Chapter 10

Riley woke up, trying to remember what happened. She remembered Pansy picking her up and walking with the black-haired girl to the dungeons, she recalled being taken into someone's arms and being lead to the couch.

She remembered smelling peppermint and aftershave. She remembered a whispered promise – I'll always be here – and a soft pair of lips on her forehead.

She opened her eyes and found herself locked in Draco's sleeping figure. She felt herself blush – she'd slept in his arms. In the Common Room where possibly everyone had seen them.

The brunette suddenly realised that she didn't give a damn and snuggled up to him. How could she ever have doubted who she wanted to be with?

"Hey," Draco said sleepily, and she thought his sleepy voice was possibly the sexiest thing on earth, and then he widened his eyes, "Did we…"

"You held me," She said, happy that the Common Room was empty, "You held me…"

He tightened his grip around and drew her closer in a hug. "I will always be here, Riley."

The girl was so overwhelmed with emotion, that she didn't know what to do. She just clutched his shirt and breathed into it.

They got up and got ready for classes, only to find that it was a Sunday and everyone was sleeping in. He grinned at her, took her hand and drew her out of the castle and into the freshly fallen snow.

"Come on, Draco it's freezing out here," She whined, stuffing her hands into her pockets. He had disappeared and she didn't know where he'd gone. He was probably going to scare her, and she didn't even have her wand with her.

He popped up behind her, reaching past her to give her a flower. It was a bright yellow flower. He then put his arms around her, drawing her close to him, and he breathed deeply.

"You smell good," He said, playfully giving her neck a lick. She shrieked and chased him with the flower he'd given her, and he indulged her by running away from her, until he tripped over a snow-covered tree-root, and she dived on top of him.

They wrestled for domination, but as soon as the one pinned the other, the battle would start anew. She knew he was being gentle to her, to make sure he didn't hurt her.

In the end, he won, but she kept telling herself that she let him won, because she could have taken him, no problem.

"I love the snow," She admitted, "I love being out here. With you."

Draco grinned at her and drew her closer to him. They were both sopping wet, and he twirled his wand to dry them off.

"I do enjoy your company, Miss," He said, "You are quite a delight."

"Yes, well, you did taste me. Tell me, what do I taste like?" She teased him, and then his expression grew serious. She was afraid she'd said something wrong.

"You know, Creevey kissed you. Twice – I saw the first one." He said severely, and she flinched, but he just lifted his hand to her face and tilted her face to look at him. "I'm not mad. I mean, not at you, I'm mad at him, because he forced you into those kisses both times."

"But…" She tried, but he silenced her.

"What was your first kiss like?" He wanted to know, glancing down at her lips.

"I expected it to be more," She said, "That sparks would fly or I would hear church bells or thunder or something, but it was rather… disappointing."

He licked his bottom lip, and she gulped. Was this going to be it? He tightened his hold on her, and he moved closer to her.

"Here you two are!" Pansy showed up. Both Draco and Riley cursed and he let her go. "I've been looking everywhere and… you two were having a romantic moment in the snow and I didn't notice it. Sorry, carry on."

"The mood is ruined, Pansy," The brunette spat at her friend, causing Draco to laugh.

"Yeah, you're a bad luck charm for us today, Pansy, sorry to have to tell you." Draco reached for Riley's hand and entwined their fingers. Riley blushed at that, this was a first for her too.

"You two are just perfect," Pansy shrieked, "But why are you in your school uniform? Did you forget it was Sunday?" She didn't wait for a reply. "Come on, you two can go do the romance thing later, I am starving."

Riley was aware that the entire Slytherin was looking at them when they entered hand-in-hand. She attached herself to Draco when she saw Creevey's glare.

Draco felt it and looked at the Gryffindor. He gave him a smirk that said 'I won'. Creevey didn't like that, because he stormed out of the Great Hall.

Later she was cuddled up to Draco in front of the fireplace. He was holding her snuggly, both of his arms around her waist.

"What are we, Draco?" She asked him softly. She felt his head shift behind her, probably to look at her. "You're leaving soon, and then I'll be alone."

"Pansy's here, isn't she?" Was all he said, but she knew he was rethinking his decision to go.

"Yes, and I have an arsenal of curses at my fingertips," She smiled, "I'll be fine. Go and find Potter. And help him."

He didn't say anything.

. . .

Riley Frost

Please reconsider. I love you, more than my own life, and I would join your side if you asked me to. Just ask me. Don't leave me. I'm begging.

Colin

. . .

Riley

Please. You're driving me insane. Have you decided yet? Where will you go when the train comes? Is it me or him? I saw you two together, but I'm hoping it isn't him.

Colin

. . .

The morning the children of Hogwarts were to leave for their homes for the Christmas holidays, Draco found her at the Slytherin table, drinking tea, next to her best friend.

"You're up early," He commented, sliding in on her other side, "nervous, perhaps?"

"No, Draco, I have no reason to be nervous. You, however, do." She reminded him, and he nodded thoughtfully, biting his lip. She still hadn't gotten that kiss.

"But, Riley, I'm not nervous. I'm excited," He whispered the words to her, into her ear, and she felt a shiver travel down her back, "And I want to ask you something."

"Oh?" She lifted a dark brow. She put some butter on her toast and bit off the corner.

"Not here, though," he said, reaching past her for his own toast, "Please pass the jam."

Professor Snape said his farewell speech, which was met with less enthusiasm than he wished for, but he dismissed them and wished them all a pleasant Christmas.

Draco made sure he was next to her on a carriage, and she was starting to get anxious due to his presence.

She jumped when she stepped on a twig, she shrieked when he touched her arm by accident, she yelped when she nearly ran into someone. She was a nervous wreck! She was becoming paranoid again and she hated it when that happened.

She was aware of this too and was looking forward to the quiet of her own home. Of course it would put her in a depression, she was alone in the house for the first time a long time, and her parents' things were still there to be sorted through, but she just wanted to be alone and be allowed to cry and yell and scream and kick and punch the walls until her knuckles bled. She didn't really care what she did, as long as she was alone.

Pansy forced her way through the crowd and joined the two of them on the carriage, only to be joined by, you guessed it, Colin Creevey.

Riley saw Draco's expression change, he was less than impressed and it showed; and even Pansy seemed irritable with the younger boy's presence. He just smiled at Riley and minded his own business.

Nearing the train, Draco pulled Riley with him quickly, standing to one side before they, or rather she, boarded the train.

"Riley, come with me," He said in a low voice, "Please?"

She started, "Excuse me?" She hadn't expected this.

"Come with me," He repeated, "Look, I know you're terrified. I don't know why, but you are so scared of anything happening that you wince for stepping on a twig!"

"I'm paranoid, okay?" She yelled back in a whisper, "It just got worse after I fainted."

"If you come with me, you have a bigger chance of getting him," He said, referring to the murderer she was looking for, "and I have a bigger chance of surviving."

"Going means I choose a side." She said pointedly.

"And would that be so bad? We'd be the traitors, sure, but for what we believe in, Riley." He shrugged, "But choose soon. Also, your boyfriend is looking at us."

"I thought you were my boyfriend?" She teased him, talking about the scene in the hospital wing. And the scenes after that. He had never quite told her exactly what they were.

"Hey, I told him the truth after that," Draco said, "I know you like him, Riley, but is it worth it?" She knew it hurt him that she had feelings for someone else. But her feelings for him were stronger.

"It isn't an easy choice, but you have to do it soon, so Sev can fool people to think that you're missing too." He said, and she nodded. She looked back at Creevey, who was waiting expectantly for her, and she looked away. The choice was easy, but it was hard too.

"What are we Draco?" She demanded. His answer would determine the choice. Otherwise she'd join Pansy on the train.

Draco sighed, "I was hoping you could tell me. All I know is you drive me crazy and I want to spend very possible moment with you." Her breath caught in her throat and the butterflies woke up in her tummy. "I thought you were mine, but if you still have a thing for Creevey… I'm no one's second option."

She rolled her eyes at him, before putting her arms around his neck and pulling him down.

"It was always you," She whispered haughtily. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. Draco responded immediately, putting his arms around her, drawing her closer.

This time Riley knew it was the right choice. Because this kiss was amazing. This kiss, that didn't go deeper than a simple meeting of the lips, made stars burst on her eyelids, it made the sound of wind echo in her ears.

She drew away, and Draco put his forehead against hers, "Please be mine." He said, somewhat out of breath.

"I am." She replied.

Draco took her hand and started to walk into the opposite direction of the train. She followed. She refused to look back at the Gryffindor boy, because she knew she would see hurt and betrayal on his face.

She followed her housemate to a secluded spot, where he faced her again.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To your house; no one knows you or your family. I don't meant to sound like a prick, but it's true. Your house will be the best place to hide for now and for you to establish what we have."

"Great, I'll be alone with you in my home for about four months," she said sarcastically, but she grabbed onto his arm, "Hold on." And she apparated them away.

. . .

A/N: Review?