I ran to my dorm and threw on clothing to get ready to go to Hogsmeade with Draco. I was surprised he wanted to go and suggested it in the first place. But I was happy about going to spend time with him. When I reached my dorm I saw that Ginny was still sleeping so I tried my best to not wake her as I got ready. I slipped off my Uniform that I had fallen asleep in the night before and grabbed a pair of leggings and an oversized white sweater. I slipped on my hiking boot and then went to comb through my hair and brushed my teeth. I set my toothbrush down and then went off to fetch my winter hat. As I left my dorm room I slipped my hat on as it was cold outside but the first snowfall hadn't happened yet. I pushed through the door of the common room and headed down to the courtyard.
"Do you own or wear anything other than black?" I scoffed at Draco as I got closer to him.
"Of course, I wear something other than black. I have my Slytherin robe. I thought you liked me in all black," He stated as he reached for my hand pulling me along with him.
"I do. I love you in black it makes you look sexy," I whispered as we headed off towards Hogsmeade, "I just think you would look good in some bright yellow, or dark blue, or maybe some crimson red."
"Crimson red?" He questioned as we crossed over the bridge.
"For Gryffindor. Of course."
"Never in a million years."
"I'll get you in one day."
"I think I'll stick with black and green," He said intertwining his fingers with mine.
"I'd rather see you in black,"
"And I'd rather see your clothing on the floor," he whispered in my ear as we push past some branches.
"DRACO LUCIUS MALFOY!" I exclaimed hitting his arm lightly, "You are being naughty."
Once we got to Hogsmeade it seemed empty. Emptier than usual. Grant it, it technically wasn't open yet to the students of Hogwarts. Students still made their way down here every weekend to get away from whatever madness that was happening at the castle. In our 5th year it was Umbridge, 6th year it was well the O.W.Ls and this year it was headmaster Snape. There were tall, dark, mysterious figures walking around every corner, shop, and tavern. Leaving every building. Terrorizing everyone who dares walk by. I found myself clinging to Draco as we walked towards Tomes and Scrolls.
"Why are Death Eaters here?" I whispered to him as we made it further into Hogsmeade.
"Under the order of Snape and the Dark Lord."
"Draco. I don't feel..."
"I have you. They won't touch you or hurt you," He said as more passed us. I turned my head to look at them as they were staring at Draco and me.
"They were all there that night."
"I know. They don't mean any harm."
"Can you promise me that?" I asked. Draco stopped in his tracks and stood in front of me. My eyes wandered all around Hogsmeade as it seemed like there were more Death Eaters multiplying.
"They aren't going to hurt you. I promise," He said as he lifted my chin up towards him. His lips lightly kissed my cheek as I felt my nerves finally calm down. From there Draco walked me to Tomes and Scrolls where I got lost in the aisle for hours. I brought a few galleons with me and found three new Charm books to read over and study with Professor Flitwick and McGonagall this week. Once I checked out I found Draco sitting by the front door engulfed in The Tales of the Beedle the Bard.
"My mother used to read those to me when I was a child," I said as I stood in front of him.
"I've never heard of these stories," He said looking up from the book.
"Really?" I asked, "Here hold onto these and give me that book."
"What are you doing?" He asked as he stood up with the book still in his hands.
"Buying it for you."
"No, you don't need to," He said as he set it down on one of the shelves nearby, "Just a bunch of children's stories really."
"If you say so. The Tale of the Three Brothers is one of my favorites," I said as we walked out of Tomes and Scrolls and down to Honeydukes.
"I don't think I have ever heard of that one."
"It's grand, it teaches you all about morals. Humility and wisdom. Some even say the story refers to Deathly Hallows," I joke with him.
"I guess you will have to read it to me sometime."
"Well, you are lucky that I have a copy of the book," I said as we walked into Honeydukes. At Honeydukes Draco got some sweets for both of us to munch on during the week. Once we were done with Honeydukes we headed to Three Broomstick Inn for a drink and possibly some lunch. We took a seat in the back in a booth away from everyone else. Draco left me to go up to the bar to order us some butterbeer as I had already cracked open one of my new books.
"Always reading I see," Someone said. The voice was familiar and cold. I looked up from my book not to see Draco but Fenrir Greyback and two other Death Eaters behind him. I closed my book immediately and perked up in my seat. Trying my best to defend myself and wishing that with every bone in my body they would just leave. My chest tightens as my mind raced to the thought he was here to hurt me again or drag me back to the dark lord.
"Please just leave me alone," I said firmly hoping Draco would come around the corner any moment and tell them to leave. From what I could see he was still at the bar waiting for our drinks. Fenrir reached over and took the book out of my hands.
"Charms? A pretty girl like you could do better than shoving her nose in a book."
"Give it back. I need that."
"For what. You can't actually be learning anything. Don't waste your time you'll be dead soon anyway," He said before he threw the book back at me. Panic filled my body as I could feel hot tears pooling my eyes as I caught it sliding off the table. Draco walked around the corner holding our drinks in his hand. Fenrir looked over at him and then back at me. I felt a sense of relief when Draco put himself between me and Fenrir.
"Ah, the happy couple. The Dark Lord will be pleased to see you two are in high spirits. Draco, will you be at the meeting tonight?" Fenrir asked as he took a few steps back. I looked down in my lap to try to forget about the Death Eaters just a few inches from me.
"Yes, now leave," Draco said. I heard their feet shuffle along the floor. Draco stood in front of me until I heard the back door close. I felt like I could finally breathe since they were now gone. Tears spilled down my cheek as Draco slid into the seat next to me.
"I shouldn't have left you alone," He said as he took my hands into his.
"It's okay. I'm fine. They didn't hurt me," I said placing my hand on his cheek, "I'm fine." Then I placed a kiss upon his cheek. As I pulled away I noticed a smile on his face.
"I noticed you didn't have a nightmare last night," Draco said after we had a few sips of our butterbeer.
"I did too. I think it has something to do with you. If I am honest," I said before taking another sip of my drink.
"How so?"
"Well, there was this one night that I didn't have a nightmare while I was home over the summer. I woke up with this lingering touch on my face. I couldn't help by thinking that you came to see me. Did you come to see me?"
"Depends are you going to be made if I said that I did?"
"Depends if you tell me the truth or not."
"Then I did. I had to see you and check up on you."
"That is sweet of you. You could have woken me."
"And risk being yelled at. No way."
"You don't know that," I said, "Actually you're probably right. I totally would have yelled at you." I buried my head into his shoulder. I felt Dracos lips kiss my head as I laughed. The two of us stayed at Three Broomstick talking until the sunset. It was growing dark and colder as we walked back through the forest to get to Hogwarts. Once we were safe inside the walls of the castle Draco left me as he had to go to his meeting. I made my way to the Gryffindor dormitory for the night. When I fell asleep that night I was haunted by the words of Fenrir Greyback
You'll be dead soon anyway.