111 Lockhart Pt.3

"She is right, you know." Theodore said, "You should be thankful that none of the reporters managed to capture an image since they were too shocked to do so, but I am sure they are going to report about it anyways."

"I don't care." Draco said sighing, "I am sure the people there wouldn't say anything outrageous about me, even if they did, as long as the ministry doesn't have enough evidence, they can't do anything about it."

"Well if you say so." Theodore gave up, "I have some work to do of my own, so I will head back."

Draco nodded as Theodore went back inside the fireplace and disappeared.

"Here's your book." Daphne said placing a bunch of book on the table.

"I don't need them."

"Don't act like that." Daphne sat on his side pulling him down as well, "I believe you, but these are under our curriculum this year and whether we like it or not, Lockhart is our teacher… isn't he?"

"He announced it in front of the media, so must be true." Pansy said sitting down as well. "Or is he lying about that as well?"

"He is the teacher." Draco said, "Also… I am sorry for my outburst; I didn't think I would do something like that myself."

"It's okay." Daphne said, "I know that you didn't mean anything wrong."

"I'll forgive you this once, but explain stuff to us before you go and attack at people again, so we can help you." Pansy said, "Even if he is really that way, he is still a grown wizard, what if he had attacked back."

"I can defeat Lockhart with my eyes closed." Draco said confidently, "I defeated trained Aurors on my own, previously as well."

"Sigh! Don't be so reckless…" Pansy said giving up, "I wonder when will you grow up."

"I don't know." Draco said in a whisper.

"I need to leave." Daphne said as she stood up.

"Why?" Draco said looking at her, "We haven't talked with each other in a while and I want to have a proper conversation with you guys since I will be busier till the start of the school."

"I want to as well." Daphne said pulling Draco's hand, "But there are some things going on my family that I can't explain right now."

"I heard mother talk about your sister's health, is that it?"

"You know?" She asked.

"Not the full story, I know what my mother knows of course." Draco said, "Something about controlling your sister's condition."

"Yes, it has worsened these past days." Daphne said looking a bit worried, "I don't know how but her curse is acting up too soon. Father found an old family seal, that will help put a stop to the curse but it will act up again slowly as the curse would begin to eat the seal and take over it. After that happens, she would…"

(This is a plot I added so don't be confused by it.)

Draco pulled Daphne into a hug as she slowly sobbed. Draco didn't know why the curse was acting up so soon neither did he knew how to stop it, so he could do nothing but feel helpless as he couldn't do anything but comfort her. Daphne released herself from the hug as she looked at Draco.

"You should've stayed home." Draco said, "We could've gotten the supplies for you."

"No, I wanted to check on you as well." Daphne said shaking her head, "Also the seal works very well, so there isn't much to worry about that."

"I am searching for the cure." Draco said, "I began studying about the curse but I've got no result till now. I am sorry that I didn't put too much thought into it before as I felt that we had more time but I was wrong… I am sorry."

"Don't blame yourself." Daphne shook her head, "I know how hard can it be since even our family can't find the cure even though we've been hunted by it for generations. So don't push yourself."

"I know but I promised to you, didn't I?" Draco said, "So when are you using the seal?"

"Today, around midnight."

"I can come with you if you want."

"No." Daphne said, "It's a family matter and my father would be mad if he knew I told someone else…"

"It's okay." Draco said, "If you need any help, feel free to tell me and I won't forget our promise. Sooner or later, I will figure out the cure."

Daphne nodded as she awkwardly looked at Pansy, "See you soon." She said.

Pansy nodded. She and Draco looked at Daphne who disappeared into the fire.

"Didn't you knew about it?" Draco asked Pansy who was staring at the fireplace looking at the ashes that floated around.

"No." She shook her head, "Daphne, she can be very secretive. I am even surprised she told you those things, guess she really does…"

"Does what?"

"Nothing."

"So aren't you going to ask me about it." Draco said looking at Pansy who stayed silent.

"I don't want to bother you with it." Pansy said, "And besides it's not your secret to tell, if Daphne wants to tell those things to me, she will tell it on her own accord. I won't force her."

"Well at least, you've seemed to matured a lot." Draco said rubbing her head.

"I figured, one of us has to." Pansy said as she kept staring at Draco.

"What?" Draco asked confused, "Don't tell me, that you have to leave as well."

Pansy shook her head as she came closer and laid on Draco's chest since Draco was taller than before, the difference felt obvious. Draco didn't know what was going on but he instinctively hugged back.

"You've hugged everyone but not me idiot…" She murmured but Draco heard her clearly.

"I thought I did at the beginning."

"But that was with me and Daphne together, you didn't hug me…" Pansy murmured as she slowly fell silent, "Just forget about it—You smell different."

"Smell?"

"Yeah, you smell different back then but now you smell like Vanilla-- and Sandalwood."

Draco figured that it was the potion that did this, "How did I smell before?"

"Like potions." Pansy giggled a little, "You smelled similar to a potion's lab."

"Was it that bad?" Draco asked getting a bit self-conscious since he spent a lot of time in the lab, he wasn't really surprised about it.

"It had a medical feel to it, but I didn't hate it too much." Pansy said, "It was weirdly comforting but a bit repulsive as well, but most people wouldn't notice since the smell came from your clothes."

"Weird… I can understand other people but I am surprised Theodore didn't mention it." Draco said, "As far as I know him, he wouldn't hesitate to do so."

"What do you think he smells like?"

"I don't know; I've never thought about it." Draco said trying to remember.

"He smells exactly like you." Pansy said, "Well it makes sense since both of you keep spending time making potions."

Pansy pulled herself out of the hug as she stared into Draco's eye, "So mind telling me what happened?"

"Well, some potion was indeed involved but not beautification." Draco said knowing what she meant, "I don't know if this is permanent or temporary or something else entirely."

"I'll believe you for now," Pansy said, "I am sure a lot of people back in Hogwarts are going to be shocked."

"Well with all the people that I've met, none of them have the surprising reaction, I was hoping for." Draco said, "It's the same, oh you've changed—scenario."

"That's because we are your friends, of course." Pansy said, "To be honest, I was very surprised with it at first, but I didn't want to show an overreaction as that might freak you out and make you completely uncomfortable."

"True." Draco said sitting back on the couch, "I've to tell you something."