Harry Potter - Fanfiction

Year 5 - The Hogwarts High Inquisitor

That night I head back into the common room to find it fuller than expected. A few students scattered about doing homework: Draco being one of them, seated at one of our usual tables in the corner by the bookshelves.

He spots me entering and waves me over with a small smile.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes." He grins. "Where are you coming from so late?"

I sit down across from him, piles of parchment laid out on the table, and his hair slightly disheveled from him running his fingers through his hair far too many times.

I smile back. "Detention with Umbridge."

"Oh yeah, for the outburst. How'd it go?" he asks rubbing his eyes.

"Fine. We did lines, it was different though," I sigh.

"Yeah?" he asks setting down his quill peering at me.

"I don't really feel like talking about it. What homework you doing?"

He peers down momentarily. "Charms. I've only managed to finish the Potions essay."

"It's a nightmare the homework. I'm too tired to do anything tonight, I'll do some between classes tomorrow." I rub my left shoulder, feeling the tense knots.

"I don't know how we going to survive this year," he chuckles softly.

"It looks like it's already working on you." I lean forward and tousle his untidy hair, straightening it slightly.

A smile plays on his lips as he closes his eyes.

"It's the prefect duties as well. Parkinson is driving me insane, taking her time so she has more time with me. She told me that by the end of the year I will have forgotten you," he sighs, annoyed, looking at me again.

"She told me the same thing."

"I really wish they chose you; she never stops talking about us," he says picking up his quill again and resuming his homework.

"You know I would never have made a good prefect," I chuckle.

"I know. Just wishful thinking." He smiles.

Draco pauses with his essay. Peering up again.

"I don't like it, you know," he says more to himself than me.

"What do you mean?" I ask, puzzled.

He rubs the side of his temple. "My parents... I get this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach when they do those horrific things for him." Draco dropping his voice almost to a whisper. "But I stand by them no matter what... Because... They're my everything, Nyx."

He lowers his eyes, almost as if he is disappointed in himself.

I place my one hand on his arm giving it a slight squeeze. "I'd do anything for my family too. That doesn't make you a bad person."

"You're my everything as well, though..." His cheeks reddening, eyes still cast downwards. "You're my only real friend, and it hurts me to know that if it meant standing between you and my parents, I'll end up choosing them... That does make me a bad person..."

"Hey," I respond, grabbing his face in both my hands and making him look up at me. I rub my thumb across his cheek as a lone tear escapes and rolls down his cheek. "There's no need to think about that. You'll never be a bad person in my eyes, I promise." I smile before letting go. "Let me not keep you from your homework. I'll see you tomorrow, okay. Promise me you won't let that bother you."

"I promise," he responds softly.

I stand up grabbing my bag and giving him a hug before heading upstairs to unfortunately find Pansy Parkinson still awake with her crew, chatting softly in the corner of the room.