mamma mia

You step out of the corridors of your university with the clear umbrella you bought a few days back. It had a pretty little polka dot design at the top so that you wouldn't pick someone else's umbrella. You thought it was a very clever.

The rain hasn't really stopped since the fifth period, making small puddles. It was annoying. You honestly didn't know why you even agreed to see your friend after uni. But again, it seemed like the only way to take off the stress of exams off of your shoulders. You hear your stomach grumble. So you naturally decide to stop by the little convenience store at the end of the street on the way which sounded like a good spot to have a snack.

It takes you fifteen minutes to get there. The rain had cooled down the summer heat. Something you were very grateful for. Looking around, you spot the entrance to the store. As you inch closer, your curious eyes land on something furry. At first you almost mistake the black creature for a statue because of how still it was. When the whole store comes into view, a huge grin pulls your lips up. You see a black dog, its tongue sticking out as it looked straight forward admiring the rain. His soft pants were barely audible in the rain.

You squeal at the sight, running to the shade. Closing the umbrella you put it down in the stand near the door and turn your attention back to the dog.

"Awwhhh, look at you!", the words come out in a screech as you lean down to let it sniff your hand first before you pet it. The dog brings its black nose close to your hands and then leans into your touch. You have never been so proud in your life. You giggle as you think how scared you were of dogs growing up and also because it was ironic. You loved your dog back at home.

"What a good doggie, why would anyone leave you out here in the cold?" you coo, looking around to see if there were any traces of it's owner because the dog did indeed have a collar. However, you don't find anyone. But there was a wet umbrella in the stand.

"People these days are so cruel. Let me see if I have something for you to eat."

You look through your bag, hoping to find some treats you carry around in case something like this happens. Pulling out the packet, you scoot down to match the dog's height.

"You're so well trained." You say with a smile on your face, placing some treats on your palm.

"Here you go, have some."

The dog doesn't move for a moment but then when it looks down at the treats, it brings its muzzle down. You feel it licking your hands as it indulges itself in the treats. It's fur wasn't wet either, so maybe the owner was in the store.

You peek inside through the clear window. There wasn't anyone else except a dark haired man who gives you a weird glance, and the cashier. You feel a soft flush rise up your neck. The man's eyebrow was arched up as he hurried up the payment for the sandwich in his hands. It doesn't take him long to come out. And as soon as he does, the dog quickly runs to him.

You clear your throat before standing up straight again. You did not even get the chance to apologise.

"What were you doing?" he asks. The tone of his voice which makes your already flushed face even red.

"Nothing! I was just giving the dog some treats."

He sighs. Sighs.

"Why would you do that? He's clearly not starving." He speaks, looking down at the well kept dog. You felt so stupid.

"I just happened to have some and I couldn't help but give some to him. He's so cute."

You expect him to correct you about the gender of the dog, but he doesn't. Thank goodness.

He stares at you for a few seconds before speaking up,

"He's not fond of people."

You were not expecting that.

"I have a dog too. Maybe he caught onto the scent."

He gives you an acknowledged nod, "Probably."

The silence between the two of you stretched as he put on the dog's leash. It wasn't something fancy nor was it some bright colour. Just a dull gray leash, something very opposite from the leash which you use, a bright pink one.

"What's his name?", you ask in hopes of breaking the ice.

"Kuuro."

Looking down at the dog, the name actually suited him. You smile.

"He's well trained too. He didn't snatch the treats from my hand."

"I wouldn't expect him to. He is a garud dog."

Your eyes widen a little. "Woah. That's so cool. I wish my dog could meet Kuuro. Maybe he'll teach mine something."

The words come out in awe. Kuuro was now sitting beside the boy's legs. You look up at the owner again and to be honest, he was pretty. And long eyelashes you refused to admit you were jealous of.

"What's your name?"

He pauses for a moment. Not expecting that question.

"Megumi. Megumi Fushiguro."

You nod, pulling your phone out. "Hey Megumi. Can I get your number?"

You too think that it was a bit too direct but you can't undo it now.

His eyes widen.

"Why?"

You look at him as if he was stupid. "I just told you. I want my dog to meet Kuuro."

He thinks for a minute.

"I don't call people."

Your fingers pause on the phone's screen. He clearly did not like the idea of that so you don't push him further.

"Oh. Okay."

A long pause between the two of you again.

"You go to a university near by?"

You ask, eyeing his dark blue uniform.

"Something like that." He mutters as he puts the sandwich back in the grocery bag he got from the store.

You notice it quicker than you should. The sandwich which he just stuffed into a bag was a double decker omelette with a side of ginger.

"Do you want them?"

You pull out the treats in hopes of distracting yourself from the blasphemy you had just witnessed.

He looks confused until he notices the treats.

"Oh. No thanks."

"You sure? I think Kuuro liked them."

He nods.

"Positive. Wouldn't want him to get all lazy."

A chuckle escapes your lips.

"True. But really, you should get them sometime. They're cheap too."

He looks amused.

"Well, that's new."

"I know. Better get your hands on it as soon as you can." A smirk tugs your lips as you speak.

That's when you hear your phone ring. It was your friend. Shit. You guys were supposed to meet at four. It's already half past four. Obviously, you don't pick up.

"Shit. I'm late." you mutter.

But, before you enter the store to get something for yourself, you turn around to wave back at Kuuro.

"Ta-ta! Have a good day Kuuro! And you too!"

A smile plastered your face as you hopped over the steps to the store.

He gives you a curt nod and watches you disappear.

Megumi pulls out a little raincoat for Kuuro and kneels down to wrap him up in it.

"I wonder what she gave you. You never eat treats." he mutters as he tightens the belts.

Kuuro licks his hands in response.

Megumi let out a huff before he stands up straight again, picking up a clear umbrella from the stand.

When he reaches the spot where he was supposed to meet his friends, Yuji and Nobara, he closes the umbrella and takes shelter under a shade and pulls Kuro with him. They immediately notice the polka dots on top of the umbrella.

Yuji bursts out laughing.

"Since when did you like patterns?"

Megumi looks at him, clearly annoyed.

"What do you mean?"

Yuji points at the fabric on top of the umbrella

"It has polka dots!"

Megumi groans, taking a better look at the little dots on the fabric in between the plastic and the metal top.

"This isn't mine."

"You're just too shy to admit that you like polka dots."

He groans.

"I don't like polka dots. I just...I think I switched up umbrellas with the girl I met at the store."

That stops Yuji. Nobara's ears perk up at the mention of a girl.

"You were getting hit on?"she asks with a raised brow.

Before Megumi could retaliate, Yuji gasps.

"Huh?! I thought you loved me! The betrayal!"

Megumi clicks his tongue, looking down at Kuro who now rested near Nobara. He shouldn't have said that. Now they were going to tease him for the entirety of their lives.

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You pay for a bag of chips and a bottle of soda and step out of the store. Your friend was going to be mad at you. A curse leaves your lips as you move to the umbrella stand, searching for yours. It wasn't there. That's weird. You remember keeping it there...

There, however, was a clear one. Identical to yours but it did not have the same design at the top as yours. That guy you met earlier took yours.

You sign, picking it up anyways. This was annoying. You didn't have any means of contacting him.

As you walk through the rain, you can't help but wonder why in the world would anyone not have social media. But who were you to judge? You hurry up to the park. The rain had calmed down a bit.

"Took you long enough", your friend says sarcastically.

"Sorry. I saw a dog at the convenience store. Got distracted."

"Hmmm, met the owner too?"

You nod.

"Yeah....and I think he took my umbrella with him."

Your friend chcukles.

"Classic. When's the wedding?"

You roll your eyes with a groan as your friend nudges your side.

But you should have gotten his number though.

The training had gotten over an hour before. It drained you to be honest. Running the field ten times, a combat with the Kyoto High students and even hanging out with your friends for a while after. And you were already worried about tomorrow as you headed back to your dorm, but you get over the tired ess quickly as soon as you stood under the warm water ran down your body.

But you couldn't help but wonder why Megumi, one of your best friends, had not come to training today. He never missed training. You put some thought into it and the best solution you came to was that he must have been too worn out to train again. Which in your opinion, sounds completely valid. The rest of the shower was just you humming your favorite songs as you washed the shampoo out of your hair.

You step out with your hair wrapped in a soft towel, body moisturized. The first thing your eyes land on is your warm, fluffy bed. Gosh, it looked so heavenly. You almost felt grateful, the sight of it made you all excited about snuggling into its warm sheets. You change into a comfortable pair of pajamas. A notification buzzes your phone. You ignore it for a while before giving in anyways. With your phone only your hand you slide into the bed, opening up the messages.

It was Megumi. You feel your lips curl up into a soft smile as you see his name. You open up the chat.

Are you asleep?

I was about to go to bed.

Oh.

You needed something?

No.

You sure?

He reacts to the message with a thumbs up. You wince. He's like an old grandpa and it didn't even make any sense. Pulling up the sheets higher, you keep the phone aside. You try to sleep but the text has disturbed your sleep successfully. He did say it was nothing...but he won't text you if it was nothing either. A heavy sigh escapes you.

Reluctantly getting out of the bed, you put on a jacket to head to his dorm. You first peek out from the door, making sure no one else is watching because you were not in the mood for stupid lectures from one of the teachers. When the route is clear, you walk out, hands stuffed into the pockets.

His dorm wasn't that far away. Just a dozen past yours, so you reach there in a few strides. You stop in front of his door. Knocking on it twice. He opens the door after a minute.

"Hey", you say with a small wave, a smile plastered on your face.

"What are you doing here?", you don't answer, just slide into the room.

"You texted me first and missed training." you say as you look around his very boring room. He barely had anything on the walls except for study timetables and some stationary materials scattered on the study table along with some pills, which you choose to ignore.

"Were you studying?" you ask, avoiding the obvious to start a conversation.

He shakes his head. "I was just cleaning up with a terrible headache. Couldn't even walk."

You look at him almost concerned, "Better now?"

He shakes his head, "Don't think so."

You tilt your head to the side, "How so? How bad does it hurt?", he completely ignores you.

"Why are you here anyways?", he asks frustrated.

"I was just worried. You never text me first."

He pauses. "I just wanted to know if you were sleeping."

You scoff. "You are very bad at lying."

He rolls his eyes. "Why else do you think i would be reminded of you?"

"Hmmm, i don't know. Maybe you had a nightmare and almost wet the bed?"

A comical vein pops up on his head. "I did not wet my bed."

You giggle, "So you did have a nightmare."

He groans, walking over to sit on the other side of the bed, still annoyed.

"Yes. I did have a bad dream. Happy now?"

"Delighted actually. What was it about?"

You hear him sigh, shifting into the covers. "It was just...bad. i don't want to talk about it." , he mutters the last part under this breath.

"If you don't talk about them, the monsters will haunt you. Forever." you hiss out.

He stares at you, his expression blank. "I am not a kid."

You click your tongue. "Whatever. Just tell me already what it was about."

He takes in a deep breath , pulling the sheets higher. "I think I was on a mission. This curse was just too strong. I did everything I could, but it eventually won. But the dream didn't end there. Gojo, Yuji, Nobara and even you were there. All of you finished the curse but stared at my lifeless soul, tears beginning to fall only after the dusk. It was just so...absurd. As if the thought of me dying wasn't bad enough, now I have a bad headache. Tch. Can't even sleep anymore."

You listen to him speak, trying to hold back your laughter so bad. You tried. You really did. But you failed. Miserably. "HAHAHAHA!!!!"

He glares at you, "What's so funny about it?"

You shake your head before composing yourself again.

You give him a pitiful face, "Awhhhh, Megumi, it's okay. I promise the curse won't hurt you anymore."

He gives a disappointed look at your fake empathy before gruffly saying, "Yeah. I am aware.", you watch him pull up the sheets in a defensive way.

You turn to him, sitting at the foot of the bed, "Hey! Don't be mad! I'm sorry, Megs. How can I help?" , you puff up your chest, clearing your throat before speaking in an effervescent tone . "I'm at your service!"

A sigh leaves him. "Just stay here for a while?"

You nod, getting more comfortable on the other side of the bed, "Don't blame me if I fall asleep here–yawn– I'm tired too."

He turns his head towards you, his lips tugged up into the faintest smile, "Fine. I won't."

You hum, satisfied. "And try not to wet the bed."

The smile flatters immediately. "I hate this already."

A series of giggles follows after. "I'm sorry, but really, I wouldn't want to sleep with a scaredy cat."

He flicks your arm, "Don't you dare. This is the first and the last time you'll see me like this."

You push his hand away, still chuckling, "Ow! That hurt!"

You watch him roll his eyes. "It really does hurt." the room goes silent for a while before you speak up again, this time much gentler. "Hey...if you ever have a bad dream again, just text me. I'll stop by."

"And will make fun of me? No thanks."

You shift closer, sliding under his sheets, "Absolutely not....or at least I'll try."

He pushes you away gently, "God i hate you."

Draco Malfoy had changed.

Ever since you got to know that he became a Death Eater, he has been pushing everyone away. And as his friend you felt bad. You did not want your friendship to end just because one bad event. You did everything you could, talking to him, giving him small hugs, writing him soothing letters, but nothing worked. He just pushed you away even more. You weren't fragile. You could handle it. Both of you knew that.

The Slytherin Common Room wasn't warm at night. It was cold. Really cold. The students had gone to bed. But for Draco and you, tonight might be it. Tonight might end everything. He was going to kill Dumbledore. You didn't want him to. And this is what led you here, fighting again.

"Stop doing that Draco!" You almost screech as he avoids looking at you again. "I am not glass! I understand that this can be hard for you, but it's not going to be any easier if you keep your thoughts to yourself!" The words come out scared. Like you were afraid that he'd harm himself again. Like he'd be taken away from you in an instant.

"Understand me? You really think..all of this that has been happening to me is bearable? You think you can comprehend the pain it brings to me? To know that if I do anything wrong, they can torture me? Or even worse, end my life?" He scoffs after that. You feel your fists clench at your sides. The Death Eaters weren't fun to be around. They weren't some random criminals who killed a few. They killed the innocent. They'd kill him. So you try to be considerate.

"You're right. I might not know what you're going through but all I know is that you are shutting yourself out. I don't want to lose you Draco." You take a step closer, eyes filled with determination and yet somewhere in the deep, with doubt. You have been friends with him forever. You would never want him to be killed. But at this moment all of that seemed helpless. You knew he won't listen to you, he never did. And that's what you were afraid of the most. Your eyes were getting blurry again, your throat burned as you fought back the tears. Somehow, you still manage to say something else, "Please don't shut me out."

You hear him laugh. A bitter one. "You say that like you care. You say that as if you'd kill Dumbledore for me. You say that as if you would become a deatheater for me. But guess what? You won't do any of those. You're too scared. Too pathetic" his words were quick, like a stab in your heart. Nails dug into your palm as you tried not to cry. As you tried to not prove his point. You were on the verge of tearing up when you take in a deep breath.

"I do care about you Draco. I always have. And I do so because you were the first person i ever talked to at Hogwarts. I do so because you made me feel important. Because you made me so many things, everything except grief. And now...i.. I'm just trying to return you the favour." You speak fast. No wanting to embarrass yourself further.

He scoffs. "Right. Now you want to be the kind and understanding one." , he looks around the room and up the stairs first, making sure no one else was eavesdropping. Then he rolls up his crumpled white sleeve, revealing the mark that brought him to this situation in the first place. "You see this?" He points to the black ink on his forearm. "They trust me. He trusts me. I have to do this, whether you like it or not. It's the only thing that'll keep me safe.", he says it like he was trying to convince himself that this is reality. Like this is what he was made for. But the unshed tears in his eyes told you another story.

"Will they kill you if you don't end Dumbledore?" You ask him hesitantly, though you already knew the answer. It was rather obvious. You know that they'd kill him. And you also know that he was too stubborn to say no and do anything that might cause him good. But deep down, you did not want him to end up dying. You wanted him to do this, even though it wasn't the right choice. You know it was hard for him. And yet, you wanted him there with you the next morning as well. You wanted him beside you until the end of the eighth year. You couldn't understand what you'd call this feeling. Why are you even doing any of this? You were his friend, sure. But even Pansey was his friend. Even Blaise. But he never told the others about the mark. Why did he choose to tell you? And why are you trying to change fate even when you know you can't? It has to be out of fondness...out of respect...out of lo–

"They will." He says quietly. You step closer, now only a few feet away from him.

"Draco....are you sure? I mean.. your father must have done something to keep you safe through all of this, because even though it is Dumbledore, you never know what he might do to you." Albus Dumbledore would never do anything bad to a student but you say it anyways because honestly, that old man has got tricks up his sleeves.

"I am sure about this. Plus, my father is too scared of Him to do anything that goes against his commands." He looks down at the wooden floor as he speaks. "I am capable enough, I know that. But I don't understand why I can't get myself to do it. It's almost.....pathetic."

You sigh, wiping your tears away. You inch closer now placing your hand on his shoulder. "Hey.... you're just confused. You aren't pathetic..or a loser. I would be scared too." You pause before beginning again, "Draco.." your hands move on their own, cupping his face. "I don't want to see you die." Your eyes search his face. His own were blown wide, tears threatening to roll down his face. "Please...i can help you out..I am willing to do anything for you if it means that you'll be safe." You mutter, hands holding him tighter as if he'll disappear any second.

And that does it for him. Water runs down his face, sobs fill up the room. You hold him close, letting his face bury into his neck as his tears soak up your sweater. He was so cold, almost freezing. "I...I don't know what I'm supposed to do...i don't want to die....i...i never chose any of this...i never wanted to be a Death Eater...i never wanted to drag you into all of this.." You sooth his back, letting your arm move up and down his not-so-well-ironed shirt.

"Shhhh...I know...I know.." you mumble, in hopes of comforting him. He just nuzzles deeper, you sweater now was completely soaked where his face was.

"I can't...i can't do this..." He muffles, his sobs still evident.

"Draco...i..if you'd like..I can tell Professor Snape." He stiffens at that. Bringing his head up he says,

"No no no no, you cannot tell anyone about this, he'll expel me–"

You grab his face, "He won't. Draco, you need someone else who can protect you during all of this." You bring it closer, your foreheads colliding gently, "Let me help you."

He looks at you like he's dying and you aren't doing anything to help him live.

"But what if he denies? What if he tells the other Professors?"

"He won't. He's involved with Him too, isn't he?"

He pauses for a moment, considering your plan.

"Then what? Will he be the one who'll kill Dumbledore?"

You give him a nod and wipe his tears away before your hands leave his face and put distance between the both of you.

"Yes. And even if he doesn't, he'd be there to protect you. That'll be enough."

He takes in a deep breath.

"No one will see us right?"

You raise an eyebrow,

"See who?"

"Us." He murmurs before closing the distance back again but this time pulling you into a warm embrace instead. "Thank you... really."

You chuckle as he pulls you into a hug. Though it wasn't something you were expecting him to do. "Your welcome" you whisper against the soft fabric of his shirt. Both of you stay like that for a moment longer than necessary before pulling apart. "We should get to work before dawn."

He nods, clearing his throat. "Right..we should."

And you weren't so sure that your stupid plan would work, but you turn around to the door anyways. His gaze burned through your back. "We're getting late. Be quick." You hear him put on his usual black blazer and grab his wand before walking towards you.

And at that moment, you had your answer to the 'why'. You did all of this because you loved him.

As a friend.....right?

★Pretty Princess★

It rained a lot this evening. The cold from the outside made you and Megumi skip training.

And honestly you wouldn't complain. It's not easy for you guys to have times like these. Especially with the more frequent training sessions Gojo has added to the schedule.

Eugh, you hated him. Every single thing he did was annoying. The way he made all you laugh for thirty minutes straight and then made you train for an extra hour. I mean, sure he was fun to be with sometimes and sure he was the one who genuinely lit up the gloomy atmosphere of the highschool, but sometimes, other people have got priorities. Like snuggling on the couch, watching your favorite movie or even just cuddling your boyfriend–

"What's wrong?" His voice snaps you out of your haze. Megumi's arms were wrapped around you in a comfortable warmth. The movie played in the background as he stared down at you. After all, you are never quiet through movies.

"Nothing" you murmur, burying your head into his hoodie. "It's just cold", the sound comes out rather muffled. You hear him hum, the blanket which was thrown over the both of you shifts so that it would cover you more. You couldn't help but smile. He's just so sweet. Unlike his white haired father .

"Better?" He asks, his voice still gruff from all the soda he drank.

"Mhmm", you mumble as you nuzzle your head into his side. "Much better." This felt good. Too good to be true even. No interruptions, no friends, no training, just you and Megumi lying on your couch with a stupid rom-com movie playing in the background with it's volume almost turned down to a ten. His thumb moved in familiar circles on your back. The gesture was soothing. Your eyes started to get heavy. And soon the movie faded away as you snored your way into sleep.

He smiles at the sight, his own eyes heavy from the coziness of the room and the atmosphere outside. He kisses the top of your head before running a hand down your back whispering, "Pretty princess...." All of it felt so soft, something he has never before in life. It was soft, comforting, adorable and heartfelt at the same time. God, he would do anything for you if it means that you'll stay forever. He was so lost in admiring your sleepy form when suddenly a notification pops up on his phone. He hesitates at first but reaches for it anyways, his movements careful enough to not wake you up. Hoping that it wasn't Gojo again. And indeed it was him.

What are you guys doing? Can I come over? I'm bored.

No. We're sleeping, go to Yuji.

Awwwhhh so cuteeee, I'm so proud of my son, raised you real good.

Okay.

He rolls his eyes before sending the 'okay'. He keeps the phone down before Gojo would text him again, And with that, the phone now tears on the table, silent mode turned on. His head rested against the soft pillows, the tv was still on but nobody seemed to care. Right now, all he needed was some good sleep and you.