Silence is Deafening

Chapter 8

The next month seemed to go on without a hitch. I almost squealed with delight as I received my package from Remus, with a note attached to it.

My dearest Lizzie,

I hope you find your ties enclosed in the paper. I am absolutely appalled that you would think I'd be disappointed in you. Slytherin house has gained a very bright witch.

I am deeply remorseful about not seeing you off at Kings Cross. My condition seemed to yield many side effects last month, and I was not at all in the state to go out in public.

I hope your first month of school is going splendidly. I look forward to hearing about your many adventures.

Until then, all of my love always,

Remus

P.S. Dora and Andromeda send their love, and Andromeda especially sends her congratulations.

I smiled, clutching the letter tightly. I read it in Remus' quiet voice, wishing so badly I could hear it. I was never much of a homesick person, but I always missed Remus so terribly when I was away at school.

"Letter from home?" A kind voice asked, and I smiled without turning around.

"Yes, from my godfather." I said, looking at Blaise. He came around the back of the couch and plopped himself down next to me. The last month, we had been spending a lot of time together. I'd go as far as to say we were seeing each other, however neither of us said it. Blaise grinned at me, moving closer.

"You miss him?" He said softly, and I nodded, folding the letter back up and opening my ties.
"I do. He's the only family I have. I mean, he's practically my father." I said, quickly throwing the new Slytherin tie around my neck and attempting to tie it. After 3 minutes of gritting my teeth in frustration, I felt the couch shaking under me. I looked up in exasperation and saw Blaise laughing at me, shaking.

"Stop it! Ilvermorny didn't have ties, I don't know what I'm doing!" I said, laughing along with him. He gently moved my hands away from my tie and scooted closer to me, to where our faces were mere inches apart. I stopped laughing suddenly, hearing my heartbeat in my ears.

"Allow me." he said simply, tying my tie for me. I watched him as his eyes skimmed over his work. A part of my brain was telling me to just do it. To lean in, to kiss him, right here in the common room. My brain must have been projecting very loudly, because suddenly he looked up, his dark eyes boring into mine. There was a pause, a few heartbeats long, where we both just stared at each other.

"Well, don't you two look cozy?" A voice said from behind me, and Blaise and I jumped a foot apart. Draco Malfoy came into view, his eyes on Blaise and I.

"Malfoy, mate. Excellent timing." Blaise said, sarcastically. I ducked my head to hide my embarrassment.

"Oh, no, Blaise, it was. I saved you from whatever was about to happen. I believe a 'thank you' is in order?" He said casually, leaning against the table and smirking at us both. Blaise looked irritated, but not nearly as pissed off as I felt.

"Malfoy, don't be that way." Blaise said, and Malfoy started to laugh.

"I'm just stating the obvious, Zabini. You were about to kiss Clarke, and I saved you. I would never let my friend do something he would regret." Malfoy said, his eyes flashing. I noted that this was the first time Draco had ever said any form of my name. Up until now, he had only been referring to me as "her".

"Draco, enough. Lizzie, we can go somewhere, maybe-" Blaise started, and I held up my hand to cut him off.

"Don't worry about it, Blaise. I've got a potions essay I really need to finish. I'll catch up with you later, maybe after Malfoy decides to fuck off?" I said, innocently, looking at Malfoy. His smirk turned into a sneer of anger very quickly.