Five

Katherine

I smoothed my dress down after I entered the train for Hogwarts. Like every year I wore a blue dress with a beige trenchcoat with the buttons undone. My hair was not in its regular curls because I had decided to straighten it.

"I'll go look for an empty compartment" Blaise told me then walked down the path to find the compartment.

Draco appeared behind me a moment later. "Hi, Draco" I smiled.

"Hi" he greeted me with a smile. I was on of the very few people to have the opportunity and privilege to see him genuinely smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting something?" Theodore said as he entered the train behind us. His voice sounded irritated I didn't understand the reason why.

"Of course not. And why do you ask that as if it weren't Draco I was talking to? You're making it sound as if I was talking to a boy I don't know." I said.

"No reason." Theodore gave a small glare to Draco before linking his arm with mine and guiding the direction Blaise had walked off to.

"Come on, Draco" I called after him noticing he wasn't following us. I offered him my arm for him to take, but before Draco could even think of taking it, I was dragged by Theodore at a faster pace than before.

"Theodore, wait. What's your problem? You're treating Draco as if we didn't know him."

Theodore groaned with his eyes closed as Draco caught up with us. I grew even more confused of my cousin's actions.

Blaise had found us a compartment where Pansy, Vincent, and Gregory found us.

I sat by window with Pansy beside me and Theodore across from me. Draco sat next to Theodore and Vincent sat next to Draco. Blaise sat beside Pansy with Gregory on his other side. Our group of friends was once again reunited.

We conversed with one another. Pansy was telling me about what had happened since we last saw each other. I noticed Draco wasn't speaking and just looking at his hands on his lap. I frowned wondering what was wrong.

"Can you tell me the rest later?" I want to go find the trolley lady." I told Pansy. She agreed and I stood up. "Draco, would you mind joining me?"

Draco looked up when I said his name. "Of course not."

"I'll go with you two" Theodore said.

"No, you stay. We'll be fine." Theodore didn't look happy when I said that but agreed.

Draco and I exited the compartment in silence. We had walked for a few feet before we heard the compartment door being opened and I turned to see Vincent and Gregory following us. Most likely Theodore's orders but I ignored them knowing they wouldn't interfere.


Theodore

"What with you, mate?"

"I agree with Blaise. What was that all about, and why send Crabbe and Goyle after them?" Pansy asked me.

My blood boiled just thinking of what would happen if I didn't send Crabbe and Goyle after them.

"You can't be serious. Don't tell me you don't see it too" I said.

"See what?" Pansy asked.

"Draco!" I hissed.

"What about Draco." Blaise said.

I face palmed. Can't you see he likes Katherine."

"Well of course he likes Katherine. They're best friend." Blaise said but Pansy's eyes widened in realization.

Instead of being surprised and confused she yelled, "Yes!"

I looked at her with a confused look. How could she possibly be happy about this!? This was terrible!

Blaise soon realized what I had meant and gave a small smile.

"What?! Why are you cheering?" I pointed at Pansy, "and why are you smirking?!" I moved my finger to point at Blaise.

"It was bound to happen someday." Blaise told me.

My mouth hung open not believing what he just said. "No it wasn't." I shook my head.

"I swear Theodore if you're the reason Draco doesn't ask her out I will hex you." Pansy threatened me.

I groaned and put my head down not believing this was happening.


Draco

I turned to see Crabbe and Goyle exit the compartment we were just in. Theodore must be really upset about this.

I turned my head forward and glanced Katherine thought the corner of my eye.

Since they day at the Winters' Manor I had started harboring feeling for her. It wasn't a silly crush, no. I really really liked her.

She turned her head to look at me and smiled.

I felt my face go red and put my head down looking at the floor.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me to walk faster. Her hand was so soft warm. It sent chills up my arms but she thankfully didn't notice.

She bought a few chocolate frogs and she hadn't let my hand go and I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Malfoy and Katherine Winters. My, what a sight to see," we glanced up to see one of the blood traitor Weasley twins speak.

"Ms. Winters, why date him. You are way out of his league." The other twin said. I froze at the word date.

"You deserve better," they both said.

"Fred and George Weasley. Greeting to you as well, and for your information we aren't dating." Katherine told them.

"Then why are you holding hands?" One of the twins pointed to our intertwined hands.

She raised an eyebrow, confused. "For the past two years you've seen us with our arms linked and now you're asking why I happened to be holding his hand?"

"Right. I forgot you're comfortable around each other," the twins smirked.

"Come on," I pulled Katherine away from them.

Before we got to the compartment where the others were she pulled Kyle into an empty compartment.

She sat down and motioned me to sit.

I sighed knowing what was coming. I sat down next to her.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Draco, do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then tell me what's wrong."

I looked into her pleading eyes. I decided I was going to tell her, now wait, no. What if she never saw me in that way. I didn't want to ruin our friendship.

"Draco...please."

"I-"

Before I could say anything else Theodore walked in.

"Come on, everyone is waiting for you," he told us. I sighed knowing Crabbe and Goyle had told them we were alone.

Every minute of the day Theodore would make sure I was never alone with Katherine. At times I was glad because being alone with her makes me even more nervous. But other times I absolutely hate it.


Third Person

Winter break came and this time everyone would be going home. Christmas would be spent at the Malfoy Manor with a party.

Draco made sure to look his best for a certain someone.

Katherine has noticed Draco's strange behavior around her, but still doesn't know the reason behind it.

Theodore is glad Katherine hadn't noticed, fearing that if she found out she might start to develop feelings for him.

Pansy keeps wanting to tell Katherine, but keeps her mouth shut since Draco had told her not to, wanting to tell her himself.

Blaise was amused by this whole situation. Especially when Theodore would get angry at Draco sometimes for no apparent reason.

Crabbe and Goyle were just there and also slightly amused by it all.

Draco's mother walked to the front of the house to open the door.

"Andrew, Arabella, Katherine. I'm so glad you're here."

They exchanged the rest of their greetings. Lucius had joined them and also greeted them.

"Katherine, would you mind calling Draco down?"

She smiled, "Of course not. I'll be right back."

She walked up the stairs until she made it to the floor Draco's room was in.

She paused in front of his door and knocked.

The door opened and there stood Draco who was nicely dressed.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to knock." Draco said with a smile.

"Everytime I come and visit, but I'll just keep doing it no matter what you say. It's the polite thing to do," she gave her friend a smile. Remembering what she said every time she would do this.

They laughed. Draco noticed the dress she wore. The top was white and the bottom was blue with blue a bow at her waist.

"You look beautiful."

"Thank you. You look very handsome as well."

They both smiled and walked downstairs where the party would be held.

The guest arrived shortly and chatted among themselves. The house elves walked around with platters on their heads giving out food.

Music played throughout the room. Theodore had already danced with his cousin and was now talking his father.

Draco and Katherine stood next to each other with their friends among them.

Blaise gave a small smirk as he asked Crabbe and Goyle to accompany him for some food. Pansy made an excuse to leave the two.

Draco glanced towards Katherine from the corner of his eyes. She noticed and smiled.

"Don't just stand there. Why don't you two dance together?" Narcissa had noticed the two just standing not talking and pushed them towards the dance floor where the couples danced.

Draco because nervous. "Uhh…."

Katherine laughed. "Don't tell me you have forgotten how to dance."

"Of course not. Remember when our mothers forced us to dance together until we learned the dances perfectly?"

She smiled. "Of course. You would step on my toes every time until you got it right."

"Sorry about that by the way." He smiled sheepishly.

He placed his hand on the small of her back while she paced one of her hand's on his shoulder. They locked their free hands and started dancing slowly.

"Something is bothering you. May I know what it is?"

Draco looked into her eyes as she asked that. He wanted to tell her his true feeling for her, but feared she would never see him in that way. Therefore possibly ruining their friendship.

He decided on telling her this, "I like this girl." He said while looking down.

Katherine was caught of guard not expecting that. "And why would that be bothering you?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Because, I don't know if she could ever like me

back."

This made her frown. "Well, have you asked her?"

"No."

She sighed. "Do I know her?"

He gave a small smile while he continued looking down. "You could say that."

"Promise me you'll tell her by tonight. If it's telling her by person or owling her, just promise me you'll tell her. I don't want you to be different anymore."

He finally looked up at her. "Different?"

"You seem more distant now. You close off your feelings. You use to tell me everything, and now you've stopped. I miss being able to talk with, Draco." She sadly confessed and he immediately felt guilty.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize." She gave him a sad smile, "Promise me you will and promise me I'll have my old friend back."

He decided what he should do, and looked deep into her eyes, "I promise."

She smiled and laid her head on his shoulder as they continued dancing.

The night went on and it soon came to an end.

"Thank you for coming." Narcissa thanked her guests.

The guests were all gone including Blaise's, Pansy's, and the other's parents. All but Katherine's.

"Thank you for coming."

"Of course. Thank you for having us. We'll see each other soon, I hope."

"Of course."

With that the Winters left.

"Well, I'm going to bed. You should head to bed as well, Draco." Narcissa told her son.

"I'll go up soon."

"Alright. Good night, Draco."

"Good night mother, father."

Lucius and Narcissa went up and Draco waited for the sound of a door shut to be heard.

He quietly walked to the fireplace and put some floor powders in his hands and quietly said, "Winters' Manor."

Soon he stepped out of the fireplace in the new manor. He noticed it was completely dark except for the slightest light by a couch.

Katherine was still in her party dress and was reading a book before going to bed.

"Katherine." Draco whispered.

Katherine looked up confused and squinted her eyes. "Draco?" She told up and put her book down before approaching him. They stood in front of the fireplace with only the light by the couch and the moon's light illuminating the room through the window. "What are you doing here?"

"I promised you something earlier and I'm here to complete it."

"What are you talking about? Did you tell the girl you fancy?"

"Not yet."

"I don't understand."

Draco took a shaky breath, his palms were sweaty, but he wasn't going to back out now.

"Katherine...I-I like you, and not just as a friend."

Katherine looked at him surprised and confused. "What?"

"I have for some time now. Ever since the day before leaving for Hogwarts this year."

Katherine tried thinking back to that day. "That's when you started acting weirdly."

"Yeah. Theodore knows I like you. That's why he gets upset leaving me alone with you."

She looked up at him. She couldn't believe Theodore had known and not told and more that she hadn't figured it out herself.

"Who...who else knows?"

"Pansy, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, and there are probably some others who figured it out as well."

"Draco, I-"

"You don't have to say anything. I just wanted to complete my promise to you. Both of them. No matter whether you like me that way or not, won't affect my friendship with you. That was the other promise I made to you."

Katherine didn't know what to say. Draco slightly smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. He bit his lip and whispered, "Good night, Katherine."

He turned backs and walked toward the fireplace and used Floo Powder before she could say anything.

"Draco, no wait." She sighed as he disappeared. Her heart beat fast wanting to keep talking with him.

She didn't know what she felt towards him now. His confession made her conflicted. She had never really thought about it, but there maybe was a part of her that liked Draco in a more than friends way.

She frowned and turned to put out the lantern's light. She picked up her book and looked at where Draco stood only seconds ago. "Good night, Draco" she said then headed to her bedroom for the night.


I will try to post the links to the two dresses on my account. If they don't work and you really want to see them go to my Quotev account. They work there. My account name is found my searching for (At sign)percabethlover2. Links are in the stories.

Updated twice in a week. :) Till the next update.