How do I make you come back to me?

-

T H R E E M O N T H S L A T E R

~

When I arrive at Platform 9 ¾, the place is buzzing with an exhilaration I haven't known in months. The scarlet train stands gleaming at the platform's centre, and excited chatter fills the chilly September air around it. People give their parents hasty, impatient hugs and stand on their tiptoes, desperately searching the crowd to find their friends. But I seek one sole person: Draco Malfoy.

Draco, who betrayed me by yelling out in Umbridge's office three months ago. Draco, whose father has now been locked up in Azkaban thanks to my friends. Draco, who hasn't replied to a single one of my letters all summer.

After scanning the entire platform for a white-blond head to no avail, I sigh and turn to my parents. I tug my bag closer over my shoulder. I'll have to find him later.

"Isobel," says my father, and from his tone I know instantly what he's going to say. "I'm just going to tell you one last time. Please stay away from the Malfoy boy. He's bad news, you know that."

I sigh. "So you've told me, Dad," I reply. I've managed not to mention that I haven't heard from Draco all summer. "But you've never actually met him, have you? Hey, at least I'm not dating Lucius."

My dad chuckles, but my mother's eyes widen. "That's not funny, Isobel."

"It's just a joke, Maggie," smiles my father. "Although," he adds to me, "if anything like that ever does happen, I pray you don't tell us."

I snort. "Don't worry about it." Without meaning to, my eyes flicker over to the swarm of people again. Where is he? "There's more to life than men, anyway."

"I'm very offended," says my dad, but his smile is wider than ever.

My mum zips up my bag where it has fallen open over my arm and checks my trunk. "Are you sure you've got everything?"

"I'm positive, Mum."

She checks the time, looking worried. It's normal for her to be stressed on days like these, but today she's taking it to a new level. I wonder if it's anything to do with Draco. "It's nearly eleven," she says. "You should get on the train."

I give her a hug. "I'll miss you guys. Love you."

"We'll miss you more," my dad says, as I hug him too. "The house is so quiet without you." Then he frowns. "On a serious note, Isobel. I really don't want you hanging around that boy this year, okay? It's your own choice and we can't stop you. We wouldn't want to stop you from doing anything, but-"

"But here you are," I say, stepping back, and my suddenly cold voice surprises me. "I'm old enough to take care of myself now Dad, but thanks for the relationship advice."

"Isobel-"

"Forget it," I say, turning away to hide the hurt in my eyes. "I'll see you guys at Christmas."

I hurry to the train before my parents can stop me and haul my trunk on board. The screams and hugs of other students around me makes me self-conscious as I set off down the corridor alone, but it only takes a few minutes before I find the compartment I'm looking for.

Behind the glass door sit Harry, Luna and Neville. After the whole Ministry thing, I know they don't like me much anymore, but I can't help having missed them. I offer them a small smile as I push open the door. "Hi."

"Isobel," says Harry, startling me by jumping out of his seat. "I'd like to speak to you. Do you mind?"

He ushers me into the corridor and I turn, confused. What could he want to speak to me about that can't be said before Luna and Neville?

"I wanted to talk to you about Malfoy," he says.

Oh. "What about?"

Harry narrows his eyes as if trying to read my expression. "Well, we saw him over the summer. He was acting weird."

"Well, his dad's in Azkaban so I expect he would."

"No, no." He pauses. "Like he was up to something. Isobel, if you know anything, you have to tell me. Whatever Malfoy has planned-"

"Well, he's not up to anything so I guess we're okay here."

Harry frowns. "Isobel, you know how important this is, right? How dangerous it could be? If Malfoy..." He breaks off, and I frown.

"What are you saying?"

Harry clearly doesn't believe that I'm being genuine because he grimaces and turns back to the compartment. "Whatever. Thanks for your time."

"But Harry, why are you asking? Why the sudden interest?"

He shakes his head. I raise my hands in utter confusion and groan aloud. Luna and Neville give me small smiles from inside the compartment. "Can I come in?" I ask pitiably.

Harry seems to fight with his thoughts for a moment before he replies. "Wouldn't you rather sit with Malfoy?"

I blink. "No, I actually wouldn't," I say slowly. "But I can take a hint. See you later."

I walk slowly away from the compartment, fighting back tears and rage. I want to go back there and yell at him, at them, for making it so hard to love Draco while loving them. I need them to understand my situation, to appreciate it, but how can I make them do so if I can't even sit beside them? I know the best thing to do, regarding everyone, is to kill them with kindness, but that is so difficult to do if kindness is never returned. And Draco, who is so wonderful, but so magnificent-

Right on queue, his voice sounds from the next train car. My head snaps up. Having been lost in my thoughts, I didn't even realise I was walking the whole way down the train to his compartment. I didn't plan on this; there are a million things I'd sooner do than walk into a compartment of bullies, but I've heard his voice now and there's no stopping me.

I've barely pushed open the door when the conversation hushes and everyone turns around to face me. I look straight at Draco, who is standing securely with a circle of his friends in the hall. He stares at me like he's never seen me before.

"Can we talk?"

My voice sounds weak and raspy. His friends poke each other and snigger. I glare at them, but Draco doesn't seem to notice. Eyes on mine, he opens his mouth and then closes it. He shakes his head and turns to go.

I catch his arm. "Hey," I say, offended. "Don't ignore me."

Draco folds his arms and as if on command, his friends back away until we are out of earshot.

"Fine," he says. This is his first word to me in months. "What do you want?"

Half of me expected him to act like this, but seeing it hurts all the same. "I'd like to talk," I say coolly. "As you didn't bother writing back to me for the entire holiday, I'd like to know how you are."

"I'm fine," he says stiffly. He has changed since I last saw him; he looks tense, and... Sad?

"Glad to hear it. How was your summer?"

"Terrible. In case you haven't heard, my father's stuck in Azkaban."

"I'm sorry" I say, and I mean it. "It must be hard for you."

Draco flinches, as if he is unaccustomed to this kind of conversation. His eyes leave mine for the first time and he looks out the window. Or at it. "Yeah, well."

"Is that it?" I ask. "I mean, is everything else okay? You seem a bit on edge." Without deciding, I know I won't tell him about Harry. Maybe another time, or maybe never. It doesn't seem right.

When I try to put my hand on his arm, he jerks it away. "Of course there's nothing else," he says roughly. "Have your dad thrown in Azkaban, see how you like it."

I frown. "I'm not sure if you're trying to say that this is my fault, but as I wasn't even involved in the Ministry incident-"

"That's not what I'm saying."

"Explain, then." I put my hands on my hips and glare at him. When he doesn't reply, I move closer and take his hand. I suppose we won't talk about his feelings. "My friends won't talk to me."

"Well, they're idiots," he says, gazing at his hand in mine. His voice is softer now.

"If only that was true."

Draco stares at me for a little, then finally pulls me closer to him, breathing out as he does so. "I missed you."

I wrap my arms around him. I have missed his warm touch, his steady breaths, this place in his arms where I feel safe and welcome. As the trees and fields and hills roll by, rain starts to trickle against the windows. The train moves onward, forward and forward until I am certain that we're in the middle of nowhere. But in his arms, with his pretty face above mine, I know I am home.