Draco had decided on skipping dinner again for the second consecutive time. He walked into the Room of Requirement and continued on his task. He had been working hard; hoping that every walking hour would help him strive hard and protect his family. The days were longer for him, more difficult, full of fear against the world that lay outside of Hogwarts. The only thing that kept him confident was Danielle. Though she would insult him in every living manner Draco found her comebacks amusing.
He mended the cabinet for a few hours before he decided to head out and take a break. Draco walked up the spiral staircase and went to the Astronomy tower to cool down his emotions. He felt infiltrated, scared, and was in love. Though he knew that the odds of him going out with a Gryffindor were incredibly slim; his family wouldn’t accept it, and the more he thought of it he thought so too.
Draco leaned against the railing letting the cold winter wind blow across his face. The holidays were coming soon, and the more he thought about them, the less and less he wanted Christmas to arrive.
Hogwarts had already started decorating itself. Mistletoes were growing, the tree in the Great Hall had been put up and decorated, and the Slytherin Common Room was decorated with Holly and ornaments. Thoughts of happiness sickened him.
What’s So Great About Christmas? He thought.
This Christmas would be incredibly different than the ones that he experienced in the past. He didn’t have his Father with him, He would be attending Death Eater Meetings, and he would feel alone as ever. Draco’s thoughts were shattered when he heard the door to the tower open and close. Malfoy turned around and smirked when he saw who was standing in front of him.
“Dammit Malfoy. You’re here!” Danielle yelled. She turned around heading to the door, but Malfoy’s hand grasped her arm keeping her feet glued. Sighing heavily she turned around. “Yes?” She asked him breaking free of his grip.
“Why are you here?” He asked her. Danielle shrugged.
“Needed to get away from… people.” She said pressing her back against the wall and then sliding down to the ground.
“Are you sure that you’re here because you needed to get away from Mudblood and Potter in particular?” He sneered. Danielle felt anger build inside her.
“No you bloody Pratt! In fact when I came up the last thing I wanted to expect was you!” She said glaring at him intensely.
“Whatever Vance.” He said sneering. He walked over to her and took a seat beside her down on the floor.
“What are you doing up here? Where’s your escort?” Danielle asked him.
“Escort?” He repeated raising his brow.
“Parkinson.” She stated.
“I don’t know? Why do you care?” He asked her.
“You two are inseparable like… like a newborn from his or her Mother.” She simply said.
“Are you calling me a Girl? Or are you just Jealous?” He asked her. Danielle rolled her eyes.
“You know what I mean.” She said.
“So might I ask you the same thing? Where is Granger?” He asked. Danielle shrugged.
“I don’t know? Why do you care?” She asked smiling at him for the first time. She wiped the smile off of her lips when she realized what she had just done.
“Just interested…” He said trailing off. Draco got up from the ground and walked back to rail leaning against it. “Are you staying at Hogwarts for the Holidays?” He asked Danielle after a long period of silence. Danielle shook her head.
“No, I’m going to Hermione’s.” She replied. Draco rolled his eyes even though he knew that Danielle wasn’t able to see him.
“To think I thought you couldn’t possibly stoop any lower.” He muttered. He heard footsteps stomp away and slam the door behind. Draco turned around smirking when he saw Danielle was no longer there.