Limerence; Draco Malfoy

Chapter Thirty-Four: Into the woods

Reality felt altered that night.

I didn't know if it was because it had been a long, tiresome day, or if it was the people I was with who made things seem so surreal. But this weird atmophere lingering in the cold September air, only intensified the closer we got to the opening of the woods.

We walked in silence, as conversation would have felt like an interruption to the stillness of the night. There was only the faint howl of the wind. The crunch of our footsteps. Draco giving the occasional irritating sniff. The odd wolf howling. My own slightly raspy breathing.

I took a great, long inhale through my nose, the air being so numbingly cold it stung my throat. Wrapping my arms around my robes, I paused for a moment - already fed up from walking for three minutes. I didn't do walking.

The moon was dazzling tonight. Breathtaking to gaze up at. Clouds drifted by it like passing ghost ships, cutting across an ocean of velvety sky. And I got distracted, basking under the moonlight, like you do. Started thinking about how that moon right there, has been hanging in the sky for millions and millions and millions of years... And the fact that right now, there was probably someone else in the world stood staring up at it as I was, in the exact same moment. Thinking and wondering and gazing.

I didn't expect that person to be stood right next to me.

"Wow. The moon. How fascinating."

Draco's sarcastic voice cut through the crisp air like a knife. "Come on, Lockwood. The moon isn't going anywhere, but those two are."

I glanced down to see him nodding in the direction of Fred and Hagrid a few yards away. Returning Draco's dissaproving stare with one of my own, I pressed my numb lips together and stalked past him without uttering a word.

There came a muffled, irritable sigh, but he didn't call out anything else. No additional hostile remark. No insult. Just the sound of footsteps crunching close behind me. I tried to ignore his presence entirely.

Tried, and failed.

Fred and Hagrid glanced up as I neared them, my icy hands shoved into my pockets. We'd reached the gaping opening of the woods. Nothing surrounding us but trees, shadows, and a void where the pathway cut off into the wilderness... Fred greeted me with a grin as he held up a lantern.

"I'll hold the lanterns. Hagrid, do you think we should split up or stay together?"

Hagrid glanced between the three of us, suddenly appearing puzzled. I was standing closest to Fred - the tall boy was basically the same height as a tree stood next to me. Draco, I couldn't see, but I knew he was stood behind me. I could just feel his presence, looming like a dark shadow - a presence colder than the air that burned my cheeks.

"Well, I was goin' to keep us together, but you lot will 'ave to stay here for two minutes whilst I head back to my hut." He rubbed his beard thoughtfully. Wearily.

"I need to go and get the dog, don't I? I'm not bringing him for protection. Oh no, the boy's a coward! But he goes everywhere with me." Hagrid gave a curt nod and turned on his heel, before striding purposefully back up the hill.

"Wait there! And don't move! I'll be right back, alright?"

Fred blinked after him, slowly lowering his lantern.

For the first time, I saw doubt flicker across his expression.

Draco broke the silence first.

"This is a terrible idea. The stupid oaf's practically dragging us out on a suicide mission. And for what? Just so he can get his precious herbs."