Cuts Run Deep

Hogsmeade

~Draco's POV~

Although I didn't sleep very well last night (nightmares again) I was excited to go to Hogsmeade with Harry. I watched as Harry followed Hermione and Weasley- we're not exactly on first name basis yet- out of the Hall. Harry looks over at me and I nod to let him know that I'll be there. He smiles and continues behind the other two.

I go back to my breakfast. Toast with a bit of jam and eggs. It's what I eat every morning out of habit. It's simple, but fine with me. Pansy always teases me saying 'it's so boring'. I smirk at the thought and take a sip of pumpkin juice.

"What's with that look?" Pansy asks casually while inspecting her nails. "Thinking about shagging Potter?" I choke on my juice and spit it out into the cup while coughing.

"What?!" I exclaim with wide eyes. Pansy just smiles innocently. Blaise is laughing. I glare at him, but he doesn't stop. If anything he laughs harder.

"Well I TRIED to get you're attention, but you weren't listening."  Pansy says dramatically. I roll my eyes. She points to the clock by the teachers table. "Your date with Potter starts soon. I suggest you get going." I groan and put my head in my hands to hide my flushed face.

"Alright alright. I'm going." I get up and grab my things. "I'll see you guys later okay?" Blaise nods and Pansy smiles. I turn around to leave.

"Have fun on your date!" Pansy calls after me loudly enough for everyone to hear. I feel everyone looking at me as I walk away so I do what I know best. I hold my head up and put a sneer on my face. Some people continue to stare, but most look away. I smirk triumphantly as I exit the Great Hall and start towards Gryffindor Tower.

~

"What's Malfoy doing here?" Weasley asks looking confused. I can't help but feel a little hurt that Harry didn't tell them I was coming. I figured he would have since he was becoming more confident. He didn't really mind holding my hand in the halls now, but he did let go very suddenly some times. Now that I think about it, he only did that when Hermione and Weasley were around...

"I invited him. I hope you don't mind." Harry says. I smile weakly when he looks over at me. Ron looks like he was about to say something, but Hermione interrupts.

"Of course we don't mind." she flashes a worried smile towards me but quickly changes it and grabs her boyfriend's hand. "Shall we go now?"

Harry nods and says, "Yes we shall." And with that we make our way out of the castle. I glance over at Harry once we're outside the castle doors. He looks stiff as me walk. I move my hand closer and grab it timidly. He flinches and his ears turn red, but he doesn't pull away. Satisfied, I smile and continue walking. When we were almost to Hogsmeade, Hermione turns to say something, but stops when she sees us holding hands. Harry isn't paying attention, so she smirks at me and turns back around.

"Oi, where we going first?" Weasley asks stopping to turn around. Harry pulls his hand away quickly. I look at him and sigh putting my hands in my pockets. I don't get why he does that when they're around. I look to Hermione. She mouths the words we'll talk later. I bite my lip and nod silently.

"I kind of wanted to stop by the Three Broomsticks and get some butterbeer." Harry says looking at all of us. I shrug and no one argues against it.

"It's settled then." Hermione says smiling. "Let's go get a table." She leads the way down the street to a familiar looking building. I don't actually go to Hogsmeade often. Since fifth year, I've only been twice. The Three Broomsticks was a homey looking pub with soft light and wood furniture. It was warmer in here than it was outside in the crisp late autumn air. I follow the others to a table near the back of the pub. Almost as soon as we sit down, a waitress comes by to take our orders.