ?"
"Im afraid"
"Why is that ?" he asked, suprised.
"You-know-who" I whispered.
Draco held me tighter and closer to him.
"Mia, no one is going to hurt you ! Not when Im alive" Draco said, in a strange way. "I wont let anything happen to you..."
I pulled back to look at him. His cool grey-blue eyes stared back at me.
"I love you, Mia . You're the best thing thats ever happened to me." He said in whisper, eyes locked with mine. "I would give my life to protect yours !"
"Draco, its alright !" I said, shaking my head. " I trust you"
Draco pulled me into a deep kiss, and I was sure his eyes were moist.

                             * * *
We called it 'Dumbledore's army'
and we had our classes at the Room of Requirement Neville found.
Harry was a great teacher. He taught us all sorts of things. I loved the Patronus charm the most . It was really hard to get it to work though !
And finally when I got it , a beautiful silver four legged creature came from the tip of my wand, floating around the room. Its was just too beautiful.
I desperately wanted to show this to Draco, but I didnt dare to.
Umbridge suspected us. She tried her very best to catch us. Filtch made it his full-time job to keep an eye on us.
There was an Inquisitorial Squad, the members of which we didnt know of.

And one day, as we had feared, we were caught. The sqad had caught hold of Cho Chang, and threatened her into confessing. This wasnt the worst of it. Draco was in the squad.
Eyes fell on me accusingly. The worst thing was the way Draco looked at me.
He looked so betrayed.