The One With The Patronus

chapter two; the forest

Once Harry reached the common room he was bombarded with questions. Where had he been? Why did he skip? Did he know how worried Hagrid was? He waved aside all the questions and murmured into Hermione's ear, "Meet me outside the third floor toilets, and bring Ron." The only evidence he had of Hermione actually hearing him above the clamour was a discreet nod, and soon Harry was out the door, and running up the moving stairs.

As he waited for his two friends, Harry pondered on what had happened. A fight between the two boys was a normal occurrence, Harry was used to that, but the way Draco ended it was strange. Usually he would throw insults until he was blue in the face, but this time he seemed to no care, like he wasn't really there. He was so lost in his thought train that he didn't hear the footsteps, until a pair of hands grabbed his middle.

"Boo!" Two voices shouted in unison.

"AH-" He shouted out but his cry was muffled by a hand over his mouth.

"Harry, shut up! Do you want us found?" A familiar, female voice angrily whispered, then Hermione sighed and moved her hand.

Ron joined in, wanting to support her, "Yeah mate, we don't want the whole of Hogwarts here." Once Harry was over the initial shock, he got onto the subject of why they were there, Malfoy. After recounting what happened, the argument and the abrupt end of it, he waited for their opinion.

"I don't understand the specific problem. You had an argument with Malfoy, and. he didn't carry on insulting you. Why are you complaining?" Ron, once again, seconded her thoughts. Harry knew they were right, but he had this niggling feeling that there was a reason behind Draco's actions. If only he knew what...

"Yeah guys you're probably right. I'm gonna head over to Hagrid's and apologise for skipping. Meet you in the lunch hall, bye!" He didn't wait for them to join him, instead he ran off, needing space to think. Although he wasn't planning to, Harry's feet were taking him to the hut anyway, and he dawdled near the entrance to the forest, hoping to catch a glimpse of... A glimpse of what? Harry didn't know.

Draco realised, as he walked around the grounds, that Potter would find it strange how the argument ended. All he wanted was some time to think about what he had read, but he couldn't even do that in peace, and saying what he said had seemed the only way to get the message through.

Sighing, he made his way to the clearing in the forest where he'd been spending most of his time. If he wanted any sort of 'happy ever after', then this spell had to be learnt. If only he was Potter, Draco thought. He could master any spell, befriend whoever he liked, date whoever he wanted. He could have his hair unbrushed and not resemble a scarecrow, and his eyes would be masterpieces. Come on Draco, he thought to himself, stop thinking about Potter and GET ON WITH IT.

After the 57th failed attempt he let out a shout of frustration, not caring if people were around. "Even if they were, they wouldn't care once they realised it was me," he muttered bitterly.

So this was a bit shorter, but I hope it was still good. :) my fren aestheticalpoison is writing a phanfic called Runway Secrets and so far I think it's gr8, so go read that if you want