CHAPTER FOURTEEN:

DRACO

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As the weeks flew by in Hogwarts and snow melted off the grounds, she had not spoken with Fletcher since the night he found out Sirius was his father. There was sometimes a look shared between them but other than that nothing. Today, for example she was in Dumbledore army and he just wasn't even acknowledging her.

She understood right now it was difficult for him (quite literally she understood it more than anyone), so she was willing to allow him to find what he wanted before anything.
Whilst everyone else is attempting to do the Patronus charm which was a highly skilled spell, Dawn is simply looking around. She had tried to do it and nothing worked.

" Still not talking?" Harry asks strolling over. " You still haven't told me why."

" Your so nosy. You still haven't told me what happened between you and Ginny on New Years before the treehouse." she replies, nudging him into the shoulder to which he rolls his eyes at. " How is your Occlumency lessons with Snape going?"

"Worse than you can imagine." he replies gloomily, "I found out there's a connection between the Dark Lord and I. Apparently he doesn't know about it yet but when he does he'll be able to see into my mind. Use it against me."

A sympathetic look from her is thrown his way. "I would hate to be trapped in a room with Snape."

"Well you might have to," Harry sends her a nervous look, "because dad sort of think we should both know it. Just incase. Since he knows your my sister now, there's just a chance he'll come after me."

"Well, if he wants me to learn it he'll have to write to me about it," the brunette responds, she reaches across the table and throws a strawberry in her mouth (Fred had summoned them for her).

"Anyways, has he said anything to you about the fact that the court meeting this week?"

"Not much. All I know is that they have the meeting this week with the court, and then they'll decided whether or not it goes to court. James says it's unlikely. Frank told me to be ready just incase."

Harry sends her an anxious look. "Are you nervous?"

"I mean James said he had it under control so not really."

Harry doesn't appear convinced but none the less nods then asks, " Have you tried to produce your patronus?"

" Tried. Failed. Tired."

" Do you want me to help you?"

" No."

" I am not liking your tone very much right now." Harry says.

" I don't like you very much right now but you're still here. Isn't that odd?"

Harry rolls his eyes before stomping away.

The following day she was in the Library, not to study but simply to try and finish homework she hadn't gotten to. Considering Professor Trelawney gave her detention, she couldn't really afford not doing her work again.

She sits down by the window and is reading a Defence against the Dark arts guide. Considering OWLS were in a couple weeks she could use all the help she could get. She has a letter left beside her from James which she hadn't opened yet.

Suddenly Professor Sprout who was speaking with Dumbledore (who leaves and shuts the door) calls for everyone's attention.

" Unfortunately the castle is under lock down at the moment! The caretakers have left the gates opened and some rats from the Forbidden Forest have entered!" when she says this instantly a series of students begin to act queasy. " I'm afraid that we won't be able to leave for a couple more hours until they're all gone." Sprout calls worriedly, " So please make yourself comfortable and pair up with a friend. If anyone needs anything please come to me!"

Dawn glances around and sees not one person she knew. In the corner were a few Hufflepuff students who were attempting to teach a younger group of Slytherin's some spells. Majority of the people in the library were Ravenclaws and considering she didn't know a single one, she continued to study (or at least try).

She ignores this and begins reading James' letter.

Dear Little Stag.

Unfortunate news.

Court did not go as planned. Turns out the case is eligible for family court. I know. I'm surprised too. Frank didn't expect it but your Aunt's lawyer is almost as good as him.

I was wondering if we could meet next week for Hogsmeade? We can discuss this more and what you want to do.

Sincerely, Dad.

When she finishes reading the letter her face immediately falls into shock. It was clear, this case was more than he was letting on. Her eyes drifted onto the ground when she realised that she would have to go to court next week alongside James. Court sounded crazy and the fact she would be seeing her Aunt there was insane, and James would be attempting to gain full custody of her. Come to think of it, she hadn't asked him whether or not he even wanted full custody.

She quickly stands up and strolls along the room. When she rounds the corner she sees none other than Malfoy who was sitting down on the ground reading. Dawn would class herself as friendly with Draco-or at least she wanted to be. So that's why she puts her book back and then walks towards him.

" Mind if I join?"

The blonde haired boy looks up at her and replies with, " If I say no, I think you're going to sit anyway."

She was already sitting down beside him. " How did you get trapped in here?"

" Was returning this book, never got to finish it though." he replies, gesturing towards the book. " You?"

" Homework," she explains, " but I don't think I can spend the next five hours doing just that."

" There's nothing else to do."

" I know there's a secret passage at the back of the here, it leads to outside though and since the gates are locked, there not really a point." Dawn interjects with a small shrug. James had been the one to tell her about it accidentally. He turns and looks at her when she says this.

" What's there to do outside though?"

" There's not much to do."

There is mutual silence for a few minutes, and oddly enough it wasn't awkward. The library is loud-very loud and it's almost infuriating- and Professor Sprout is yelling throughout the place about using spells. Draco seems to be thinking the same thing she is because he turns towards her.

" We could play Quidditch?" he suggests, when he notices the look on her face he adds, " What?"

" I haven't exactly played Quidditch in a long time."

" Why?"

" Not bothered."

He raises an eyebrow. " I think that's a lie."

" Okay fine. I don't know. My mum sort of grew up with me playing Quidditch. She came to all my matches. Anything related to Quidditch my mum and I did. I guess I just don't know what to do now that she's gone." she murmurs, " I do love Quidditch though."

" Don't you think your mother would want you him to play? I mean she came to your matches for a reason," Draco mentions hesitantly, " Do you think she would be happy to know your not playing anymore?"

Her mouth goes to open to respond, " Well....."

" You know I'm right."

" And I can tell you're happy about that."

" Come on." he shrugs, " Believe it or not I'm incredibly bored and I've spent the last twenty minutes reading the same line."

" I'm probably not even able to play anymore." Dawn jokes. " Really, you'll show me up."

He gives her an unbelievable look. " Even though, I only tolerate you Kale, I will admit you are probably the best Quidditch player this school has even seen."

The girl looks a little less than content but finds herself nodding. He stands up before her whilst she it still sitting down he extends her hands and helps her up.

They head towards the secret tunnel with him and they double check no one is following them. It's located at the very back of the Library in the restricted section meaning not many people knew it was there. Dawn leans forward and taps on the wall twice, and then kicks the bottom four times. The door swings open revealing a narrow, rocky dimly lit pathway.

" Tell me how you know about this again?"

" A friend told me." she says.

The two enter the door shuts behind them. It was quiet as the walk down the tunnel. Along the way there are a few beer cans (which appeared centuries old) and engravings in the walls. Draco appeared sceptical as he constantly looked around.

" I think I just saw a ghost."

" The only pale thing in here is you."

An amused glance is thrown her way which she catches before he can return back to his usual-narrowed eyed face.

They reach a dead end at the end of the tunnel and she once again repeats the same few steps from earlier. They are greeted by the darkness of the night, above them stars twinkle against the night sky. Her hands reach up to pull at her jumper fully up.

"-Have you spoken to Fletcher?"

" Oh you haven't heard? He's on some sort of self-destructing range since he found out about Sirius. Not only is he not talking to me but he's barely even acknowledging me."

" Give him time," he mentions, " He'll come around soon."

With this the two go towards the Slytherin changing rooms where apparently there is extra broomsticks left. Along the way she glances up towards the castle. Perhaps, she took Hogwarts for granted somedays.

Draco turns, shrugging his shoulder as he leaves the changing rooms which were apparently always left unlocked, but had a magical binding that only Slytherin's could enter. He pulls out two brooms and hands her one.

As they walk over towards the pitch he says.

" Now I know it's probably going to be hard for you to rise to my standard but I'll go easy on you-"

" And why is that?"

" Because I am a better Quidditch player than you."

" No sweetie, you're just not."

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Okay so apparently Draco was good.

He was, he truly was except unfortunately for him not as good as her. They had spent at least the last two hours playing Quidditch.

Dawn felt like a weight was being lifted off her shoulder and she was surprised to find Draco Malfoy was behind it. Considering all summer she was asked to play Quidditch by James and she said no, she was surprised to be playing it with Draco,

Except she found she was completely out of breath. After months of quite literally not running, or doing any form of physical activity, she could not be more out of breath. She flies down off her broom when they decide it's enough and the score was 120- 220.

Draco lands beside her, " I'm impressed."

"I think I need to lie down."

Dawn leans against the broom and she throws it on the ground before she lies down against the grass. To be honest, playing Quidditch with him was properly the most fun she had all year. She looks up at the sky. She stays there for a few seconds, before she says.

" Come look at the stars,"

Draco lets out a sigh but none the less drops his broom and sits down beside her. After a second he lies down next to her.

"-Aren't the stars pretty?"

She turns towards him and the boy was looking at her and nods. He glances back up.

" Suppose you're...right."

They sit there for a few more moments.

" I hope the rats take Professor Umbridge." she sighs out. Her eyes drifted towards the Castle.

A snort comes from his lips. " Understandable. She is horrible to Gryffindor's."

" As is Snape." she adds.

" Well, every other Professor hates Slytherins." Draco says which makes her turn and give him an odd look. " What? Don't act like you don't know, Slytherins tend to not be preferred by the Professor's or students for that matter. You saw what happened back in first year with the house cup?"

When he refers to the year that Dumbledore awarded Gryffindor's an insane amount of points to the Gryffindor students at the end of the year when Slytherin house had won the cup (he even said they had won) and ultimately Gryffindor house won.

" I never thought that was fair." she mentions looking over towards him, " Slytherins deserved the cup and just because a few Gryffindor's did a noble deed didn't mean they needed extra points. Slytherins could have done the same thing if it meant they'd extra point plus why didn't Dumbledore just award them at the beginning of second year. Fair competition."

" Exactly." Draco nods at her. " I think we should head in. I say they found the rats."

" Spoiler alert, they were in Umbridge's office."

She hears him snort. He stands up and extends his hands towards her.

" Hold on. Is Draco Malfoy being a gentlemen?"

" Not for long."

She rolls her eyes and takes his hands as he helps her up. After this they put the belongings back into the Slytherin bench room.

" Are you happy you played Quidditch?"

" Yes. Maybe I can join the team again? Get my old uniform back. Buy a new Quidditch jumper, and of corse all the books I missed out on plus re-read the old ones-"

" Huh. Now I'm starting to regret helping you get back into it."

" Give over." she turns and looks at him, " Are you gonna admit we are friends?"

" Never."

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The following day she is inside the room of requirements trying to do the Patronus spell.

James sat in between Harry and Dawn, and wrapped his arms around them both whilst Lily sat down to Dawns other side ( which surprised her ). You Dawn leaned over and rested her head on James' shoulder.

" What is this?" James questions, he gestures towards the candle. " Please don't tell me my two kids are now in a cult?"

" Maybe." Dawn responds, as she blows her own candle out.

. It was a time when she realised she had more than just one parent - she had a full family. She retracts her wand and keeps the memory replaying in her mind.

" Expecto Patronum." Dawn shouts, and oddly enough out of her wand shot out a spark of silver light before a figure begun to form. Oddly enough, it was cat.

" That's a Tonkinese cat!" Hermione says suddenly behind her, " They are known for their curious and loving nature. Their goofy, humorous, and intelligent, very affectionate." she explains, " They are also always on alert and active but can be very stubborn."

" I'm surprised annoying isn't on there." says Harry.

She gives him a look.

" What was your memory?"

" Wouldn't you like to know."

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so Dawn is going to have to go to court with James in the final chapter to decide who she's going to live with. Yikes...drama

Dawn's patronus was so cute, I think it describes her best.

Hermione and Dawns slowly growing friendship >>>

Small filler chapter !! We're almost at the end of act 2!!!