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

Chapter Twelve

            “Natalie, are you sure you’re okay?”

            “Yeah, I’m fine.” I said as we reached the library doors. I turned to face her and smiled slightly. “I promise.” I added.

            She sighed. “If you say so. I’m going to find Brent.”

            We said our goodbyes and I found a free desk in a row of books so deep in the library that no one could find me.

            If I couldn’t be around Draco, I didn’t want to be around anyone. I know it was naïve, but I had no other way to handle it.

            I calmed myself down and worked on all my homework until six o’clock. The wooden chair did nothing for my back and all I wanted to do was lie down. But I remembered that I had detention with Umbridge at seven, so going to my room was out of the question.

            So instead I went to dinner. When I got to the table, Kay, Lucinda, and Aly were already there.

            “Where have you been?” Lucinda asked innocently.

            “Library.” I answered.

            “Are you sure about that?” Kay added.

            I looked at her and nodded. “Yes, why?”

            “Are you sure you weren’t with him?” She nodded towards the doors and I watched as Draco walked to the Slytherin table.

            “Why would you say that?” I swallowed nervously, not needing any more stress than I already had.

            “You’ve been acting weird lately.” Aly chimed in and escalated the situation.

            “I ask because Aly’s right. You’re never in your room, you never sleep in your bed, and you don’t pay any attention during lessons.” She paused. “Something is going on, Natalie, and we know it’s because of him.”

            I didn’t know what to say. Now it seemed my friends were turning on me and I had no idea why. Sure, they had a right to be worried, but why about Draco? What was their problem with him?

            “Nothing’s going on. I barely talk to Draco.”

            Lucinda shook her head. “Natalie, where do you go every night? Aly says you’re barely ever there anymore.”

            “I told you, I go to the astronomy tower sometimes. Some nights I fall asleep there and some I just sit. Then I come back to my room and sleep. I’m sorry I worried you, but nothing is going on. I swear, I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me.” I got up and stormed out of the hall without eating.

            I didn’t stop walking until I somehow ended up in Professor Dumbledore’s office. He welcomed me and told me to have a seat.

            I reiterated the basis of the argument, leaving out the part about me leaving the Slytherin common room after curfew. I played it like there was nothing going on between Draco and me, but I wasn’t sure he bought it.

            “Natalie, we must cherish the friendships we build. Perhaps your friends are looking after you because they cherish your friendship. Malevolence does not seem logical in this situation.” He said.

            I took his advice in and sat there for a moment.

            “I just wish they wouldn’t hassle me so much. I didn’t mean to worry them or not spend time with them. I’ve been busy.”

            “There is time in your young life for learning, but there is also time for your true friends; time you must make. Friendship is not easy, but it is needed. Everyone needs someone… and your friends need you.”

            I wished he hadn’t said that. I wished he’d agreed with me. I wanted him to be on my side. But then I thought, maybe my side was the wrong side to be on. Maybe I was wrong. But maybe they were wrong too. Maybe we were all to blame.

            “Professor, thank you for the advice, but I have to go.” I stood and he did too.

            “I hope you are taking my advice.” He said slowly. I smiled slightly, “Actually, I have detention with Professor Umbridge at seven.” I paused and he raised his eyebrows. “I have a feeling she’ll hate me even more if I’m late.”

            “Detention?” He asked. “Please elaborate.”

            I sighed. “I should have been paying better attention in class today. I was distracted.”

            “Well, I suppose you should be going then.”

            I nodded, thanked him again, and left his office. I couldn’t help feel like there was something I was missing. There was something Dumbledore didn’t tell me. There was something bigger going on with Umbridge and he didn’t tell me.

            I shouldn’t have expected him to, but what if affected me? What if it affected everyone at Hogwarts?

            But I couldn’t think about that, after all, I had detention to get to.