D E V O T I O N

Written by Bunnyyyy
Disclaimer Harry Potter series belongs to JK Rowling.
Shipping Draco/OC
Rating M
Author's Note: So I've been going through a very difficult time, and updating my story has been helping to distract me and cope with things. Thanks for the reviews! Also, I'd like to say to all the readers that Draco will be a lot different than what we're all used to. I came up with this story when I was 13 and was practically in love with Draco Malfoy, so he'll have characteristics that we all wish guys had. Sorry!

Chapter Five Late Night Talks

"Evie!"

I stopped. Was he really calling after me? Or maybe I'm just hearing things that I want to hear. I shook my head. Can someone even yell that loud? Ignoring Draco's call, I closed my eyes and flomped onto my bed. I buried my face into the pillow and tried to clear my mind.

"Evie?"

Oddly enough, Draco sounded a lot closer. But that's impossible. The doors are closed, so I shouldn't be able to hear him at all. It sounded like he was in my room, rather than a football field length away. Then the sudden weight on the other side of my bed confirmed it.

"Ahhh!"

I screamed and toppled off my bed, smacking my face on the floor.

"Fuck!" I sat up cradling my face as my eyes blurred with tears from the pain. I kneeled at the side of my bed to see Draco sitting casually with a slight smirk on his face. This is beyond embarrassing.

"What are you—"

"You shouldn't leave your doors unlocked," Draco pointed at my balcony doors. One door was opened slightly; not the way I left it.

My shock quickly turned into furry as I stood up, straightened my clothing, and walked over to him. He stood.

"Draco, you need to get out." I grabbed onto his arm and tried to tug him towards the balcony.

"No." He stood his ground, and I failed to even move him an inch.

"Please, Draco."

"Why were you with Potter? I told you that if you are friends with them, then we cannot be friends." His smirk was wiped clean off his face, and he stared down at me with seriousness. I couldn't hold eye-contact with him long and ended up looking down at the floor.

"I'm friends with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. I'm friends with Luna, Neville, Fred, and George too." I felt almost guilty admitting that.

"Then you do realize our friendship is no longer?"

I furrowed my eyebrows and glared up at him as I whispered, "You weren't my friend. A friend would be a friend no mater what. A friend wouldn't call their friend ugly especially in front of a group of people and laugh about it. And a friend wouldn't pretend to be a friend just so they could get into someone's pants. Besides, I've know you for what—a day? What's the big deal?"

Draco's eyes flickered with anger as I said that last part. "Is that what you think? You think I just want to have sex with you?" He took a step closer to me, but his anger didn't falter. It increased. "I thought that since you knew nothing of me, perhaps you could be the one true friend I could have. I have to keep up a stupid reputation as being Slytherin's King, Evaleen, and so I have no friends. I have no one to talk to, no one that truly cares about me. Everyone just kisses up to me because they think that if I talk to them, they're automatically accepted as a true Slytherin. And if my father knew how much I hate acting out the role of the Slytherin King—if anyone knew—I'd be ruined. I thought that if you got to know the real me, then you wouldn't end up like everyone else who despises me."

It took me a while to find my voice. I was speechless, to say the least. How could someone cope with that sort of life? "But—Harry, and Hermione, and Ron—"

"I hate them. But at the same time, I don't."

I raised an eyebrow, "What do you—"

He smiled slightly, "You'd have to be my friend in order for me explain that much."

I rolled my eyes, but a frown soon crept across my face. "You called me foul looking."

Draco fell silent. When I noticed that he had stepped closer, he lifted my chin and looked me straight in the eyes. My heart fluttered.

"I didn't mean it. It was all part of the act. There's nothing foul about you at all. You're beautiful."

My cheeks flushed red, and I could feel his thumb rub against my chin. I didn't care about how corny it sounded after he said that; I could die happy. But suddenly, there was pounding on my door and Draco's hand fell. Just my luck.

"Evaleen? Are you alright? I heard a scream."

It was Hilda. I was surprised she ever heard my scream with her hearing getting as bad as it was.

"I-I'm fine! I uh—fell off my bed?"

I bit my lower lip hoping Hilda didn't notice my obvious lie. It was after I heard the shuffle of Hilda's feet, I could barely hear her muttering all the way down the hall, "That girl always screaming about something. I remember she screamed like hell when her first tooth fell out, my goodness..."

Once I was sure Hilda was gone and all stress relieved, I turned back to Draco. "You should be leaving now."

He shook his head, "No. Are you, or are you not my friend?"

"You said I wouldn't be your friend anymore if I was friends with Harry and them. So if that's the case…I guess we're not friends." I crossed my arms satisfied. I was not going to drop such kind people just because he got me to like him more.

"Fucking Potter," Draco sighed and helped himself to a seat on my bed. "I said that because I was scared this would happen. I never wanted you to hate me. Potter and his friends know nothing about me! They just know rumors and judge me by the way I act towards them...well I guess I can't blame them for that. I just knew if you became friends with them, they'd turn you against me."

I sat down next to him and said, "I don't hate you Draco. I'm willing to be your friend, but I can't stop being friends with Harry, Ron and Hermione. They're really nice to me. They haven't done anything wrong."

"Fine," Draco said as he made a gagging noise. I rolled my eyes as he continued, "You can be friends with them. Just don't believe everything they say about me. If you judge me at all, then judge me by what you already knew without them telling you. Judge me on the me you know and get to know."

Searching his face and finding no hint that he may be lying, I smiled and said, "Deal."

"Friends?" Draco smiled back and reached out his pale hand.

I happily took his hand. "Friends."

He smirked as if satisfied before bringing my hand to his mouth and kissing it softly. My heart practically stopped. I know we just agreed to be friends, but is he planning to go straight to lovers now? Not that I would mind— wait what? That was such a slutty thought!

"Now, I better get going before my father gets home. He'll punish me if he makes it there before me."

Unable to speak, and my mind going haywire, I merely nodded and followed him outside to my balcony.

"See you tomorrow?" He asked as he stood against the rail.

This time I smiled and nodded, "Of course."

"Wonderful."

I could have easily dodged it. In fact, I wanted to a little. These kisses and gestures were becoming overwhelming. But in my state of shock, I couldn't move at all as I let him lean down and brush his cold lips against my cheek. I turned crimson as I watched him leap over the railing, cling onto the vines that were growing all over the front of the house like mad, and easily climb his way down.

"Bye Evie," he whispered up to me once he landed gently on the ground.

I waved and whispered back, "Bye Draco."

He smiled and gave me one last nod, before racing down my driveway. I watched him climb over the gates, and head towards his manor. This whole balcony crap really reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. I smiled to myself before heading back into my room, and closing the doors behind me.

Then it hit me. I suddenly started worrying about what Harry, Ron, and Hermione were going to think. I knew Hermione might understand, but the guys were a different story. The way they were ready to pounce on Draco made it obvious. Then a slight tapping noise had me running back to my balony doors where, through the glass of my balcony doors, I saw a light brown owl perched outside on the railing.

"Well what do you know?"

I had to admit that I was hoping that Draco had come back, but I brushed the disappointment aside. As soon as I opened the doors, the owl flew in, and perched itself on my desk. There, it dropped the letter from its' beak. It was actually pretty well-behaved compared to Luna who was hissing from her spot near the fireplace.

"Shut it, Luna."

I picked up the letter that was addressed to me from Hermione:

Dear Evaleen,

It was wonderful meeting you today! I hope we can all meet again sometime soon.

I was thinking about a few things, and I remembered how you mentioned Malfoy's kindness. From what I recall, Malfoy would constantly flirt with girls he was never really interested in, and ignore them soon after. From what you said, he wasn't exactly flirting with you like the Malfoy I knew would. And when Harry was helping you pick up your supplies that you dropped, Malfoy pushed Harry away and actually helped you. I don't think that means much to you, but he never helps anyone! He would laugh rather than dirty his hands. He was being awfully protective of you. And then when Harry steered you away from the arguing in the Leaky Cauldron, I saw a hint of jealousy on Malfoy's face. That's why he wanted to pull Harry away from you. I don't know if you believe it or not, but I think Malfoy may actually care for you.

I am not encouraging you to be friends with him. That's your choice. However, it is natural and completely understandable for you to still want to be friends with him. After all, he lives across the street from you. I wouldn't be surprised if he already confronted you about all this. But if my assumptions are wrong, I apologize, and I'll let Harry and Ron have their way with him if you'd like.

I hope you're able to respond soon.

Your friend,
Hermione Granger

I reread the letter, and couldn't help but find how right Hermione was amusing. She's really something. She's probably amazingly smart especially after remembering the two oversized books she hugged to herself back at the Leaky Cauldron. Grabbing a clean piece of parchment, I started to write back.

Dear Hermione,

I had an awesome time with all of you and I'm willing to hang out again soon. Maybe we can talk a lot during school? I have to admit, you figured everything out. I'm friends with Draco again. I don't know how Ron and Harry will take it, but it's my own decision. I will get whatever is coming to me. But I feel like Draco really wants to be my friend. I did talk to him already. He explained things to me, but I'm not sure if I should tell you yet. Sorry. As for jealousy, did he really look jealous? I doubt it. I don't see why he would be.

Thanks for understanding Hermione! I'll see you soon!

Your friend,
Evaleen Bettencourt

I wasn't really happy about the fact that my letter was so much shorter than Hermione's, but I shrugged it off and handed it to the light brown owl.

"Take this back to Hermione."

With a hoot, the owl flew straight out of my room and off into the night. I stood there watching it disappear into the darkness. I switched my gaze to the manor some ways away. Although Draco's manor was quite a distance away, I was able to see a few rooms on the top levels lit. I wondered which one was his room, if any were, but quickly stopped after feeling a bit stalkerish.

I went back into my room and looked around. Draco Malfoy was in my room. I smiled as I remember the way he touch my face. But how did he get in so quietly? Not to mention quickly. I turned around and made sure the balcony doors were closed all the way.

After changing into my undergarments, I realized how tired I was. With the fire dimming, and the comfort of my bed, I slowly drifted off to sleep. Maybe tomorrow would be an interesting day.