Hidden Feelings - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter Thirty-Three

I sit in the Great Hall, only about half of those at the school filling the seats. It's the day our parents come, the night before the final task.

I originally thought I'd be excited to see my mom and dad...but for some reason, I'm terrified as I stare at the doors, waiting for them to open and reveal a hideous truth. I keep telling myself it's too good to be true, that my parents can't possibly be together again.

The guests finally arrive, flooding into the hall with gasps as students jump from their seats to run to their parents. I stand up, searching for mine. I see the Weasleys, and point them out to Ron and Ginny. They run toward them, Fred and George following close behind a moment later.

I'm just about to step onto the bench when I see them.

They're too far back to reach quickly, but they've already caught sight of me. So I stand there anxiously, a huge smile on my face. Their happiness radiates off of them, filling me with an indescribable joy that makes me want to start jumping.

I start moving the moment a gap opens up. Their arms are opening, and before I know it I feel them embracing me tightly. My eyes are filled with tears, but I do nothing to stop them from falling as I squeeze my family.

"I miss you," I tell them, and I hear my dad chuckle.

"We miss you too, dear."

I pull them over to my spot at the table, and my dad touches my face, examining my scar. I swat his hand away when he pokes my cheek, so happy to see him joking around like this again. Mom touches my hair instead, brushing it back from my face.

"You like it here, don't you?" she asks, smiling warmly.

I nod. "I love it, Mom." Triwizard Tournament and all.

I happen to glance over and see Malfoy through the crowd. He sits facing away from the table, his eyes glazed over as his father talks in what seems to be some sort of lecture. I watch until his eyes flicker up to meet mine; when his expression doesn't change, I quickly look away.

Once the whole meeting is done, I notice Malfoy quickly slipping through the crowd to get to the door. I frown, seeing how upset he looks, and turn to my parents.

"Do you mind waiting by the doors in here? I'm going to the bathroom," I tell them. They nod, and I slip away to find Malfoy before he gets too far.

I look both ways when I leave the Great Hall, seeing him moving swiftly down the corridor. I rush toward him, slowing once I reach his side.

"Are you okay?"

He flinches, not looking my way. "What do you want?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "I want to know if you're okay."

"I'm fine." His pace is increasing, and his eyes are set forward so intensely it's almost scary to look at.

What was I thinking, coming after him? I wonder. He himself admitted how he hides his feelings in front of others. Why would he be different around me?

"It's okay if you're not fine, you know," I say, twisting past a few people. His face still doesn't show any sign of him hearing me.

"I'm fine," he repeats, slightly more forcefully. "Go off with your parents. You're lucky to have ones who care."

Oh.

I don't try to say anything else. I stop, letting him continue on without me, and watch him disappear around the corner. I take a deep breath and turn around, heading back to the Great Hall.

••••••••••

"Mione?" I ask, staring up at the ceiling from my place on my bed. She sits beside me, attempting to braid her hair.