The Burn of Acid Tears

Chapter 3

Walk over to her! Say something!

Damnit Potter, this is not the way to get my attention! My own voice was echoing inside my head, making my fell surreal.

You told me to W.o.W. Message you when I got the chance, and that's what I'm doing!

But did you have to pick right in the middle of potions class???

I could hear his mocking laughter. He was grinning from across the room; the smirk seemed oddly familiar...

With a pang, I realized that I had probably made the famous trio feel the same way with the same expression. Slowly, but surely, I did fell the reality of what torture I had put him and his friends through in the past five years. Potter was so enjoying his moment of payback; I just allowed him to. He deserved it.

Are you going to do it or not? Because I could try a little experiment...

Oh, and what would that be?

Just then, the little prat tucked a stray hair from in front of her face. My blood began to simmer. Hermione gave him a giggle and slapped his knee, flirtatiously pleading for him to stop fooling around and that they needed to finish their potion; just like her to remember her grades. Harry flashed me a sly grin.

You'll pay for that one Potter...

Ah... do you remember what I'm here for? I just wanted to point out to you that it would be oh too easy for someone to come and take her right from you... maybe Ron? He shot a glance in Weasley's direction.

Fine, but what do I say to her? I couldn't believe how pitiable I sounded. And getting love advice from Potter?

Just compliment something. Can I take her hair into consideration?

I'm not going to do it right here in front of everyone!

Oh yeah, and where else would you, eh?

Damn. I knew he would catch me somewhere. He had placed the ball back into the court of the "It's now or never" theory.

Just anywhere but here... after class?

Sounds like a plan. Did you ever realize that we could get in serious trouble for messaging like this? It's not supposed to be taught until next year and if we were ever caught... I saw him shudder slightly.

What's the big deal? I asked him angrily. It's not like we're going to get caught-

Cut the crap Draco. We will get caught sometime and when we do, we'll be the ones responsible for anything dark happening around the school- I don't need another report like Rita Skeeter...

He trailed off. I could him thoroughly engrossed in thought for a moment; just like Potter to worry about his reputation... but then I began to think. I couldn't blame him. I felt the same way.

~*~*~*~*~

We didn't message for a while after that. I could see bringing up the focus of images that we put out to our peers truly saddened Harry. His eyes lost the brightness in color and a stern expression was placed on his face. It was awkward to think that someone who never had an inclination the his was significant in any way could worry that way about becoming lower than what was thought of him. I envied him. He seemed to have everything and then we remember one factor that is certain. He is an orphan... and I can express some sympathy for never actually knowing love of any kind all through out his life. And now, here he is, helping me with something that he has not even experienced to know the joys and pains of. A weird sensation took over me as I thought- I could feel my heart beating stiffly in my chest, feeling hurt for someone other than me.

I let my head fall onto the pillow of my bed. It became hard to breathe as my conscious pursued all of the hurtful things that were happening in my life. I thought of her- the only star in my endless sky. She still shined brighter than anything ever had. Although, if I closed my eyes, a new star was dimly winking back at me. I felt the warmth of it capturing me. I sensed the word- Compassion.

Harry, have you learned to reply my thoughts as well?!

Yeah, and I just thought you might need a little guidance as you add a new star, Malfoy.