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Everything was different now.
You could feel it through the discrete touches between classes. The hidden smiles as you passed the other. The forbidden letters disguised as missives from home. The small gifts that would appear late at night.
Now you were tired of hiding behind your walls..
Because this was something more than a fling or fuck buddies.
This was something else. Something you could recognize in your friends.
In those stolen moments between Harry and Ginny. The gentle caresses of affection when they didn't care if people where looking. Or those not-so-subtle glances between Hermione and Theo. The ones full of heat and promise.
You were jealous of all those public touches of hands, arms, bodies, and lips – in the Great Hall, the common room, the classrooms, the hallways.
You hated that your friends kept trying to set you up on dates, so you wouldn't be the third, fourth or fifth wheel.
Because you weren't any of those things.
You were the other piece to his puzzle. The better half, you would say. The worse half, he would say.
And it was in that deep recess of frustration, jealousy and sadness, did your ultimatum spring forth.
You watched his face fall as you told him that cold winter's night in your alcove. You listened to his strained voice as he tried to explain why it had to be this way. You resisted the touch of his hands as he pleaded with you.
With a whisper, you fought back the tears as you said, "I love you. I just won't be your dirty secret."
Pulling away, you stepped out of what had been your alcove and headed back to your common room. You felt as if you were falling apart with every step you took. You wanted to look back but your heart wouldn't let you. It wouldn't let you witness his own collapse.
No one spoke as you walked into the common room crying. No one followed as you tore up the stairs. Flinging yourself on to your bed, you cried until your own walls were righted again.
And in the morning, as you dragged yourself to the Great Hall behind Harry and Ginny holding hands, and Hermione looking for Theo; you kept trying to turn around and go back, but they wouldn't let you.
Your head down, you watched as a hand came into contact with your chest, stopping you. Looking up, your eyes found the grey ones that they loved – open for the world to see all the pain, regret and love they held for you.
And the promise of more to come – perhaps even the fulfillment of your heart's desire.
All it took was him whispering, "I want an us too."
And your carefully constructed stone walls came crumbling down under the weight of Draco's kiss.
A/N: This piece is unbeta'd. If you love this ship, you should go check out the LJ community to read the other 13 drabbles that were entered. They are all marvelous. Seraph 0:)