The Girl Who Lived ☆ D. MALFOY

Chapter 35

A/N- Omg another update. Woah, I'm on a roll. Do y'all have any suggestions for what to do with the story? Cuz I've kind of hit a wall, and this is really just a filler. I think I'm just gonna get back on the path of the book. Any ideas for scenes you want to see? Just let me know in the comments! This chapter is absolutely horrible and it's completely unedited, so forgive the spelling and grammar errors. Enjoy!

Word Count: 919

Draco's POV:

Rather than saying anything, I just study her. Looking for any harm to her other than her tired eyes and slightly sunken cheeks. Her green eyes held much less of their usual glow, but she still seemed to be trying her best. I wanted so badly to be upset with her for our last encounter. For her not telling me that this had happened before, but I couldn't. Not with the way she looked now. She must have had a reasonable explanation for everything, and I have to trust her, even if she doesn't trust me. She smiled weakly at her brother, before her eyes met mine.

"Are you going back to the common room then?" I ask, hoping my tone stays indifferent.

"I have to meet with the Professor." she says plainly. I can't tell if she's still upset with me or not. Merlin, why are women so difficult?

"Oh, okay."

"Oh, it's quite alright, Miss Potter. I'd like to speak with just Mister Potter for a moment. I will send for you when we can meet." Dumbledore says with a small smile. She seems not at all thrilled, but nods nonetheless. I clench my hands into fists to stop their shaking. Just looking at the man makes my heart pinch. Especially knowing her relationship with him. He's a wonderful mentor to her. She'll have to get over it, I think bitterly. His fate is in my hands.

"Is something wrong, Draco?" I hear her ask gently. Her fingertips gently brush my fist, and I relax slightly.

"Nothing, love." I reply, watching the professor leave. I can sense her disbelief, but don't offer even a glance. "Would you like to return to the common room?"

"Harry...?" she says, silently asking for permission. He nods, although seemingly reluctant. They exchange weak smiles rather than a usual hug, before she starts toward the door.

"So, you've been released for good then?" I ask, breaking the several brutal moments of silence as we trudge toward the Slytherin dormitories.

"Depends."

"What do you mean?" My brows furrow as I turn to face her. She's not looking at me, instead watching her dirt covered tennis shoes as they tap against the concrete.

"If this happens again, they're not gonna let me leave. I shouldn't even be out right now. Not after what I did." she explains lowly. I stop abruptly, a debate raging in my mind. You're not even supposed to be associating with her this much, you're supposed to be distancing, she could get hurt.

"What happened was not your fault," I start sternly, looking at her even though she refuses to meet my gaze. If the Dark Lord finds out about her, he could use this. He could hurt her. "You will control it."

"Maybe, but I can't yet. I could hurt someone. Again."

"You won't. You'd never do anything to hurt anyone." I deny, ignoring the more logical voices in my head.

"I hurt Harry."

"Your brother is fine. Just like before." Shit.

"What do you mean 'before'?" she asks, brows furrowed and finally looking up at me. I sigh in defeat.

"Your brother told me about this happening before. Over winter holiday." She looked down again, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She missed a piece, so without thinking I brushed it back for her, then cupped her cheek. "I apologise. I should have asked you first. It was none of my business."

"You have no reason to apologise." she says, hand coming up to cover mine on her cheek. Her face had lost it's usual rosy tint, her voice was weaker than normal, and her hand shook ever so slightly when she raised it to touch mine. Not to mention her under-eye bags were comparable to the ones I wore.

"I'm not sure about you, but I could do with a nap." I say with a small grin. She chuckles slightly, looking at me in confusion.

"It's mid-morning. Why on earth would you take a nap right now?" I shrug, faking indifference.

"I didn't sleep well last night." It's not entirely false, seeing as I don't sleep most nights in general, but I was more so doing this for her. Normally, I would never admit to being tired, but I also knew she wouldn't either.

"Are you asking me to come take a nap with you?" she questions with a laugh.

"Possibly." She shakes her head, grinning at the floor.

"I suppose we'll have to take a nap then."

~~~~~~~~~~

Once back in the common room, I pull her into my prefect's bedroom. Being a Saturday morning, there are people milling about by the fire in the commons, so I make sure to leave the door open. Flopping onto my green comforter, I smile up at her. She just stands there, grinning in the doorway.

"Well, are you gonna join me or not?" I say, crawling farther up the bed to lay on the newly fluffed pillows. She shakes her head again before climbing up to lay beside me. She buries her face in my chest while wrapping her arms around my torso.
"Someone's comfortable." I mutter with a chuckle.

"Sh- shut up." she replies, trying to stifle a yawn. Her eyes are already halfway shut, and a peaceful smile has made its way across her features. I trace circles on her upper arm with my index finger, and her breathing becomes a slow and steady pattern as she slips into a much needed sleep.