The Protector

The Three Broomsticks

"You are so obsessed with that book," Hermione spoke up as we headed towards Hogsmeade, "yet you have no desire to find out who the Half-Blood Prince is?"

"You don't even sleep at times," Ron commented.

I snuggled up in my coat and cap as the snow continued to fall, "Harry, maybe you should talk to Dumbledore about it. Just ask him a few questions."

"Well, I'm not curious," Harry shrugged.

"I was," Hermione said. "So I-"

"Went to the library," the three of us nodded. "Continue," I added.

"I couldn't find a thing," Hermione seemed to be a bit frustrated.

"That settles that issue."

I turned to Harry, "It doesn't settle anything. All it does is let us know the Half-Blood Prince wasn't a celebrity or historical figure."

My group stopped to watch as Slughorn began to speak to Flitwick. I heard Slughorn mention The Three Broomsticks. Harry was the first one to speak when we began to walk again, "Anyone else craving a Butterbeer?"

"You've got to be joking," I groaned. But nonetheless, we headed into the restaurant. Harry led us to a table; he never took his eyes off of our potions professor.

I sat next to Harry on his left hand side. The restaurant wasn't as crowded like it had been when I came with Draco a year ago. Wow, it had been a year.

I grabbed the necklace from around my neck as I stared at the booth we had sat in. Empty. An aroma filled my senses. I looked around; my eyes caught Draco's.

"I'll be right back," I turned to Harry after setting my coat on the chair. I walked towards him, but he turned to leave. This time, I was going to follow him. I opened the door, despite the fact that I didn't know where it was going to lead me to.

I looked around. There wasn't much behind the door. It was a hallway and a couple of doors. I walked down the dimly lit hallway. Bathrooms. I was about to enter one. Draco came out.

My heart was racing.

"Draco."

"Bridget," he sighed.

He was only a few inches from me. I took my shot. I hugged into his torso. I missed him. I wanted my Draco back. Not Malfoy. Not douche bag.

At first, he didn't hug me back. I could hear his heart rate. It was racing too. Hesitating, he put his arms around me.

We stayed there for a couple of seconds more. I wished it could've been forever. But he let go, "I'm sorry, but I need to go, Bridget."

There was something in his voice that didn't give me good vibes. He almost sounded shaky. I let him go as well, "Can't we talk about this?"

"Sometime," he nodded. "But, don't pick up anything in that bathroom."

I was confused by his request, "Why?"

"Trust me."

I walked slowly backwards towards the door, "Tell me. Why don't you want me to?"

"Bridget," he warned. He grabbed my wrist. Right then, Katie Bell opened the door. We both looked to her.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing-"

"You're grabbing her wrist," Katie stepped forward. He let go and walked out. She turned to me, "Are you okay, Bridget? Do you need to go talk to an adult? Was he hurting you?"

I shook my head, "No, I'm fine. But thank you. Now if you'll excuse me," I moved past her. I opened the door. Draco was gone. I sighed but made my way to the table.

I sat down, "So what happened?"

A waiter came and sat down four butterbeers in front of us, "Ronald is uncomfortable by the sight of Ginny and Dean."

I turned. I figured they would be doing cute couple things. But they were doing a little bit more. I turned back, "I see."

"Ah, Harry!" A familiar voice boomed behind me.

Harry got up, "Hello, Professor! What brings you to The Three Broomsticks?"

"It's an old friend of mine, this place," he nodded. I heard a splash. Within seconds, Hermione and I were almost out of our seats. Slughorn has spilt some of his drink between us. Slughorn continued as if nothing happened, "Back in the day, I used to throw dinner parties for special students of mine. Would you want to come?"

"That would be brilliant," Harry smiled and nodded. I took a swig of my butterbeer.

"You two are also welcome, Meadows and Granger," Slughorn pat my shoulder, spilling a little more of his drink.

"Thank you, sir," I smiled.

"Yes, sounds delightful," Hermione agreed.

"Great!" He chuckled. "I'll send you an owl giving the time," I watched as he turned towards the awkward Ronald, "Nice to see you, Rolland." And with that he left.

I giggled, "Rolland."

"Shut up," he took a drink from his cup. "What are you doing, Harry?"

Harry say back down next to Ron, "Oh, nothing. Dumbledore just thinks it's a good idea that I get to know him."

"Huh?" Ron asked.

"I haven't the slightest clue," Harry replied. "It's probably important since Dumbledore asked."

"Probably," I nodded. I took another swig of my drink. I looked over and Hermione's was nearly gone. "Woah, 'Mione."

"What?" She turned to me.

"Oh, um, you've got stuff..." Ron motioned towards his mouth.

Hermione quickly wiped off the white mustache that had generated from around her lips. I looked around the place. Nobody that I really knew was there. I turned back to my friends.

After a while, we got up and left. Paying, of course, before leaving. It was still snowy outside, but it had stopped snowing. Part of which I was thankful for.

In front of us Katie and her friend were walking and talking rather fast. I was about to listen in when Ron spoke up. He whispered to Harry and I, "You guys heard what Hermione said, right? In the pub?"

"About how you get easily uncomfortable?" I chuckled.

"Oh hush it," Ron nudged me. Hermione threw her arms around Harry and Ron's shoulder. 

A shriek stopped us in our tracks. I looked up. Katie was floating in the air and her friend looking up to her, "I told her! I told her she shouldn't touch it!"

Then before anything else came to mind, I thought, Oh my god. Is this what Draco was talking about?