The Words That Bind Us - Malfoy

3.

That night, I toss and turn for hours, unable to sleep. My head feels stuffy, and I feel like I need some air. We are not allowed out of the common room after curfew, but the odds of me being caught are slim to none, so I grab my shoes and sweatshirt. The easiest way outside was through the astronomy tower, and that will also give me a nice view. I head up the stars and open the door quietly, slipping through the crack into the cool air. I breathe in a deep breath, and look over to see someone standing there. "Shit,  I am done for." I think to myself before realizing that it wasn't a teacher. He looks over at me silently, and begins to make his way to leave.

"Wait! It's okay, you don't have to leave.!" I whisper, hoping the boy will turn around. He does, stepping slightly into the light. I recognize the blonde haired boy immediately.

"Are you sure?" He says with a grimace. "Are you sure, now that you see my pathetic face? Or do you want me to leave, so that you can pretend I don't exist, like everyone else."

"Draco—I don't want you to leave just because I happened to come out here. You have just as much reason to be here as me." I say lightly, before walking closer to him. He stands there silently, giving no attempt at response, though I see his face soften. After a few seconds, I ask, "What brings you out here tonight?"

He chuckles slightly to himself before looking up towards the sky. "I come out here most nights. It's the only place that I can come where I don't feel like everyone is staring through me. Or at least it was. I guess you are here to stare at me now, right?"

I ignored his last remark, and instead explained that I came to clear my head. It was silent for several minutes, before he asked the question. Why don't I act the way the other students act towards him?

"I've seen the good in you Draco... I never believed you were 'bad'. I am smarter than that. I believe you deserve every second chance that you wish, just as the rest of us do." I almost whisper, my voice caught in the air. I see Draco shift slightly, looking towards me in the dark.

"Thank you." That's all he says, but it's enough because I can hear the pain and sincerity behind it.

I simply look out across the grounds, and close my eyes as the wind blows through my hair. We sit there silently, together, looking out into the world until we see the sun begin to peek.