Hope to Sin, Draco Malfoy

Chapter Seven: Heiress of Valentina

Snape approaches Draco and I after dinner telling us that it is our duties for being appointed prefects to roam the halls after curfew.

He tries to apologize, but I stop him, "We both know you don't mean it. So just stop the pleasantries."

Draco's pale eyes dart from mine to all around different objects before stuttering out, "I have something to tell you."

Then from the shadows Adrian Pucey emerges and smiles his warm smile at me.

"Hey Scarlett," he greets and then continues, "so since you're not actually dating Potter and the Hogsmeade trip is coming up. I would like to ask you out on a date."

With shock written all over my face I ask, "Really? I didn't know you fancied me that way."

Adrian puts his palm on my cheek, "I've always have."

"Of course I'll be your date," I smile widely as I lightly bite my lip just thinking about our date. Adrian pecks my cheek before he leaves to roam his area of the castle.

Draco snorts, "Guess you'll be coming to our annual winter ball with Adrian Pucey?"

"If I had a say I would not be going at all," I reveal to him.

At the same time we say, "They're vile."

I chuckle as he smirks, but I continue, "I mean it isn't that bad when you're with someone you fancy."

"I always end up with a girl half naked in the downstairs cupboard," he smiles truly reminiscing on one of his old memories.

As I snap my fingers I also choke, "Thanks for that horrid image."

"Glad to be of service," he half smiles and smirks while lingering his eyes a tad longer than he usually does.

We stalk off down the corridors looking for any unusual behavior scenes, but we do not find any.

Draco calls out softly, "Scarlett."

"Yeah," I answer him back.

It takes him a minute or two before he musters the confidence to say, "I know I am an asshole, but I do give my apologies if I have done anything to upset you these past five years."

"Well that took courage," I say dryly. Clearly unimpressed.

Draco grips my arm, but not too tightly and stares into my eyes, "Look Scarlett I'm trying here." His usual bitter azure eyes now defeated and dull.

"One apology for five years isn't enough," I tell him as I place my right hand over his to try and remove it.

He lets go with a withered look, "I know, but it is all I have. I don't apologize to people."

I purse my lips and retort, "I am beginning to see that," and then I guide him to a stone bench, "Draco I'll forgive you under one condition…"

His pallid blue eyes seem to brighten and he responds, "Anything."

"Be the real you when you are around me and not some façade that you think you have to be," I lean into him and can smell his cologne that invigorates my senses. The smell of spearmint, black pepper, cinnamon, and with a hint of vanilla makes me enclose the already small space.

He turns his head as he rests the bridge of his nose on mine and I can detect the mint of his gum on his warm breath as he says, "Alright."

To consider anything but kissing him I stutter, "Kasen is throwing a party. Every house is invited and it's going to be at the edge on the other side of the lake where the forest begins. Say you'll come."

Draco skims his fingers up my neck as he embraces my jaw and strokes his thumb on my smooth skin and whispers, "I will," then his lips touch mine. My stomach drops and my heart flutters rapidly inside my chest. I imagined his lips dry and rough like his personality, but they are surprisingly soft and a smidge cold. I deepen the kiss by inclining my body into him, and then he swipes his tongue and it enters as I stroke mine with his.

Then I remember the date with Adrian and I halt to a stop.

On the verge of tears with muddled confusion I spew, "I am sorry. I shouldn't have done this," and begin to sprint off to the common room.

All I hear is Draco's shouts of my name and they eventually filter out until the only thing I hear is my heartbeat resounding through the stone walls of the corridor.

Once I make it to my dormitories Rayna wakes up from my panting.

She asks in alarm, "Scarlett are you okay? What's wrong?"

Beads of sweat roll down my neck as I stutter, "N-n-nothing. Just freaked myself out a bit. No need to worry."

Rayna gives me a once over because she can sense I am lying, "Are you sure."

Whilst biting my lip I shake my head up and down as I settle into my twin bed and pull the comforters above my head.

The night of the party comes and I am slipping on my beige lace dress and forest green pumps. I pull my hair into a semi messy bun with a teased bump and then swoop my bangs out and have two spiral side pieces hanging down.

Rayna walks out of shared bathroom with a little black dress and smiles warmly at me, "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," I reply digging through my jewelry box, "but it is missing one thing," and I take out my green, jade, and blue necklace.

"Lets head down," and we stroll down the stairs with grace. The boys gaze up as their mouths drop.

When we make it to the bottom I ask the guys, "Where's Adrian?"

"He left something upstairs," Blaise answers for me.

I am still holding my necklace and Draco offers, "I could put that on for you."

"Sure," I mutter while biting my bottom lip.

Draco steps behind me and he leans in to reach for my necklace and I can feel his breath on the nape of my neck. A gulp slips down my throat as his fingers delicately graze across my skin and then he links the chains together and then whispers in my ear, "There you go."

Adrian calls out, "Scarlett."

I jump slightly and stutter, "H-h-hey Adrian."

He reveals a gold rose and pins into my dress, lifts his arm, and then asks, "Shall we leave."

A grin appears on my face, "We shall."

As we get closer to the party I can hear the music filter through the forest. Finally we reach our destination and everyone is dancing, drinking, smoking, and smiling. Rave lights are flashing and I go pump beer into a red plastic cup. Thirty minutes later with another cup of beer down and a shot of rum I pull Adrian out on to the makeshift dance floor as Heiress of Valentina by Dune song remixed by Alesso plays. I grind my hips into Adrian as his hands are on my waist as we move together. When the lights flash bright I spy Draco staring at me. His eyes are burning with not only jealousy, but lust. A wicked smirk appears on my face and as I make out with Adrian the song is playing "Now you can see her dancing. Oh my god it's beautiful. You can see her dancing with me." Draco sneers at me, turns around, and angrily marches off. I stop macking on Adrian, but I keep dancing at the same pace as guilt buries itself deep into my bones.