Hidden Feelings - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter Forty-Five

I'd packed my things early in the morning so I could have some time to myself before returning home. I plan on heading to the Burrow as soon as I get there, as I don't think I can spend even half the summer with Mom after what happened at the ministry. Even once I calmed myself down over the situation, I couldn't help but be angry at her for keeping us safe by letting Dad stay in a group of the most evil witches and wizards on the planet. My parents' intentions are in the right place, I'll admit, but the execution is so wrong I don't think I'll ever truly forgive them.

I walk through the castle, up to the hallway where the Room of Requirement is. I enter, finding the default array of lost things that appear when nothing comes to my mind. I go a ways in before finding a wall to sit against. I curl my knees to my chest and let myself cry for the first time since Malfoy broke up with me.

I rest my head against my palm and sob quietly, wishing that things were different. I wish for my father to have never been associated with death eaters, for my mother to have had the courage to stand up rather than risk everything just for us three. I wish my father was the man I knew before my parents divorced, and I wish that that man I knew hadn't actually been a past death eater in disguise. I wish I wasn't so stuck between sides, supporting one but somehow always remaining connected to the other. I wish love wasn't so complicated, both with my family and Draco.

And, as usual, the moment I think of his name, I hear the door to the room swing open.

I rest my forehead against my knees, taking shaky breaths to try and slow the tears. I hear footsteps, but don't look up.

"What do you want, Draco?" I ask, my voice breaking when I say his name.

He doesn't say anything, but slowly, he walks closer. I feel his leg brush against mine as he sits beside me. His hand touches my arm, and I feel my throat tighten as I continue to cry.

"Is this okay?" he asks softly, slowly wrapping his arm around my shoulders. I nod without lifting my head, not wanting him to see my face.

"He's in Azkaban," I say, sniffling.

"I heard."

I sob quietly, feeling Draco's hand rub my shoulder a little.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay."

We sit there without talking for quite a while, but the silence is comfortable. Once my tears have slowed to a stop, I sit up, wiping my cheeks off. I know my face is going to be red and blotchy, my eyes swollen, but he doesn't seem to notice or care when I look over at him.

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"For what?"

"Being here." I feel so drawn to him, I have to look away. He stares forward again as well, removing his arm from around me.

"Are we good? With what happened between us?" he asks me, resting his hands in his lap. I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Sure."

"Should we just...forget that it happened?"

I take a deep breath, a smile coming to my face despite the intense pain I'm feeling in my heart when he says that. "Sure," I repeat, holding back more tears.

"Okay." He pauses, and lets out a breath. "I miss you."

I bite my lip, angling my face away so he won't see the tears that are about to start flowing again. "I miss you too."

I hear him sniff, and turn to see him wipe his cheek. He glances at me and shakes his head, his eyes narrowing as he stands up and starts swiftly walking toward the door.