Destinia: First Year at Hogwarts

Chapter 17: Very Bloody Murder

Draco woke up nervous the next day. The end-of-year feast was only two days away, and the book had added nothing yet. Draco started to wonder if he'd even attend the feast. He had woken up late that day, taken a shower, gotten dressed and grabbed his bag with the book in it, before going up to the Great Hall for breakfast.

     Entering the Hall, already near the end of breakfast, he noticed a very chatty atmosphere. Whether it was about their exams, the end-of-year feast, or Potter, they all had something to talk about. Draco merely smiled sadly and walked over to where Pansy was sitting, staring at the Gryffindor table and looking as though she was trying to communicate with Hermione via their thoughts.

     "Morning, Pans," Draco greeted, sitting down next to the girl and grabbing a slice of bread. The Slytherin suddenly looked wide awake and back to reality.

     "Good morning, Draco," she said, smiling widely at him. She quickly looked around the table, seeing if anyone was sitting too close for them to discuss something secret. She'd once told him she just couldn't be careful enough, let alone after what had happened when Draco had disobeyed the book.

     "Has he woken up yet?" she asked him in a whisper. Draco almost choked on his food.

     "Shit," he murmured, discarding his sandwich on his plate and reaching inside his bag for the book. He heard Pansy sigh next to him, but ignored her and went to the last page — one he hadn't seen before! He grinned, going back a few pages and starting to read.

     He knew he was smiling all the way through the new entry, somehow glad Potter was awake and well. So many things seemed to fit when he read Dumbledore's explanations. He had been so invested in the book he hadn't noticed the Hall clearing out, until him, Pansy and Hermione, whom he hadn't heard sitting down in front of him, were the only ones left. He faintly heard hurried footsteps walking towards them.

     "What are you three still doing in here?" It was Professor Sprout, the Herbology Professor of Hogwarts. "It's so nice outside. It'd be a pity not to enjoy it!"

     Hermione, already starting to grab her things, opened her mouth to apologise. But Draco was faster. "Tell Professor Dumbledore I have to meet him as soon as possible, preferably now," he told Sprout, who was starting to look slightly red.

     "Nonsense!" she called out. "The Headmaster doesn't need—" She cut herself off as she saw the open book in front of Draco. She coughed in her hand, straightening up. "Of course, Mr Malfoy. I'll be leaving now," she said in a rush, slightly embarrassed, and left towards the High table.

     "Does she know?" Hermione wondered, settling down again.

     "Of course, she does. Most teachers do, in fact," Draco answered, leaning back on the bench and putting the book back in his bag.

     Hermione nodded, following Draco's actions with her eyes. "How's Harry?" she asked worriedly.

     "Still asleep, now," Draco answered her. "He'll wake up tomorrow morning. Sir."

     "Sir?" Hermione asked, aghast. Draco sighed, looking back at the girl.

     "Behind you, Hermione," Draco answered her, already standing up.

     "O-oh..." She turned around. "I'm sorry, sir!" she apologised to Dumbledore, who had come up behind her.

     "No worries, Miss Granger," Dumbledore disregarded her, straining his blue eyes on Draco. "If you could follow me, Draco."

     "Of course, sir." Draco gave a short nod and followed Dumbledore out. It was still awkward, being in his headmaster's vicinity, even after a whole year of following his orders. Dumbledore stayed his headmaster, after all, even though they'd had plenty of meaningless conversations along the way.