Potter's Shadow (Draco Malfoy)

Chapter 21

Days had passed with the occasional fluttering parchment into the goblet after classes. It was the first class on Wednesday morning and I was currently rushing ahead of everyone in order to be the first to our first potion lesson. Breakfast was only halfway through and plenty of students were still rising to make their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. I had left before Ginny had even stirred this morning, leaving a note saying I couldn't sleep and would save her a seat next to me in potions. 

I was rushing down the staircase into the dungeons, brushing past plenty of Slytherin students, who glared at me whenever I got too close. I breathed a sigh of relief, when I noticed the familiar door of Snape's potion class but before I reached it I was yanked behind one of the stone columns. My back ached as I was pressed against the stone column and trapped in place by two cloaked arms. My eyes immediately flittered to the emblazoned crest of Slytherin house over the chest of the robes. An uneasy feeling as I knew the likelihood of who it would be. My thought reassured as I looked up to be met by the bleach blond hair and grey eyes of Draco Malfoy. 

"Yes," I spat at him as he pushed himself closer, meaning neither of us would be spotted from the corridor. 
"You'd think you'd be a little more grateful considering I saved your life over the summer." Draco taunted placing his hand firmly against my scarred side. I swatted his hand away from the still slightly tender flesh. 
"Maybe you should learn some manners then for when people try to return your property." 
"You didn't need to return it. It's just a handkerchief." 
"Yes, a handkerchief emblazoned with your initials in Slytherin colours. There is no way a Gryffindor would be able to explain owning such a belonging," I answered poking his Slytherin crest to further my point. 
"I have plenty more at home. Mother buys them every time she goes to Diagon Alley," Draco commented looking away slightly. Silence moved between us, while Draco kept me trapped to the column. 
"What did you want, Draco?" I sighed lightly trying to exhale all the annoyance.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright," with these words his hand ran up and down my side, "and apologise for the train. I have to keep a certain image in front of the other Slytherins. I can't be seen talking with Pottah's little sister." A brief silence fluttered in between us before he continued, "I'd like to be friends..."
I looked at him shocked, taking back by his offer, "I'm fine but I'm not sure I want to be friends with the likes of you. I'm not sure I want to be friends with someone who refuses to talk to me in public solely to maintain their image just because of who my brother is."

Draco remained silent as he took in my words and thought through them carefully. When he made no sign of answering, I sighed, "Please, may I leave now? I have places to be." 
Draco looked as if he was about to move his arms before placing them back, "Can I-?" He tugged slightly at my jumper, gesturing to see my side. 

I sighed seeing no fault in it, lifting up the jumper to reveal the scratchy scar up my side, which was still red and tender to the touch. You could still see the visibly fading stitches that Cedric had magicked my skin together with. They were very rough and not nearly as good as Madame Pomphrey's; they had to be reapplied a few times by Mrs Weasley as they kept bursting when the twin's got over excited when I assisted with a prank. 

He gently rubbed his thumb over the bumpy scars, being careful not to press to hard, "I'm sorry." I had no idea what he was apologising for and I didn't get a chance to ask. He dropped my jumper and disappeared from the column, leaving me to fix the shirt and jumper back into place. 

I moved round to the corridor and walked the few paces over to the potion's classroom. I knocked lightly, knowing Snape would be the only one inside. 

"Come in," he droned loud enough for me to hear through the door. With a wave of my wand and a muttered spell, I was holding a bunch of lilies. 

I pushed the door in and smiled at him, as he was hunched over his desk at the front of the room pouring through a stack of papers. "Hey Professor Snape. I brought these for you." 
"Miss Potter, I hope you realise I do not except bribes and neither do I have favourites based on gifts," he answered while still accepting the bunch of lilies.
"I know, it just always seems really dreary down here and I thought you could use them to brighten the place up."
"Maybe not in here but I'll enjoy them in my sleeping quarters," He spoke as he opened a draw in his desk and rested them inside, "Considering you are so early, why don't you get a head start? We'll be revisiting the cure for boils from first year. From my recollections, you were quite adept at it so I expect a perfect brew this time."