5«Confrontation

Justine felt exhausted when she got up for breakfast the next morning. She had never had such an eventful night during school. And all she dreamt about that night was Draco Malfoy. She couldn’t figure out why she was dreaming of a guy that could care less about her. Although her thought’s statements were true, she took the formal dance trophy and stuck it in her small bag.

She slowly got herself dressed in her school robes, swung her bag over her shoulders and made her way downstairs where her friends were already waiting and eating their bacon, eggs and sausages.

“Morning, Justine, bit tired?” Ron asked, not looking up from his newspaper.

“A little,” she replied sitting down. She was pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice when she noticed the picture on the front page of the edition of the Daily Prophet that was in Ron’s hands. “Hey, that’s me, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. You made the front page with your winnings last night.” He showed her the picture of herself and Malfoy standing. She was holding up the trophy with a large smile, but Malfoy just seemed to look annoyed and tired.

“Not much of a reaction from him,” Justine commented, taking a sip of her juice.

“Who cares? You were the only one that deserved to win, not him,” Ron pointed out.

Seeing it was Sunday, there were no classes. Hermione had told the others she’d be in the library or the common room for the day reading up on How to Transfigure Clothing. Ron and Harry had made plans to play wizards chess. Justine decided that she wasn’t in the mood to watch a game or read, so she strolled around the halls of the school, talking to a few people, including Hagrid and Nearly Headless Nick.

After a while she found herself outside on of the back courtyards facing the Quidditch field. She sighed as a chilling breeze hit her face. It was soon to be the holiday season, a time of year she enjoyed immensely.

A few moments passed when she heard the sound of almost evil laughter and talk from a group of people. She turned her head slightly to see the Slytherin Quidditch team walking past her with their brooms, going out for practice she assumed. Malfoy was a the end of the group, seeming to be as equally exhausted from the dance the night before as most other six years were.

He had turned and glanced to Justine for a slight moment, but never stopped or said hello. Then Justine remembered why she had brought the trophy downstairs that morning. “Draco!” She called jumping off the bench.

Malfoy turned and gave her a dull look as she met up with him. “I’ve got practice. I have no time for you right now.”

He started to turn when Justine grabbed his arm. “Wait, I want you to have this.” She pulled out the trophy from her bag and held it out in front of him.

“I told you I don’t want it.” He said not even looking down at it.

“I don’t either. Besides, I did a duplicating spell on it, so we’ll both have one,” she lied.

Malfoy looked at her curiously, but took the trophy from her hands. “I still have no use for this, but I’m not in the mood to argue with you.” He turned and started to go back to his team.

Justine didn’t bother watching, but turned and started to leave as well. Then she heard her name. She turned around and saw Malfoy facing her in the distance. “Meet me in the library by the restricted section tonight after dinner. I want to talk to you.” That was all he said and was off once again.

Justine found Hermione later that day in the Gryffindor common room. She sat on one of the large chairs and let out a deep sigh.

“What was that for?” Hermione asked, marking her spot in her book.

Justine thought for a moment. Did she want to tell Hermione what Malfoy had said? “Nothing,” she finally replied. “Just a long day, I guess.”

Hermione changed the subject. “This book is very interesting. You could change a rag into socks with one simple spell. And that’s not all,” she went on in fascination, “you can instantly transform a pair of muggle overalls into a dress, if using the proper spell that is.”

Justine smiled, though not in the least bit interested. She sat back and looked at her watch. There were still four hours until dinner. She honestly didn’t know if she could wait that long.

«««

The day had continued to drag on, making Justine feel like she was being tortured by the time. She had spent the remainder of her day in the common room, finding her own book to read. However, it was Hermione that noticed that it was time for dinner and they were off to the Great Hall.

Harry and Ron were already there, saving them both seats. Hermione began to tell them about her discoveries from her book, but they didn’t seem any more interested that Justine had been earlier that day.

Throughout dinner, Justine had been extremely anxious to go meet Malfoy. She wasn’t sure what he exactly wanted to talk to her about, but the curiosity was killing her. Finally, when most people were through eating and the dishes magically disappeared from the tables, Justine noticed Malfoy leaving the Great Hall. She wanted to get up right then and there, but she had a feeling that it’d be better to wait for a few more minutes. But when that time came, she made an excuse to leave and headed up to the stairs towards the library.

Justine opened the door to the dark library. She never really went into there, and was trying to remember which way she would go to find the restricted section. Turning left down the first hall, she found a sign that pointed her in the right direction.

A figure came into view, leaning against the fenced in area of the library. The little candlelight brightened his face enough to show her it was Malfoy.

“Hi,” she said shyly. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say to him at this point.

“Honestly, how long does it take to go from the Great Hall to the library?” He asked.

“Hey, I’m still figuring out where all these places are. I haven’t gone here for the past six years like you, remember.”

“Oh right,” he said sarcastically. “So what did they teach you over in the Americas? Anything useful or interesting?”

“No more than anything here,” she replied. “Hogwarts is much better.”

“That’s only a matter of opinion.” Malfoy stood straight up and approached her. “Now, down the business.” Justine’s body tensed with how close he got to her, which wasn’t anymore than six inches away.

His eyes were dark, and his face showed no expression. “Why are you always bothering me? Everywhere I look you’re there. I want to know why.”

Justine thought quickly. “I…don’t know, really.”

“That’s not what I’m looking for. I want to know. Give me a straight forward answer.”

“I…” she didn’t know what she should say. Maybe the truth would be the best thing. “I kinda like you I guess.”

It was obvious that he didn’t expect an answer like that. “You mean you’re not spying on me?”

“Spying?” Justine laughed. “What on Earth for?”

“Just a thought,” he said looking away. “Why?” He said in more of a statement, than a question.

“Why what?”

“Why do you like me? I know you’re friends with that mudblood Granger, Weasly and pathetic Potter. We’re enemies. Why do you not take their sides?” His eyes started to search her’s nervously for answers, afraid of what she might say that he wasn’t expecting to hear.

“I have no reason to be enemies with you. I understand why you guys don’t get along, but quite frankly, why should I take sides when I wasn’t here when everything happened?”

Malfoy was almost shocked. For once in his life, he didn’t know what to say. He turned his back to her and walked a few steps forward. “You’re an interesting girl, Tidewater. I guess I should’ve expected this from someone from another country.”

“What do you mean?”

He didn’t answer her. Instead, he turned and grasped her in his hold, kissing her lips with his own. They stood there for a long moment, neither moving away. But then Draco realized what he was doing.

He pushed away and turned around, putting his hands through his hair. “I don’t know what came over me…” He said softly.

Justine just stood there and looked at his back. She didn’t know what to say…if there was even anything she could say. She wanted to experience that kiss again, but she knew that he wasn’t thinking when he did that in the first place.

A chuckle came from Malfoy. He turned around practically smiling. “You know, I don’t know what it is about you that intrigues me. But for some stupid reason,” he paused. “I don’t know. I guess what I’m trying to say…oh bloody hell, I guess I sort of like you. But don’t go getting any ideas!” He quickly added.

“I won’t, Draco.” He stared at her. It was rare that other students other than his friends called him by his first name.

“What did you say?”

Justine gave a look of confusion. “I won’t?”

“No…you said my name.” Justine shrugged as if say “so.” He stepped up close to her again. “You’re not scared of me, you call me by my name, and you try to show kindness though you know it won’t be given back.” She shrugged again. Draco’s face totally changed from that smug attitude, to a sort of gentle and happy look. He leaned down towards her face, quickly thinking if he wanted to kiss her again.

Justine didn’t give him any choice, however. She moved up and their mouths met again. Only this time, it was meant to be.