Forever Home | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 5-11: Secret Meetings

Desiree awoke Wednesday morning with a feeling of power. She felt like she was unstoppable with the knowledge that later in the evening she would be going against Umbridge's orders to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts.

She hurried to put her robes on and then went to the Great Hall for breakfast. There, she saw Draco sitting in the middle of the Slytherin table by himself. This was odd for him, he was usually always with someone whether it was Blaise or Crabbe and Goyle, he was never really alone.

"Well this is a surprise. You're alone," Desiree teased, sitting down across from Draco.

"Blaise is sick and I really didn't want to bother talking to Crabbe and Goyle today," said Draco.

"That makes sense as to why I didn't see Pansy this morning then," said Desiree. "I thought she was already down here."

"She's in our room taking care of Blaise. You'd think they'd just admit they fancy each other already but to each their own I guess," said Draco, shrugging his shoulders.

"You know, we could always do something about that," said Desiree, raising her eyebrow.

"What are you talking about?" asked Draco.

"Oh for Merlin's sake Draco, we meddle so they can finally admit they fancy each other," said Desiree.

"Well what is there to do that wouldn't be obvious?" asked Draco.

"I have a few ideas. Oh no, it's almost time for divination. I have to go but we'll talk about this later," said Desiree, standing up from the table and waving to Draco as she walked out of the Great Hall.

Desiree quickly hurried up the many stairs that led to Divination before sitting in the hot, aroma scented room for the next hour and a half. After Divination she made her way down to the dungeons for Potions. As she entered the dark room she saw Draco already sitting at their table near the front of the class.

"There you are. I was beginning to think you weren't coming," said Draco.

"Aw someone was worried they wouldn't get to sit next to me," she teased, sitting down next to Draco.

"Oh yes because that was my biggest worry," he playfully rolled his eyes as a small smirk showed on his face.

"Silence," said Snape, emerging from his office. As the class quieted down he began speaking again, "Today you will be reading over Everlasting Elixirs in your books. Next time you come back to class you will be responsible for making the potion so I expect you to use your time wisely. Turn you books to page 293."

With this Desiree and the rest the class opened the their books and began reading. Throughout the class Desiree would shoot short glances over to Draco. Some of those would catch his eyes as he had been doing the same thing. Each time this would happen a small grin would emerge on Desiree's face as she looked back down to her book, blushing.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was quite similar in their actions. Desiree didn't know what had come over in the past few days but she seemed to want to be closer to Draco, more than she was already. Of course, her falling asleep in his arms a few nights before didn't help either. The only worry she had was if he still felt the same way. It had already been almost a year since that night in the Astronomy tower. He could have well moved on by now.

"Desiree? Desiree!" Hermione snapped in her face.

"Huh? What? Sorry," she snapped back into focus.

"We're about to get started," Hermione whispered.

"Oh, thanks," said Desiree, pulling her focus back in on the first D. A. meeting.

"Okay, it looks like everyone is here now," Harry began. "First, I'd like to thank you all for coming. Second, I'd like to remind you that what goes on here and what we are has to stay a secret if we plan on continuing," he paused as he looked to each person. Desiree felt a few eyes fall on her as she was the only Slytherin in the entirety of the group. "You all can stop looking at Desiree. She's not going to tell anyone. In fact, she was part of the reason this whole group was founded."

Desiree gave Harry a grateful nod. She knew that there would be some people that didn't trust her at first but it wasn't her fault. It was because of the stereotype all Slytherins are given. A stereotype she's fought hard to prove wrong.

"Okay, I thought the first thing we could go over is a simple disarming charm. It's what I used against Voldemort in the graveyard," said Harry. After Harry went over how to do Expelliarmus everyone formed a line in front of the stone statue they were going to practice on. It was divided in how successful everyone was in performing the spell. Some did well, others not so much. Just after Neville went it was time for Desiree to go. "Wand at the ready Desiree."

Desiree took a deep breath and nodded as she pointed her wand at the stone statue, "Expelliarmus!" The wand of the statue flew out of its hand and soared back past the the group before hitting the mirrored wall. Everyone looked to Desiree in shock. She herself was taken aback by the strength behind the charm.

"That was bloody brilliant!" said Ron, his eyes were wide in excitement.

"Yes, well done Desiree!" said Harry.

"Thanks," she grinned as she walked to the back of the line. She couldn't wait to learn more. Maybe now she really would live up to the Alcyone name.

The rest of the meeting went quite well. By the end some people were seeing progress which helped lighten the mood and make things a bit more fun. By the time Desiree arrived back at the common room it was just after curfew.

"Where were you? It's after curfew," asked Draco, who had been sitting on the couch that Desiree couldn't see.

"Oh! Merlin's beard you scared me," she placed her hand on her chest. "I was in the library."

"The library? I thought you didn't like going in there because Umbridge could walk in," said Draco, his eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

"Well I went to look in a book for something about Herbology. It wasn't in our textbook so I just stayed in their to read it rather than having to make the multiple trips," said Desiree, holding her breath to see if Draco believed her lie.

He was silent for a moment, staring at her as if to unveil whatever secret she was keeping. "I suppose that makes sense."

Desiree exhaled subtly, "Alright well I'm going to go to bed. I'm quite tired. Goodnight Draco."

"Goodnight Ally," his tone made it clear he was quite confused at their interaction just then.

Desiree kept walking all the way to hers and Pansy's room before leaning against the door after closing it. She hated that she had to lie to him but it was the only way she would be able to pull this off. The only way she could have both.