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Chapter Twenty-Six
Relaxing That Saturday, Dawn sat excitedly in the stands of the quidditch field. Slytherin was playing Ravenclaw that day, and she couldn’t wait to watch Draco. She had received several strange looks from her fellow Gryffindors since she was holding green and silver pom-poms. “Excited?” Ginny asked as she plopped next to her. Dawn nodded vigorously. “I’ve never watched an actual game before. And the fact that my boyfriend is playing the first one I see just doubles my excitement.” Ginny laughed. “Our housemates may disown you since you’re rooting for the Slytherins.” “Like I care,” she replied with a shrug. “I want them to win for two reasons. First being for Draco’s sake. The other is that I’ve heard that they are really our only real competition. And you know how I like challenges.” “I don’t really think you have to worry. The Ravenclaw team is really young and inexperienced; they’re no match for the Slytherins.” “Good,” Dawn said happily. “Good what?” Harry asked as he sat next to Ginny. “Slytherin will probably win today,” the redhead answered. “I don’t see where that is good, but you’re right. This is the first year on the team for most of their players. Unless Draco can’t find the snitch, which is a typical problem for him, it should be a fairly quick high scoring game.” Dawn sent Harry a mock glare, “Be nice.” “I am,” he said innocently. “I can’t help it that you’re boyfriend is blind. I’ve seen the snitch hover next to his ear and he be completely oblivious to it.” “In Harry’s defense, I’ve seen it happen,” Ginny said with a giggle. The brunette sent her mock glare to her best friend, but found she couldn’t hold it. A small giggle escaped from her lips. “I’m sure that it won’t happen today,” Harry said solemnly. “He wouldn’t want to look like a complete git in front of his girlfriend.” Dawn was stopped short of making a retort by the players taking to the sky. She stood and cheered as Draco flew by. “I still don’t get what you see in ferret-boy,” Ron said as he sat behind them with Hermione. “You’re not looking hard enough,” Dawn said simply. “What took you so long?” Harry asked. “Had to drag ‘Mione out of the library,” the redhead answered with a roll of his eyes. “She was working on an arithmancy paper.” “It’s due in two weeks!” Hermione protested. Draco took his place above the field across from Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker. He looked over to the Gryffindor section and saw his angel wave at him. He smiled and waved back. The blond couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw the pom-poms she was holding. ~Good luck.~ ~Thanks.~ He was relieved to see her smiling again. Ever since they had found Nerdanal’s book and had started to explore her power she had become reticent and withdrawn. Draco knew that Ginny had noticed it also. Dawn didn’t know it, but he had talked to the redhead about it. They had agreed to keep an eye on the brunette and make sure she didn’t sink too far into her melancholy. The blond turned his attention to the professor’s seats. Buffy and Spike gave him the thumbs up. He felt a bubble of happiness well up inside. Even though he knew they cared, but to witness them display it in public made it really hit home. It was nice to know that he had a family that cared and supported him. He focused his gaze on the field below him as Madam Hooch blew her whistle. First she released the snitch, followed by the bludgers. Then she threw the quaffle in the air and the action began. Dawn sat in her seat, her face glued to the game. She would unconsciously tense every time a bludger came within ten feet of Draco. She began thinking that playing against Slytherin wasn’t such a good idea. How could she ever intentionally try to hurt her boyfriend? Ginny easily read her friend’s face. She nudges her in the side with her elbow. “He’ll be fine.” “I know, but I can’t help worrying.” “Just relax, he knows what he’s doing.” Dawn just nodded. She forced herself to stop worrying and just enjoy the game. She soon found herself on her feet waving her pom-poms in the air when Slytherin had scored. “You do know that they’re our main rival?” Seamus called out from a couple of rows back. She just ignored him and continued to cheer. Ginny and Harry had been correct about the Ravenclaw team being so inexperienced. Fifteen minutes into the game, Slytherin was leading forty to nothing. Dawn saw a flash of gold wiz by, followed by the two seekers. Her eyes followed Draco as he kept trying to get ahead of Cho. The snitch dove nearly straight down, only to level off a few feet above the ground. Both seekers daringly followed it down. But Cho chickened out and pulled up, but Draco waited until the last possible second to pull out of his dive. He reached forward and wrapped his fingers around the snitch. Dawn let out the breath she didn’t realized she had been holding. As realization of what just happened hit her, she jumped on top of her seat and began cheering at the top of her lungs. “Told you he wouldn’t want to look like a stupid git,” Harry said jokingly. Inside he was a little worried. He had never seen Malfoy pull off such a complicated maneuver before. “He was fabulous!” Dawn cried as she climbed down from her seat. “See you guys later!” She called out as she ran down to the field. Draco had just untangled himself from Buffy and Spike to receive a bear hug from Dawn. “That was absolutely amazing!” She cried before kissing him soundly on the mouth. “Thanks,” he said as he pulled her close. “Now, now. Keep it clean,” Spike admonished with a smile on his lips. The two just blushed as they separated slightly and began heading back to the castle. ******** The next day, Dawn was exiting the Gryffindor Tower with Ginny. It was lunchtime and they were heading down to the Great Hall to grab a bite to eat. “About bloody time.” Dawn looked up to see Draco leaning against the wall with his broom. She smiled and walked over to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Hey! What’s up?” “You are coming with me,” he said simply. “Where to?” “Not telling,” he said with a sly smile. He caught Ginny’s eye behind Dawn. She gave him a thumbs up. “But it’s lunchtime.” “I know, but you’re still coming with me.” “But I’m hungry,” Dawn whined. “Plus, I was going to hang out with Ginny.” “It’s ok. We can hang out later,” the redhead said quickly. “See, it’s all settled. Let’s go.” Draco then offered his arm to her. She took it with a questioning look and waved bye to Ginny. Draco then proceeded to lead her through the corridors of Hogwarts. She soon found herself in a part of the castle that she was only vaguely familiar with. They stopped before a large portrait of fruit. The blond carefully leaned his broom against the wall and then tickled the green pear. The portrait swung open and he stuck his head in. “Dobby! Are you there?” Dawn recognized the name of the house-elf that Harry was friends with. She knew he worked in the kitchen, but never had the opportunity to meet him. “Yes Mister Draco. I is here.” A voice from inside answered. “Did you get everything I asked for?” “Yes, plus I packed a couple of extra things for you and the missus.” “Thanks Dobby, I really appreciate this.” A light wail was heard and then a small figure stepped through the door who wore mismatched socks on his feet. It wrapped its arms around Draco’s legs. “Dobby is so happy that Mister Draco isn’t like his father.” Dawn couldn’t help but smile at Draco’s embarrassment. She giggled softly as he tried, unsuccessfully, to pry the house-elf off of him. He turned to face her and a smirk appeared on his lips. “Dobby, have you met Dawn?” The house-elf looked up and a big smile appeared on his face. He let go of Draco and rushed over to Dawn. “Mister Draco said that the missus was beautiful, but he didn’t tell Dobby that she was this beautiful.” Dawn blushed and knelt down so she was eye to eye with him. “That’s very sweet of you to say Dobby. Harry has told me so much about you.” “Missus Dawn is friends with Harry Potter?” “Yes, I’m in Gryffindor also.” “Oh Missus Dawn,” Dobby cried as he hugged her. “You’ll take good care of Mister Draco won’t you?” “Of course,” she replied as she hugged him back. “Dobby, our lunch?” Draco asked politely. “Oh yes, Mister Draco. Dobby will get it for you.” Then he disappeared back into the kitchen. “Lunch?” Dawn asked. Draco just winked at her and she felt her knees go slightly weak. He turned his attention back to the portrait as Dobby came back through carrying a picnic basket. “Here it is Mister Draco, you have a good time.” “Thank you Dobby,” Draco said as the house-elf went back into the kitchen and closed the portrait behind him. The blond hooked the basket over his arm and picked up his broom. He then offered his other arm to Dawn, “Shall we?” Suddenly catching on, she smiled brightly and took it. “We shall.” He led her outside and they both rode his broom out to just past the quidditch field. Draco couldn’t believe his luck with the weather. It had turned out to be one of those rare, warm November days. Their long sleeve shirts were able to keep them warm. They sat down in the field and Draco laid out the blanket and the food. He patted the spot next to him and Dawn sat down next to him. “So what’s this all about?” “You needed a break. This is to give you a chance to relax and not think about anything but being here with me.” “You’re joking,” Dawn said with a skeptical look on her face. “No, I’m not,” he said seriously. “No talk about the key, demons, powers, elves, or even classes.” “Ginny knew you planned this,” she said accusingly. “Kind of. We’ve been a little worried about you.” “You two actually had a conversation without me?” “Yeah.” “Will wonders never cease? A Malfoy is friends with a Weasley.” “Her name is Ginny,” he said with a smile. “Besides, she’s not so bad, for a Weasley.” They both laughed and began to eat. After they had eaten their fill and packed everywhere back into the basket, except for the blanket, Draco laid on his back and Dawn snuggled up to him. “This was wonderful. Thank you.” “Anything for you,” he whispered. Previous Chapter The Slayer... Menu Next Chapter |
