They lay under the covers of the bed in the Room of Requirement, oblivious to the outside world. They were both on their stomachs, and Draco was fast asleep, his arm draped over (y/n)'s back. (Y/n) felt his warm breath on her face as she watched him doze. His pale face was the picture of tranquility, and his blonde hair fell across his closed eyes. His eyelashes were long and soft, and she was slightly jealous of them. Something about his sleeping face made her heart ache. He was so angelic. So without trauma or pain that she wished he could look like this at all times. It was impossible that this sleeping beauty was capable of being cruel. She wanted to wake him to see his smile, but the dark bags under his eyes indicated that he deserved to rest.

(Y/n) twisted out from under his arm to check the time. It was only 7:00, and it was a Saturday, but she knew that Cleo was an early riser, and she didn't want to explain where she had been the night before. She lifted up the covers to leave, but before she could she heard Draco roll over to face her.

"What're you doing?" he mumbled sleepily, and his morning voice made her stomach flip. "It's Saturday."

"I know. Just...my friends -"

"Can wait. Stay." He gently patted the spot in front of him, his eyes only half open. Her mind flashed to the first time he had used that word. Stay. The two uses contradicted one another hugely, but they had one thing in common: they both meant he cared. Unable to resist the sleepy boy laying in front of her, she sighed slightly and then climbed into his arms. He smiled happily and held her tight against him, planting a kiss on her shoulder. The butterflies in her stomach woke from their sleep as she closed her eyes with a smile.

"Draco." (Y/n)'s voice was sharp, waking him.

"What?" She was still turned away from him, so he backed away slightly, pulling his arms from her and tapping her shoulder, signaling that she should face him. She didn't. "What's wrong?" he asked, propping himself up on the pillows behind him. After a few seconds, (y/n) did the same, finally looking him in the eyes. Her eyes darted to his forearm, and his stomach dropped. She had seen it. He tried to pull away, but she grabbed it with her free hand, as he sighed in defeat.

He cursed himself silently. How could he have been so careless? He watched as her eyes traced the ink on his left arm, and he felt defeated. He wracked his brain for the right words, but when he went to speak, no words came out. (Y/n)'s eyes glistened, and he felt her body tense.

"Is this real?" (y/n) asked, her voice wavering slightly. She knew the answer, but didn't know what else to say.

"It's real." He swallowed, his face stony. He looked down at the dark mark on his arm, feeling revolted at the sight of the snake and the skull. "It happened over the summer."

"Why?" (y/n) croaked, a tear slipping down her face. The sight of her crying made his heart ache, and he wanted nothing more than to wipe it from her cheek. But he knew this wasn't the time.

He took a deep breath. "I didn't have much of a choice. It was only a matter of time before I had to follow in my parents footsteps." His jaw tightened. The two were silent.

Suddenly, (y/n) whispered: "My aunt and uncle were Death Eaters." Her gaze settled on the tattoo. Draco's brows furrowed. "They were high up in the ministry. He...you-know-who...he said that if they didn't join them he would kill my cousins. So they joined," she continued. Her voice was hollow, and it worried him. "My parents...they said that they should've died rather than join him. That's why they don't like the wizarding world. Too dangerous." She shook her head, raising her eyes to his, and saw that his face was full of sadness. "You know, they were always kind to me." She paused. "You - you haven't done anything have you?" (Y/n)'s nerves were evident in her voice.

Draco shook his head. "No, he hasn't asked me to yet. I only spoke with him once...to get the mark." He took a deep breath. "Does this change how you feel about me?" He inched his hand close to hers, but didn't touch it.

"Wow Malfoy, are you assuming I have feelings for you? A bit bold don't you think?" (Y/n) was smiling cheekily, successfully lightening the mood.

He smiled back, and leaned in towards her ear, his lips just barely brushing it. "Not assuming, Hufflepuff, I know you do," he whispered, sending shivers down her spine. (Y/n) giggled, and pulled back to look at him. He was waiting expectantly.

"Unfortunately, no, it doesn't," she replied to his question. She shook her head, a trace of a smile still on her lips. "Just...you have to talk to me, ok? This won't work if you just shut down every time I try to ask you something." (Y/n) raised her eyebrows, silently asking if he was ok with that.

He sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'll try, Hufflepuff, but only for you. But...people can't know." He shook his head, and her heart fell.

"Why not?"

He sighed. "It'd put you in danger. If they ever needed to get to me, they'd hurt you...I can't let that happen." His eyes hardened in solemnity. She nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He smiled. "I'm glad you understand. For a second there...I thought I was going to lose you."

"Who's catching feelings now, Malfoy?" she smirked.

"Watch it, Hufflepuff," he growled with a smile. The pair laughed and slid out of bed. Getting dressed, Malfoy told (y/n) that he'd send her a spider that night. She nodded, and he made his way to the door. Just before he left, she called out.

"Wait," she exclaimed. He waited patiently. "Um...I'm gonna have to tell Maggie," she said, grinning sheepishly.

He shook his head with a smile. "I'd expect nothing less." He opened the door and turned to look at her once more. "Bye," he whispered. She waved as he departed. Eventually, she made her way back to the common room, where Maggie was waiting, looking like she was about to burst with anticipation.

"So..." she said with a smile, patting the couch next to her. "Tell me everything." Luckily for (y/n), the common room was empty, as most students were either enjoying the final warm fall days or were finishing up classwork. In a hushed voice, (y/n) recounted the nights events, Maggie's eyes widening with each detail.

"Shit, (y/n), he's a Death Eater?" She looked concerned. Maggie's mom was a muggle, and (y/n) knew how much this would worry her.

"I know. But...I trust him, and he said that he hadn't done anything." She looked at Maggie pleadingly.

Maggie shook her head. "I don't know, (y/n), I'm not sure I trust him."

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then you have to trust that I know him. He wouldn't hurt me." (Y/n) nervously waited for her answer. Maggie sighed.

"Ok, but if he does he's going to have to go through me. And my super hot new boyfriend." She smiled, and both of them laughed. (Y/n) was insanely relived. Things were going well, and she was finally at peace. She should've known that it wouldn't last forever.