Just Breathe

Chapter Four

Draco put his head in his hands and yawned deeply. The day had been extremely grueling, and he was ready to get home. He had spent the entire day with Janey at her hospital, and they had been studying the human anatomy. They had just finished discussing bone structure and the muscular system when his eyes wandered to the clock and realized if didn't hurry, he would be late for his dinner with his aunt.

He was trying to ignore the rolling of his stomach as he made the walk up the way to his apartment building. His landlady was in the front, watering the flowerboxes under his window.

"Good evening, Draco," she called out to him. He smiled at her and walked over.

"Good evening, Mrs. Green. Have you had a good day?"

"I have, thank you. My favorite program came on just as I got home from the market." She sighed and looked closely at his face. "You look a little tired dear. Are you getting enough rest?"

"I'm getting plenty. Just long days at the hospital."

"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. One of these days I'm going to have you for dinner and feed you all the food I can find, fatten you up a bit."

"I'll look forward to it," he grinned with a wink and she waved him off with a laugh. He climbed the steps to his door and after checking to make sure the hall was clear, he pulled out his wand and unlocked it. He stepped inside and flicked on the lights, dropping his bag on the floor. He pulled his coat and cloak out and carried them to his room, hanging them on hangers in his closet. He didn't mind the white coat, but he hated the lime green color of his Healer robes. They made him look deathly pale and sick. He looked in his closet and thought about what color shirt to wear. He thought about black but then rolled his eyes; black made him look just as pale. He needed a change, a little color. He grabbed for a dark blue shirt that he would pair with a grey tie and his grey slacks. He pulled them out and got out of his hospital clothes, throwing them in the hamper to wash later. If he stopped to do it now, he'd certainly be late.

He was just tying his tie when a tap on the window startled him. It was his owl, Atlas, and he had a note in his beak. He finished his knot and went to open the window. Atlas flew in and perched on the top of his dresser, his bright eyes blinking at him.

"Got a letter for me?" He stroked the top of his head before taking the letter. His name was written on the front, and on the back was a short message from his aunt:

'Still on for dinner at Seven.
Looking forward to meeting you,
Andromeda'

He took a deep breath and put the note on the dresser. Atlas tilted his head, watching him and Draco smiled. "I hope this goes well. I'm nervous enough to get sick right here on the carpet." Atlas just blinked at him and Draco chuckled. He looked in the mirror and pulled his comb through his hair. It was much longer than he usually wore it. If he didn't gel it, it came almost down to the bottom of his ears. His father had always worn his hair long. If he turned his head to the side and squinted a little, he could see how someone would mistake him for him. His mother had always liked his hair neat and trim, and honestly, he preferred it that was as well. He didn't have time to think about a haircut now, though. He brushed his teeth quickly and winked at himself in the mirror.

He grabbed his jacket on the way out the door and stepped out into the chilly air. Mrs. Green was still outside, pruning her little sprigs when he got down and he smiled at her.

"Don't stay out too long in the cold air," he said with a grin and she laughed back.

"Same to you!" He waved at her and walked off down the street, turning into the closest alleyway. He pulled the slip of paper from his pocket that had her address on it. His stomach did a turn. He figured if she was willing to meet him, it had to be a positive thing. So he hoped, anyway. He turned on the spot and came out on a quiet road, facing her house. The numbers over the door matched his paper. He put the slip of paper in his coat pocket next to his wand.