Hidden Feelings - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

Chapter Fifty

"Wow."

"I know," I say, burying my face in my hands. "I don't know why I thought it would be different this time. I'm an idiot."

"You're not an idiot, Elizabeth, you're in love," Neville tells me, nudging my foot with his.

"Same difference," I retort. We sit in the window of a generally empty corridor the day after Neville caught me coming back from the Room of Requirement in the middle of the night. How it's always him, and how it's always after Draco has basically broken up with me, I'll never know.

"I know you're probably sick of hearing this, but Malfoy...he may have good in him, I really believe you with that," he says, "but he's also got a lot of bad influences. His parents, you know?"

"Yeah," I agree. "I don't know why I keep thinking he'll change."

"He did say he was trying to protect you."

"From what? His family?" I scoff a little. "We agreed to keep it secret, they wouldn't find out. Besides, the last good conversation we had, we talked about being more careful. Sure we had a couple close calls, but we never got caught by anyone but you."

"They are death eaters. Maybe something has changed, and he's worried that something will get out," he suggests. I bite my lip, leaning my head back against the wall.

"I keep trying to find reasons to be mad at him," I whisper. "You're right, though. Maybe we shouldn't have tried this. Maybe it's better we don't get too attached."

"Being mad at him will make it easier, I'm sure." I feel him nudge my foot again and I look back over at him. He offers a tiny smile. "But Elizabeth, as much as I want to tell you he's evil and not good enough for you, he's made you really happy. Don't completely give up on it."

I laugh softly, shaking my head. "I don't think he's evil, but he keeps going back and forth. I just..." I take a deep breath, smiling to hide how much pain I feel when imagining just one more sweet night with him. "I don't think I can take many more heartbreaks. I can't do this on and off thing."

He nods. "I understand."

"What if he does come back?"

"Tell him what you just told me." He shrugs. "If he sees how much this is messing with you, maybe he'll stick to his decision."

"I don't know how much I trust him," I admit.

"That's fair. Make him earn that trust back."

"How are you so good at giving advice?" I ask, smiling a little.

He chuckles. "I watch people a lot. I may not be good at talking to others, but I'm good at understanding them."

"Thank you, Neville."

"Of course."

••••••••••

When I get back to the dorm, I hear sniffling and see Hermione jump from her bed when I arrive. She quickly wipes her cheeks, and I close the door, frowning.

"Mione, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she mutters, but after a moment her lip quivers a little and she sits back on her bed, pulling her knees to her chest. "It's Ron."

"What did he do this time?" I say sourly, moving to sit by her on her bed.

"I shouldn't even be mad at him for it." She sighs. "Him and Lavender...it's just..."

I feel my eyes widen a little. "Oh."

"Yeah," she whispers, wiping another tear away.

"How long have you-"