[4] UNREQUITED ENEMIES ━ Draco Malfoy

11. You Hate Me

ELEVEN YOU HATE ME

     Returning to Hogwarts, Xander knew Diana could tell something was off with Xander. He didn't want to talk about it, but on the train ride home they didn't say much, she mostly just held him. The sun was setting as this was their indicator that they were almost there -- the city had faded out long ago as the highlands surrounded them. Diana laid against the window with Xander in between her legs, his back against her chest as the girl's fingers played with his hair affectionately. Any sane person would think they were dating, but if Xander was being honest he never really thought about girls that way.

The peace was interrupted when the door of the train compartment slid open. Xander had to assume it was Justin trying to talk to Diana, but when he looked up he saw a familiar sneer and white-blond hair. Without thinking, Xander closed the book he was reading and threw it at the boy's head.

"Not now, Malfoy," Xander sighed as the boy caught the book, tossing it aside. He could feel Diana tense up, but the girl didn't say anything. As he sat up, he realized the boy was alone with no minions jeering behind him. That was an interesting change. "If you're here to break my nose the way you did Potter's, I suggest you find someone else to bother. I don't feel like putting up with whatever bullshit you're causing today."

Draco seemed to be taken slightly aback by this, but he tried not to let it show. He felt Diana's hand reach for her wand when the boy didn't leave. Xander stopped her, placing his hand on top of hers as he stood to meet Malfoy at the door. They were the same height, but it was rare they looked at each other in the eyes.

"Do you have a purpose for being here? If not, I suggest you leave," Xander's voice was colder than he had ever heard it before, but in his defense, he was a little fragile at the moment. Sure, the holidays had been wonderful and he loved seeing his family, but saying goodbye to your dying mother and not knowing if it was going to be the last time you saw her or not out a bit of a dampener on the Christmas spirit.

The boy looked him in the eyes, considering his words for a moment before he said, "You didn't fill your quota today for being the most insufferable being on the planet today, so I assumed you were sick or dying. By the bags under your eyes, it appears as though I was correct. All puffy, too, what? Did someone hurt your feelings? Had to cry about it?"

Without thinking, Xander grabbed Draco by the collar and shoved him against the opposing wall. The noise drew the attention of a few other students and he was vaguely aware of a decent amount of eyes on him. He hated the attention and he hated not feeling like he was in control of his actions. He didn't feel like himself right now and it was killing him.

"Watch your fucking mouth," Xander spat with more anger than he thought he could conjure. He sounded foreign like someone else was speaking through his mouth. He let go of Draco, but he didn't step away to let him leave, either. "I don't know what our stupid fucking dynamic is, but if you really came all the way down here just to annoy me, you need help. I'm not... I'm not gonna play these weird games anymore, I have real things to worry about instead of whatever the hell you're up to. I don't even care who you're trying to kill anymore or whatever you're doing in the Room of Requirement, I just want you to leave me the hell alone."