"10 days left"

♢ ♢

Grumbling to myself slightly, I quickly span around and chased after Draco. "Draco!" I called after him as he slowed down. "I have your book! You left it in potions class!" I shouted to him as he stood gormlessly at the end of the corridor.

It took a few seconds before he processed what I had said. "Oh, yeah! Thanks" He chuckled as I ran over to him.

With a smile, I spoke again. "Welcome, anyways, I should go, bye!" I grinned and walked away.

Draco's POV

Letting out an exhausted huff, I fell back into the comfort of the Slytherin common room sofas. The fire crackled but barely lit up the room, instead, casting shadows across every wall, working their way into every rivet and crack. The detail of the walls were concealed by the darkness.

Leaning against the arm of the sofa, I rested my head on my hand and began running it through my hair. I was stressed and the Quidditch tryouts were soon. I knew that Olivia would be smart and try out for the team but it meant that we'd have to play against each other and if she got hurt, I didn't know if I'd be able to stop myself from going to help her. I let out an audible growl.

"Draco? What's wrong?" A sleepy voice called and the sound of footsteps could be heard as she walked towards me, rubbing her eyes.

 "Nothing, go back to bed" I grumbled.

The sofa adjusted as she threw herself down onto it. "You look stressed, is it Olivia? Don't worry about her!" There was a small smirk in her tone as she reached for my hand before I pulled it away violently.

"No! Just-- Leave it, I'm fine!" I snapped and turned my nose up in disgust. "It doesn't concern you!" I growled, standing up.

She sighed and mirrored my action. "Draco, stop building walls with me, let me in, like you used to!" She complained and attempted to step closer to me, though I took another step back. "You don't need Olivia, just tell me what's going on!"

I shook my head quickly. "You-You don't understand!" I snarled and tried to turn away until I felt her soft hand grip onto mine and I turned around to her soft, relaxed and concerned face.

"Then help me to understand" She said softly, her voice and smile was sincere as we both took a step towards each other.

"It's just--Well, my--She's-" I stuttered and stuttered until I was stopped by her lips against mine.

Stunned, I froze, not processing what was happening as I started kissing back before I realised who it was. It was Pansy, what the Hell was I doing!?

Snarling, I pushed her away quickly and forcefully. "What in Merlin's Beard are you doing!?" I snapped at her. "I just broke up with Olivia and your kissing me!? What's your issue!?" I yelled then stormed off to the boys dormitory.

I wanted to slam the door but I knew I couldn't, I'd wake everyone up. Why had I kissed back?! Was I lonely? Did I miss the feeling? Dammit! I was so stupid! I couldn't tell Olivia about this, not while she was busy with Harry. I'd pretend it never happened...

Olivia's POV

A soft voice woke me up from a very real feeling nightmare. "Olivia...It's time for breakfast!" The voice hushed as my eyes shot open. I was covered in sweat and breathless as Hermione towered over me.

"I-Um, yeah..." I stuttered before giving up and letting out an exhausted breath. She left me alone in the room to get changed into my school robes and to wake myself up.

Once changed and ready, I wandered down into the common room where Ron, Hermione, Dean and Seamus sat Hermione and Ron were whispering but Dean and Seamus sat, talking to each other. Everyone turned to look at me as Ron and Hermione stopped whispering, guilty looks on their faces. "Morning" I mumbled as I threw myself onto the sofa next to Ron.

"Morning" They chorused back.

There was an awkward silence before I spoke up. "Mind if I sit with you? After all, I have no one else to sit with right now.." I mumbled and glanced over a Seamus who was already starring at me. He scoffed and looked away which caused me to do the same.

"Of course, we were waiting for you, you wally" Ron chuckled and Hermione giggled.

"Well, we better go down then, where's Harry?" I asked as we all stood up, wandering towards the Great Hall.

Ron shrugged. "Dunno, he wasn't there this morning. Might've just gone to deliver and owl or somethin'" He mumbled as we all sat down.

"Hmm.." I muttered as Draco's eyes met with mine. "Maybe.." I began placing a few slices of toast onto my plate before Ginny spoke,

"Want some egg?" She asked us, holding the plate of eggs in her hand as she looked around at us.

Shaking my head, I picked up my glass of Pumpkin juice. "No thanks, it makes me ill" I smiled as she put it down. "Where do you suppose Harry's gotten to?" I asked with a raised brow.

Ron shrugged and began scoffing his face. "I don't know, sometimes he goes out for little walks, especially if he's stressed, ya know, just helps" He explained with a mouth full of food, small crumbs flying out of his mouth and spit going everywhere.

With a disgusted look on my face, I nodded. "Gosh, Ron, eat with your mouth closed!" Hermione snapped quietly, causing everyone to chuckle. "Is he like this at home?" She asked Ginny.

Ginny nodded and we all giggled while Ron took no notice of us. Someone cleared their throat and stood there, was Harry. "May I join you?" He asked quietly.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak but we all stopped as Umbridge's voice carried through the Great Hall.

"Pardon me, but what exactly are you insinuating?!" She snapped as we all stood up, rushing to see what was going on. People began piling out of the Great Hall as we pushed our way to the front.

Professor McGonagall and Umbridge were walking up the stairs located just outside of the Great Hall's entrance. "I am merely requesting that when punishing my students, you conform to the described disciplinary practices!" She said, her voice firm.

"So silly of me, but it sounds like you're questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minevra!" Umbridge snarled as she stood on another step, as if she was better than McGongall.

McGonagall followed suit, reflecting her actions as she retorted. "Not at all, Dolores!" There was a pause as someone tapped me on the shoulder, gently.

"What's going on?" The voice asked.

Shrugging, I replied. "An argument between the two.."

"Oh, right.." The voice said as I turned around to see Draco, slowly stepping away from me with a small smile.

"Merely your mediveical methods!" McGonagall's voice was harsh and raised but not yet a shout.

Umbridge looked shocked and took a breath as she began speaking in response. "I am sorry, but to question my practices, is to question the Ministry, and by extent the Minister himself!" She paused, giving herself chance to gather her words. "I am a tolerant woman, but one thing I will not stand for, is disloyalty!"

McGonagall choked on her breath as she took a step down from Umbridge. "...Disloyalty..." She said in a voice so quiet, it was almost a whisper, but you could her the mockery in her voice.

Umbridge glared at McGonagall for a few more seconds before she turned to look at everyone. "Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared! Cornelius will want to take immediate action!" She announced.

Everyone stood there, stunned for a few minutes everyone stunned as Umbridge smirked and turned away, scurrying back to her hole. People began dispersing however McGonagall stood there. I waited until many had left before I wandered over to her.

"Dumbledore must know what she's doing?" I mumbled as she looked at me before looking at the floor.

"I'm afraid not, he has too much to deal with right now. Snape came to me about it, how is it healing?" She asked sincerely.

Pulling up my sleeve to expose it, I saw not only what was written when I last looked, but also, something else. It read; "10 days left" In rather funny handwriting.

She raised her brow at me. "10 days left?" She asked. "Is that what she made you write?" She asked.

Slowly, I shook my head. "No..Not at all..not anything close!.." My jaw was hung low as she gave me a horrified look.

"We must get you to Professor Dumbledore.." She whispered and grabbed onto my arm, leading me towards his office.

I stuttered and struggled to follow behind as she continued to drag me down the halls. "But-I  thought you said he was busy?"

"This is important" She mumbled as we reached the Phoenix. It slowly unraveled itself and she led me up the stairs, leaving me in front of Dumbledore's office. "Wait here a second.." She muttered and shut the door.

I began panicking and inspected it again. 10 days left? Until what? Was it a countdown?-- It had to be.

Was it to do with the Dark Lord?

Maybe it was because I hadn't yet written to Draco's father. That was what I was supposed to do last night, I even stayed up late to plan it but nothing came to mind. I hadn't achieved anything with Harry yet. Dammit. Snape had warned me.

With a creak, the door opened, exposing the 3 teachers all stood in a row...

A/N

A long chapter but I like it!

Please comment, share, like, ect! It means a lot!!

Thanks for reading!!!