Hidden Feelings - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter Thirty-Seven

A/N I'm hoping everyone's enjoying the story! Make sure to comment or private message me and let me know how you feel about everything. I'm really not sure how good or bad this story is so far, I'd love some feedback!

"This doesn't seem right."

I glance over at Mom quickly, her eyes set straight forward, slightly squinted in the wind.

"What?"

"The dementors. In Little Whinging." She pauses. "Even if they knew where Harry was, why would they want him?"

"I've been wondering the same thing," I admit. "It has to have been a setup. But who'd have the power to do that?"

Over the weeks, Mom and I started to take walks every evening before dinner when there's a meeting taking place. I've come to be a little less suspicious of her, as it's clear she trusts me. She hasn't let any information slip that she shouldn't be telling me, but she's comfortable talking about Voldemort, the ministry - now this.

"Anyone, if they tried hard enough," she responds. "The ministry has the most direct contact with Azkaban. They don't like Harry, not after last year. I wouldn't be surprised if they're just trying to get him expelled."

I move my hair out of my face after a breeze blows it over my eyes. "Really?"

"Can't have someone running around Hogwarts, spreading word of You-Know-Who's return, can you?"

I nod. "Fair point. Why don't they want people to know he's returned?"

"They don't believe he has," she says. "Either that or they just want to keep people calm."

We walk in silence for a while, and I think about Lucius. He has quite a bit of influence in the ministry. Perhaps there are more death eaters there than we think, and they're simply trying to cover up what they're doing.

"How is Dad?" I ask once we turn to walk back to the house.

"He's fine. He misses you."

I don't try to ask more.

••••••••••

I keep an eye out for Malfoy, just wanting to see him once. I know I can't let myself fall into his stupid trap again, but I can't deny that I miss him. The nice him.

I finally spot him after the four of us load our trunks and are on our way to one of the entrances. He's walking in our direction, his head down, but I catch him glancing up a moment before we pass. I'm on the edge of our group and feel his hand hit mine, a folded piece of parchment slipping between my fingers. I close them around it as fast as possible to avoid it dropping, and glance down, unfolding it at my side so Harry won't see.

Meet me in the last car.

I tell myself I shouldn't, but I excuse myself to go to the bathroom almost as soon as we've sat down.

The last train car is usually empty, as the seats aren't nearly as comfortable and there are no individual compartments. I open the door to see Malfoy sitting in one of the seats, and his head snaps up. A tiny smile appears as he stands up.

"Hey," he says as I walk forward.

"Hi." I cross my arms, standing a few feet away. "What do you want?"

His smile falters. "I wanted to see you?"

"Why?"

"Because, I-" He stops, taking a breath. "I don't know. Why are you upset?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "Draco, you said we couldn't do anything about this. I assume we can't go around talking all the time, either, romantic intentions or not."