Chereads / Harry Potter: Metamorphosis / Chapter 6 - Safe haven

Chapter 6 - Safe haven

Entering the Three Broomsticks, Draco couldn't help but notice the absence of people.

There were no roars of mirth or heated conversations going around.

The change was big enough to make him pause.

Oh, that's right. It's too early in the morning for any of that, the boy realised with some regained clarity.

Madam Rosmerta appeared from a backroom in the next moment.

Probably her own quarters, Draco thought.

"Greetings Mr Malfoy. Excuse my brashness but may I inquire the reason for your abrupt visit? It's quite early for a drink," the attractive woman stated.

Draco observed the woman, slowly crafting an answer.

She was still in her nightgown and her long wavy blonde hair was a mess.

She came as soon as she woke up, he noted.

Her pretty face paired with her green eyes drew a striking figure in the low-lit room, which if anything, accented her soft curves, making her even more desirable.

Bloody hormones, he accused.

With the tiniest shake of his head, Draco let out a tired sigh and opened his mouth.

"Hello, Madam. I'm deeply sorry for my sudden visit, the circumstances of my arrival didn't allow me any time to prepare or warn you in advance," Draco began, his voice carrying a tone of sincerity but not weariness.

At least he didn't think so.

"Alright. So then, do you require a room for the night?" Rosmerta said, understanding and not pushing for answers.

"Yes, that would be most appreciated. Although, I need a room until the semester starts, not just for tonight," he finished with a sigh, looking at the empty room, still feeling weirded out by the absence of people.

Madam Rosmerta raised an eyebrow, her green eyes narrowing slightly as she processed his request.

"The rest of the break?" she repeated, thinking.

"That's quite the stay, especially for someone like you, Mr. Malfoy. Do your parent know that you are here," she asked and immediately regretted it as she saw the white-haired youth's face darkening and his body stiffening.

Draco shook his head, unconsciously running a hand through his pale blonde hair.

"No," he admitted.

"I find myself in need of… privacy, and I would appreciate the discretion of my staying," Draco said, trying his hardest to not show any weakness in front of the woman.

His father drilled into him that showing weakness was asking for an opening, and while Merlin knew on how many things he disagreed with his father, he did give some good pieces of advice.

Rosmerta considered him for a moment, her gaze lingering on him.

Unlike what many believed, she wasn't dumb, she could connect the dots.

Just before the last school semester ended, a tragedy had occurred.

Poor Cedric died. And for what? Eternal glory? Oh how I wish to find out just who thought that bringing back that accursed tournament was such a good idea, she thought, reminiscing all the times the boisterous Hufflepuff visited her inn with his mates, often just to drink butterbeer.

The next semester will start and the students will come again, but that boy. He won't come again…

The third task of the tournament came and passed.

Rosmerta was in the stands at the time, waiting for the winner to portkey back, as they were informed he would.

She was there, along with numerous other parents and students when Harry Potter came back, holding the empty husk of his schoolmate.

She jumped and cheered, glad that the whole thing was finally over, excited that the young boy had somehow managed to best his seniors…

Then Dumbledore shouted something and Amos Diggory broke down, crying.

Everyone stilled, or was it everything?

And then, time restarted.

Dumbledore and Harry Potter insisted that the Dark Lord had returned.

A young, poor and innocent boy had died.

The foreign students went back to their countries and the whole thing was covered up by the daily prophet, most of it forgotten.

Not forgotten, no. People remember very well what happened, they just choose to ignore it, Rosmerta thought bitterly.

Draco cleared his throat, prompting Rosmerta to remember that she wasn't alone.

Merlin, she cursed in her thoughts, a soft blush creeping in her cheeks.

"Very well," she finally said, her voice softening.

"I have a room that should suit your needs. It's not much, but it's quiet and private, just as you requested."

Draco exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

For a moment he started entertaining the idea that the innkeeper would reject and kick him out.

"Thank you, Madam Rosmerta," he muttered, knowing that she probably figured out the 'circumstances of his arrival'.

Rosmerta shook her head slightly, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Let's get you settled in, we'll discuss payment tomorrow morning, Mr Malfoy," she said and gestured for him to follow.

She led him up the creaky wooden staircase to the second floor, the dim light casting long shadows on the walls.

The inn is quiet, unnaturally so, Draco observed yet again.

The early morning silence was only broken by the soft sound of their footsteps.

Rosmerta stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway.

"This should do," she said, opening the door to reveal a modest room with a large bed, a small writing desk, and a window that overlooked the village of Hogsmeade. There was also a door that presumably led to a bathroom.

Draco knew from walking around the village that the back side of the glass was spelt dark so that no passerby could gaze inside the room.

"It will do," Draco said quietly, stepping inside the room that was in all ways inferior to his.

However, he felt a strange sense of relief wash over him as he looked around the simple yet cosy space.

Weird.

"I'll leave you to it, then," Rosmerta said, turning to leave but stopping in the doorway.

"If you need anything, just let me know. I will bring food to your room at all meal times so you don't have to wander around if you don't want to," she added and Draco would have smiled if he was any other boy.

"Wait. I appreciate your understanding. It means more than you know," is what he wanted to say, but chose to simply offer the woman a nod.

With that, she left him alone, closing the door softly behind her.

Draco stood in the centre of the room for a moment, taking it all in.

He had escaped, made sure that Tilly couldn't reveal his location and the only one who knew of his whereabouts was a woman who couldn't be any less of a death eater than Harry bloody Potter…

He walked over to the window, looking out at the peaceful rooftops of Hogsmeade.

The village had yet to start waking up; the quiet stillness made him feel comfortable.

He was safe, for now.