Silence is Deafening

Chapter 34

a/n: sexual content. 18+. like for real, 18+.

Snow covered the ground in a white sheet. Usually, winter was my favourite season. The frosted tipped trees, the frozen lake, the massive Christmas tree in the Great Hall, all of it yielded to the warm feeling of the holidays.

This year, however, everything was different. There was no Christmas at Hogwarts anymore. If anything, Hogwarts was growing even more dangerous and depressing. I started watching my back anytime I was in the hallway, growing more and more aware of the dangers that accompanied the school.

Draco and I hadn't spoken in almost 3 weeks. He and I did a very good job at completely and utterly avoiding each other and not speaking about the kiss that we shared in the small alcove. Sometimes, I found myself daydreaming during the violent Muggle studies class we had, and I could still taste the cigarette on his tongue. I usually snapped myself out of those daydreams rather quickly.

Today, however, was different. There were talks among the students that Snape was going to call us all into the Great Hall to make an announcement. Everyone seemed on edge, even Draco himself. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as we all walked slowly toward the Great Hall for dinner. He was looking around sharply, almost as if he was looking for something. His eyes were dancing around quickly as he scanned the crowd.

We filed into the Great Hall and all walked toward our respective house tables. As we neared the table, I felt someone step beside me. A quick glance out of the corner of my eyes let me know that Draco was standing just inches from me. We all took our seats, Draco sitting to my right.

I turned and gave him a sneer. Surprisingly, he didn't return it. He looked extremely uncomfortable, almost to the point of fear.

Suddenly, he leaned toward me. On instinct I leaned away from him, looking at him incredulously.

"Meet me tonight, Room of Requirement. 2 AM." He whispered, so softly I almost thought I imagined it.

"Why?" I seethed back, not daring to make eye contact with him.

"Not here. Just trust me." He replied, leaning away. I wanted to continue to question him on our meeting, but Snape had called for silence over the Great Hall.

"Your attention, please." Snape drawled over the restlessness of the room. Everyone fell silent at once.

"It has come to our attention that some of the students here might have information on the whereabouts of Harry Potter. As you all know, Harry Potter is wanted in connection with the murder of the late Albus Dumbledore." Snape said, his eyes glancing quickly around.

My breath left between my teeth in a hiss. I could feel the the blood pumping in my ears painfully. As I felt myself coiling to jump up, a hand clamped down hard on my thigh.

"Don't you dare." Draco whispered, his voice hard. I desperately wanted to punch him in the face, but I held back.

"Now, as I am sure, no one has come forth with any information about this. I have decided to allow for...interrogation with students. If you are summoned, you will be questioned on any knowledge you may have about Mr. Potter. You have nothing to worry about...if you have nothing to hide." Snape said, darkly. My hands began to sweat immediately.

"That is all. Return to your house dormitories, now." Snape said, evenly.

There was a mass movement toward the doors. I stood up, taking a deep breath and scanning my eyes for Ginny or Neville.

"Please tell me you don't know a damn thing about Potter." Draco seethed in my ear. I swatted at him over my shoulder.

"Stop!" I shot over my shoulder. His hand gripped my upper arm tightly, spinning me to face him in the corridor.