Episkey//D.M

27

I trained my eyes on the front of the hall as Dumbledore spoke. But I was distracted by Malfoy and Harry knew because he looked over to the boy. My heart seemed to falter a little at the sight of him, he wasn't looking at Dumbledore but instead just the table, his hand was rested under his chin and he looked tired, his skin was paler than usual if that was even possible and his eyes were darker. I felt someone kick me under the table and I looked up in anger to Ron who just stared daggers at me.

"Each day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle. But in the end, their greatest weapon remains... you." Dumbledore finished and my body shivered, I looked to Draco. "Just something to keep in mind. Now, off to bed, pip pip!" Dumbledore said and I watched as Draco finally looked up as everyone moved, his eyes caught mine and I gave him a confused look and he just stared at me. I shook my head towards the door and he got up, I walked around and met him at the door, acting as if we weren't walking out together. We quickly walked to the Astronomy tower without exchanging a word, we sat like we did that night in year 4, our back against the railings looking into the tower, but I was the only one to sit while Draco paced.

"You know Oliver and I never did anything. We walked and cuddled sometimes. I never even kissed the bloke. He's a good guy." I said with a smile and Draco stopped, he looked at me and crouched down in front of me.

"There's nothing going on between Pansy and I, she won't leave me alone and I've given up trying to get her away from me." He said and I just stared into Draco's eyes. His eyes fell to my exposed arm and I shrugged my cardigan down so he wouldn't see the scratches. But he pulled up the sleeve and I just stared down at my arm.

"What happened?" He asked sitting down and I just sadly smiled.

"When I get nervous or sad I scratch at my skin, I never know I do it but I do it." I said and he placed his hands on my own and I looked up at him. "Come on, we'll be late for curfew." I whispered and he nodded. I pulled him up and this time we walked slowly down the steps and into the corridors and he dropped my hand as we walked out into the open. I turned to him and he pulled me into him, I let out a sigh of surprise and he just hugged me tight to his body and I hugged him back, because no one knows what's going on with Draco Malfoy, but all he needs is someone to love him.

***

I waited for my friends in defence against the dark arts, walking into the room reminded me of when Remus would greet me with a warm smile. I looked around the room once more before taking a seat, mentally preparing myself to face Snape. Students started to fill the room and soon enough Harry, Ron and Hermione took their seats. I watched as Draco walked into the room, his head was down and I sighed quietly, he took the free seat in front of me and away from Pansy. I smirked as she turned around to see him sitting there. The class went on as normal and Snape didn't yell at anyone once. But as I sat on my seat and got distracted by a small spider on the floor it seemed to be the end of the world to him.

"Miss Winter. Is my teaching boring you?" Snape asked and I looked up quickly, my hand already making its way to my arm.

"No sir, their was a spider on the floor. I was just looking at it." I said and Draco turned around looking at me.

"A spider? Oh my it must be the end of the world." Snape said, anger in his voice and I just dug my nails deeper into my skin as I scratched my arm.

"Sir-" I started but Draco cut me off by placing his hand on my own.

"Phoenix." He said quickly and I looked at him then down at my arm, where a large cut was, blood was on the table and I gasped at the sight . I looked around the room before my eyes rested on Draco, he got up quickly and pulled me up with him.

"We're going to the nurse." He mumbled quickly towards Snape who was about to protest but Draco just quickly pushed me out of the room. My eyes just stared at my arm and Draco stopped outside the door, tears fell from my eyes as I realised what I was doing to myself. He just sighed and hugged me quickly before pulling me towards the hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey looked at my arm and sighed, telling me to sit on a bed and ushering Draco away. I watched as he turned back at me and I sent him a smile, which he sadly returned before leaving.

"Remus sent a letter at the start of the year informing me of you're self inflicted injuries. He told me to write to him if it happens in Hogwarts." Madam Pomfrey said whole tending gently to the large gash on my arm.

"I'm fine, honestly. I just got nervous is all, I never do in Snape's class but I'm just stressed out. I'm fine,Madam Pomfrey." I said pausing for a few seconds to figure out if I was telling the truth. "Please don't tell Remus, I'll tell him on my own." I whispered and she nodded but waited a second.

"You'll stay here tonight so I can keep an eye on you, if may just be a gash but it's self inflicted." She whispered back and I nodded and smiled towards the woman. I lay back in the hospital bed, it was the end of the day and soon enough Harry, Ron and Hermione rushed into the hospital in a fit of laughs, which Madam Pomfrey shushed and I just smiled towards the 3 idiots.