The One Who Could've Been

The Common Room

Time passed even slower than usual today. Draco was awfully quiet. This was odd for him, he's always got a big mouth. I could tell something was wrong. However, I had no intention to disturb him. He probably just got in a fight with his dad again. You know, typical teenager stuff.

I was studying in the Slytherin Common Room while Anna and Cedric were alone in the room. As much as I was happy for Anna, I worried about her relationship with Cedric putting distance between us. Anna and I have been best friends since we were little. I remember my parents telling me that the woman next door had a baby. As a child, I always thought it was strange that Anna's mothers belly never grew. Now I suppose I know why. Growing up next to each other, we were close from the start. Literally and figuratively. Anna was always there for me when my parents would fight. "Yell back!" she would say. Although, that never ended very well.

Before the tip of my pen could reach the delicate surface of the paper, Draco stormed into the Common Room slamming the doors shut behind him. Capturing the attention of everyone within that vicinity, Draco yelled "looking at something are you?!"
I approached him with caution and pulled him to the side to talk.
Clenching his jaw and fist I ask Draco, "what's wrong?"
"Nothing you need be concerned with."
Before he can pull away, I grab his wrist and look him in the eyes.
"I care, just tell me what's going on and maybe I can help you."
With a heavy sigh, he reveals that his father has reason to believe that Bellatrix is to return soon.
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do to protect the two of you" he says softly, almost seeming disappointed in himself.
Reassuring him that he has nothing to worry about, I say "Anna and I will be just fine. Hogwarts is the safest place to be for us right now."
His eyes gaze downwards towards the floor. I lift his chin up a bit with my thumb, directing his eyes back at mine. "We're gonna be fine," I say softly.
I could've sworn that moment lasted longer than just a few seconds. It was as if our lips were magnets pulling us toward each other. Nodding his head in agreement, I pull him close into a tight hug. Quickly accepting my gesture, Draco wraps his arms around me, pushing me against his chest.
"What ever happened to you not liking hugs Williams?" Draco teases
"I made an exception just this once, don't flatter yourself."
"Consider me flattered," he smiles before I gently remove myself from his embrace. Anna and Cedric finally make their way back to the Common Room. Stumbling upon Draco and I's hug, Anna taunts me with immature faces of her puckering her lips to imitate Draco and I. I make a nasty face her way and roll my eyes. Cedric and Draco take a moment to catch up before Cedric makes his way back to his dorm. Draco holds for a minute and stays to explain everything to Anna. He was set on accompanying us to and from our classes for our safety. Anna and I undoubtedly declined his offer.
"You do realize you have your own classes too right?"
"I'm quite aware Nicole. Let me do this for you... to protect you"
"Like I need your protection" I say sternly.
Anna intervenes and thanks Draco for confessing his concerns and sends him on his way.
"You couldn't have been the least bit kinder to him? He was just trying to help," Anna says.
"That's funny coming from you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I thought you didn't even like Draco."
"I don't-" she slows down and continues to defend Draco.
I should've been more grateful, I know that. There was a part of me that took offense to him even thinking I'd need his help. Whose to say I can't take this bitch on myself?