The Same Mistake

Draco ducked into his dormitory, seized his Nimbus 2001 from beside his bed, and raced once more out of the room. Draco didn’t stop moving until his feet hit the frosted ground outside the Hogwarts castle. The air was bitterly cold, it bit at his cheeks and stung his fingertips. Straddling the broom, Draco kicked off from the ground.

The wind whipped around Draco cutting through his robes. Once up in the air, his thoughts narrowed down to exactly one avenue. Ellie was trying to get under his skin. It was working rather remarkably well. She had ignored him since Saturday, not speaking to him, not looking at him, not listening to him. He was positively sick of it. Who was this blood traitor to twist up his emotions?

On top of that, now she was dating Finnigan, a worthless Irish git of no talent or power. Then she had Potter running to her rescue, protecting her against him, as if Draco would ever intentionally harm her. Finally she practically spat at him, the way she reacted when he had mentioned Ginny Weasley.

Now Pansy wasn’t speaking to him either. She had caught on to his odd behavior concerning Ellie and it didn’t sit well with her at all. Pansy had taken to splitting her time between Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy couldn’t care less.

Draco landed, planting both of his feet firmly on the hard ground. Shouldering the broom, Draco stormed to the building, his irritation pushing him forward. He had enough to worry about without wasting precious time with the French Frog. The exceedingly attractive French girl. The feisty sexy girl.

His thoughts were so absorbed that it wasn't until his shoulder slammed against someone else's that he realized he was down in the dungeons. "Watch where you're going!" Draco growled.

"That's no way to speak to a professor at this school, unless perhaps it is Remus Lupin," an oily voice commented.

Draco glanced up, startled. "Professor Snape!"

"Ah, recognition," Snape replied. "Fortunately, I was hoping to speak with you tonight."

"What have we to discuss, Professor?"

Snape beckoned for Draco to follow him, eventually leading Draco into an empty dungeon classroom. Snape eased the door shut quietly behind him. Pulling out his wand, he pointed it into the heart of the empty room. "Homenum revelio!"

The air in the classroom crackled with energy, but no response returned to the two Death Eaters. Draco looked cautiously around the room; whatever Snape planned to say him clearly pertained to the Dark Lord.

"I know of your other mission."

Draco's body went ice cold. "I don't know what you are talking about," he replied too quickly.

"Your mother wants me to help you. Will you let me help you?" Snape looked down his hooked nose at Draco.

"I do not require your help. This task is mine. I have it handled." Acid dripped from each word.

Snape's gaze sliced through Draco. "I have reason to believe differently."

"Than you have heard wrong!" Draco answered viciously and with one scathing look at his professor, Draco departed the room.

The trip to Hogsmeade was in two days. Rosemerta now had the necklace. Two days and it would be in Katie Bell’s possession. Two days and the necklace would be delivered to Dumbledore.