Chapter 12: Falling Harder

Later that day, I found myself in the Malfoy's library, sitting on a couch with a book cracked open.

The book had mentioned a passionate kiss that a couple was sharing; subconsciously I brushed my fingers over my swollen ruby lips.

I looked up from the book to the huge window that sat on the left side of the couch. A blanket of new snow was forming with snowflakes. The outside world looked like a winter wonderland that only seemed to exist in fairytales.

"Are you going to stay in here all day?" Draco asked as he sat on a chair that across from the couch.

"Yes." I bluntly said as I went back to reading.

"How about coming outside with me?" he asked with a charming smile.

"I don't think so." I said, still reading the romance novel.

"As much as I love seeing you in that position I still want you to come outside with me." Draco said as he snatched the book away from me and stood up.

"DRACO! STOP IT!" I said as I tried reaching for the book, even standing on the couch but he moved away from me, out of my reach.

"Not until you come with me."

"Draco, if I don't want to go outside then I do have that right." I replied as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Well, see, you don't, since I am the owner of this manor and the master, you have no other choice then to listen to me." He smirked.

"Oh please…I'm still not going." I firmly responded.

"Well if you wont go willingly then I will just have to force you." He lunged after me but I quickly jumped off the couch.

"Fine, I'll go." I gave in.

I raced up the stairs to my closet, quickly changing into more proper clothes for the cold weather.

I put on a plain dark red turtleneck, blue jeans, black snow boots, a gray jacket, with a black scarf, hat and mittens. I put my hair into a messy bun.

As soon as I was done getting ready I ran to the front door to see Draco there, waiting.

"It's about time you got here." He smirked.

"I'm so sorry it took me so long." I said with sarcasm.

"Are you done now?" he asked.

"Yeah, let's go."

We walked outside to see that snow was just barely falling from the heavens. As I was busy gazing around the world I suddenly felt a snowball hit the side of my face.

"AHH! THAT'S COLD!" I screamed as I hastily wiped the cold substance off my face.

Draco was laughing at my reaction.

"You think that was funny." I yelled at him.

"Yes I do." He said as he continued on giggling.

I grabbed a handful of snow, rolling it up in a ball and throwing it at his laughing face. He looked at me with a vengeance.

I ran across the yard and hid among the trees, creating more snowballs. I peeked on the side of the tree; Draco was nowhere to be seen. I checked on the other side of the tree and still received the same result. I had a snowball in my hands, ready for its target. I turned around to check behind me and there he was with two snowballs within each of his hands. I immediately threw mine at him, hitting his face. He chaced after me.

We continued the snowball fight for a couple of hours until the sun started slowly disappearing behind the great structures of Mother Nature.

We walked into the warm manor with wet clothes and freezing bodies. I trudged up to my room, throwing my clothes onto the floor as soon as I entered the space.

I wandered into the bathroom and drew myself a hot bath, locking all the doors to the lavatory. I stepped into the warm water, sinking into it gradually. I closed my eyes, relishing in the coldness that was being substituted with a soothing warmth. I cleaned my hair and body. As soon as I stepped out of the tub and wrapped a rather short towel around my body Draco's door to the restroom had burst open by him nonetheless.

"How long are you going to take?" his hard words turned softer once he saw me in most of my glory.

"I'm done and do you have to be such an animal?" I asked as I popped the drain plug up, allowing the water to drain.

"I'm not an animal." He scowled.

"Yeah a normal person wouldn't knock on the door and ask if I was done, yet." I said as I ambled out of the bathroom.

I could hear him behind me.

"Why are you following me?" I asked as I walked into my closet.

"I just can't keep my eyes off of you when you're wearing that. You're just so beautiful." He commented as he rubbed his hand on my cheek and left towards the bathroom.

Draco had really transformed into somebody that I hardly recognized anymore, since he had confessed his feelings. He was gentler and more open, still somewhat of a perv. And I was falling more in love with him.

I changed into a fitting, plain, white, long sleeved shirt with a pair of gray sweatpants and rainbow colored socks. I presented a spell that dried my hair within a minute. I sat on my bed and lied down. I wasn't really hungry for dinner; my thoughts were keeping my appetite at bay.

Then I heard the door open. I glanced over at the doorframe, Draco stood there in a simple black shirt that hugged his burly form and dark jade sweatpants.

"Feel better?" I asked with droopy eyes.

"Yeah." He simplified as he walked at the end of my bed and crawled next to me.

I wasn't going to push him away anymore. I was allowing myself, for the first time, to bond with somebody that I could actually come to call my own.

Draco pulled the covers over us, trying to keep warm, but I didn't need the blankets for that. His bright smile alone did that for me.

I scooted closer to him, laid my head upon his chest and lazily draped my arm across his waist. He moved his hand to my back, keeping me next to him.

I closed my eyes as Draco ran his fingers through my hair. Neither of us exchanged words, just enjoying the serene silence. Soon, my mind drifted into a passive sleep.