Through the Dark (Draco Malfoy x OC)

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Four

Breakfast-time at Hogwarts carried an entirely new feeling. Not only was it bleeker and dimmer than usual, the enchanted ceiling a permanent night sky; but dementors had arrived at the castle. Unlike in third year when they surveyed the boundaries, they were inside the walls now, gliding past spare corridors. It was hard to ignore the one floating in the air at breakfast, bringing a wintry chill with it and sucking away at everyone's last flicker of happiness. Further, the Carrows paraded up and down the Great Hall watching everyone intently as if we were sitting exams. When a few Hufflepuff students collected their food and went to eat in the courtyard, they were stopped and instructed to sit back down.

"Since when was breakfast compulsory?" Nott asked quietly as he nibbled on his pumpkin tart.

"Seems Snape forgot to mention a few new rules," Blaise muttered.

I glimpsed to where the teachers sat, the headmaster's chair was empty. "I don't think it's one of Snape's rules," I said.

A glass then shattered, it was quiet enough in the Hall that it echoed. I looked over to see Crabbe frowning, a plate had been knocked from Nott onto the ground, spilling its contents onto him. "Oi, watch what you're doing, you wanker," he said.

"I didn't see it there, sorry Crabbe!"

"It's too bloody dark to see anything in here," Draco then muttered as we all opted to ignore Crabbe's whining.

I reached for a piece of thick sourdough, swiping a chunky layer of avocado on top and putting it onto my plate. I then grabbed another piece for Draco, as was our routine, and spread cream cheese on his. He had already poured our tea and was putting a poached egg on each of our battered toasts. We truly were the epitome of two people merging into one as we'd developed many of these routines over the holidays at the Manor. They were unspoken little habits that we suddenly couldn't function without.

Draco couldn't sleep without first kissing me on the forehead goodnight, no matter how late he returned home from Death Eater tasks. I'd always be fast asleep by the time he got home to actually do it, but he didn't seem to care. Likewise, I couldn't sleep if I hadn't given him a kiss goodbye for that evening. I'd wait for him to wake up every morning and wouldn't start eating without him, then we'd do our toast and tea dance. At dinners, Draco always poured our wines and if I wanted a top up, he insisted he do it. I never had to ask now, he always knew I wanted a glass and a half. Then if we ever shared dessert or chocolate, I always let him have the final bite.

I was halfway through my breakfast when something wet slapped me on the cheek. Draco flinched, I gasped then Nott whispered an, "Oh shiiit." I could only see the red blur as a sundried tomato slid down my face and onto the plate before me. I immediately glared at everyone in the direction it came from. Crabbe and Goyle were wide-eyed, seemingly shocked as well, as was Blaise. But I didn't miss Millicent's chipmunk puffed cheeks and Pansy biting her tongue. Payton, on the other hand, appeared to be shrinking away to disassociate herself with the two.

Draco didn't hesitate as he picked up a napkin, wiping my face and I pulled on the most calm, yet sinister smirk I could muster. "Parkinson, you wouldn't be so daft to throw a tomato at me, would you?"

"Of course not, Merope," her voice was sickly sweet, "one moment it was on my spoon... the next, well," she giggled, "it was on your face!"

I stared at her for a moment, Draco had finished wiping my cheek and was carefully watching me. "Ah, so you are as daft as it seems," I said.

"Daft maybe, but at least I don't break mirrors for a living," Parkinson chimed.

I rolled my eyes, how typically boring, pathetic and childish of Pansy Parkinson. I couldn't even be bothered playing her games, knowing she just wanted to antagonise me, perhaps get me in trouble or riled up enough that everyone would look.