And Then I Met You

Positive Affirmations

The summer passes by slowly, and every day feels like an eternity. 

I spend most of my time with my parents. Ever since they found out that my strange abilities have come back, they see me in a different light. They see me as weak, frail, helpless. 

As a result, they convince me to meditate every night. I write down positive affirmations, and drink herbal tea. I listen to classical music and read poems about the beauty of life. My headaches come back, and they feel stronger than before, but I ignore them. I don't want my parents to worry about me. 

Not about something so inevitable that it cannot be cured with herbal teas and meditation.

But it's fine. Dumbledore will take care of it!

To distract myself until I can go back to Hogwarts, I write letters to Luna. I tell her about how my summer has been, and how much I miss her. She sends me poems and pressed flowers in return, wrapped in delicate lace envelopes. I can't help but smile when I open Luna's letters; they're just as happy and colorful as she is. 

My favorite letter comes in the mail during the last week of July.  This one is slightly bigger, heavier. "You might find this helpful!", Luna has scribbled onto the envelope with glittery, dark blue ink. 

I tear open the envelope and a necklace falls onto my lap. I pick the necklace up, examining it. It's made of dainty white string, with a pendant made out of a butter beer cork. 

I chuckle, remembering how Luna once told me it keeps nargles away. If I only I could go back in time, to that journey to Hogwarts. Where the most confusing thing on my mind was trying to figure out what nargles are. 

- - - - - - - - 

The weeks fly by until it's time for me to pack my suitcase again and return to Hogwarts. 

As I'm folding the last of my clothes, I hear someone at my door. 

My mother is standing in the doorframe, fingers wrapped around the handle. She's smiling, but her eyes look worried. 

"You know", she says, "You don't need to go back to Hogwarts." She walks over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You could attend a muggle school, try to live a peaceful life without risk of being discovered by Voldemort. Your father and I agreed that we would be okay with it". 

I shake my head. "No, I want to go to Hogwarts. I don't care about the risks, I'm not ending the line of witches and wizards in our family."

My mother smiles weakly and plants a kiss on my forehead. "I thought you'd say that." 

I shrug. "Besides, the secret is out. There's nothing left that could surprise me any more." 

The smile on my mothers face falters. "Is that so?" 

"I guess", I reply. "I can see into the future, and Dumbledore will help me get rid of this ability." 

"Of course he will." My mother gets up, heading towards the door. "Oh, Madison?" 

I look up from my suitcase. 

"Please be careful darling", my mother glances back at me before exiting my room. 

I sigh. I wish it was that easy. 

- - - - - - - - 

Draco looks different to when I last saw him. 

More mature. 

His jawline is more defined, and his platinum hair is secured into position with gel. 

He's wearing a black fit from head to toe, dressy pants with a cashmere pullover and a blazer. 

He looks intimidating. Maybe even attractive. 

No, stop it.

I can't stop looking at him. No matter how hard I try, I find my eyes fluttering over to him. 

From across the Slytherin table, Draco suddenly looks up. 

Our eyes lock. I turn bright red, quickly looking away. 

From out of the corner of my eyes, I see his lips quirk upwards. 

I silently pray that he'll return to his meal. That he'll stay put on his side of the table.

Alas, I see Draco get up from his seat, sauntering towards me.

"Monroe." 

It's been a while since our last conversation and to say I'm nervous is an understatement. 

The palms of my hands are sweaty, and I quickly wipe them on my jeans. 

"Malfoy", I spit. "Have you lost one of your stupid rings on this side of the table, or are you just getting in some extra steps?" 

"Am I not allowed to say hi?" Draco raises his hands in an I'm- so- innocent gesture. 

I scowl.

Draco suppresses another smirk and turns to Jenna. "Your friend has been actively avoiding me since Christmas. Do me a favor and tell her I said hi?" He winks at me, then turns to saunter back to his seat. 

I turn to Jenna, my cheeks a bright red. 

"What's this then?", she chuckles, eyes wandering from me, to Draco, and back to me. "What happened during Christmas?" 

"Nothing", I mumble. 

"I don't suppose he made a move on you in the form of mistl- ", Jenna starts. 

I shove a bread roll into her mouth. "Youuu look hungry. Less talking, more eating."

"Hey!", Jenna laughs, throwing the roll in my direction. 

"No more questions, okay?", I say. "There is nothing going on with Malfoy and I, and I don't want to waste any energy on this." 

Jenna wipes the crumbs from her face. "Okay then. But if there is, I'll be the first to know".