Emerald (Lazuli Book #2) Harry Potter Fan Fiction (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter Five - The Veil over Hogwarts

I had a few galleons on me that Fred and George had paid for my work the other day. I'd deposited most of it into my Gringotts bank account on the way home, but had taken out enough to last me for trips to Hogsmeade until Christmas, when I could take out more money. 40 galleons was a lot of money, considering that the only things I ever buy in Hogsmeade is school equipment, sweets and the occasional butter beer.

When she rolls past us, I stop her with a soft smile and ask for a pumpkin pasty and a couple of chocolate frogs. She takes my money and hands them over with the same gentle, caring smile that she always has. Every year she's still smiling.

Although ever since Ced's death, I've noticed that each time I see her, her smile gets more and more forced, more and more fake. Watching as each year, more and more kids go to school and don't come back.

I open one of the chocolate frogs and nibble on it softly, being sure to hold on tight, as they've been known to jump from people's hands. Just when I've bitten the head off, I hear a high-pitched scream behind me and almost jump out of my skin. Draco doesn't even flinch, only wincing slightly as an incredibly tanned Honey (although I'm unsure whether the tan is real or not) totters over, wearing a pair of the highest heels I've ever seen her in.

"LI!" She wails as she practically drags me to my feet and envelopes me in a hug. "I've missed you sooooo much!"

I stand rigid, allowing her to squeeze me so tightly that it eventually ends up feeling like my head's about to explode. "Ok, Honey, you can let go now" I wheeze out, prying her off me. Honey takes a step back and giggles excitedly. "I've got so much to tell you!" she caws, drawing the attention of the entire compartment. Honey however doesn't seem to notice, or as usual, doesn't care.

"Merlin's beard Kingdon, calm down before you shatter the windows with the annoying pitch of your voice." Pansy hisses at Honey, playing with her fingernail boredly. Honey looks at her out of the corner of her eyes, and with just the right amount of sass that is typically Honey, she retorts "can anyone hear a fly? Like an little, insignificant bug that just won't go away?"

She turns her head to look at Pansy, her auburn hair swishing slightly. "Oh, now that I see it, it looks more like a chubby slug."

I try not to cackle at Honey's calm insult. Pansy's face turns a violent red as she huffs and crosses her arms. "At least my hair doesn't look like a reject from Juliet's family, Kingdon."

Honey bellows with laughter. I glare furiously at Pansy, and in my direction she flashes a cruel smirk. So much for us getting along this year. "Well Pansy, when you decide that you want to stop being such a spiteful cow, let me know. Although I still won't be friends with you."

Honey grabs my hand and tugs me away. "One second," I say, jumping away and back to Draco. "I'll be back soon, 'kay?" I press my lips against his roughly, it's incredibly hard to pull away. Draco's eyelids flutter open and I admire the pale beauty of his eyelashes. "I love you," he whispers softly, so soft that only the two of us can hear. My lips twitch slightly as I smile - maybe the first genuine smile in a while. "I love you too."

Our moment is ruined by Pansy making vomiting sounds and Honey grabbing my wrist. "Come on, you'll get plenty of time to snog later," she drawls with a roll of her eyes. Draco raises an eyebrow at me, and I can't help but snort unfemininely. Pansy huffs as Draco smiles at my goofiness.

Honey drags me out of the compartment and towards a private one, where Sophia and a few other Slytherin girls are waiting. For the remainder of the journey, I sit there pretending to listen to what they're talking about, offering a comment or nod every so often. But for the entire time I stare out of the window and watch as England turns to Scotland, and we draw closer and closer to Hogwarts.