Of Muggles and Magic - A Harry Potter Fanfic [HIATUS]

Chapter 18 - Visiting Muggles

Jin Ha pov:

It was a pleasant evening, so to say, and I sat comfortably in one of the large armchairs of the Malfoy Manor library, my legs dangling off one of the armrests. I held a book in my hands and read through the pages slowly, quite enjoying the lighthearted adventure the protagonist was having in the wizarding world.

I had been spending a lot of my time this way over the past month because there was nothing else to do here. Well, I spent time with Draco too and we had become a lot closer than we were before. We shared hugs and kisses often – though the former was more common than the latter since it gave both Draco and I some sort of reassurance and sense of completion. We had slept in the same room just once more after the first time, almost wrapped up in each other's arms. We spared light conversations every now and then but mostly just enjoyed each other's company when we were together.

Draco's appearance had taken a turn for the better in the month I had been living here – I didn't want to sound like I was boasting but I think my 'I-don't-give-a-shit-about-Voldy' attitude was what helped him. He seemed to be a little more confident and brave than before but he always shrunk, getting the appearance of someone who wanted to disappear, when Voldy gathered with his first circle Death Eaters in Malfoy Manor for meetings.

The Death Eater meetings, which Draco and I attended too, were super boring. Voldy would usually ask everyone for updates on movements of the Order and Harry and other opposition groups while the rest of us listened silently. It was so boring that I often yawned and even nodded off once, only to be woken when Snape gave a loud slap to the table at which we sat. I had apologized halfheartedly, though tensed a little at the displeased stare Voldy had given me before listening to updates like everyone else. I hadn't been sent out on any missions yet and neither had Draco and I assumed that we were just foot soldiers holding down the fort for now.

Mr. Malfoy and Narcissa hadn't changed much though – they were still freaked out for every second of their lives. While Narcissa did well to appear sane despite all the pressure she was under, Mr. Malfoy was in quite a fix. I had heard about how his status amongst the Death Eaters had hit rock bottom when he got caught and sent to Azkaban – thanks to the few of us who broke into the Ministry to get Harry prophecy. Voldy didn't excuse failure and the Malfoy family was suffering because of his slip-up. Draco had also confessed that if he hadn't done all he had done during our sixth year, Voldy would have killed him along with his parents – he had tried to stay sane while doing all those terrible things just so he could protect his family.

And that thought really made me feel proud of him – well, it showed that he wasn't as much of a jerk as he portrayed himself to be.

I hadn't got any response from Harry, Ron or Hermione after the letter I had sent them – I had not received an owl or a signal on my beeper. I knew I had to be patient because communicating was really tricky when so many Death Eaters and Dementors were on the loose but waiting for their response was quite exhausting.

"You should read something that's for your age, you know?"

And of course, nothing had changed with Bellatrix either. She was just as annoying and always interrupted the times when I thought I could have some peace and quiet for myself...just like now.

"What do you want, Noodle Hair?" I asked with a sigh, lowering my book and meeting her maniacal gaze.

"Watch your tongue, you filthy-"

"Stupefy," I said simply, sending her flying back and out of the library. I could hear her grunt as she landed on the hard floor outside and I got up from my comfortable, lazy position on the armchair, gave my body a stretch and walked out of the library, my wand in hand.