Always. (A Draco Malfoy Story)

Appreciate the art.

"Miss Deveroux?" Snape enters the common room where I'm sitting with Tori.
I look up at him standing in the doorway.

"Come with me."

Tori glances at me and I shrug my shoulders before following Snape.

We enter his office, which isn't too far from the Slytherin tower. He has shelves filled with different vials and potion books, cauldrons off to the side brewing something red.

He closes the door behind me and walks over to his desk, "Your father had informed me that you wish to perfect the art of Occlumency and Legilimency."
He grabs his wand out of his drawer.

"Correction, Professor: He wishes for me to perfect the art of Occulemency and Legilimency," I take a seat on the chair in front of desk.

"Very well..." He now walks towards me, "Now, the most important thing for Occlumency is for you to think of nothing. Absolutely nothing, do you understand?"

I nod, "Yes."

"Legilimens!"

A slight ping of electricity shoots up my body as Snape points is wand to me.
My vision goes dark until a replay of Snape calling me from the common room fills my head.

I feel my eyes blink and I'm now staring at Snape again.

He looks at me intrigued, "Not...too bad. I couldn't get very far."

"Thank you."

"Now, think of a memory that makes you feel a certain emotion."
I nod.

"Legilimens!"

My body pings again.
This time the memory of Draco and I in his room flashes into my head.
Our pinky promise.

I realize what comes next and blink my eyes.
I glare at Snape, "That's private."

He slowly puts his wand down and raises one eyebrow, "...Mr. Malfoy?"

I could be wrong but I swear I saw a smirk on Snape's face.

"You cut me off. That's impressive for someone of your age and experience."

I wear a proud look on my face, "You shouldn't underestimate me, Professor. I'm capable of many things."

He returns to his cold demeanor, "That should be all for today. I have to chaperone detention in a few minutes. You're dismissed."

I scurry out of his office but he calls out to me, "Miss Deveroux, it's best to not... mention these lessons to anyone. Mr. Malfoy included."
I roll my eyes before responding, "It's our secret, Professor."

It's already close to 10. I hurry along the corridor back to the tower before I get in trouble for breaking curfew.

In the common room, Draco's throwing some parchment into the fireplace, feeding the flames to grow bigger and brighter. The thud of the entrance door startled him as he perks up and begins to dust off his robes, "Where have you been?"

I feign offense, "Oh I'm sorry, Father. Oh wait, you're just his spy, right?"
I roll my eyes, "You should tell your goons to do better."

On my way to the staircase, he grabs my arms as it was swinging back, "Joy..."

I snapped my head back, "What?!"

He points his head down and says in a soft voice, "I'm just looking out for you, ok? They got into a lot of trouble the past two years."
His grip softened on my arm.

I still pulled my arm away, "I'm not a child, Draco. I can take care of myself."
I continued up the stairs, not daring to look back at him.