Chapter XII

Finally, he/she realizes..

"Lottie?"

That's me! I don't even have to figure it out anymore. I turn to see him leaning against a wall, achingly lovely and waiting for me.

"Hey." I smile softly, walking towards him. I take his hand and together we walk to lunch.

"Charms was a bit of a challenge today." He notes, making small conversation. The past three weeks spent almost constantly with Draco has taught me many things, like he's no good at small talk. Once you start a conversation with him though, he does most of the talking for you.

"It was simple really. I guess you're just better at other stuff. Which reminds me…" I slow to a stop and stand in front of him, stepping closer, "I hear you're quite the Quidditch player. Fancy a game?"

He stares at me in surprise. "Who told you that?"

"The girls." I answer indifferently. I haven't spoken to Pansy since her little tantrum, nor Esme, who simply follows her around silently like a Lady in bloody Waiting. She is in mourning. Because she has no life.

Daphne and Hillary, however, have taken a shine to me and love filling me in on my new…well not exactly boyfriend. He hasn't asked me out, but it's pretty obvious that we're together. We're practically inseparable, and Pansy's inconsolable.

"So, do you fancy a game?" I repeat, leaning a little closer to sway him. His curious expression softens and he nods. Anything for me, eh? That should help.

"Good." I grin and peck his cheek, "I'll borrow someone's broom. I've always wanted to give it a try!"

"We'll sneak out onto the pitch tonight." He says wickedly, excitement glinting in his eyes, "And don't worry; I'm not going to go easy on you."

"I'd hate it if you did." It feels great to know that I'll beat him. He's a good player, but he's really got no chance. Elated, I begin to pull him towards the Great Hall for lunch, but he's got other ideas.

"I don't think so. Let's skip lunch shall we?" He pulls me the other way as I squeak in surprise. Before I know it, we're in an abandoned classroom and he's kissing me again. He seems to like it- he kisses me a lot. But never in public. It's always behind a huge tree, or in an empty classroom or in a broom cupboard. To be honest, I prefer it that way- it'd be kind of rude otherwise, and the guys from Gryffindor would never let me forget it. Actually, they'd probably be more furious than in hysterics.

As we break apart I'm a little dizzy.

"You mean a lot to me, Lottie." He whispers, staring deep into my eyes, as if he's trying to seek out another person in them, "You always have."

"I've only known you for less than a month." I counter, getting a bit uncomfortable, but my heart still sings. He's completely falling for it! Soon enough I'll be able to rip his world apart! Love is so beautiful…

"Believe me, it feels much longer than that." He smirks at what seems like a private joke.

"Well it does feel longer." I agree, pecking him lightly on the lips despite myself. I feel him smile against me and can't deny loving it. He steps back and moves to sit on a desk.

"Have I offended you?" I ask mockingly. He grins sheepishly.

"Just need to sit down." This is ridiculous! Draco Malfoy is light-headed at the expense of kissing Harry Potter. I still can't get my head round it.

"I do have that affect." I brag, grinning cheekily. He watches me for a moment, thinking really hard about something. Before I know anything, he's walking towards me. Instinctively, I back towards the wall, before I bump against it. He raises his hands and places them either side of me, encasing me, so all I can see is him. My heart starts a rapid, unsteady rhythm as he watches me lazily with those pearly eyes.

"It's been three weeks." He reminds me. As if I haven't been counting the days, half scheming, half swooning, "I have a proposal…"

Now I'm pretty sure even Draco can hear my heartbeat as it picks up the pace and rings in my ears. He brings his lips to meet mine, and I'm surprised. It's gentle and slow, paced and sweet. It's different from how we always kiss; fast and furious, heated and rushed. I close my eyes and sink into it, but it's over before I can really get into it. Short and careful. I keep my eyes closed, hanging on to the moment a little longer. I feel Draco's breath in my ear.

"Be my girlfriend."

It's disappointing. I thought it'd be something more exciting than that. I'm not going to give you any ideas of what I was expecting; it's a bit embarrassing…very embarrassing.

"Oh." I didn't exactly sound enchanted. He looked a bit let down at that, probably expecting a gush of "Yes, yes oh YES!" Which, incidentally, was what I was kind of expecting as well, if you know what I mean…!

"I thought I was already." I blurt out, saving the situation very narrowly. His eyes soften again, making me tingle.

"Well, let's make it official- put it up on the school notices." He teases, letting my hair run through his fingers.

"Well, if you want it legitimate, then yeah, sure." I smile at him as best I can. What a dweeb! Who knew Draco would be such a softy?

He smiles widely, and kisses me on my nose. Ew. He doesn't know where that's been! What happened to making out? With a jolt I realize that I'm thinking like a guy again, and try to distract myself with my boyfriend's body heat enveloping me.

Suddenly, my tummy grumbles, annoyed at being forgotten. I blush and squirm with shame. Draco simply chuckles.

"Let's go eat." He tells me, taking me by my hand and leading me out of the room.

SLAM!

"Bye Pansy!" I say brightly, but she's already stormed out of our dorm. Probably because Hillary and Daphne appear not to have any time for her at the moment. They're painting my nails. It's a strange feeling, my fingernails feel cool and the smell makes me dizzy. They're painting them a deep blood red. It looks alluring with my porcelain skin and dainty fingers.

"So hows it going with Malfoy?"

"Oh, it's darn good." I assure them, licking my lips and smirking to myself.

"You'll look stunning tonight," Daphne decides as she eyes my outfit (borrowed from Lavender secretly- it took her a while to combine something that wasn't solid pink.), "Not that you'll need it of course; you turn everyone's head five minutes after you've gotten out of bed!"

I preen, lapping it up contently.

"It's only a little fun on the Quidditch Pitch," I say breezily, although I'm buzzing with excitement, "I'm looking forward to when the real fun kicks off, iiif you know what I mean..."

They gasp and their heads snap up from their hard work to gape at me.

"You're going to…"

"Do it?"

"Tonight?"

I shrug coyly, "It depends...where would we do it?" They see it as a dewey eyed girl pleading for help, but really it's a cunning little minx scouring for the perfect location...they go with my little plans so easily.

"Use the seventh year dorms." Hillary says, mischief glinting in her eyes, "They're all out in the Library for the whole night with their N.E.W.T.s coming up!"

I make a face and shake my head, "That's so tacky! Besides, what if they came in- I'd die."

"The Room of Requirement?"

"Everyone does that…" (Yeah, seriously, Fanfictioners, find a more original place for your sex scenes!)

"If you want it bad enough," Daphne giggles, "You'll find a way."

"Yeah," I agree, blowing on my nails and shaking my hands about impatiently, "I still need to talk to Draco about it…"

"What- you mean he didn't come up with the idea?" Hillary demands.

"I think he's too shy." I muse. They snort simultaneously.

"You're lucky to have a boyfriend who doesn't have a one track mind." Daphne tells me darkly, "Any other guy and they'd already have their pants off! Ok, nails are dry, make-up spell is cast, hair is charmed to have that special bounce aaand you look fantastic!"

I get up from the bed and face the huge mirror. I have to admit I look great. My silky hair seemed to shine even more under the flickering candle-light, my eyes were smoky from Hillary's eye-shadow and liner and the killer smile on my face would knock Draco off his broom.

Lavender's clothes would have to do I suppose. A pair of skinny jeans (when truthfully I hate that fashion) and a cute little blouse with a dark floral print was all she could find.

"Oh, quick, it's nearly eight!" Daphne gushes, and she and Hillary push me from the room, saying things like: "Good luck!" and "Tell us everything when you get back!" I didn't realize girls were so nosy!

For a moment I have to stand in the quiet corridor and take a few deep breaths. I hold out my hands just to see if I'm shaking, and catch sight of the nail varnish.

…I have just had a makeover. I'm a guy, and I've just been treated to a manicure. In one quick realization, everything floods back, my original gender, my hatred for Malfoy, my allegiance to my friends and my sexuality...

This is the point where I start to freak out.