Black and White

30

Madam Pomfrey gives me a calming draught, before checking my back. Some bruising, but that's it. Luna remains unconscious, and I sit by her bedside all day. But that doesn't keep me from the rumors, as a few people visit her throughout the day.

People think I'm the one cursing students. That I've finally lost it, and am trying to kill people. They think I'm just like Bellatrix. Just like their perception of my father. And maybe I am. I'm not the one cursing students, but I am responsible for my father's death. There's no way around that.

That night, as the blizzard outside continues, Madam Pomfrey has to practically drag me from Luna's bedside and push me out the door. I start to head for the Common Room, but am distracted as I see Draco walking alone.

Silently, I follow my cousin, but freeze as I see him start to climb the stairs into the Astronomy Tower. When I regain the ability to move, I go up, entering as quietly as I can, to see him standing in the window, looking out over the edge.

"Draco, whatever you're thinking, don't," I say softly, stepping closer.

"I thought I told you to stay away from me," he answers, not looking back.

"Everyone thinks I'm the one who cursed Katie and Luna," I reply, changing the subject. "But I bet you knew that already."

"They won't for long," he says. "I hear Potter's been defending you."

"Draco, what's been going on?" I ask, walking up to stand beside him.

"Why, so you can go tell him all about it?" he snaps.

"Listen, do you really want to know what Harry said the night we got here?" I ask. "The only time we've talked about you? He told me he heard you joking about jumping off this tower. He knows we're close, and thought I should know, in case it wasn't just a joke. That's why I'm here."

"That's not the only thing, according to what I've heard," he says, glaring at me. But his glare is forced at first.

"What, heard from Pansy?" I ask. "She's lying to you, Draco!"

"Don't talk about my girlfriend like that," he shouts. "She's the only one who's stuck by me this year-"

"Only because you keep pushing me away!" I retort. "I've tried to get through to you, but all you do is tell me to leave you alone! Well, I've tried to, and now look where you are! Why can't you just tell me what's going on?"

"I'm forbidden to tell!" he yells. "If I screw this up, he'll kill me. He'll kill Mum. Father's already in Azkaban, it's only a matter of time."

"Draco, you can talk to me," I say softly, placing a hand on his arm. "You remember our pact? Whatever's said between us stays between us."

"Stop it," Draco spits, turning and taking a step away. "If I tell you, you really will go to Potter, and don't try to tell me otherwise."

"Dra, please," I start.

I try to take his hand, but he lashes out, shoving me back. I stumble, yelping as I hit the edge of the open window, nearly falling. I grip the edge, shaking, trying to steady myself. Draco looks scared again, and angry.

"Draco?" I ask, my voice soft and shaky, my robes billowing in the icy wind of the blizzard, threatening to pull me from my perch at the edge of the window.

"Don't talk to me," he says, pulling out his wand and pointing it at me. "This is the last time I'm telling you, Lucida, you stay away from me."

In that moment, his wand pointed in my face, his eyes filled with anger, with hate, he looks so much like his father. Like the many times Uncle Lucius has tortured me. Trembling, I sink down to the floor, letting my tears fall.

Draco stares at me, before looking at the wand he's pointing at me. A tear trickles down his cheek as he watches me, huddled against the window frame of the Astronomy Tower. He stumbles back, before putting his wand away and running from the tower.

A few minutes later, Harry enters.

"Lucy?" he asks, worried. He takes my arm and pulls me away from the ledge. "Come on, let's get you warmed up."

He leads me to an almost empty classroom, where Hermione is sitting in a corner. It looks like she's been crying, too, and I sit beside her. She takes my hands, but winces at the cold, and transfigures a roll of parchment into a soft blanket.

"That's a useful spell," I say, wiping away my tears as Harry sits with us.

"Ginny said she heard a bunch of yelling coming from the Astronomy Tower," he tells me. "A few minutes later, she saw Draco running down the steps. Said he looked awfully upset. I figured only two people could really upset him, and if I found Parkinson, I could just walk away."

"We got into a fight," I explain. "Pansy's been filling his head with lies, trying to drive us apart. He... he drew his wand on me. Nearly pushed me off the tower. Accidentally." Then, quieter, "I think..."

Hermione gasps. Harry looks livid.

"It's my fault, I kept trying to get him to tell me what's been going on," I excuse.

"No, it's not your fault," Hermione assures. "No matter what was said, Draco shouldn't have pulled his wand on you, and he shouldn't have pushed you. A fall like that would kill you. Besides, he's your cousin!"

I shake my head. "He's just not himself," I reply. "He hasn't been all year. Yes, I agree he was in the wrong, we both were. He just... needs some time."

"If he ever pulls his wand on you again, I'll-" Harry starts.

"What, Harry?" I ask. "Duel him and get yourself expelled? Not over me, Harry, please. If it really comes down to it, and I hope it doesn't, I can protect myself against him. Anyway, what happened to you, Hermione? Where's Ron?"

Trying to hold back her own tears, Hermione tells me about Ron and Lavender snogging.

"I knew you liked him, Mione," I admit. "He's just so thick in the head. Honestly, I doubt this thing with Lavender will last. I've seen her with other boys. She's super clingy, and doesn't understand personal space."