Chasing Butterflies {A Draco Malfoy Love Story}

Chapter 9: Approval? I Think Not

Hey guys! I know it's been a while, so I thought I'd drop another chapter for you. =) Hope you like it! Oh, and be on the look out for a new chapter in Devil's Snare probably by the end of the weekend. =)

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"I'm bringing sexy back. Yea!" –Sexyback, Justin Timberlake

Morning fog lingered amongst the grounds of Hogwarts. It hovered eerily in the gently rolling hills on the school grounds. It was a lovely morning to return to the school. Audrey and Draco stood just outside the doors of the castle. They exchanged nervous glances before Audrey gave him a weak smile.

"Never thought you'd be back here, did you?" she asked.

"No," Draco breathed. "But we have a duty to uphold." He held his arm where his Dark Mark was tattooed. He had a worried look upon his face.

Audrey's mind grew curious. "Can I see your tattoo?"

Draco pulled up the sleeve of his robes, revealing his left arm. A skull with a snake slithering through its mouth rested on his arm. Audrey gazed at it in wonder. She wondered why Voldemort requested her help, but hadn't branded her as well. Audrey also wondered how much it hurt to get that as Draco shook the sleeve back down.

"And yes," Draco answered, "it did hurt like hell."

"Read my mind," Audrey smiled. "You ready for this?"

Draco took Audrey's hand, smiling at her slightly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

The two entered Hogwarts' Great Hall together. The couple stepped inside right at breakfast time. Students from all the houses sat at their tables eating, at least until they saw the door open and shut. Audrey saw all the awestruck faces staring out at them. Whispers started to erupt amongst the students, and Draco immediately decided to shut them all up.

"What the hell are you all looking at?" he questioned.

All the students went back to minding their own business, and the couple began their descent into the hall. Audrey immediately noticed she was still being stared at by a group of her Gryffindor friends. Ally, Nikkie, and Tyler all hovered around the Gryffindor table. Audrey was sure she was going to be cussed out later, yet she pressed on.

A few days passed without incident. Audrey figured it was only because she had only been paying attention to three things since she had been back: school work, Quidditch, and Draco. Audrey was trying to set everything back to normal. When things had settled down, Audrey and Draco decided to go sit down by the lake. After a little while, the precious alone time was interrupted by a large group of people heading towards them.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "Do you know them?"

Audrey glanced over at the group of seven heading in their direction. Oh yea, she knew them. They were all her friends. She was concerned that they were all together- a couple of them did not get along very well. Audrey wondered why they had all banned together like this. "Yea," she eventually answered.

He frowned slightly. "Want me to let you handle it?"

Audrey nodded. "I got this."

"Mmkay," Draco said quietly. "I'll be up in the common room when you're done." He kissed her briefly before smiling, getting up, and walking away. Draco walked briskly passed the large group who stopped right in front of Audrey. The girl stared up at her friends with a bewildered look upon her face.