7 – Sentimental Illness (For You)

HALEY

"He's staring at you."

"What? Who?"

The words startled Haley. She frantically looked around the Great Hall. But she couldn't find anyone that was staring at her. Not even at the Slytherin table.

"Justin," Hermione replied, nodding toward the Hufflepuff table.

"Oh," she said, feeling a heavy weight in her stomach. She hadn't given him a reply yet and it was almost one week after they had talked.

She carefully glanced toward the Hufflepuff table and there he was. He was smiling at her and waving cheerfully. Haley smiled back and gave a little wave herself. Then she focused on curling up some pasta on her fork again. She didn't have to look up to know that Hermione was watching her with curious eyes.

…

Haley couldn't sleep that night. Her mind was keeping her up with all kinds of useless thoughts.

How was she supposed to decide this on her own? Which choice was the right one?

She couldn't decide it on her own. It was time to get some advise. With renewed determination Haley crawled out of her bed and went over to Hermione's. She peeked through the curtains to see if her friend was still awake.

"Couldn't fall asleep?" Hermione asked, with a knowing look in her eyes.

"How did you know?" Haley asked back, as her friend sat up and leaned against the headboard.

"Your tossing and turning could have woken a troll," she dead-panned. Well, she had a point there.

Haley grinned sheepishly. Hermione chuckled and patted the space next to her. She crawled onto the bed and sat down beside her friend.

"So…what's on your mind?"

"I… I don't really know where to start…" Haley admitted, pulling her knees up to her chest.

"How about at the beginning?"

Haley sighed. If only it was that easy.

"You know… hypothetically speaking," she whispered, "if somebody asked you on a date… what would you do?"

"Hypothetically speaking?" Hermione echoed. Haley nodded.

"Hm… I guess it would depend on what I thought of the person who asked me. Whether I liked them or knew them in the first place."

"Right," Haley whispered, saving that information for later, "And what would you answer?"

"You haven't given them your answer?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised.

"No," Haley replied, "I- I mean – we're – we're not talking about me here…"

She felt like she was shrinking under her friend's unimpressed gaze. She wasn't fooling her.

She sighed. "Fine. I admit it. And no, I haven't answered yet. Not properly anyway."

Hermione grinned in a way that was annoyingly satisfied.

"Well, what did you say?" She asked.

"I said, I'd think about it," Haley whispered.

"That's it? Nothing more?" Her friend wanted to know. Haley shook her head.

"What else was I supposed to say? I didn't know what to do! I still don't know…" She bit her lips anxiously. This was so frustrating. Hermione smiled at her warmly.

"I can't tell you what to feel, Haley. This is something you need to figure out on your own."

Haley frowned in annoyance. "But how am I supposed to do that?"

Hermione watched her for a moment, considering her next words.

"Have you tried picturing it?" She asked finally.

"Picturing what?"

"Going on a date with them."

Haley shook her head again.

"If you can't picture that, maybe you should say no," she advised thoughtfully, "but if you can..."

Haley gave it a try. She tried to imagine what it would be like to go on a date with Justin Finch-Fletchley. She came up blank. She didn't know him well enough. In her mind she saw herself smiling awkwardly and frantically thinking up things to talk about.

And then Malfoy… What would a date with the Slytherin be like? She couldn't picture that either.

They would probably end up strangling each other. She chuckled at the thought. But there was also the chance that it would be completely different. She couldn't imagine sitting in a café with the boy and drinking tea or coffee like normal people did on a date. It was impossible to picture anything like a typical date where Malfoy and her were concerned. But strangely that didn't bother her too much. If anything it fueled her curiosity and made her want to find out exactly what it could be like.

"I think you've got your answer," Hermione said with a smirk. Haley bit her lips shyly. She was one step closer to making a decision.

"So, aren't you going to tell me who asked you out in the first place?" Hermione asked.

Haley froze. "J-Justin," she whispered almost soundlessly. She wasn't lying but it also wasn't the whole truth either.

"Who would have thought," Hermione replied nonchalantly, bumping her shoulder lightly.

Haley cleared her throat uncomfortably. It looked like there were two boys at Hogwarts she was owing an answer.

…

DRACO

Draco had never behaved in a more pathetic manner than he was now. And he'd never cared less about it. His upper half was slouched over his table in the library and he did nothing but sigh.

Sigh. There was no reaction. Maybe he should try sighing louder. He proceeded to sigh louder.

Still no reaction. This was useless. He hit the table with his fist in frustration. The long scratching sound of a quill on parchment could be heard.

"I'm trying to finish my Transfigurations essay," Lovegood informed him kindly.

"So what?" He grumbled moodily. The scratching stopped.

"You're being a bit loud. It's hard to concentrate like that," she said, in her calm, quiet voice.

How was she this calm? How was she this calm, when Draco felt so restless?

He turned his head so he was facing her. "You're no help at all," he complained with a pout, "how dare you act like everything is fine when I still don't know, whether she's coming with me or not?"

He absolutely didn't sound like a four-year-old. Absolutely not.

"Right," Lovegood said, "You finally asked Haley on a date, didn't you?"

Draco watched her suspiciously. "Wait. How do you know about that?"

"Who else would you be talking about? Besides, you're the one who told me. About eleven times, I think," Lovegood stated.

Draco squinted his eyes at her. Why did he spend his precious time with the Ravenclaw again? He looked away in annoyance. He sighed again. He would sigh until the world got better all on its own. Whenever that would be.

"You're sighing again," Lovegood observed like the clever little Ravenclaw she was.

"So I am."

"Is there a particular reason you're sighing?"

"Yes, there is," Draco whined, "I asked her out on Friday, right? And she still hasn't given me a proper answer! Do you know what day it is today?"

"Of course, I do."

"It's Thursday!"

Lovegood nodded.

"And the Hogsmeade trip is already this weekend! Can you believe that?"

"I can."

"Exactly!" Draco exclaimed, "I mean – I mean, Merlin, this is so frustrating!"

"Why don't you simply ask her?"

"I can't just ask her," he objected, "What a stupid idea."

"Why not?" Lovegood wondered.

"Well…" Draco leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"What if she says no?" He muttered dejectedly, "What if she actually goes on a date with that Hufflepuff loser?"

"Now, that would be disappointing, wouldn't it?" The Ravenclaw stated, picking up her quill again. Draco wasn't sure whether she actually meant that or whether she was making fun of him.

He watched her warily. She looked innocent enough.

"Should I ask her then?" She asked offhandedly.

"No, you should not! That's a terrible idea! Are you sure, you're actually a Ravenclaw?"

Lovegood didn't seem offended by his barb in the slightest. She only grinned as if she knew something he didn't and replied, "I simply thought, since she's going to come over here anyway-"

"What do you mean she's coming here anyway?"

"You were working on a potions essay earlier, weren't you?" The girl inquired.

"Yes," Draco answered slowly. He didn't know what that had to do with anything.

"Aren't the two of you in the same potions class?"

He nodded. Where was the girl going with this?

"And where did you get your books for research from?"

Something started to dawn on him. He had gotten his books from the shelf just around the corner. Because that was the part of the library where all the advanced potions literature was. That meant…

Sooner or later she had to come here to get her literature as well.

"But she's not even in the library at the moment," he argued.

"You didn't know?" Lovegood asked, "I've seen the Lion Princess maybe half an hour ago, she was sitting somewhere in the front part of the library."

"Lion Princess?" Draco asked in irritation.

"You were the one who told me not to say her name," Lovegood reminded him, "Besides, I thought it was fitting. Did you know that some people call you the Ice Prince?"

Draco was momentarily thrown off by her impossible logic. But he had to admit that her deductions concerning their potions essay hadn't been stupid at all.

"Oh, wasn't that her voice just now?" Lovegood wondered, tilting her head to one side.

She was right. He'd heard it, too. He would recognize her voice everywhere. Potter was talking to someone. And it sounded like she was really close.

"She can't see me here," he whispered.

Draco wasn't ready to face her. Not here. He wasn't ready for people to find out that he spent time with Loony Lovegood. Who knew what the Ravenclaw would say or how she would embarrass him?

It seemed like the girl knew exactly what he was thinking.

"There's still time to hide," she suggested, "Under the table or behind that shelf…" She said it with an air of indifference. But to Draco who was slowly getting to know the Ravenclaw's antics it seemed that she was slightly disappointed over his behaviour. At the same time it seemed as if she hadn't expected anything else to begin with.

He knew he was being unfair. But in that moment there were more important matters than worrying about the feelings of Luna Lovegood. Surely she would understand.

He got up from his seat and made for the shelf that marked the boundary between the normal and the restricted area. He certainly wasn't going to hide under a table! That was beneath him.

And luckily there was a small opening between two shelves that he was able to squeeze through. Another step to the left and he was mostly hidden from the view of anyone who was possibly coming to his and Lovegood's corner. And just in time it seemed.

"Luna, hey," asked a voice that Draco easily recognised as Potter's. He couldn't even see her because there was not a single gap between the books. At least he was still able to hear her voice.

"Hello," replied Lovegood in her dreamy voice.

"Do you still need that?" Potter asked, "That's exactly the book I was looking for."

What book? She couldn't be talking about his book, could she?

"Oh that," Lovegood answered, "Feel free to take it, I don't need it."

How could she just give his book away like that? Draco was sure the girl had done that on wouldn't have taken her for a resentful person.

"Are you sure?" Potter asked, "Great! Thank you, Luna."

Draco guessed Lovegood must have nodded or something.

"This essay is insanely complicated! I was about to give up," she admitted. Draco had to force himself not to run to her side and offer to be her tutor or something. It was all due to the desperation in her voice. But at least he was able to help her indirectly. With the book. He'd even marked the most important passages.

"Is that meeting still going to take place on Saturday?" Lovegood inquired.

"What meeting?" Potter wanted to know. Draco was curious about that, too.

"The Defence Against the Dark Arts meeting," replied Lovegood.

"Oh. Right," Potter said, "I didn't know Hermione invited you, too."

"She didn't," stated the Ravenclaw, "Ginny told me about it."

"Oh, I see."

That was fun because Draco had no idea what they were talking about.

"So, we're still going to meet in Hogsmeade?" Lovegood asked.

"Yes," Potter answered. She sounded confused about the question, "Why wouldn't we?"

"You could have made other plans. Meeting friends or going to visit the Shrieking Shack. Everyone says it's the most haunted building of England. But I'm not so sure about that. Not since dad took me to Canterbury Castle last winter."

"Well… I've certainly seen enough of the Shrieking Shack," Potter answered slowly, "You don't need to worry though, we'll definitely have our meeting on Saturday. But I don't think it's going to take all day."

It was silent for a moment. Then Potter's voice could be heard again.

"Well, then… I'll see you on Saturday. And thanks again for the book!"

Draco heard the Gryffindor's retreating steps and squeezed back into their seating corner.

He sat back down in his chair and started to wonder what all of that had been about.

"See?" Lovegood asked, smiling in a satisfied way.

"See what?" Draco asked in annoyance.

"Now, you know that the Lion Princess still has enough time for a potential date on Saturday."

"Yes, but we still don't know who that potential date is going to be with. And what meeting were you talking about anyway?"

"I can't tell you that," Lovegood stated simply.

"Why not?" Draco questioned.

"You haven't been invited," she said with a shrug.

"So what?"

"So, I can't tell you that."

"Invite me, then."

"I don't think that's a good idea, do you?"

Draco stared at the Ravenclaw in disbelief for a moment. Then he realised something.

"This was pointless. Utterly pointless."

Lovegood shrugged. Then she said, "I can't do everything for you. If you want to know something you should ask."

"Is that some clever Ravenclaw saying?" Draco scoffed.

"It's common sense," Lovegood said in her dreamy voice. Now she was being smart with him? The nerve of her! This was unbelievable. He crushed his teeth together.

"We should go," the Ravenclaw said, as she packed up her things and got up.

"What?" He asked. As if there was any place the two of them would go together.

"I'll help you find out about your heart's desire," the girl whispered.

What? Was she going completely insane? Normally Draco would never have listened to such a crazy suggestion but there was something in the girl's eyes that told him, she knew exactly what she was talking about. What's the worst that could happen?, he found himself thinking.

And as he got up and took his bag he wondered, whether craziness was actually contagious.

...

HALEY

"I can't concentrate when I'm hungry," Ron groaned with his head on the table.

Haley knew exactly what he was talking about. She let her head fall onto the table as well.

"The two of you are unbelievable," Hermione chided them. But she knew it made little sense to keep working on their homework when her two friends were this demotivated.

"There's nothing wrong with a little break, I guess," Hermione relented, getting up and packing up her quills and rolls of parchment. Haley was just about to do the same when someone stopped next to their table.

"Is that your quill?" Asked Luna Lovegood dreamily.

"Yeah, is something wrong with it?" Haley asked in return, as she packed up her own things. Luna had picked said quill up from the table and inspected it curiously.

"I was wondering what kind of bird the feather is from," she mused.

"Um, actually it's not from a bird," Haley explained, "It...belonged to a hippogriff." To be exact it was one of Buckbeak's feathers. A present from Sirius.

"Really?" Luna asked in amazement, "I've always wanted to see hippogriffs! I heard Hagrid used to teach about them. But then there was some kind of accident with a student and-"

"Haley! Are you coming or should we go ahead?" Ron called from the entrance of the library. She hadn't even noticed that her friends had already started to leave. Well, it was impressive how fast Ron could be when there was the promise of food.

"I'm coming!" Haley retorted before turning back to Luna, "Are you coming with us? It's almost time for dinner."

"Do you mean that?," she asked, astounded, "Ginny is the only person that has ever asked me to walk to the Great Hall together."

"Yes, of course, I mean it," Haley replied. It didn't sound like the girl had many friends. She felt bad for the Ravenclaw.

"That's really kind of you," Luna said, "But I still have some things left to finish up. Maybe some other time?" She sounded really hopeful.

"Of course," Haley made sure to convey that she really meant what she said, "Good luck with your assignments!"

She sent her an encouraging smile, before turning and making her way over toward the exit where Ron and Hermione were waiting.

"Wasn't that Loony Lovegood?" Ron asked, once Haley had reached them.

"It's Luna, Ron," Haley corrected and started to walk ahead, "And I don't think she has many friends, so you should be nice on Saturday."

"Saturday?" He asked.

"Yeah… remember our Anti-Umbridge meeting?"

"Of course, I remember that. Is Loony coming, too? You actually invited her?"

"Ginny did," Haley stated simply.

"Hm," Ron replied, "So what did she want from you anyway?"

"Oh.. um, she wanted to see my quill. You know, the one Snuffles got me. She seemed to be interested in magical creatures."

"She'd like Charlie then," Ron commented.

It was then that Haley realised something.

"No! I forgot it in the library," she groaned in annoyance, as she stopped walking.

"What?" Ron asked.

"My quill! It's not in my bag!" She exclaimed, as she rummaged through her bag hastily.

"Why don't you simply ask Luna at dinner? She might have picked it up," Hermione suggested.

"No, I'm going to look for it myself," she said. It wasn't just any quill. It had been a present from Sirius so she was definitely not going to risk losing it.

"Besides, it didn't look like Luna was going to be finished any time soon."

"Well… we'll save you a seat," Ron informed her and continued his march to the Great Hall. He was such a caring friend. Hermione rolled her eyes over his behaviour.

"See you in a bit. I'll save you some of the pumpkin pasta you like," Hermione told her with a smile. Haley smiled back gratefully. "Thanks Hermione," she said and started to make her way back to the library.

…

Luckily she didn't have to walk all that far. There was a corner at the end of the hall. She only had to turn that corner, walk down another hall and then she would reach the library. If she walked fast she would be back in the Great Hall in less than five minutes.

As Haley almost ran around the corner she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. If there had been a student leaning against the wall, she would have run past without taking notice of them. She would have run past if that person hadn't been clearing their throat importantly. Even then, she wouldn't have looked back.

But as it was, she knew that head of blond hair. She also knew the arrogant posture. And what seemed awfully familiar as well, was the quill he was holding in his hand.

So she stopped. Only to stalk over to the boy purposefully.

"That's my quill," she said accusingly. She was standing in front of him now.

"You're welcome," Malfoy drawled, holding the quill out to her.

Haley snorted. "I didn't know you were supposed to thank a thief."

She reached for the quill but Malfoy raised an eyebrow at her and held it out of her reach.

"I'm not the one who forgot this precious quill in the library. I merely found it," he said, as he inspected the quill closely.

"Fine, I forgot it," Haley admitted. She imagined it was easier that way, "Can you give it back now?"

She didn't feel like doing this now. She hadn't even talked to Justin yet. That was one conversation she did not look forward to. And she sure as hell didn't want to have a similar conversation with Malfoy now. Not with everything that seemed to be floating between them unsaid. Not when she still didn't have the slightest idea on how to behave around the boy. How to talk to him. How to not stare. How to not blush when she looked into his eyes. How to forget that not a week ago this boy had asked her out on an actual date. How was she supposed to keep herself from freaking out over the whole situation?

"Of course you can have it back," Malfoy said almost sweetly. That was odd. She hadn't thought he would give in so easily.

"But first, I think you owe me an answer," he added, grinning smugly.

So much for giving in easily. Malfoy walked a few steps down the hall toward an empty class room. He was obviously expecting her to follow him. Haley closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply.

How in Merlin's name was she supposed to talk to him? How?

She opened her eyes again and saw that the expression on Malfoy's face had softened somewhat. He was waiting for her.

He was right. She did owe him an answer.

Every step she took toward the boy felt meaningful. Haley was afraid that Malfoy thought the same. That he wouldn't let her turn around again once she was there in front of him. She was probably overthinking this but she couldn't help it.

"I'm not going to eat you, don't worry," Malfoy whispered once she had reached the class room.

"All I want is an answer," he added as the door fell shut behind them. Haley couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped. What was he planning to do with her? Why hadn't she grabbed the quill and run away?

It seemed almost as if Malfoy was sensing her discomfort. He took a few steps away from her and sat down on top of one of the tables. Her quill was on the table next to him. He looked slightly uncertain all of a sudden. Like he hadn't expected her to react like this. And now he had no idea how to continue with his plan.

Haley shook herself out of her paralysis. This was stupid. She was a witch. She had faced Lord Voldemort. She would certainly not think herself into a panic just because of Draco Malfoy.

With newfound purpose she marched over toward the boy and stopped in front of him.

"You want to have an answer?" Haley asked, her voice like an oncoming storm.

It seemed like Malfoy was surprised over her sudden change in attitude. Then he considered her question and seemed to hesitate for a moment.

"I believe, that's what I said," he answered, looking straight into her eyes. Haley had practised this. Well, in her mind at least. She had desperately tried to come up with the right set of words that could convey what she wanted to say to him but something about this look threw her off.

He looked at her as if he was afraid. Afraid of her words. Like her words had the potential to turn his life around completely. To change him. And to change her, too.

Suddenly they weren't enough any more. Her words sounded all wrong in her head.

Malfoy was watching her with his silvery, grey eyes and all she could come up with was, "I don't know – it's – I just – I – I don't know what to say."

Malfoy frowned at her, trying to make sense of her words. Then he finally asked, "Do you despise me that much?"

"I – no, that's not what I –" Haley answered but Malfoy already started to ask the next question.

"Is it because of that Hufflepuff loser then?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

He glared at her angrily. "You know what I'm talking about! That… Hufflepuff who – who asked you – well, are you going to Hogsmeade with him or not?"

Haley shook her head. "No, I'm not," she insisted, "How did you even know about this?"

This piece of information seemed to surprise the Slytherin. It surprised herself as well, as she hadn't made her final decision until then.

"I – I… Really? You're really not going with him?" He asked, grabbing Haley's shoulders and searching her eyes with unexpecting urgency.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head quickly.

Malfoy grinned happily and squeezed her shoulders once. Then he let go of her and leant back on the table until he was lying on his back on top of it.

"I'm so glad," he whispered into his hands that were covering his face. He sat back up in one move, making the huge, delighted grin visible. Who was this person and what had he done to Draco Malfoy?

Haley didn't know what would happen next but just in case it was even more insane than anything the Slytherin had done before, she sat down on the table behind her. Everything was easier if you didn't have to worry whether your legs would continue to support you or not.

"So… you don't despise me," Malfoy stated, watching her closely.

Haley shook her head. She had long since stopped hating the boy. Had it really been hate in the first place? Whatever it had been it was different now.

"Do you.. dislike me then?" Malfoy asked.

"Not really… no," Haley replied. Where was he going with this?

The Slytherin slid down from the table and took a step toward her until he was the one standing in front of her.

"Do you… hate the idea of going to Hogsmeade with me?" Malfoy questioned, resting his hands on the table on each side of her and leaning far into her personal space. The git was playing dirty. How was she supposed to think straight when his glinting eyes were the only thing she saw? Haley swallowed thickly.

"I don't," she breathed almost soundlessly.

A smug little smirk appeared on the Slytherin's face and he leaned back slightly. His gaze was focused on his right hand that had started to play around with the sleeve of her robes.

"You see, to me it sounds like there is absolutely no reason for you not to come to Hogsmeade with me."

It was impossible to argue with him when he put it like that. Haley tried to think of a clever response but her head felt strangely empty in that moment. She didn't feel like arguing anyway.

"I guess," she gave in at last. Her heart was beating furiously in her chest. She felt herself losing control over the situation. How was Malfoy doing that?

"So, you are coming to Hogsmeade with me, right?" The Slytherin asked again, as if he had to make sure she wasn't tricking him. What a funny thought. She wasn't the one who went around tricking people.

"Technically, I can't really do that," she argued, finding her wits again. Malfoy watched her warily.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

Haley chuckled. "Well, it's not like we can actually walk down the path to Hogsmeade together. Everyone would see us."

It was almost comical how fast the expression on his face changed from wariness to relief.

"Don't worry, I've already figured that out," – Of course he had – "We can just meet somewhere. I'll let you know where."

His hand was wandering from her sleeve to the back of her hand, his fingers ghosting over her skin lightly. But he seemed hesitant to actually touch her.

Haley looked up into his face and saw something akin to nervousness. What an unusual sight. But it was also a tiny bit cute.

Malfoy exhaled soundly, "Is that...all right…?" He asked tentatively.

"Yes," she agreed, chuckling slightly. She decided to put him out of his misery.

"I'll meet up with you in Hogsmeade." It was insane. Haley knew that. But with the way Malfoy's whole face seemed to light up at her words she couldn't find it in herself to worry too much.

...

DRAGO

"Yes, I'll meet up with you in Hogsmeade." Yes. I'll meet up with you in Hogsmeade. Yes. I'll meet up with you. Yes. Yes. Yes. YES.

This girl in front of him with the impossibly green eyes was going to be the end of him.

How was it that a couple of words or her smiling face made him feel like there was a bloody inferno burning through him? Or like he was lighter than a feather, with nothing to ground him and no safety net beneath.

He didn't know what he would have done, if she had said no. But luckily he didn't have to find out.

Because she had said yes. To him.

Draco wanted to hug her. He wanted to kiss her. More than he usually did. He wanted to pull her close and never let go.

He did none of that. Because as much as he wanted to, he was afraid she wouldn't want it.

The last thing he wanted was to scare her away. Holding her hand would be okay though, wouldn't it?

"Good," Draco whispered, as he let his hand rest on top of Haley's. It was so small. But it felt pleasantly warm in his own hand.

Of course it was more than just "good". More like amazing. Or fantastic. Or brilliant! But Draco couldn't admit how much her answer meant to him. Not yet. He had to preserve some of his dignity.

"Good," he said again, losing himself in the girl's sea green eyes, that were calmly glancing back into his. He could keep this up for hours, just stare into her eyes and forget everything else around them.

"Um," Potter cleared her throat, "Hermione and Ron are waiting for me. So…"

She pulled her hand out of his grasp and looked away.

So what? Let them wait. Draco didn't care if they had to wait ten hours. He didn't want Potter to go already. She would have to get past him first anyway. But Potter wouldn't be Potter if she let his mere presence stop her. The girl swung her legs to the other side of the table and slid to the ground.

So much for getting past him.

She was almost at the door when Draco called after her, "Wait, you forgot this!" Again, he thought as he held up her quill.

Before Potter could turn around completely Draco had made his way over toward her.

"Here," he said, holding the quill out to her. She took it out of his hand but before she could turn to leave, Draco grabbed her wrist, effectively stopping her.

"You can't go back on your word, now," he told her quietly.

Potter raised one eyebrow at him. "I always keep my word," she said almost playfully and grinned at him.

It was probably for the best that Potter chose that moment to free herself from his grasp and left the class room. The playful tone of her voice had been a direct attack on his heart. And Draco didn't know how much more of it he would actually be able to survive.

If nothing else it was good practise for Saturday. After all he would be spending much more time with her on their Hogsmeade trip.

Once Draco's heart had calmed down somewhat, there was a tingling sensation that filled his whole body from head to toe. What was it he was feeling? It reminded him of flying but it was even better than that. He wanted to tell someone. Anyone. How was he supposed to keep this to himself?

I have to go and find Lovegood, Draco thought. It seemed as if he really was going crazy now. Well, if being crazy always felt this amazing, he wasn't going to complain.

…

A/N: Hello people :) I know you were probably expecting the date but... this chapter simply went on and on so... instead it's like a prologue or something. Which means the Hogsmeade trip will come up in the next chapter!
A little info: I'm starting on my thesis pretty soon so I won't have much time to write. Or to update. But I think you won't have to wait for the date chapter too long :) Also, gosh, writing Draco with Haley is so tough. He doesn't let you progress with the story because he's too busy fawning over her... Get a hobby, Draco!
Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Title's from Green Day's "Too Dumb To Die"