A Forbidden Love

Chapter 17: At Least My Owl Loves Me

I try to fall back to sleep after this, but I cannot. My heart is racing and I'm shaken up. Eventually, I give up on a sleep and just sit up and think.

I first think about my dream. I try to recall what happened and find that I remember it vividly. The dream messed me up. I didn't realize that Dad's idea of a Gay-Away potion freaked me out so much.

After recalling the dream, I begin to recall the day's events. A lot happened in the past twenty-four hours. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

Finally, the driver calls through the cabin, "We will be arriving in Appleby shortly."

That's my cue. I run down and grab my things out of the compartment. When I get there, Bubo's hooting up a storm. It's the middle of the night, so he's awake.

"Shh," I say to him, looking around at all the sleeping passengers. "I'll let you out as soon as we arrive."

Now, I know owls can't understand humans, but he stops hooting when I say it, as if in response. I am thankful for that because people are beginning to stir. I don't need a bunch of strangers staring at me as I leave. It makes me uncomfortable.

When the bus comes to a complete stop, I walk up to the driver's cabin and head out the doors. Before I can start walking down the steps, though, the driver stops me.

"Hey," he says with a sympathetic look on his face, "I hope this neighborhood brings better memories for you."

"Yeah, me too," I respond glumly.

"Well here you are!" he exclaims, going from sympathetic to happy in less than a second. "Goodbye!"

"See ya," I call back as I'm walking down the steps.

As soon as I'm off the bus, it disappears. I turn to Bubo and, like I promised, set him loose. He flies along side me doing loops and rolls in the air, happy to be free of the cage again. Watching him brings a smile to my face. I realize nothing has done that for me since this morning. The thought immediately relaxes me. It's been a long day, but I'm finally free of everything. I wonder if this is how Bubo feels when he's released.

Lost in thought, I begin to walk to my destination. My feet seem to know where they're going because my mind is elsewhere, but I still arrive at the address in my hand. My destination is a large black house with Slytherin pride decked across the front. I'm shocked when I see it. I guess I was expecting something more... normal. I look up and down the street and see houses decked similarly with house emblems hanging on the front. I guess this is how they do it in wizarding neighborhoods.

I catch Bubo, take a deep breath, and follow the sidewalk to the front door. In just one summer, I have been rejected by two households, and I really don't want to make it a third. I let go of my breath, I didn't realize I was holding it, and knock on the door. I heard rustling inside and the door creaked open. Next thing I know, I was face to wand with Ms. Goyle's wand.

"Who goes there!" he yells warily.

"It's just me, Draco Malfoy."

"Lucius' son?"

"Yep, that's me."

"Why are you here?"

I tell her the truth. I remember Goyle saying once or twice that ever since she divorced her husband, she was no longer loyal to the Death Eaters. I figured if I had a chance with any family, it was this one.

She welcomes me into her house and tells me how glad she is to hear I like Potter. She loves that kid for ruining her ex-husband's life. I had to use all my energy to restrain from laughing when she told me this.

"Do you need anything, Draco?" she asks.

"Just sleep, honestly."

"Right this way, then." She starts up the steps, leading me to a guest room. When she hears my stuff clang behind me, she adds, "You can leave your stuff in the living room. We'll move it in the morning."

"Thank you so much Ms. Goyle. For being so accepting and letting me stay."

"No problem. We're glad to have you."

She opens the door to my room, and I stare in awe. For a guest room, it looks amazing. It's well kept and the bed is made. It's almost like they were expecting me.

I pull back the sheets and lie down. I immediately relax. For the first time this summer, I'll be falling asleep in a house that accepts me with people I don't have to lie to. I feel amazing.

She says goodnight and turns out the light as she leaves. I try to sleep, but the nightmare is still haunting my eyelids. No matter what I do, I can not shake the image of that green-brown slush or the pain.

I get up and turn on the light. There's no point in trying to sleep if I know it won't happen. I walk over to the window and open it. I've had a lot of fresh air in the last do many hours, but this time, I may actually be able to appreciate it.

When he sees the open window, Bubo hoots loudly. I roll my eyes and look over at him fluttering around his cage. The adorable thing has been by my side through all my struggles this past year. I love him more than anything.

"Shush," I say firmly but with a smile on my face. "You're going to wake up the rest of the house. You don't want to get me kicked out of a house I'm actually accepted in do you?" I say that last line with a little laugh and go over and pick up Bubo's cage.

I walk back over to the window and open the cage. He flies out happily, just like back on the street. I watch him for about an hour until I can feel my eyelids drooping. I think I'll finally be able to sleep.

I bring Bubo in and put his cage back on top of my stuff. Then I walk over to the bed, lie down, and pull the covers over my body. This time, when I close my eyes, I don't see the images from my nightmare. The tension drains from my body and I drift slowly to sleep. I fall asleep to a soft hooting from Bubo, beautiful sounds from my true family.