His Hidden Side - Draco Malfoy

7- Sour Apple

My days are a mixture of fun, excitement and then also exhaustion and anger. I've made new friends, not a lot, but more than i've ever had. Hermione, Luna, Neville and even Harry Potter himself. Hermione introduced us one day. I suppose it's my first time meeting a celebrity. All of them are kind and welcoming in their own ways, it's a relief to know that not everyone at this school is stuck up.

Even detention is quite fun. Not the cleaning part or the Mr. Filch eyeing my down part. But the fact that I can get to see more of the school. Also a plus, I haven't had any Malfoy interactions, he keeps his distance and so do I. A quick hello from both of us as we sweep the castle, is more than enough.

My detention only lasts a week but I get to see nature peacefully and gradually change. The leaves sheltering the trees turned into shades of red, orange and yellow as they die away and eventually drop down amongst their decayed brown kin. The sky too changes colour as the sun sets earlier. Brilliant colours of pinks, purples and oranges keep me company.

***

My last day of detention is different. No longer am I sweeping and scrubbing, instead I am to accompany Hagrid at his hut. Not gonna lie, he still freaks me out.

He hands me a trowel and rake, along with some gardening gloves.

"Hello Lily, I thought you'd appreciate working away from the castle today. You can help me care for my humble creatures and garden." He smiles warmly. He seems like such a caring guy, yet I'm afraid. I smile back and hold my subtly shaking hand.

"No need to be afraid, my creatures are lovely."

He gives me a short list of things that need taking care of. A list half as short as Mr. Filch's. I start with raking the golden coloured leaves spread around into one neat pile. The soft breeze didn't make that difficult. When I began to pull out unwanted plants from his vegetables, Hagrid told me he had to leave for a short while.

"I better check on the other detention students."

"There's others?"

"I don't think I should have told you that. Professor McGonagall suggested that you'd be kept apart."
Am I seen as a trouble maker... Probably. Can't blame em.

Hagrid leaves towards the 'Forbidden Forest', a dangerous forbidden area. Why would he have students working there? I've been reassured many times that Hogwarts is a safe place. Any yet there are monsters, dangerous potions and sports. I want to learn more, learn more about my family. They attended Hogwarts, renounced it. Why? What happened?

Once I see that Hagrid's gone, I lay down on the soft cool grass to relax. The sky is a beautiful cloudless explosion of ember and gold, like a slow fire dancing in the sky. This is the quietest most beautiful evening I've had, there's nothing to complain about.

A crisp crunch interrupts my silence. I open my eyes.

"You."

"Roswell." He takes another bit of his green apple. A sour apple for a sour boy.

"Don't you look bloody stupid lying on the grass, like ur floating through heaven. You'll mess up your pretty hair." I can't tell if he means it or not. But my cheeks slightly heat up. I touch my wavy raven coloured hair as I sit up, feeling for any grass blades or leaves.

"It's called enjoying the moment. Try it sometime."

"There's more important things to do."

"What are you here for then?" Then it hits me. "Are you in detention again?"

"Yes I am, I had to see you again."

More blood rushes to my cheeks, despite the fact that I know he's playing one of his sarcastic jokes. He crosses his arms and smirks.