disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter characters, It Can Only Go Up From Here is a work of fanfiction and all mine )
Chapter 17: Here (In Your Arms)
"Alina, you can't be serious about dating a Malfoy." David said incredulously.
"I am. I like him David."
"Do you love him?"
"I've only known him for a few months,"
"Do you realize that almost his whole family is comprised of those 'Death Eaters'?"
"I do."
"Then do you realize he could be one of them?
"He's not."
"How do you know?"
"I've seen both of his wrists before." She remembered that day he had wore a glorious blue t-shirt revealing his nicely toned arms one morning- she had studied him head to toe, being as observant as she was.
"Even so- you could get yourself into trouble by getting involved with him-"
"I'm not going to get into trouble, okay? I promise."
"Alina- I still love you."
She closed her eyes. She had been so afraid of that.
"I mean it- I would do anything and everything for you-"
"You don't really love me David. You love who I used to be- you loved the idea of me. You loved who you thought I was- you love the relationship we used to have- but you don't love me. There is no way we could work out- how many times do I have to tell you?" David didn't answer. "Can we just go to Hogsmeade and just relax? As friends?" she pleaded. "Please?"
"Fine."
"Thank you." She took his arm. "You can help me pick out a dress," she smiled. "A really old, 80's style pouffy dress with puffy sleeves and lots of tacky ribbons." He smiled faintly.
"Sounds interesting."
"Oh- and you have to try this drink they have here- it's called Butterbeer and it is absolutely delicious..."
They spent the rest of the afternoon in Hogsmeade, but even after many trials and denials she couldn't find clothes for the ball. She decided that she would wear something of Selena's. As they got back Alina reminded herself to talk to Draco.
"I have to talk to Draco. You can find your room, right?"
"Yeah, sure," he replied, a hint of jealousy hidden in his voice. Alina rushed to the Heads' room and burst in, finding four shocked Gryffindors.
"Have you seen Draco?"
"Uh- yeah- he's taking a shower, I think." Hermione answered.
"Thanks." she hurried up the staircase and entered his room, leaving four curious Gryffindors in the Common Room. "Draco?" She knocked on the bathroom door. "Draco, we need to talk." She heard the faucet stop and a little movement inside. As the door opened she tried not to blush at the sight of Draco standing dripping wet in front of her, with only a towel around his waist.
"You're right. We do. So talk." He said, his eyes cool and icy blue, concealing his brewing anger.
"David's here visiting- he never told me he was coming. I promise you, I had no clue until last night."
"He still has feelings for you," he said bluntly.
"Yes, but I don't."
"You sure?"
"Draco-" He took her hand and pulled her into the steaming bathroom and shut the door.
'He just had to come and screw everything up, didn't he?' Alina thought to herself.
'Great- so you feel that way too?' Draco thought bitterly.
'Draco, let go of me.'
'No- I won't Alina- I can't ever let go of you-" her eyes widened slightly. "Do you understand? I can't- for the first time in months I feel as if I'm regaining a part of my life. When I'm with you it'ts like my problems don't even exist...'
'What problems?'
'Nothing.' She racked his thoughts for an answer- this time he tried to break contact with her, but she held on firmly to his hands.
'Oh God- Draco-'
"What the hell did you do that for? Huh? Why the hell are you trying to get involved in things that don't concern you? Can't you tell when to stop being such a nosy brat? Huh? Say something, goddamnit!"
Alina watched in silence with tears streaming down her face as he broke down. "Shh.. sh..." she murmured into his ear. She held him closeto her and let him rest his head on her shoulder. "Shh.. Draco... I'm here..." she stroked his head full of platinum hair and let him cry- even then he kept his dignity and made not one sound at all. He lifted his head up to look at her. She was crying too- she could feel every pain that he had felt.. and she was ending up worse than Draco, sobbing with exhuastion almost uncontrollably.
Realizing that Alina too was in bad shape he made a movement to take her to her bedroom to sleep, but she stopped him, placing a warm hand on his cold arm reaching for the doorknob. Understanding, he sat down on the bathroom floor and using wandless magic dried himself and dressed himself in a robe. He brought her down to sit with him in his lap, and he conjured a blanket to cover her. He leaned his head against the door and she rested hers upon his chest, calming down little by little. Soon she was asleep- or at least, it seemed like she was. As he held her he observed her whole face, brushing stray locks of hair out of the way.
"God you are beautiful." he whispered. Unbeknownst to him she heard it and smiled inside. It was the first time she had ever believed someone when they had said it. Ten minutes later he tried to get her up to carry her to her bed but she was being stubborn.
"Let me stay with you tonight," she grumbled. His Slytherin instincts were tempting him to agree but instead he tried to get her to agree to go to her own room.
"No.." she muttered. He sighed- there was no use fighting her now- he was exhausted too. So finally deciding that she wouldn't go to her own room, he picked her up and laid her down on his bed. She was still in her school clothes. Whispering a quick changing spell she was soon dressed in an oversized tee and boy's boxers, as he had seen her wear to breakfast many times. He undid the ponytail in her hair and let her black hair frame her face. He changed too and was nicely surprised when, a second after getting into bed, she moved herself closer to him. He smirked and urged her closer. She murmured with content as she snuggled against him.
I like
where you sleep,
when you sleep
next to me,
I like
where you sleep
Here.
"Night Alina," he leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. Again to his surprise (but pleasure) she kissed him back and they lingered a few moments before breaking apart. Both had their eyes fully open now. Alina closed her eyes again and wrapped her arms around him as they slept.
Cause our lips,
Can touch,
And our cheeks,
Can brush,
Our lips can touch
Here.
"Morning," Alina whispered into his ear. His eyes opened to the blinding sunlight. She squealed as he flipped her onto the bed.
Where you are the one, the one
"I'm going to get you back for waking me up at such undecent hours."
"Draco-it's seven."
"What?"
that lies close to me
"I've made breakfast for you downstairs already. I have to go get breakfast for David,"
"You don't have to,"
whispers "Hello, I've missed you quite terribly."
"Well yes, but I feel bad."
"Stop being so damn kind," he laughed and tickled her stomach. Giggling for the first time in six months she fought back, kicking her legs at him.
I fell in love, in love with you suddenly
"Ow- vicious American, that's what you are," he said, rubbing his shin. Laughing Alina ran out of the room with Draco chasing after her in close pursuit. He finally caught up with her in the kitchen and picked her up and set her on the countertop.
"Let me go," she pouted.
Now there's no place else
"Sorry, no can do," he smiled and began laying sweet kisses upon her neck.
"Oh- so sorry- don't mind me at all, just getting water," Hermione muttered. Alina began blushing but Draco only smirked. As soon as she left he laughed and continued to kiss her tenderly where her t-shirt was hanging off her bare shoulders.
I could be, but
"Mmph.. Draco.. I have to go..."
"No you don't," he responded, and placed his hands around her waist.
Here in you arms
"No really.. Draco... eat.."
"I'm not hungry." he lifted her shirt a bit, sliding his hands underneath, stroking her hips and feeling her small waist.
Here, here, here, here in your arms...
"Mm.. Draco.. stop." He stopped, smiling, and kissed her on the lips.
"As you wish, madamoiselle."
"Prat." she chuckled, and giving him a quick, chaste kiss back, she left to change.
Oh, here in your arms...
"How did I get so damn lucky?" he wondered aloud.
"That's what I keep wondering."
a/n: review!!!!!!!! the song's by hellogoodbye and the chapter title is obviously the song title