Disclaimer: It isn't mine!
Chapter 11
The next morning I wake up feeling rather tired. I ended up cleaning all night until McGonagall collected me. I told her Malfoy felt sick and left to go to bed.
I don't know that she bought this, but she didn't ask further questions.
And I don't know why I covered for him.
"It's in your eyes."
I shouldn't have covered for him. He's a prick. He deserved that detention. He owes me big for that.
I ponder all of the ways I could make that blonde git repay me while heading to Gryffindor tower.
I fill Lily in on the events of the night, highlighting Tyler's visit and making it seem like the most adorable thing ever. I attempt to downplay the Malfoy stuff. Although that's the subject on which I am actually seeking input.
Lily doesn't fail me. Rather than comment on Tyler, she makes a beeline for a Malfoy-centric conversation (despite her earlier promises to pretend he doesn't exist).
"He is so jealous!" she practically screams.
Predictable. Although, that's kind of what I wanted to hear. Maybe.
"Seriously, though, Lils… put all these stupid romance ideas aside and tell me why he acted the way he did. I just don't get it. He makes my life so freaking complicated. I had to clean that trophy room by myself!"
I take a few deep breaths to calm down.
Lily sits thoughtfully in silence for a while.
"You know, Rosey, Malfoy seems to know a lot about you. It's like he's been paying closer attention to you than anyone thought. And he's always watching you. I've seen it. When you leave the great hall after eating, his eyes always follow you out. My honest opinion is that he seriously likes you, whether or not he will ever admit it. And I think he is ridiculously jealous of Tyler. I'm not just saying this out of some silly romantic fantasy. I'm serious."
I give my cousin a skeptical look and see that she does look dead serious.
"I just can't believe that," I sigh. "Sorry. You don't know Malfoy like I do-"
"Oh, so now you know him? Are those wedding bells I hear?" She smirks.
"Oh, shove it. I'm just saying that I live with the guy. I've seen how he acts. And I know for a fact that he does not like me and he is not jealous. I know your theory almost kind of makes sense. And if it was anyone else, I'd believe you in a heartbeat. But this is Scorpius Malfoy we're talking about."
I look at Lily for a response.
She sighs and concedes, "Yeah, I know you're right. I just think you two would be great together! But I'm done talking about it." She takes a deep breath and puts on a cheery grin. "So anyways, Tyler was so adorable last night! I can't believe he brought you a flower!"
I force a smile and launch into a gossip session with Lily. I don't want to admit it, but for once I wish she wouldn't have agreed with me.
For the next few days, Malfoy doesn't speak to me. He actually doesn't even look at me.
I understand that he doesn't want to thank me for covering for him, but ignoring me is a little bit extreme. He won't even talk in class when we work together. I talk and he silently does what I say, or slightly adjusts my directions to his liking.
I haven't even felt him looking at me from across the hall at meals. Normally, I can count on him smirking at me from across the room, but not this week. It's actually really throwing me out of sorts. Not that I miss it or anything. It's just what I've become accustomed to. Anyways, I have more important things to think about. Such as my boyfriend.
I end up hanging out with Tyler all weekend, which takes my mind off of the Malfoy situation. Well, except for when I'm complaining to Tyler about that prat.
"Rosey…" he interrupts in the middle of what seems like the hundredth satisfying rant about the bane of my existence. "Just let it go. You should be thrilled that he isn't insulting you all the time anymore." I can hear the boredom in Tyler's voice and feel a pang of guilt.
"I know, I know! I am thrilled. It's just that working together in class is pretty difficult when he won't say two words to me!"
"Sometimes a little bit of silence is a good thing," he says slyly as he leans in to kiss me. The minute his lips hit mine, all of my negative thoughts melt away. This is the kind of distraction I need.
The next week, I notice Malfoy's characteristic staring is back. I catch him eyeing me intently (and glaring at Tyler, unless I'm imaging it) at every meal. I make sure to focus my attention on my favorite quidditch captain, ignoring Malfoy as much as possible. Luckily, I do not end up running into him in the common room and he is still not speaking to me in class.
"He's ignoring you. Except from a distance," Lily remarks knowingly mid-week. My eyes flicker towards the Slytherin table. I notice Hugo raising his eyebrows at us and tell him to shove it.
"My dearest sister," he begins with mock-concern, "I'm just worried about your well-being! First off, you're dating Wood and therefore should not be discussing Scorpius Malfoy in such a manner. Secondly, I have money riding on this situation with you and that arse of a Slytherin. Thirdly, I'm going to really question your sanity if you start falling for that git." I see Al approaching and give Hugo a warning look. He just winks infuriatingly and turns to say hello to our cousin.
I try to put Malfoy in the back of my mind, but it's rather difficult when I feel his eyes constantly following me. But by Friday night, I think I am almost over the whole situation. Actually, it is pretty nice not having to deal with that twit all the time. All things considered, this week has turned out to be quite enjoyable without all the Malfoy stress. He can be a mute if he wants. It's better than listening to his obnoxious voice.
After dinner that evening, I head up to the head's common room. I cannot wait to relax with a good book. I need some alone time. I've been spending so much time with Tyler and my family that I haven't had much time for myself. I approach the dorms and step through the portrait hole into a dark room.
I flick my wand casually towards the chandelier, basking the room with light.
The minute I do so, however, I wish I would have left the common room in darkness and gone straight to my bedroom. I hear a yelp from the couch and see Zabini roll onto the floor in her school skirt and a bra. Malfoy sits up, his hair rumpled and his shirt unbuttoned, revealing his pale chest. I can feel my heart speed up.
He looks at me and I can see that familiar, unreadable emotion displayed across his features.
"Weasley," he says quietly, "I didn't think you'd be ba-"
All of a sudden I feel irrationally angry. More angry than I've felt in God knows how long. I am breathing heavily and before I can think clearly, I cut him off.
"Shut up, Malfoy! What the hell do you think you're doing out here with that cow?!" Zabini starts yelling and I shout, "Get out of here!"
Zabini's face is bright red. I can only imagine what mine looks like. "Don't you tell me what to do, Weasley! I'm here with my boyfriend! You can't kick me out!" She shrieks.
"Just leave," Malfoy says to her before I can utter a hex. "I'm not your boyfriend." He never takes his silver eyes off of my blue ones when he says this. I can feel my heart racing and can't decide if it's due to anger or something else.
Zabini stands up, grabs her shirt, and runs from the room, slamming into me on her way past. I am seething and cannot seem to get my breathing under control. Malfoy is a still seated a few feet away, all of his attention directly on me for the first time all week, and although I wanted it before, I hate it now.
"Weasley…" he says again, barely louder than the sound of my breathing. I stare at him blankly until he mumbles softly, "I'm sorry."
He's apologizing? Apologizing?!
I can feel my rage boiling over. "Don't lie to me! You aren't sorry! You wouldn't have been out here in the first place if you were sorry!" I can feel angry tears welling up in my eyes. He gets up and starts to walk towards me, his shirt still open. I collect my thoughts and continue,
"Don't you come near me, you bastard. I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to be around you. Don't you dare bring a girl into our living room again. I live here too, and I am not walking in on you and your bimbos! Especially that vile excuse for a witch, Eleanor Zabini! Did you pick her to bring back here just to make me mad? Did you do it because you know how much I hate her?!" I take a few breaths and he tries to respond,
"I didn't do it to make you m-"
"Then why did you do it, Malfoy?! You haven't even spoken to me all week! You clearly have some sort of problem with me all of a sudden! More so than you used to! So what, you wanted to get back at me for whatever it is that I did to you during detention?!" Now I really feel like crying.
Malfoy looks stunned. I know I shouldn't keep going, but I do.
"What did I do?! Just tell me! I even covered for you with McGonagall and this is how you treat me?! By hooking up with someone on our couch? The couch I sit on to study? In the privacy of the dorm room where I live? You clearly have no respect for me as a roommate or even as a fellow human being! I actually prefer the insults to this. What the hell did I do to deserve the way you've treated me?!"
I take a few deep breaths. Malfoy isn't even defending himself. He is looking me in the eye and I can see his confusion. I don't even know why I'm this mad.
My breathing slows down and I can feel tears waiting to fall and I don't know why. The pompous Slytherin prince truly looks sorry for the first time in seven years.
"What did I do to you?" I ask quietly. But I walk to my room and slam the door before he can answer.
I sit for a while, letting the tears roll down my cheeks. I might as well sulk. I need a good cry. Now I realize that not speaking to that absolute twit all week only led to me bottling up my anger.
I hear Malfoy knock on my door a bit later, but I ignore it.
What a prat. Merlin, I hate him.
I can't believe he would hook up with that absolute cow of a human being Eleanor Zabini. On our couch! I will never be able to sit there again.
Why, of all people, is Malfoy the one I am stuck with? I cannot make it an entire year with him.
He did look sorry, though. And I may have overreacted a tiny bit.
But just seeing him with her makes me sick. My tears are coming faster now.
It's not like I care that they were hooking up or anything. Just don't do it on my sofa! Have some respect for me. I live here!
Of course, even Malfoy can do better than her. I mean, he is decent looking. Okay, more than decent. And he has his moments. He can be bearable when he wants to be. Even a bit charming, if I'm being honest. And if you really look him in the eye, you can see that there is more to him.
I let my mind wander and picture his silver eyes. I know that he really is sorry and I feel guilty for yelling at him like I did.
But he's still a prat.
At breakfast, I tell Al, Lily, Hugo, and Randy about the sick joke that is my life.
Al has exactly the response I'm looking for.
"What a twit!" Yep. That pretty much sums it up.
"You can definitely stay up in Gryffindor tower instead of living with that sorry excuse for a human being," Al continues. "I would love to go over there and show him not to mess with anyone in my family…"
"Calm down, Al," Lily says. She'll get the real story from me later, which will include the part about Malfoy apologizing.
"Malfoy just doesn't know what to do now that Rose has a boyfriend." She looks satisfied with the effect that this comment has. Al looks disgusted and Randy looks shocked. Hugo just grins and shoves some waffles into his mouth.
She smirks. "What? Hugo would agree with me if he wasn't busy stuffing his face. Malfoy likes Rose."
I can feel my cheeks heating up. "Go sit on it, Lily. He does not. Just because this is some sick fantasy of yours doesn't mean it's true. Plus, Malfoy would be dead before ever getting the chance to like me, right, Al?" I wink at him and he laughs.
"Right you are, Rosey!" Randy laughs, too, until a glare from Lily abruptly shuts him up. They aren't even dating yet, and she has him wrapped around her finger. That's the Lily I know and love.
Mackenzie join us and the conversation turns to quidditch. This is a good time for Lily and me to make a quick exit so I can give her the full story. I nudge her and she makes up an excuse about needing me to help her find a book in the library. We head instead to Gryffindor tower.
"Lily," I say seriously, sitting in front of the fire, "he apologized."
"Are you serious? You really have him under a spell. I think you are the only person Scorpius Malfoy has ever apologized to. I mean, did he seem sincere?" She is way too interested in my life. It is unhealthy.
I ignore her 'under a spell' comment and say, "Yeah. I know he meant it."
My wise cousin gives me a shrewd look. "And how do you know this, may I ask?"
Okay, so what do I say to this? I looked into his eyes and knew? I've never seen him look that way at anyone so he must've been telling the truth?
Instead I say, rather lamely, "I dunno, Lils. I could just tell."
She doesn't press the issue. "So why did he do it, then? If he didn't intend to hurt you?" she asks thoughtfully.
We sit in silence for a few minutes and I stare at the candles on the mantelpiece. One of the candle sticks is silver. I can't help thinking of Malfoy's eyes gazing into mine.
Lily sighs. So she has an answer, apparently. Probably not one that I'll agree with. "He obviously did bring her over to hurt you, you know," she begins. "There's no other reason that would make sense. He said to you during detention that he can't stand her. I think he was upset that you had Tyler and he wanted to make you feel the same way." I jump in ready to protest, but Lily raises her hand to silence me. "I'm not saying it isn't stupid. He is a boy, after all. What I'm saying is that he did it to hurt you. But clearly after he saw your reaction, he completely regretted it. He wanted to hurt you, but once he did, he wanted to take it back."
She ends this statement with a sense of finality. I try to think of something I can say to argue against this theory.
"Well," I say thoughtfully, "If you take out any implied romantic aspects of that theory, I'd say you are probably right. I don't think it had anything to do with Tyler. But I do think Malfoy wanted to make me mad. It's weird that he regretted it, though…"
"Rosey! For Goodness' sake, just admit to yourself that he likes you! Everything he has done, everything you've told me about, points to that!" Lily is getting worked up, so I try to end the conversation.
"I don't know why he does this stuff. I mean maybe it's to confuse me, and to make my life miserable. Which I think is highly likely, I might add. But just trust me. Scorpius Malfoy does not like me, in any sense of the word."
Why does it feel like I've had this conversation before?
Lily sighs again. "I know it's insane. But it's seriously the only explanation I can think of."
"And I'd believe you if it was anyone else…"
But sometimes I think I might want to believe it.
Later that day, I clear my mind of all things Malfoy and meet up with Tyler. He looks completely adorable in muggle street clothes. Jeans and a blue polo.
I talk to him about the Christmas ball, asking him for ideas. Yeah, it's supposed to be confidential. But who is a better confidante about a couples dance than the boy I'm dating?
Somehow, the romance talk doesn't seem to be rubbing off on him today, though. He is quieter than normal.
"Ty, what's up with you today?" I say with concern as I flick his elbow. "Is something wrong?"
He looks up at me with his light blue eyes. So different from the metallic ones I have become so used to. They seem a bit sad.
"Nothing is wrong, Miss Rose. Just thinking about things." He says this with finality as if the subject is closed. His nickname for me doesn't have the usual playful ring to it. I don't want to press the issue, so I continue talking about the dance.
Naturally, the conversation turns to a certain Slytherin. I am planning the dance with him, after all.
"I really can't believe Scorpius Malfoy, the heartless wonder, wants romance to be a theme of this thing. He definitely didn't seem too romantic last night when he was hooking up with Zabini on our couch." I say this conversationally. Tyler raises an eyebrow.
I continue. "He seemed even less romantic when he kicked her out of our dorms. I mean, he only did it before I had the chance to murder her, I guess. But that's not exactly the picture of romance, is it?" I laugh. Funny how Malfoy is the one who came up with this dance idea.
Tyler doesn't look quite as amused as I am. "You were going to murder Zabini?"
I laugh again. "Figure of speech, Ty. Obviously I wasn't going to tolerate her hooking up with Malfoy on my couch. That is the couch I sit on to do homework! To read! To generally enjoy some alone time! I do not want it tainted by the likes of her."
Tyler has a dark look on his face that I've never seen before. "So, you wanted to murder her because she was on your couch. Not because she was with Malfoy." Okay, I don't like where this is going all of a sudden.
I look at Tyler in slight disbelief. "I don't care who Malfoy hooks up with, if that's what you're asking. But honestly, he can do much better than that absolute witch of a human being."
"So now Malfoy isn't the scum of the earth, apparently. Now he can get a decent girlfriend. Oh how things have changed," Tyler says with disdain. I've never heard him sound this way before. It's not something I really ever want to hear again.
"Come on, Ty, would you relax? I'm just making conversa-"
"Isn't that what you're always doing? Making conversation. About Malfoy. I get that he annoys you, or whatever, and you have to vent occasionally. But apparently occasionally is every 10 minutes to you." I can feel my jaw drop. "All I have heard about since we started dating is Malfoy. Everything somehow relates to Malfoy. Every day you have a new story about how Malfoy is trying to ruin your life! Well, I saw the way he reacted when I visited you in detention. It is clear that he wants you. All of this ruining your life stuff is bullshit. He isn't trying to ruin your life, he's trying to get closer to you. Any idiot can see it, whether or not he even realizes. And I'm pretty sure he's succeeding. You barely stop talking about him."
I stare at him, trying to think of something to say. I'm too shocked.
"Listen, Rose. I like you. But I am not sure you feel the same way."
I find my voice. "Oh, stop being ridiculous! Of course I feel the same way! I have so much fun with you!"
Tyler looks solemn. "I don't doubt that you think that. But I'm not going to settle for being second best." I begin to protest, but Tyler talks over me. "You may not think you like Malfoy, but it is clear you have some feelings towards him that you need to sort out. I am willing to be friends with you and if you figure things out and decide you want to be with me, then great. But I'm not staying in a relationship where I won't ever truly have your heart. I think we may work better as friends."
I feel like I might cry, but at the same time I don't think I can. I let myself protest one more time. "If you just give this a chance I know we can make it work. I really do like you."
Tyler gives a sad smile. "I'm sorry. But this is how it has to be."
I should definitely be crying right now, but the tears won't come.
"See you around, Miss Rose." And with that, Tyler gets up and walks away. I guess I should've seen this coming. Not that we dated long, but Tyler was becoming more and more distant this week. So maybe it is a good thing that we try to be friends instead.
I meander around the halls of Hogwarts, thinking things over. I expect to feel an emptiness inside, but my mind keeps circling back to Malfoy and prevents me from focusing on the break-up. A while later, I find myself sitting in the Gryffindor common room, having just told the entire story to Lily.
"It was awful. He looked so upset. But it was like there was nothing I could say to change his mind. And to be honest, I don't think my heart was really in it when I tried."
Lily gives me a sympathetic look. "I know, Rosey. But maybe it's a good thing that the relationship ended when it did. No need to drag it out when it just wasn't working. You need someone who will listen to your problems and not complain!"
I love when Lily takes my side, regardless of whether or not I'm right. "Thanks, Lils. I deserve someone who can handle the untamable Rose Weasley!" Lily laughs and I join her.
"Anyways, there are rumors starting to spread about you and Malfoy. Just whispers here and there about him standing up for you and such. So it's probably best to get out of the Tyler situation before people start getting the wrong idea. You don't want to get a reputation similar to Zabini's, of course!"
Lily looks at me nervously, but I just shake my head. "Everyone at this school is a total storyteller. Hogwarts students need to get their own lives! Speaking of getting my own life, how's yours?" I ask, chuckling to myself. "How's the Randy situation?"
I watch my cousin's face heat up. "There is no 'Randy situation,'" she snaps. "We are friends. Sure, we've been spending time together lately, but that's it, I swear!"
Just then, who walks into the common room but Randy Longbottom. I watch Lily's eyes light up and she stands up to greet him. I raise my eyebrows at her as she turns back towards me.
"Oh, shut up, Rose," she says hotly. "By the way," Lily says, pulling out a scroll of parchment, "this arrived for you a bit ago. I think it's from McGonagall."
I read the scroll quickly. "Great. A meeting about the Christmas ball. That means that I am going to have to face Malfoy. Now I feel like an idiot for yelling at him. What am I supposed to say?"
Lily smirks. "Try, 'Tyler and I broke up.'"
I give her a glare. "Shut it. He doesn't care about my love life, Lilikins!"
"Yeah, but I bet that statement will soften him right up…" she mumbles under her breath as she walks towards Randy. I roll my eyes. I've got bigger things to worry about. Like what I will actually say to Malfoy tonight.
Fortunately, it turns out I don't have to say anything.
At dinner, Malfoy avoids eye contact, and I can't say that I hate it. I do notice, however, (with some satisfaction) that he seems to be avoiding Zabini. I've caught her trying to talk to him, but he just moves away.
Eventually, I get up from Gryffindor table to go to the meeting with McGonagall. I see Malfoy doing the same. He hangs back and lets me leave the Great Hall first. He doesn't arrive at the meeting until a few minutes after I do. Luckily, McGonagall is already there, leaving no opportunity for conversation with the Head Boy.
"Alright, you two. I think that official planning of the Christmas ball needs to start this weekend. We need to review ideas ahead of time and make arrangements for whatever needs to be done." McGonagall pauses for questions.
"Well, if you have no questions, then I recommend meeting this Friday evening in this room for planning. All official ideas will need to be submitted to me. The teachers will read through them and approve those that are appropriate." Another pause for questions. I glance at Malfoy and see him look quickly away.
McGonagall looks put out by the lack of questions, so I ask, "When do we need to submit our ideas by?"
She gives a small smile. "It would be ideal to have ideas submitted one to two weeks after the first planning meeting. Also, you may feel free to enlist the help of prefects if need be. Further questions?" She looks expectantly at Malfoy, but he says nothing.
"Well, good day to you both." She exits quickly before I have time to plan what to say to Malfoy.
He, however, has a different idea. "Bye, Weasley," he says without looking at me. Then he walks out and leaves me alone.
By the time Friday rolls around, I am exhausted, but happy. Tyler and I have successfully transitioned into being friends. After all, we only dated for a few weeks. The awkwardness of the break-up has faded and it seems like he is showing an interest in a 5th year Hufflepuff. I've never met her, but she looks like a sweet girl. I think he really wants to move on. The initial sting of the break up was kind of miserable (at least for Tyler), but I don't think either of us was too emotionally invested yet.
"So," Tyler says conversationally while we study at the library, "You excited to ball plan with the bane of your existence tonight?"
I have tried not to mention Malfoy around Tyler (maybe I should've done that during the relationship…), but he has brought him up a few times. I think he knows I want to vent.
"Yes," I deadpan. "I am so very excited. It's like Christmas has come early."
Tyler chuckles. "Well, you better think of something to say to break the ice, or I can guarantee an awkward evening!"
"Thanks for the help, Ty," I say sarcastically. He grins that wonderful grin of his. I roll my eyes and toss my books into my bag. I guess I can't put this planning session off much longer.
"I've gotta go. I have the date of my dreams tonight. I'm being forced to attend and it is with my worst enemy. As you can see, I can't wait." Okay, I could be slightly less miserable.
I'm actually quite nervous. Not too sure why, though. It's just Malfoy. I'm sure we'll exchange insults and things will return to normal. Or as normal as they ever were.
"Alright, Miss Rose. Have fun with your secret admirer!" He lets out a hearty laugh and I send him a glare. I don't remember him being this annoying when we dated.
I walk up to the planning classroom, realizing I'm slightly early, and pull out a book to read. Not that it's any use; I can barely concentrate what with that blonde git on my mind.
Of course, the blonde git in question shows up right on time. His sleeves are rolled up and his tie is hanging haphazardly. He gives me a quick look and my heart speeds up.
Calm down. Just because you flipped out on him for no reason doesn't mean you should be nervous.
Although, I'm not sure that's why my heart is beating so fast.
"So…" I say, trailing off.
"Yeah. So." Malfoy looks as uncomfortable as I feel.
"Well, this is awkward," I say, hoping to lighten the mood. It doesn't work.
After a few moments, Malfoy takes a deep breath and looks at me. "Listen, Rose. I really am sorry for the other night…" He says this quickly. I can barely catch it.
"It's forgotten," I say, "I overreacted. Don't worry about it."
He nods. Okay, so I didn't apologize. But it's a start.
And since when does he call me Rose?
I'm about to comment on this, but Malfoy speaks up again. "Alright, Weasley, how about this ball?"
Back to Weasley. And the awkwardness seems to have faded. Thank Merlin!
We chat about the ball for a while, getting along fairly well. As well as a Weasley and a Malfoy can hope to get along, at least. Soon we have a long list of ideas for the ball. Surprisingly, Malfoy is quite good at the romance aspect.
"Couples photo booth," he suggests. "Like an old fashioned muggle one. Black and white. No moving pictures. Everyone can take home copies. And at the end of the night, maybe during the last dance, we can play them in a slideshow on the stage."
"Malfoy," I say, with some amount of admiration, "you are brilliant! Since when are you such a romantic?"
He gives me a glare, but I can tell his heart isn't in it. "I've just seen a lot of muggle romance films. My mother is mildly obsessed with them." I picture Draco Malfoy watching muggle romances with his wife and almost burst out laughing.
"Oooh, you know what we could also do?" I ask suddenly.
"Magical mistletoe," we both say at the same time.
I laugh a bit. "I get credit for that one. I need a few good ideas to claim as my own."
"Fine, fine, Weasley. I'll let you have it," he drawls with a smirk.
I roll my eyes. "Well, I know it is quite easy to conjure." I flip through the book in front of me. "Aha! Here it is." I pull out my wand and place some mistletoe over the doorway. "We can enlist the prefects to help us with this. I'm sure they can handle a simple spell."
"I wouldn't be too sure, actually," Malfoy says cynically. "I don't know if the girls will be able to follow any of my commands. All they do is laugh and carry on."
"Oh, yes. You are God's gift to women, Malfoy. None of them can concentrate when you're around!" I say this a bit sarcastically, although there is some truth to it. He does seem to cast a spell over the female population of Hogwarts.
"Now, Weasley, we know that isn't entirely true. You seem to have no problem concentrating when I'm around."
"Sometimes," I say before I can stop myself.
Malfoy quickly locks his silver eyes onto mine. It is so hard for me to look away. I see that unreadable emotion on his face again. What is it?
Malfoy breaks eye contact and says conversationally, "So, even the great Rose Weasley isn't immune to my signature Malfoy charm." He is really smirking now. I can feel my cheeks heating up.
"Shove it, Malfoy. If I have any problem concentrating, it's due to your incessant insults and overall prick-ish temper." Good recovery!
Malfoy is still smirking. "Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
I am about to argue with him, but I see him grinning. Okay, so he's just playing with me. I give a small smile. "I think I see your ego showing," I say snidely.
He laughs and shakes his head. We continue planning for a while longer until I'm too tired to carry on.
"I'm ready to call it a night. As lovely as this has been, I don't want to be here forever," I say as I stifle a yawn. He looks tired as well.
"I always hate to admit when you're right, Weasley. But this is one of those times." He gives a signature smirk. Cocky bastard.
I gather my things into my bag and we head to the door. Malfoy grabs the handle and holds it open for me. Okay, so chivalry isn't dead, apparently.
I make to walk through, but can't move.
"Let's go. I don't have all night, I need my beauty rest."
"Well, as much as I'd like to go, I can't move," I say agitatedly. I watch Malfoy try to exit, but he gets nowhere.
"What the hell? Is McGonagall trying to keep us prisoner or something? We've planned enough!" He seems truly frustrated now and lets the door close.
"Okay, so what do we d-"
And then it hits me. I look at Malfoy and realization crosses his features. We both slowly look up.
Yep. There it is. The mistletoe.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Give it a counterspell." Now he is looking nervous.
"If you paid attention at all in class, you would know that there is no counterspell once you're underneath it, you prick," I say with frustration. "Two people are stuck under magical mistletoe until they kiss." I wince at this statement.
"Excuse me? You expect me to kiss you?" He is definitely nervous now. He runs his hand through his shiny blonde hair. He reaches for my bag and pulls out a book. "Obviously there's got to be an alternative." He begins flipping through the pages.
After several minutes, I can tell he is losing hope. I don't want to kiss him, but it would be a lot less time consuming. And it's not like he is the world's worst looking guy.
I watch him as he leans against the doorframe, reading intently. His silver eyes move quickly across the pages.
I don't know why I do it, but I suddenly blurt out, "Tyler and I broke up."
Why, why, why, why, why?
Malfoy looks up quickly from my book. He closes it and puts it back in my bag. I can't tell what he is thinking, but he hasn't taken his eyes off of mine.
His hand trails from my bag to my wrist. Then, suddenly, he grabs my hand.
I feel dizzy. All of a sudden I notice how good he smells.
His silver eyes display that flash of emotion, only it isn't a flash. It lingers as he brings my hand towards his face. His eyes are locked onto mine and I can't seem to look away.
I feel his lips brush my hand and his eyes linger for a moment longer.
Then the spell is broken and he walks out of the room, leaving me behind. I can still feel his lips against my skin.
A/N: So there it is... this could be the start of something good, yes? ;)
Thanks so much to the reviewers/follows/faves! In particular to the reviewers for all the support and the great writing advice! Next chapter will be up by Sunday so I hope you all stick around for more! :)
