Control ? Ron Weasley [2]

V. A TWIN CONNECTION

      Nova was stunned. She thought everyone in the Slytherin house hated her now that her relationship with Weasley was no longer a secret. "Wow. Uh... thanks Daphne."

      Greengrass shrugged and the conversation seemed to be over. The two got to work on their assignment, lamenting over the fact that even though it was the beginning of term, Vector seemed hellbent on still giving them assignments on the first day of class. Once the class ended, Nova found herself actually walking with Greengrass to the Great Hall for lunch.

      Their conversation seemed to end there, however, because Daphne spotted Astoria and knew Nova would go sit with Blaise and Theo. "I'll see you later, Nova," she said in a small voice, giving Nova a tiny smile before she made her way to her sister. Nova flung herself down onto the bench across from her brother and Blaise.

      "You and Greengrass friends now?" Blaise asked, raising a brow.

      Nova shrugged. "We had Arithmancy together."

      "That's good. Daphne needs a good friend. She used to complain about the other girls a lot," Theo mentioned. At Blaise's look, he sighed. "Just because we aren't together anymore doesn't mean I like that I broke her heart. I just want her to be okay."

      "She will be," Nova said, sure at least about that fact.

      It was then that Malfoy sat down next to Nova, piling up food onto his plate without so much as a word. Nova noticed that the sleeve of his school shirt seemed to be pulling with his skin, as if he had stuck it there. Malfoy looked up briefly and caught the direction of her gaze. "I put a sticking charm on it," he said in a low voice. "I don't need it flying up when I do wand work in class."

      Nova pressed her lips together. She bit her tongue, nearly tasting blood in her attempt to not say what Malfoy probably expected her to say. "How are your classes so far?" she managed instead, and the thankful look on Malfoy's face was almost worth it.

      "Fine."

      Nova was about to press for more information when the owls suddenly flooded into the Great Hall, dropping something in front of both Nova and Draco. In front of Malfoy was a letter from his mother and a copy of the Prophet. He ignored the both of them, continuing to eat his meal nonchalantly. Nova sighed and reached around him to grab the paper, glancing over it. After skimming it, she suddenly looked up at Theo and Malfoy.

      "Stanley Shunpike was arrested?"

      "Merlin, I hate Shunpike," Malfoy muttered under his breath. "Annoying arse, is what he is."

      "So he is a Death Eater?" Nova asked, confirming the suspicions of the Prophet. Malfoy shrugged, an answer as nonchalant as his demeanor and Nova wanted to wring his neck. How could he be so indifferent about this? "What's the letter from your Mother say?"

      Malfoy stiffened then, the first sign of emotion she'd seen on him in a while. "Doesn't matter." Nova took that as a sign that it was about his father. "You've gotten a letter as well," he said, gesturing to the letter that had nearly fallen in her tomato soup. "The Weasel twins keeping in contact with you, then?"

      "You've forgotten that they gave me a place to stay over the break," Nova replied through tight lips.

      Scoffing, he returned to his meal. She stuck her fingernail under the seal and opened the letter. It was a comfort now to see the familiar handwriting of the twins.

      She couldn't help but give a soft smile at the letter. She was glad Theo and Malfoy didn't ask her about it, because even though the twins had more than helped in making sure Nova didn't starve over the break, they were still holding on to their ridiculous prejudices. She folded it up delicately and stashed it in her robes for safe keeping, continuing on with her meal. Luckily she had a free period after lunch, so she and the boys were planning on heading down to the lake to try and study.

      The four of them walked to the lake after lunch, sitting near a big tree to keep them shaded. Nova immediately opened up her Arithmancy book, not wanting to fall behind in the class, especially with Daphne as her partner for the rest of the year. Malfoy fiddled with the letter from his mother, opening and closing it back up without ever reading it. Blaise and Theo were studying Potions, occasionally looking up at one another and sending a sneaky smile they thought Nova didn't notice. She liked seeing them side by side, happy and in love. If anyone deserved that happiness, it was the two of them.

      "I've got to go grab something from the dorms," Theo suddenly announced, standing up and smiling at the group before he headed off back in the direction of the castle. Only a minute late, Blaise stood.

      "I've got to go talk to Snape about homework. I'll be back later."

      Nova and Malfoy sent each other incredulous looks as Blaise walked off before they both burst into laughter. "Merlin, they aren't very subtle, are they?" Malfoy announced, turning the page of his book while shaking his head.

      "Not at all. I'm happy, though. I've never seen either one of them smile this much."

      "Yeah, they're alright together," Malfoy agreed. His fingers fiddled with the letter again.

      "What's it say?" Nova questioned softly. "Obviously you don't have to tell me, but... talking it out might help."

      "Just information about my father's trial. And stuff about... you know."

      Nova felt the air around them blacken, like someone had sucked all of the life out of it. "They won't make you do anything during the school year, right?"

      Malfoy shrugged. "If they do, I wouldn't be able to refuse. I've got to keep up my family's legacy. We lost everything when my father got thrown in Azkaban."

      Reaching out, she decided to latch her hand onto his, giving him a small squeeze before she released her grip. "You know you can always talk to me. About anything. I want to help you, Draco. I didn't help Theo and it's something I've always felt guilty about."

      "I wouldn't let you help me," he said suddenly. "I wouldn't do that to you."

      "I can handle myself."

      "You shouldn't have to," he mumbled, his eyebrows furrowing together. "But enough of this heavy shit. Help me with Transfiguration."

      Nova agreed to help, but she still felt the heaviness of their conversation lingering in the air. When Theo and Blaise returned, even their mussed up robes and hair weren't enough to get Nova to crack a smile.

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I have had the Daphne/Nova friendship planned FOREVER and I hope you love my smol babies because I love them. THE CHAPTER IS FINALLY HERE! YAY! It was SO difficult to write, but I hope you guys enjoy.