Young Warrior

Chapter 9 - Secret Keeper

Today is the day we ask Professor Lupin about the note. I woke up unrested this morning. The nightmares have stopped but I'm still not getting much sleep. I had a feeling it wasn't going to be a good day. I rolled over to the side of my bed, put on my pink slippers, and got ready for the day. We decided to go to Professor Lupin after class today. It had to be done this week since it was our last week before winter break and it was already Thursday.

I had a very early class so most of everyone was asleep. The halls were always very quiet around this time. I was about to walk into my class when I realized I was way too early and I'm usually late. I decided to go outside on the lawn and sit on the bench while I wait, I'm the only one outdoors. There's still snow on the ground and the trees. I wrap my jacket tighter around me, pull out my gloves from my bag, and slip them on my hands. The cold never bothered me, I always loved the cold.

I hear some footsteps in the snow behind me. The footsteps stopped behind me. "Arnt you cold?" I hear a voice behind me. Knowing who it is, I take a deep breath and turn around to see Draco in a fur hat and an expensive coat. He looks down at me with his big blue eyes. "I'm fine," I tell him. I hoped he would walk away. I was still angry at him for the way he acted the other day at Hogsmeade. "I'm sorry..." he tells me. I turn back around and try to ignore him. I don't think he's really sorry. He walks closer and sits down next to me on the bench. We don't say anything for a minute.

I hesitate but still speak, "Why Draco? Why do you act as if nothing matters, as if you don't care, as if you don't know good from the bad." He sits silent. "You know I care, I just- I don't know." I look at him. "You do know... Just tell me, you can tell me anything." He takes a deep breath. "I need to be what my parents expect me to be, A Malfoy." he sighs whilst continues to look at the snowy ground. He keeps talking..."There are so many expectations for me Isabella, you wouldn't understand." He scoffs and turns his head farther away from mines. "I know, but I can still help Draco." He looks at me, I can see his eyes filled with sadness. "So you forgave me then?" I smile at him. "Of course Draco." He half-smiles.

I check my watch and realize I'm once again late for class. "Every time..." I mumble as I pull my eyes away from my watch. He looks at my watch "What's wrong?" I stand up and grab my things. "I'm late...again." he stands up with me. "You know, you really have to start putting in an effort," he says sarcastically. I laugh. "I'll see you around Malfoy." I walk away but all I can think is how I'm glad we're okay again.

I went to all of my classes on time today for the first time in a while. Today was just a casual day, which was rare. After all of my classes ended for the day, I went to professor Lupin to ask him about the note, and some other things. I went back to his classroom and luckily he was there.

I knocked on the open door as I entered..."Um, Professor?" He looks up at me from his desk. "Oh hello there and to what do you owe this visit?" he says with a smile. "I just wanted to ask you a few questions if that's okay? I'm still wondering about some things." I walk over to his desk. "Yes, of course, have a seat." I sit down in front of him on the other side of his desk. "So Isabella, what would you like to know?" I pause trying to choose my words. "Well, I would like to know about Sirius Black...forgive me but I never believed-" He sighs. "Yes, I know you don't but I'm sorry, Sirius Black is a murderer." I don't say anything.

"Okay well, the other day...I found this note in my room..." I pull out the note and show professor Lupin. He reads it silently and furrows his brows. He tears his eyes away from the note and back to me. "When did this come into your possession?" I hesitate to say when..."The day Sirius had gotten into the castle."

He stops. His face has a worried expression. "I thought that by bringing this note to you, you can somehow help..." He turns his head back to me and scrunched his lips into the corner of his face. "It's not Sirius trying to tell you something if that's what you're going to imply." I sit up in my seat "No of course not...but who else might it be?" He takes the note and puts it in his desk drawer. "Don't read too much into it, it's probably just a prank. Go on and get some rest Isabella, you have a paper due tomorrow." He smiles at me and I walk to the Gryffindor common room, somewhat frustrated.