Mixed Messages (A Drarry Fanfic)

The Calm Before The Storm

(Draco)

Draco was sprinting down the hallway, pushing unfortunate third years out of his way. He was crying. He hated that. So much. When he finally reached the Slytherin dormitory, he refused to look at anyone, and flopped on his four poster. When Goyle tried to talk to him, he swished his wand and cast a silencing charm on his bed. Blissful silence made Draco tear a hand through his blond hair.

What was he doing? What in merlins beard had he been thinking?! The answer? He wasn't. He was letting his heart talk instead of his head. The fact that he had a heart, sent Draco into a rage. If only he didn't. If only he could go back to being the untouchable.

Draco buried his face into his pillow and screamed as loud as he could- it didn't matter, the charm was on anyway.

Suddenly, the silence felt unbearable. All it did was leave him alone with his thoughts. And, you guessed it, they all had something to do with a certain green-eyed lad.

Draco could feel himself panicking. Why wasn't She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, or Raven, exposing him? Was she just waiting for the right moment? Or was she holding onto the information to use as blackmail? Draco felt his stomach twist with fury. His father would DEFINITELY hear about her.

...

The next day Draco was in an awful mood. He had gotten no sleep, thanks to his racing thoughts, and was woken up by Crabbe and Goyle pouncing on him and trying to... tickle him. Draco had done the reasonable thing, and promptly sealed their mouths shut with a flick of his wand. He knew he was risking expulsion, not only for running away from McGonagall the other day, but casting charms upon other students wasn't favorable either. It's not like the girls who'd try to sneak him love potions cared, though. Ugh. Pesky girls.

Draco was brought back to the present by Pansy, who had elbowed him in the stomach.

    "What's your bloody problem?"
Draco growled, looking up from his plate of toast and eggs. Pansy, who was sitting next to him in the Great Hall, simply nodded her head towards a fuming McGonagall, who was storming over to him, holding her wand in one hand, and skirt in the other.

    "Mr. Malfoy! You will come with me this very instant to the headmaster's!" She demanded. Draco rolled his eyes and stood up very slowly, just to anger her.

    "Well, do get a move on, I don't have all day," McGonagall huffed, pocketing her wand and turning on her heel to escort Draco to Dumbledore's.

Draco knew this feeling. He had felt it before. He felt like a ticking bomb, ready to go off at any moment. He felt sick to his stomach as he pushed open the headmaster's door without knocking. Albus Dumbledore raised his head and smiled softly at the Slytherin boy. He was stroking Fawkes and eating something that looked suspiciously like lemon drops.

    "Sit down, Draco," the old man said, gesturing to the seat in front of him. Draco stiffly walked over and sat. Dumbledore gave his bird one last affectionate stroke, before Fawkes swooped over to his perch. Dumbledore watched him for a moment, before turning back to Draco. He studied him intently, and Draco squirmed impatiently.

    "I assume," he said finally, "that you know why you are here?"
Draco nodded his head once, sharply. Dumbledore sighed.

   "You know using magic against a student for reasons other than teaching, is forbidden."

Draco sneered.
    "Well, I certainly taught him a lesson," he retorted. Dumbledore raised a single, gray eyebrow before chuckling.

    "You know... Draco, you try so hard to be so cruel, when your heart has never been in it... can you tell me why?"

Draco paled.
   "W-what are you talking about?"

The headmaster shot him a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling.
   "So it's someone you love then? You're scared to let them in... in fear of rejection."

Draco stood, shaking his head furiously, his face red.
    "You don't what you're talking about, old fool," he spat.

    "...Draco?"
He called, as Draco made for the door. He stopped, but didn't turn around.
    "If you are in the dark, the only way to let in light is to open a curtain. If you are a trapped bird, you must find a key to fly. All of these things are right there... you only have to be brave enough to use them. And ALL of these things can be accomplished."

Draco turned slightly, to see him wink.
    "I recommend taking my advice, Mr. Malfoy. Consider that as a warning. Take my words to heart, and you'll find your own."

Draco left without looking back. He felt oddly calm, but he was anything but. Something was brewing deep inside him. He supposed this was what muggles called the "calm before the storm".

Because Draco had a hurricane inside his heart... and it was about to destroy everything he held dear.