Beyond The Veil「 The Veil Trilogy Part Ⅲ 」

[12] Link To The Past

Christmas Break came up and it seemed as if time was running really fast. It was almost as if the school term had just started and now Christmas was upon us already.

As Mum had called us all home for the break, I was in my office, packing my things. My mind was elsewhere as I had been a bit perturbed ever since Dobby informed me that Draco used the Room of Requirement very often, and he was not focusing on his studies, unlike what he had claimed.

Now I wasn't sure whether I should believe Harry's assumption or let it slide for the time being.

If Draco had really become a Death Eater, that would explain his strange behavior. But there was still no proof to accuse him of what happened to Katie.

Thinking of Katie, she was still at St. Mungo's so I thought that on Christmas Eve, I would go to visit her along with the twins.

My dainty office was a mess due to all the stuff that needed packing. Old habits die hard, I guess. I had just stuffed my books in the trunk when I heard a soft tap on the door.

I flicked my wand to open the door and was surprised to see Malfoy.

"Would you spare me a few seconds of your time, Miss Weasley?" He asked and even his voice was choked, reflecting the turmoil within.

His voice was so different from the self-infatuated drawl I recalled from the past years. But then we were at the brink of war and a lot had changed. Draco too had changed just like the world around him was changing drastically.

I cleared the pile of papers on my desk and made room for him to settle down, "Not a favorable time for a visit, I'm afraid. But do take a seat."

He mildly observed the packed trunk and the current situation of my premises, "are you leaving?"

"Yes, I am going home for the Christmas break."

"Home, I see," the word escaped him as if he yearned to know its meaning. I guess home meant very different things to me and Draco.

For me, my home was the Burrow, a warm and loving place where my family was there to accept me with open arms. And for Draco, I don't know if the cold walls of Malfoy Manor felt like home to him or not.

"Are you staying here for Christmas?" I asked to keep the conversation going.

"Maybe. I usually go back for Mother but she has been very busy these days."

Right... 

"You also seem to be very busy these days," I remarked, observing the change in his expression.

"You could say that." He did not elaborate on it further. And why would be tell me? Plus he had no idea I had tasked Dobby to spy on him so I refrained from asking further lest he got suspicious.

Suddenly, I noticed that my photo album was open on my desk and his eyes had flickered to it. I quickly picked it up and put it away because that album contained photographs from my time travel, a secret that not many people knew.

He was smart enough to take the hint as he spoke in an apologetic tone, "I know I shouldn't have intruded. I knew you wouldn't be glad of my unwanted presence, I apologize."

That politeness in his behavior felt almost pitiable.

"You'll learn in life that sometimes the presence of a well-known enemy is much more comfortable than that of an unknown friend," I recounted an old saying to him, watching the amused expression break the frown on his face.

"But I have never considered you an enemy," he replied.

"Neither have I."

it was almost as if we were talking in codes, understanding what the other meant to say without having to say it out loud.