All I Ask Of You (Sequel to "The Point Of No Return (Draco Malfoy)"

Chapter Four

            “Tell me what happened?” She tried. I nodded, wiping at my eyes and rethinking the situation.

            “Everything was going fine until he showed up, Monica. He had to go and ruin everything. I was doing fine in Arithmancy until he had to come and sit next to me!” I clenched my fists and she nodded.

            “So he dropped his quill and forced me to pick up for him! And I hit my head and I got in trouble and he called me crazy, Monica! He called me crazy!” I sobbed into her shoulder and she tried to convince me I’m not.

            Although she tried, I started to face the fact that I probably am crazy. So I thanked her for giving it her best effort and for keeping me company for an hour and a half and moved on to my next class.

            I waited for Kay at the front doors and we walked to the greenhouses together. She elbowed my side gently.

            “Are you alright?” She asked quietly. I nodded slightly in return.

            “I’m just having a rough day.” I told her. She looked at me like she didn’t believe me and I knew she was right. But I wasn’t lying… I just wasn’t telling her what happened.

            “You saw him again… didn’t you?” She asked. I didn’t do anything, just followed the other students along the path.

            “Natalie, you can’t keep letting him get to you. I know you haven’t seen him all summer, but he’s in our house. You’re going to have to talk to him at some point.” She smiled half heartedly and I knew she was right.

            “I know, I know. I don’t know how to be okay with it though. Kay, what do I do? I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.” I sighed, pushing open the door to the greenhouse.

            Professor Sprout was relatively easy on us and I had no run-ins with anyone I didn’t want to see. I didn’t know where Draco was, but as long as he wasn’t in Herbology with me, I was fine.

            For the full hour we were told the rules of the greenhouse, the materials we would be using, and the procedures we would perform. When I finally heard the bell ring I shot up straight and headed right for the door, forgetting I had Kay to wait for.

            She called my name, running after me. I turned to make sure she was keeping up and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the front doors. I let go of her when we reached the great hall, slowing my pace.

            “God, Natalie. It’s just lunch.” She mumbled in annoyance. I ignored her, sitting down next to Lucinda. Kay and Aly sat across from us. Aly had her elbows on the table and bobbed her head side to side.

            “What’s with her?” I whispered to Lucinda. She shrugged.

            “Brent Yearwood is in my History of Magic!” Her eyes lit up and a huge grin rose on her face. I looked at them, unaware of who he was.

            “So?” I asked.

            “So, he asked me if I’d go to Hogsmeade with him on Wednesday!” She paused. “Brent Yearwood asked me if I wanted to go to Hosmeade with him! Brent Yearwood!”

            I laughed. “Who’s Brent Yearwood?”

            They all giggled. “Brent is a hidden treasure. He’s usually in the background, you know, because every year is all about Harry. But he’s very handsome and all the girls want to date him.” Kay answered.

            “Oh, I get it. Well? What did you say?” I turned back to Aly, who was nearly falling off the bench. She nodded.

            “I said yes! Well, I said that I’d think about it. But at the end of class I said I would go.” She continued to smile like a lovesick puppy. “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me! I don’t know what to wear! Oh my God, I don’t know what to wear! I have to find something to wear!” She suddenly grew nervous and jumped up from the bench, making a beeline for the door.

            We watched as she ran straight into a tall, muscular boy. He had dark hair and tan skin. His teeth were white and I figured this was Brent. He looked like a Brent.

            She touched his arm and they both nodded and smiled. She looked at the floor and said what I think was “bye”.  I watched her until she’d turned the corner and was no longer visible.

            Then I thought of something. If things were working out for Aly, why couldn’t they work out for me? If she could run into him and be okay, why couldn’t I? Why couldn’t I be around Draco without every feeling from last year boiling to the top? Just, why not me?