Mistaken Chapter 12: Amusement

That night Draco and I ate silently in the kitchen. I had a large salad with a side of sliced apples. Draco ate a turkey sandwich. Under my close observation he managed to eat it all.

While I walked back to my bedroom I wondered if Draco would steep low enough to become bulimic. There was only so much that I could do to help him. I decided to confront him on it tomorrow.

As I got ready for bed I gave a little chuckle. I was thoroughly amused that life had given me the position of Draco Malfoy's nutritionist.

The next morning brought a sunny Saturday. After my morning ritual I could not help but look out onto the castle's grounds. I decided to take a few minutes to enjoy the cold crisp air that last night's storm had left behind.

While looking upon the grounds I could not help but think about last night. I was still in shock that Malfoy had opened up to me. Of course I had to pester him but it was worth it. Last night I slept a little more soundly than I had in the past few weeks. My friendships were still shaky but at least I had uncovered a little of the mystery surrounding Malfoy.

After five more minutes of staring out of my window I decided it was time to face Malfoy and see what the day would bring.

I was surprised to find Malfoy already sitting in the kitchen.

"Malfoy."

"Granger."

"I see that you are up."

"Yes, I am. I was surprised you didn't beat me."

"I haven't been sleeping well lately."

"That makes two of us."

I hesitantly walked toward the table and sat in the chair across from him.

"Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"No, Granger."

"Well, then maybe we can go down to breakfast together."

One of Malfoy's eyebrows rose. "Are you sure you want to be seen walking to the Great Hall with me."

"Why would there be a problem? We both have to go in the same direction anyways."

"Won't people be suspicious if we enter the Great Hall at the same time?"

"Are you suggesting that we time our entrance?"

"We don't have to time anything. You know, you really do not have to worry about me eating."

"Really? Did I not tell you that I wasn't going to help you to the infirmary if you fainted again? If I find you on the floor passed out I do not think I have the heart to leave you there. So, if I want to keep my promise I must keep you fed."

"You're not trying to replace my mother are you?"

"What?" Replace your mother? I couldn't do that. Besides in the end it is all up to you. If you do not want my help just say so."

Malfoy lowered his head a little and I caught a few mumbles.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure you said nothing because I heard something."

"It wasn't anything important."

"Really? If you want me to back off I will."

Malfoy's facial expression changed as if he had suddenly smelled something foul.

"I…I need your help Granger."

At the same time that my eyes opened in shock Malfoy looked as if he had just swallowed something vile.

"I never thought that I would hear you state you needed my help in a million years."

"Well, I never thought I would have to share a common area with you in a million years so we're even."

A momentary silence fell over the kitchen area. After a few minutes I decided to break it.

"You would not use bulimia if I forced you to eat would you?"

Malfoy looked at me incredulously.

"Now, why would I do that?"

"You, know. In case you decide to continue on your suicide mission."

"Granger, I may have wanted to kill myself but I don't want to go down as the guy who puked himself to death."

"I just needed to know."

"Well, now you do."

"Do you want to head down to breakfast?"

"Not really. If you haven't noticed I haven't been much for socializing lately."

"Well, then we can just grab breakfast here. What is the purpose of a kitchen if we do not use it?"

Malfoy leaned back in his chair and placed his arms lazily behind his head.

"You can make me some toast, bacon and eggs."

"What?"

"Aren't you making breakfast?"

"Draco Malfoy, since when did your legs not work? Get up and make your breakfast yourself."

It seemed to be Malfoy's turn to go into shock. The front feet of his chair fell nosily back to the floor and his hands held onto the table as if hanging for dear life.

"What do you mean by saying that I make my own breakfast?"

"You can get up and cook it yourself."

"Isn't that what the house elves are for?"

I glared at Malfoy angrily.

"We have a fully stocked kitchen and the necessary utensils. Do we really need to bother the house elves?"

"It's their job."

"You mean that the wizarding world has brainwashed them to believe that it is their job."

"They enjoy it."

"They believe they enjoy it."

"Well, then let's play along with it."

"Malfoy, just get off of your lazy bum and fix the stuff yourself."

"Well, how am I supposed to do that", Malfoy yelled while storming towards the stove. "I don't know how to work the stuff."

"Malfoy, are you a wizard or not?"

Malfoy stood with his mouth hanging open momentarily.

"Of course I'm a wizard. I'm a pure-blood wizard."

"Then act like one."

Draco threw his nose in the air and majestically waved his wand at the stove.

"Ignito!"

While rolling my eyes and letting out an exasperated sigh I tamed the flames that burst from the stove top.

"What were you thinking?"

"What do you mean? Obviously the stove wasn't made to handle the power of a pure-blood."

I rolled my eyes again but decided not to argue. Instead I rummaged through the fridge to grab bread, eggs and bacon which I then dumped into Malfoy's arms.

Malfoy placed the food on top of the counter and luckily started opening them by hand. Since he was cooperating I decided to get the cookware out. After I placed the two frying pans on the cook top Malfoy dumped all the eggs and bacon onto them.

"Planning on feeding an army", I asked.

"Is it too much?"

"It is unless you are at the Weasley's house."

Malfoy spelled a spoon to stir the eggs and then leaned against the counter top.

"So, have you been to the Weasel's house?"

"Sure."

"Is it really all shabby and run down like my father says?"

"Actually I find it charming and cozy."

"Isn't that the phrase they use to describe poor homes?"

"Malfoy, I'm seriously reconsidering letting you stay passed out on the floor."

"Why? I'm just asking questions."

"Yes, but somehow you can ask a question and insult someone at the same time."

Malfoy raised his hands.

"Sorry, Granger. I didn't see any harm in it. Besides, why do you care?"

"What do you mean?"

"I haven't really been seeing the Golden Trio together lately."

I suddenly became aware that the bacon needed to be turned before it burnt and took it upon myself to do it.

"Granger, is there something going on between the three of you?"

"Oh, it is of nothing important. Just some little spat."

"Really? I haven't seen the three of you together for a while?"

I noticed that the eggs were finished and fished into to the cupboard to grab a plate. Afterward I took my time scrapping the eggs onto it.

"Granger, are you ignoring me?"

I placed the plate on the table and then grabbed another plate to put the bacon on. After I grabbed the bacon I placed it on the table next to the eggs.

"I think you are ignoring me."

"Oh no, we forgot the toast."

"Granger we don't need toast."

"Yes, we do. You said you wanted toast. I even took the bread out."

"Granger."

Malfoy's stern tone brought me out of my thoughts.

"I really don't like being ignored."

"And I really don't like you using that tone with me."

"Well, I wouldn't have to if you weren't going on about stupid toast."

"The toast is stupid now? Weren't you the one commanding me to make you some not just a few minutes ago?"

"No wait. How did this turn on me? I was just asking you a question about Weasley and Potter."

"I really don't think it is any of your business."

Malfoy's arms crossed his chest.

"Is that really so?"

"Yes it is."

"I guess that serves me right. It seems to me that if I could bare a part of my soul to you last night then you could answer a simple question."

I lowered my head.

"I just don't feel like getting into it right now."

"Is it the reason you haven't been sleeping well?"

I lifted my head and looked at Malfoy.

"Yeah."

"You do know that talking about it would help."

"I know."

"But you don't want to talk about it right now?"

"No."

After Malfoy stared at me for a few seconds, as if analyzing something, he stated, "Well, then let's eat."

I slowly walked to my chair. After I was seated Malfoy took his seat.

"The bacon and eggs actually looks good Granger."

I looked at Malfoy to see if he was being sarcastic. When I saw his sincere expression I was taken aback a little.

"Um, thanks. Well, you know you had a hand in it."

"I know. That's why it looks so good."

I gave a little chuckle before starting my eggs. Half-way through eating I realized that I had not laughed at all during the past few weeks except last night before bed and this morning. Strangely Malfoy had been the source behind both of them.