In The Shadows² ★ Draco Malfoy

*Draco finally talks

It hadn't been long since Hogwarts resumed for its second term, and Briar had been trying to throw herself back into quidditch practices to distract herself from the information about Draco that Harry had relayed to her at the Burrow

But one evening as she finished her dinner after practice, she was excited to get to bed, but unfortunately a note waiting on her bed told her that that wouldn't be possible

Ms Lupin,

Please come to my office at 9pm this evening. Do not tell anyone.

- Dumbledore

P.S. I like liquorice

So Briar reluctantly made her way to Dumbledore's office, spoke the password to the gargoyle, and then found herself in the office with him "You wanted to see me, sir?" she said

"Yes," he nodded "Harry has recently informed me of an...incident involving Mr Malfoy and Professor Snape after Horace's Christmas party, and he informed me that you are aware"

"I am," she said

"Good. Last year I asked you to get close to your Slytherin classmates to find any information of Voldemort or his followers you can and relay it to the Order, and now I must ask you again, Ms Lupin. In particular of Mr Malfoy" he explained "But once more you cannot tell anyone of your job"

"I can do it," she nodded

"Very well," he smiled faintly "Good luck, Ms Lupin"

"Thank you, sir," she said and turned to leave

"Ms Lupin," he called before she reached the door, so she faced him again "I must stress that as the darkness outside of Hogwarts grows, the danger of this job could be lethal. If there are already Death Eaters within the walls then you will be in danger just speaking to them. You are aware you are a target for Voldemort and if your job is discovered then you must leave as fast as possible." he said gravely "Bare my warning in mind, Ms Lupin"

"Yes, sir," she nodded, swallowing nervously before dashing out of the room

Briar didn't know where to go, but she knew she needed fresh air, so instead of returning to her dormitory she ran all the way up to the top of the Astronomy Tower

But she wasn't the only one up there, and when she came face-to-face with Draco Malfoy her heart dropped out of her chest. It appeared he didn't know what to do either as he stood there looking simultaneously surprised and worried

"Why are you here?" he asked her after a prolonged silence

"Needed to think," she answered stiffly "You?"

He didn't answer but nodded in understanding, so Briar forced her feet to move until she was stood next to him at the edge, resting her hands on the rail

"You've been ignoring me," he said suddenly "Since the night you beat Slytherin. Why?"

"Malfoy-"

"Why?" he asked, more forcefully this time

"Because..." Briar hesitated, not sure if she should say it "Because you annoyed me."

"How?"

"You said that...you said that you wouldn't want me," she admitted and avoided looking at him in case he read the hurt in her eyes. But to her surprise he started to laugh, which only annoyed her more, so she rounded on him angrily "What's so funny?"

"That's it?" he scoffed "You ignored me because of that? Lupin..." now he was the one hesitating "Lupin-"

"Let me talk," she interrupted "I may not remember much but I remember you telling me to break up with Cormac, which I've done by the way, and then I remember you saying you don't want me. But if you don't want me and you don't care about me then why did you want me to break up with him?"