Occulemens || Draco Malfoy

Chapter 7 - Acid Rain

The sky was dark; the clouds looking rather heavy. It was a classic Halloween day, the way I saw it. The leaves were crisp under our steps, an array of orange, purple, and yellow. The wind had kicked up halfway through our walk, causing me to yank my hood up over my head in a desperate attempt to keep the chill in the air at bay.

The shops had carved pumpkins sitting outside, some floating and swaying in the wind. Cho Chang had tagged along with us, talking with Cedric about their adjusted tutoring schedule. I trailed behind, only half-listening as the sky opened into a slight sprinkle. I held my hand out in front of me, feeling the tiny drops as they fell.

Cedric held the Three Broomsticks door open for me and Cho, following as we found ourselves a table as she informed us Marietta Edgecombe may stop in later.

I had never gotten the chance in recent memory to frequent Hogsmeade; it was only allowed beginning in third year, of which I had no memory. So, how come I could see Draco Malfoy, Daphne, Theodore Nott, and myself nestled in the table in the corner? Daphne had cream on the corner of her mouth, and Theo had reached up to wipe it away. I made a gagging motion as Draco shook his head. In this scene, it was dark outside, the lights from the interior bringing a warm glow to our faces.

I blinked once, but by the time I opened my eyes the scene was gone. I could've been fooled into thinking the scene were real—I could almost hear the four of us laughing together clearly.

We'd looked happy—as happy as Draco Malfoy can get, which included a slight smirk.

"Rowan?" I snapped my head to Cedric, who had a curious look in his eye. "Why are you staring at Draco Malfoy? Also, answer my question. Cider or Butterbeer?"

I shook my head. "I zoned out. I didn't know they were over there. Sorry. Cider would be perfect."

I refocused my eyes to the corner in the table, now consisting of Pansy, Daphne, Theo, and Draco. I'd been replaced by Pansy Parkinson. There was no longer a warm glow; only harsh, cold reality. Pansy leaned her head on Draco's shoulder and he stiffened.

"I'm going to run back to Tomes and Scrolls," I announced as Hannah Abbott and Maggie pulled up chairs. "I'm going to be right back, I forgot to buy my ink refills. Ten minutes."

I didn't belong on this end of things. I belonged in that dimly lit corner with my people.

Cedric eyed me. "Do you want me to come with?"

"No!" I said a bit too desperately. "No, I'll be right back, I promise." I leaned in for a kiss, hoping it was convincing enough. Ced went in for more than a peck, however. His lips moved gently against mine, parting slightly before he pulled away as Hannah cleared her throat.

I slung my bag over my shoulder. "Alright, I'll be back."

When I was past the door and felt the cool air against my face, I felt like a new person. The slight sprinkle had ceased for the moment, leaving the wind to deal with. I sighed deeply and headed back toward the bookshop, kicking myself for not picking something cheaper to restock on.

*

I ducked behind a bookshelf on the upper level as the door opened. I'd taken about nine of my ten minutes and hadn't bothered to buy the ink yet. I wouldn't put it past Cedric to come looking if I took too long.

I had decided to also look for a book revolving around visionary and auditory hallucinations to try and find at least partial answers to what was happening to me. I let myself slide down the bookshelf into a sitting position, bringing my knees to my chest as I waited to decide if Ced had come looking. There was a small