It's been a long few weeks.  I've exchanged a few letters with Draco, and now that I think of it, Draco is broken.  It saddens me to see him like that.  Draco of all people doesn't deserve to be like that.   These past few weeks I've thought about speaking with him, but then again I doubt it'll do anything.  

Sitting at my desk, I open my drawer that's full of letters from him.  Part of me wonders if he keeps mine, but then again, I know that he doesn't.  Why would he?  I sigh ad shut the drawer, pushing my swivel chair back towards my bed.  I get on it and kick the chair in the general direction of my desk.  

I lay on my bed, staring at the wood above me, pondering and thinking about home.  We haven't heard from Father much this year.  He's been different since Mum died.  I wish he'd write.  Dutton has the mindset of "if he'd want to, he would".  Dutton isn't entirely wrong, though.  He's upset.  He wishes Father didn't just disappear on us.  I think it's because we remind him of Mother.  

I look over at the family photo.  Dutton looks the spitting image of Father but with Mum's eyes.  I look just like Mother.  In the photo, Mum and Father are in the middle, Dutton next to Mum, and me next to Father.   It was 3 years ago.  Right before Mother died.   All in her sleep, hopefully, it was painless and peaceful.  

Hearing the door open snapped me out of the pool of thoughts.  I sit up.  It's Daph. 

"Hey,"

"Hello you," She shut the door. "I've been looking for you."

"Why?" I ask.  She seems uptight a little.  

"Could I ask you something?"

"Last I checked I asked a question first," I smile at her sinisterly.  

"Shut it,"

"Okay, okay, what is it?"

She sighs and slumps on my bed.  "Does Draco ever mention Pansy in your letters?"

"Daph-,"

"I'm serious.  Does he seems madly in love with her to you?" She looks at me with eyes that'll absorb whatever I say.  

"N-No,"

"I knew it,"

"Daph, please," I look at her.  "He's going through a lot."

"Hell, he is,"

"He is," I say to her firmly.  "Doesn't matter what it is because it is very personal."

Daph sighs.  "So, then, nothing on him liking Pansy?"

"No, he doesn't even like her.  He loathes her," I look to the drawer of our letters.  A drawer of a relationship that happens through paper and quills.

"So that means he likes you,"

"No, it doesn't, I never said that," I say quickly after what she says. 

I can read her face.  Her smug face.  Her "he likes you" face. 

"What's bringing all this on?" I question. 

"Oh," Daph smiles.  Smiles as if she is about to tell me something she's not supposed to tell anyone.  

"What?"

"It's nothing,"

"Daphne,"

"I saw him kissing Pansy in the hall,"

My jaw drops.  "What?"

"Draco and Pansy were kissing in the hall,"

"When?"

"Just a few moments ago,"

All these dialogue exchanges are coming out right after one another.  

Why would Draco do that? He said in his last letter the idea of kissing Pansy was a terrible idea.  He'd never do it, he said.  Ever.  The idea of him doing it made him gag.  Frankly, it made me gag too.  Draco wouldn't... he wouldn't. 

"Y/N? Hello?"

I look up at her, eyes wide. 

"You zoned out,"

"Y-Yeah, sure, sorry,"

"Why? Thinking about Draco?" She sing songs.  I don't bother to answer.  "So you did."

"I-I,"

"Just admit it, you like the tall blonde,"

"Fine, okay I do,"  She gets all excited, and opens her mouth to speak. "Don't you dare tell him."

"I am so winning this bet,"

"Daphne,"

"I am, don't deny it,"

I sigh.  "Yes, I like Draco."

"That's cute,"

I don't know what to say anymore.  Draco says he would never kiss Pansy, let it go that far.  Did he lie? Lie to me?

"Was the kiss... romantic?"

Daph laughs.  "On Pansy's part.  She was all touchy and gross.  Draco more or less just stood there."

I exhale forcefully.  Maybe this is why Draco hasn't written back in the past few days.  He's fallen for Pansy. 

"You want to see if they are still in the hall?" 

Daph reads my mind.  I don't need to say words before Daph grabs my wrist and leads me out the door.  Each step is strong and confident, and also prideful.  I just meekly follow behind.  She turns a corner and stops. 

"What?"

"Found them,"

I go from behind her and see the scene.

Draco, with Pansy pinned to the wall.