"Draco."

It wasn't a question. She felt his presence behind her just out of reach, as if she was drowning in the ocean and she could see the sky but couldn't quite reach for air. She let her eyes scan the titles on the shelf in front of her, tucked in the back of the library, far from the hawkish eyes of Madame Pince.

"Why are you avoiding me?" His hand settled on the shelf by her head and he leaned in, just enough for her to feel his body heat.

"Avoiding is a strange word. I've been busy."

She saw his fist clench and release. "Goddamn it, Gemma. Seriously?"

Finally, she turned to assess the man before her. For he was a man now. Cropped white blonde hair, sharp cut jawline, grey eyes smoldering in anger. Could he stop being so fucking beautiful for three seconds so she could just think?

"Draco, I've been slaving my life away studying for my NEWTs. What do you want from me?" she spit out, backing into the bookshelf to give herself some breathing room.

"What do I want from you?! You cannot be serious." His hand hovered above her cheek, the look on his face yearning to touch her.

Gemma smoothed her features into stone. "As a damn heart attack. Now, I have work to do." She pushed off the shelf and side stepped out of his way down the aisle of the library.

"Do NOT walk away from me," Draco growled at her back, matching her step.

She swiveled on her heel and shoved a finger into his chest. "And do NOT command me as if I am one your little minions. I will not bow to you, I will bow to no one, Draco Lucius Malfoy."

He gave her a cowed look and took a step closer, taking her hand in his. "Gemma, you have completely avoided me since - since we...since Saturday."

"You mean, since we fucked?" she asked, stoically. "Like I previously told you, I've been busy."

He winced and checked their surroundings before saying, "How can - damn it. How can you even call it that? That was so much more and you know it."

"Funny." Gemma cocked her head a bit. "I doubt Astoria would feel the same way, Draco. Shall we ask her?"

He shook his head. "What happened to you? Why are you acting like this?"

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean, Draco. Now if you'll excuse me, I have studying to do," Gemma replied, quickly pulling her hand from his and turning once more. He was quicker and managed to block her in again.

"Don't do this. Please Gem. Where's Gemma Burke from four days ago? The one who told me my eyes reminded her of a winter morning? The one who laid in my arms for hours and told me things about her she said nobody ever knew? The one who -"

Gemma interrupted calmly, "-doesn't exist. That girl does not exist, Draco."

He gave her one more look of seething sadness and walked away from her, something Gemma Burke was becoming used to people doing.