Let it be • Draco Malfoy

20

I stared at Draco as he stared at the table, the great hall was lively, everyone was more than happy to be back at school. But there was something different about Draco, his usual sarcastic, asshole self had been replaced by the shell of a boy. There was no emotion but pain on his face. I could feel someone staring at me, so looked around the hall to find out who it was. My gaze finally fell on Snape who was death staring me, I rolled my eyes and looked away, back at Draco for a few moments before George nudged me.

"Stop staring at him. People are beginning to notice." He whispered and I looked to where he was meaning, Helios and Harry were now staring at me in annoyance and I quickly looked away.

"Something's not right, George." I said and he just sighed. Lunch ended and I slowly got up, groaning to myself as I realised I had defence against the dark arts. I'd been moved away from Draco at the end of last year and no doubt Snape would be keeping us in the seats we had before. As I entered the classroom, I looked over to Draco who was already sitting in his seat.

"Miss Watson. Take your seat next to Malfoy." Snape said and I looked at him quickly. Harry, Ron and Hermione all shared a look with each other and I nodded as I sat next to Draco who didn't bother looking up. The glass went okay, of course Snape was himself, but everyone was in high spirits. When we were doing our work, I felt Draco bump my elbow with his own. Making me look down as he slid a note over to me. I looked over at Snape who was looking down at Ron's book and I pocketed the note to read at the end of class. When the class did come to an end, Draco was the first one to leave.

"You look tired, Mags." He used my other nickname and I rolled my eyes but shrugged.

"I'm okay, just trying to stay on top this year." I assured him and he just nodded slowly. The boys trailed behind me as I walked in front of them. I took the note from my pocket and stare down at it.

'Astronomy tower
After tryouts'

I sighed and tucked the note back into my pocket, the boys watching as a I did. After the last class of the day, I met up with Hermione and the both of us went to watch Ron's tryouts.

"You seem nervous." I said looking at Hermione with a smirk. It wasn't hard to see that Ron and her had some unspoken interests in each other, but I think Hermione was only just really realising.

"I just don't want him to get hurt." She said defending herself and I nodded, still smirking to myself. He bumped her shoulder with my own and smiled to herself. We watched as the tryouts commenced, it was difficult seeing Ron up against someone like the snooty twat Cormac. But I knew that deep down in his, Ron had what it took to be a good keeper. But slowly, as Hermione and I watched nervously, it seemed more like Cormac could be getting the spot. I flinched slightly as the quaffle smacked Ron on the head, ending that moment.

"It's between Ron and Cormac now." Hermione's voice was shaky and I knew that she wanted Ron to have this, he deserved it. They both prepared themselves for their last part of the tryout, Cormac with a smug smile and Ron looking very nervous. We watched both sides as they were challenged by the Quaffle but I watched as Cormac rolled off his broom, letting the quaffle pass by this house meaning that he had missed his chance. Quickly I looked over to Ron, who had saved the short with his own forehead. Securing him the spot as the new seeker. I looked at Hermione who had her eyes closed and I noticed she had been mumbling something to herself.

"Isn't he brilliant?" Lavender Brown asked from off to the side and Hermione and I looked at her in annoyance. Hermione stood up and made her way away and I followed after her.

"Oh Hermione." I said and she just sighed. I promised her I wouldn't say anything as we made our way down to congratulate Ron.

The walk up the astronomy towers steps felt like a lifetime for some reason until I got to the top, Draco was sitting against the railings facing onto the tower. I made my way over to him and placed myself next to him, keeping a respectable distance between us both.

"What's going on, Draco?" I asked gently and he shifted slightly before speaking.

"What's going on? You ask that like you don't know." He said and I shook my head, I didn't know what was going on. He stood up quickly, pacing around while I stayed on the floor. "We're going to war, Eurydice. There's no stopping it now, haven't you seen what they've been doing?" Draco asked me, his emotions running high as he looked at me.

"I'm not allowed to read the newspaper, it puts bad thoughts in my mind." I told him and he just stared at me with wide eyes.

"The world we know is crumbling around us, Eurydice. And it's gouge to be the end as we know it soon." He said and I stood up, shaking my head at him.

"Not if you choose your side wisely, Draco. Your father may think he knows everything, but he doesn't. You still have time to pick the right side." I explained to him but he shook his head.

"I don't." He said simply and I shook my head, walking closer to him but he backed away. Making me stand in my spot.

"Don't you think I want to change, I want to break free from this curse?" He asked and I looked at him as tears began to flood his eyes, my heart falling slightly as he fumbled with his shirt sleeve. "I don't have a choice anymore." He said, quickly he pulled up his sleeve and I stared at his arm in shock, my hand resting on my stomach as I stared down at the Death Eater tattoo on his arm.

"Oh no." I whispered, fear in my voice as I looked at him. He's signed his life away, at just the age of 17. But it wasn't his fault, it wasn't his fault at all. Slowly I approached him, he kept his sleeve pulled up as I walked over to him. But I gently pulled his sleeve down when I was close enough.

"It's going to be okay." I whispered. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around me and I was shocked by the human contact, but instead of pulling away. I just held him close, knowing I was the only one who was here for him at this moment.