The Cursed (Draco Malfoy)

The Meadow

Jade:

Knock, knock!" Pansy's voice sounds from the door to my dorm. I throw it open happily.

"I didn't expect to see you here this early. How did you get in?" I ask.

"Ginny opened the door to the commons" She says as she sits easily on my bed.

"Ginny? The badass ginger that hates Slytherin let you in?" I gasp dramatically.

Her pretty face pulls into a smile. "That would be the one."

"I swear you could charm Voldemort into loving muggles if you got the chance. No need for an army! Just send Pansy out there to talk him down!" I tease.

She laughs as she looks around. Her eyes land on Hermione's empty bed, still made exactly as she left it.

"So you don't know where they are?" She points at the bed.

"She didn't tell me much. Just that she felt like Dumbledore had left them clues and she was hoping to find out what they meant." I shrug.

"It doesn't bother you that they didn't ask you to go?"

I think about it for a moment. The truth is, I miss them so much it hurts sometimes. They were all I had. The only people who cared about me. But I shove those thoughts away and shake my head.

"The best place for me is here. These students aren't being taught to defend themselves. They need us to show them what they can do." I say earnestly.

I know she senses my pain because She grabs my hand and pulls me down on the bed with her.

"How did you get to be so brave?" She says as she leans in close to me.

I touch my lips to hers. "Born with it, I guess" I mutter.

She rubs her hand on my leg and I shiver. I want to stay in this moment.

But she pulls away all too quickly and rubs her nose to mine.

"Come on! I have something to show you!"

"What? Where are we going?" I ask confused.

"It's a surprise! Just put on jeans and a sweater. Oh, and grab a book!" She says excitedly.

I do as she asks as I throw my hair into a messy bun and snatch my well-worn copy of Inkheart.
She grabs my face and kisses me one more time before she pulls me out the door, giggling as we run down the stairs.

We creep into the great hall. It's Saturday so there aren't many students wondering around but the teachers often patrol the halls, making sure no students leave the castle.

"Get to your dorm or I'll gladly perform the Cruciatus Curse!" I hear Professor Carrow bellow from around the corner.

A first year Ravenclaw runs past us with tears in her eyes. Obviously scared to her core. The ogre of a man delights in hurting students for any reason he can find. I hear his footsteps growing closer and closer.

Pansy pulls me into a dark classroom and we duck behind a bookshelf.
The door makes a quiet click as it shuts. We hold our breath as his footsteps slow to a halt. He opens the classroom door and looks around. I put my forehead to Pansy's. Praying he doesn't find us. His breathing is loud and obnoxious as he surveys the empty room. Finally, the door clicks shut.
"Is he gone?" Pansy mouths.
"I think so." I say as I peek around the bookshelf. I don't see him so I pull her up and we slowly walk to the window. I see his robe disappear around the corner and I breathe a sigh of relief.
"That was so close." Pansy breathes. I shake my head and pull open the door slowly. We make a break for the castle entrance.