Book 1: Of Thorns & Roses

24: Mindless

"Wake up beautiful... classes start in an hour," whispered Draco.

I slowly opened my fatigue stricken eyes, meeting his watchful gaze as he hovered above my exhausted body. "I forgot about that," I sighed, sitting up not bothering to cover my naked body.

"Merlin, if you don't get dressed soon... we might not ever make it out of here," his lips danced with the silent promise of his words.

I playfully hit his arm as his lips softly grazed the sensitive part of my neck right below my ear.

Soft hums of pleasure breezed into the air at the contact as my mind went fuzzy.

"Look in the dresser. I know there's an extra set of your robes there," he mumbled as his hand traveled lower and lower down my body.

I slowly pulled away from his grasp, moving towards the large mahogany dresser that sat close to the bathroom. Opening the drawers, I slowly began to dress myself.

My eyes never left his. However, those piercing grey irises glided over my body as if to remember each curve and divot. I knew I was teasing him, and I loved it.

I slipped the last of my clothing on as I began to stride towards the door for the Great Hall, but he stopped me. Looking up, his expression had changed from yearning to an alarming cloud of seriousness. I was not one to enjoy a serious conversation.

"I'm worried about you Grier." The cloud in his eyes morphed into a storm as he continued. "After what has happened since you've arrived here, I fear that there may be some secrets hidden within these walls," his voice graced my consciousness with soothing hands, but his words left an alarming essence in their wake.

"I don't know what to do," a heavy sigh escaped my timid lips, "but Harry, Ron, and Hermione are trying to help me unravel these odd 'attacks' and dreams."

I couldn't help but show my fear, for he was the only person I truly felt comfortable exposing myself as such. He was going through a tumultuous time with his looming task, and I with my many many issues.

I couldn't help but recoil at my vulnerable state. It was instilled in me long ago by my mother, that showing your weaknesses and brittle interior left you prone to a world of hurt. I was never one to show anyone a face that was other than stoic.

But it would eat away at me in times like these and after my mother died. A mountain of turmoil would simply build and build until I exploded. Yet, at Hogwarts and with my friends, especially Draco, I basked in my newfound ability to open up. To be vulnerable.

"You will always have me Grier, and I will find a way to handle my father's temper and his suspicions," biting his lip, he never left my gaze. "That will be for another day."

A soft smile possessed my features as he deemed such a promise, and I wrapped my arms around him as a way to try and subtly express my thanks.

He was everything to me.

The person I had always needed.

"We should try and get some breakfast before classes," I said with amusement.

****************

Exhaustion had plagued my body with its grimey, unrelenting hands as the coming weeks went on as usual.

In Transfiguration, Hermione and I were always a bundle of nerves as we quietly attempted to unravel my circumstances. I couldn't help but envision my mother's face as she slid out of the shadows in my dream, having killed Draco.

I wanted to discover her position in the lingering secrets that had remained unanswered, and the filthy truth that was just beyond my reach. Why was she present in my dream? What the hell was her part?

I was going to figure it out. We were going to figure it out.

The rest of my classes went on as usual where, of course, Hermione and I studied and she aced every test, but I was still unraveling and concentrating the mess in my brain. 

I felt a hand softly shaking my still body, "Grier, are you alright?" Whispered Hermione one Friday in the library, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yeah, just... well you know: distracted."

I had noticed that my body was becoming much more tired than usual. My face was beginning to slim, as well as the rest of my body. I thought I was eating enough, but perhaps not.

Everyone else seemed to notice these changes.

"We're going to figure this out. I promise you, even if it takes all term," huffed Hermione as she slammed the book she was reading closed.

I couldn't help but pull the curly haired girl into my arms as silent tears slid down my face, "You have no idea how much it means to me that you and the boys are so dedicated to helping me."

She effortlessly wiped away my tears and whispered, "I have your back, and so do they." She motioned, with her chin, to the boys who were now headed to the small table Hermione and I had spent hours studying at.

Hot diggity dog, did I feel like the luckiest girl around. 

I quickly wiped away the rest of my tears and forced my expression into giddiness before the boys approached. "Well, we're so sorry for intruding on such a moment," laughed Ron as he and Harry reached the table.

I laughed along with the boys and Hermione, "It's quite alright Ron."

My eyes flickered to the lonely, blonde haired boy sitting across the library. Noticing my stare, he winked, a glazed look in his eyes.

My god, she is beautiful.

I flinched at the voice that ran through my head... his voice.

The group around me noticed my on edge body and asked what was wrong, but I was distracted by Draco's confused stare. What the hell just happened?

As if to answer my question his voice echoed once more.

Bloody hell... I have no clue.

Harry was the first to speak, "Grier, what's wrong?" Bloody hell I was getting annoyed by how much people asked me that, but it was honestly for good reason.

Hesitating on what to say next, I decided to tell the not so simple truth. I had the odd urge to burst into laughter, but trained my voice into confusion as I said, "I think Draco and I just uh spoke mind-to-mind."