A Harry Potter Fanfic

Chapter 21

I get off the Knight Bus and breathe in the fresh air. Oh boy, does it stink in there!

“I still don’t see why we couldn’t have just driven here,” Draco gripes beside me.

We’re in front of the Leaky Cauldron to spend the last few days of the holidays. Hermione will be meeting me here, and we’re gonna shop till we drop! It’s going to be so awesome! And Draco decided he wanted to tag along.

“I wanted to try the Knight Bus out! Wasn’t it cool though?” I thrill, almost bouncing up and down in excitement.

“Yeah. Really cool. Especially if you’re into almost heart attacks,” Draco murmurs coldly. Pfft, that’s my prissy, uppity boyfriend for you!

“Come on Mr. Doom and Gloom! Let’s check in!” I squeal in excitement, grabbing his hand and towing him along. That makes Draco chuckle a little. He picks up our bags and follows me into the inn.

And it screams Magic! It’s so amazing! Floating candles, plates, drinks, moving pictures on the walls! Ah, how I’ve missed magic!

“Let’s have dinner,” I suggest, a huge smile on my face.

“We ate before leaving,” Draco says in disdain.

“Yes, but now that we’ve arrived, I’m hungry! Let’s eat! Come on! Please?!” I beg, putting on my best pout.

“Fine! Don’t blame me if you end up huge though,” Draco whispers snidely, walking up to the counter to check us in.

Nothing is going to spoil my mood. Nothing. I skip over to an empty table and order dinner. Eventually Draco joins me, his face oddly calm and relaxed.

“Draco, if I do end up huge, would you dump me?” I ask through a mouthful of bacon.

Shivering delicately Draco smirks slightly, “Yes, I would,” he murmurs nonchalantly.

“What?!” I demand, almost spraying him with spittle.

Draco grimaces at me and scoots over to the side a little. “I was kidding. I suppose...there would be more of you to love? But I’m not sure. Better not find out, right?” he smiles broadly. I consider throwing a kick at him under the table but decide against it. Just in case.

“Deidre!” Hermione’s jubilant voice calls over from the entrance. I grin at the sound of her voice and stand up. We hug each other and she sits down beside me.

“Draco, you look happy. What a pleasant change,” she comments sweetly. Hermione is a sweetheart! She’s trying her best to be nice to nice to Draco.

“How was your Christmas Hermione?” Draco asks, swirling his butterbeer around in the mug.

“It was pleasant. But I want to know how the ‘Meet the parents’ went,” Hermione murmurs, her eyes on me.

“Oh! Magnificent! My parents are about ready to adopt him,” I grin at my boyfriend who smirks back.

“Anyway ladies, I’m off to run some small errands. I’ll see you later tonight, love,” he murmurs, kissing me softly on the cheek before walking out the door. I watch his retreating figure, and even after the door has closed behind him, I find myself still staring.

“You really do like him, huh?” Hermione demands after a few minutes of watching me.

I nod my head and continue with my dinner. “Hermione...I don’t think I just like him. I love him,” I admit shyly after a while.

“That’s great, De! I think he loves you too. Just...don’t do anything stupid, okay?” she murmurs, with her typical Hermione logic.

“I want to sleep with him. But he wants to wait. I guess I’m just afraid he’ll get bored if I don’t,” I murmur, my eyes set on my plate.

“De! I’m actually kind of shocked. But it’s great he wants to wait. Doesn’t that mean he really does love you?” Hermione asks, her face flushed with emotion. Hmm, I wonder if she and Ron...?

“Do what? And who?” comes the familiar voice from behind me. Hermione’s eyes widen in apprehension, but she plasters a smile on her face.

I turn around and sure enough Harry and Ron stand behind me. Harry smiles before pulling me into a huge hug, and I have to admit, I’ve missed him a lot! I hate not being on talking terms with him!

“I’m so glad you came, De,” he murmurs before pulling away, smiling brightly. Ron tousles my hair and sits down beside Hermione. I sit beside Harry on the opposite side of the table.

“So? What’s the sleeping arrangement? The girls in one room and Ron and I in one?” Harry asks, picking up a piece of my bacon and eating it up. I glare at him and pull the plate to me. Now...how do I broach the subject of Draco being here as well?

“Actually, I’m bunking alone,” I murmur, keeping my eyes on the plate.

“Plus, wouldn’t you and Ginny like to...talk?” Hermione suggests, a smirk on her face. Meh! She just wants to bunk with Ron!

Once that’s decided, all of us retire to our rooms. I haven’t seen Ginny, but I rather keep it that way! I sit and wait and wait for Draco but he never shows up.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, the door creeks open and a gentle thud of feet resound around the room. The footsteps are light, most probably Hermione.

I turn over and wrap the blanket more securely around my shoulders and scrunch my eyes up. I am so not ready to wake up!