Acidic Sugar

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Chapter Four: Faltering With Books

"Can I leave?"

"But you're doing so well."

"I know but I can't miss this. There's something I have to do and it's quite important to me."

"This boy is ill and you only need to be here for a couple more hours."

"I'm sorry, Madam but I just can't."

"Miss Chang, I will only certify you if you stay full hours."

"Can't I work extra on a different night?"

"No, Miss Quirke has decided to take up assisting as well."

"But -"

"No."

Draco was asleep. His mind was playing tricks with him as he caught that conversation taking forth. Not once did he stir for he'd figure it was only a dream. The voices came no more and there was only a soft breathing that he could hear now. His ears were filling with it as he turned over and his eyes became open. As he opened his eyes, his vision came to him in a state of blurriness. He blinked a couple times and smiled as the person before him came into clarity.

Cho Chang, a beautiful girl sat before him, her arms crossed on his bed and her head resting safely on her chin. She looked to be sleeping soundly as Draco observed her. He didn't dare do anything to disturb her. He watched in silence taking in her features and her perfect complexion. She was so beautiful.

Without knowing what he was doing, his hand began to move across the bed. It lied upon her head and softly put back the loose strands of her hair. She stirred with jus tiny movements but didn't wake up. Draco watched as her head turned and her eyelids came to face him. He hesitated for a moment and then, daring as he came, brushed her lips with his fingertips. They were so soft. He led his hand slowly upward and brushed slightly his palm against her cheek. She was so soft. He moved his fingertips, drawing a line from her nose then over her lips. Suddenly she jerked and her head came flying up.

With her hair disheveled and her eyes wide with worry, she looked to Draco with confusion and anger growing in her eyes. She stood up abruptly, jerking her chair backward - making it fall over and onto the ground with a sickening crack. She reached her hands to her lips and with her fingertips she pressed into them. Her eyes gave off the point that she felt utterly violated. Draco, not knowing what to do only watched her with confusion.

Suddenly the door behind her came open and Madam Pomfrey came rushing out. She held at her robe that was flying behind her. When she came face to face with Cho, her eyes suddenly darted to Draco. Surprised that he was awake she nodded to Cho. Draco watched this with much confusion and much amusement. Cho took one last look at Draco and her eyes were full of daggers. She turned on her heel, grabbed her things and walked straight out of the Hospital Wing without any looks back.

Madam Pomfrey, with her hands upon her hips looked down at Draco with utter suspicion.

"What?!"

"Never mind." She gave him one for suspicious eye and then nodded. "Feeling better?"

Draco nodded.

"Ok. You're free to go." Draco nodded and got himself out of bed as quickly as he could. He surely knew Madam Pomfrey noticed his edginess but he was glad when she didn't ask him about it. He'd gotten the idea of heading out and following Cho. When he was out of bed, he quickly thanked Madam Pomfrey for her care and then changed into his regular clothes. Once finished he left the room and stopped to think about where he could find her.

"Library?" he asked himself aloud. Nodding to his own question he turned to his left and headed for the library. He kept his eyes forward, just incase an incident like the one he'd had with Cho would occur again. He didn't want to seem like a fool. He'd felt quite embarrassed when it happened the first time. When he reached the corner, ready to turn, he checked both ways - making sure it was safe. Seeing that no one was coming that way, he took in a deep breath and then kept on walking.

The library was getting closer with every step. Draco found his pace slowing down. He was suddenly feeling things jumping in his stomach. Was this what people called butterflies? How stupid. Draco thought. Then realizing he was in front of the library he took a deep inhale and pushed the door open. When he walked inside, he found a lot of the other students in there studying. His eyes scoured the room, searching for who he wanted to see. He found her. She was sitting - alone - at the farthest table to the left of him.

Inhaling deeply, he felt his hands getting sweaty. He wiped them on the sides of his robes and walked forward. Suddenly a horrible shock struck him. He didn't know what to say or what he was doing. When he was finally in front of her, his hand rubbing his elbow, he was frozen and his mind seemed to stop working as well. He watched as her eyes came level to his. They narrowed suddenly that Draco was paralyzed with fear. Cho sent him a disgusting glance and then stood up.

"What. Do. You. Want." She slammed her book shut. Draco looked down at her, trying to think of a good explanation. She seemed impatient as she drummed her fingers on the cover of her book, waiting for his answer. "Well?" She was agitated.

"Help...erm...with..." he faltered for a moment and then quickly glanced down at her book. "Muggle Studies."