PRINCESS ➳ harry potter , draco malfoy (OLD VERSION)

108 || Betrayed

To say that Katie was shocked when she stepped out of the secret passage and into the Room of Requirement would be an understatement. The room had transformed from their usual DA practicing space. Instead, the room was now practically empty aside from a fireplace, a few chairs, and some hammocks and sleeping bags.

The people sat in the hammocks and sleeping bags had familiar faces: Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown and — lo and behold — Zacharias Smith, who sneered when Katie and Draco emerged from the secret passageway.

"What are you all doing in here?" Katie asked of no one in particular, swivelling her head around to get a good look at the room.

It was Neville who answered.

"We spend nights in here when things get really bad in the school," he explained. "It's sort of like a hideout."

"What's she doing back so early?" Zacharias spat suddenly, not even bothering to try and hide the disgust in his voice.

Katie narrowed her eyes. "I just missed your company so much." she drawled.

"Weren't having a good time with your Death Eater buddies, were you not?" Zacharias snarled. At this, Katie plunged her hand inside her pocket in search of her wand but Draco grabbed her arm to stop her.

"He's not worth it." Draco said quietly, but unfortunately Zacharias caught ear of his words.

"Oh, I'm not worth it? I'm not worth it?" he raised his voice. "Who's the scum with the Dark Mark on his arm, who let the Death Eaters into the school, who tried to kill Dumbledore?"

Draco lowered his head shamefully. Katie pushed him behind herself and stood in front of him protectively.

"Knock it off, Smith." she warned.

"What would Potter say if he knew you were shacking up with Malfoy again?" Smith went on. He glared between Katie and Draco with utmost loathing. Katie was taken off guard by this question but managed to pull herself together to form some sort of a response.

"What does Harry have to do with anything?" she snapped.

Smith rolled his eyes, placed his hands on his knees and pushed himself to his feet. He was at least six feet tall but Katie did not let that intimidate her.

"Honestly, Blair, you've been jumping from one to the other since you were, what, twelve? I don't know how you keep up."

Ginny, who had been silent the entire time, probably because she shared Smith's hatred for Draco, angrily said, "Shut up, Smith. You know that's not true."

"But it is true," Smith pressed. "She goes from Potter to Malfoy — Potter, Malfoy, Potter, Malfoy. Merlin's Beard, one at a time, Blair."

Draco's hand latched onto Katie's arm. "Leave her alone, Smith." he warned darkly.

Smith ignored him and continued to address Katie. "What do you see in him, anyway? Malfoy, I mean. We all know he's nothing but a coward who—"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Smith's arms clasped to his side, his entire body stiffened, and then he hit the floor like a board of wood. Katie pocketed her wand.

"That ought to shut him up for a bit," she said, then she turned to Draco. "Are you all right?"

Draco tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Me? I'm fine. It's you he was having a go at."

"He doesn't get to me." Katie lied but Draco saw right through her facade. Unknowing that everyone was watching them, Draco kissed her on the forehead and Ginny narrowed her eyes in suspicion.