Chapter Eighteen
Third Person POV
It didn't take Draco long to find Taylor. She was still arguing in the library with Blaise. He quickly dropped his bag in one of the chairs and sat down next to Taylor. "Everything alright, mate?" Blaise asked, causing Taylor to look up from her book and give him a concerned look at his disheveled appearance.
"Are you alright? You look like you just ran a marathon!" she said, shutting her book and giving him her full attention.
"Close. I had a run-in with Pansy." he said and after the questioning looks from the two explained what had happened between himself and the brunette. "I'm sorry, Taylor. I didn't want things to come out like this. I wanted to do it gradually, keep most of the attention off you, but I don't think there's much we can do now." he said after his explanation.
"I can't believe Pans would do something like that! What a bitch!" Blaise said, more to himself, but he was being unnecessarily loud as usual.
"So now everything's out?" Taylor asked, ignoring the brunette. Draco nodded and Taylor sighed before steepling her hands in front of her face in thought. After a long moment of silence, she finally reached over and took Draco's hand in hers. "Well, on the bright side, we don't have to personally break the news to anyone now. Technically all that's left is my parents. That'll be the hardest part." she laughed and Draco couldn't help but smile.
"I should go talk with Professor Bumblebee." Draco said and, after a pointed look from Taylor, corrected himself. "Dumbledore. Now, I'll see you tomorrow in Charms." he said, standing up and kissing you on the cheek. "And you," he said, turning to the dark skinned boy who was still talking to himself. "Quite annoying her or you're going to have to deal with me." he said, knocking his feet off the table and walking past them.
"I love you too!" Blaise called to the blonde only to get a bad look from Madam Pince who was in the nearby row. "I can't believe Parkinson would do something like that. Actually, I can. She's always been somewhat of a bitch if she didn't want something from you. The only reason she was remotely nice to me was because of my Pure-blood status. If she doesn't want something from you, I'd steer clear of the harpie." he said, turning back to the red head.
"What did she want from Draco?" Taylor cautiously asked, she had a feeling she knew, but she wanted to be certain.
"Look, I'm not gonna lie to you and say Drake's a saint because, well, before this whole Veela thing, he was a bit of a whore, but that's not the point. The point is, Drake and Pansy had a 'thing' going on in fifth year, but from what I heard from Pansy, it was mostly just sex. They never officially broke it off and I'm guessing Pansy still thinks they've got something. If I were you, I wouldn't be alone with her. She obsesses quickly and she's obsessed with Drake. I wouldn't put it past her to do something rash, despite you being Drake's mate." he explained and Taylor nodded in understanding.
She thought it made sense. She'd heard stories from Harry and Hermione about the Parkinson girl.
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Taylor's POV
After our little talk, Blaise left me alone. Something about wanting to go talk with one of the Patil twins. Glancing out the window, I decided it was time to head to the Great Hall for dinner. Packing my books, I grabbed my bag and left the library. As I made my way, I could hear people's whispers and feel their gaze. It was unnerving and I wanted nothing more than to speak up. So I did. "Something interesting?" I asked a group of third year girls who were gathered and decided staring wasn't rude anymore.
They all blushed and turned away from me and I rolled my eyes. Only Merlin knew how the rumors had spread by this point. It wasn't until I was stopped in the hall by none other than Lavender Brown. "Is it true?" she asked excitedly and I looked at her confused.
"Is what true?" I asked, confused by how excited she sounded.
"That you're pregnant and Malfoy's the father!" she said and I began to choke on air. She looked concerned for a moment and then I caught my breath. "Well, is it true?" she asked once I'd fully regained myself.
"That is definitely NOT true! I most certainly am not pregnant!" I yelled, causing some people to stop what they were doing and look at blonde and I. "Who the hell told you I was?" I asked more quietly after everyone quite looking at us.
"I heard it from Hannah Abbott. She heard it from Susan Bones and she heard it from Millicent Bulstrode." Lavender told me and I groaned. Rumors obviously got twisted and screwed as they went around the school. The worst part was, I didn't know how many students thought I was pregnant! Deciding to lock everything away in my mind and not ruin a good day, I brushed past the blonde Gryffindor and quickly made my way to the Great Hall before someone else could stop me and ask questions.
When I got there, there weren't many people there, mostly first and second years. Luna was already sitting at the Gryffindor table and I sighed. I made my way over and sat next to the blonde. "Hello, Taylor. How's your day been?" she asked with a bright smile.
"Terrible." I mumbled and she gave me a concerned look.
"Is everything okay? You look distraught. Is it the Nargles? Have you lost something? They seem to be getting more restless as of late." she asked, cocking her head at me.
"Does my sanity count?" I asked, slumping in my seat.
"Of course. Would you like help finding it?" she asked and I laughed.
"Can we start by blowing Parkinson's legs off?" I asked and Luna gave me another confused look. "Don't tell me you haven't heard!" I exclaimed and she shook her head. "The whole thing about Draco and I?" I asked and Luna seemed to realize something.
"Oh! You mean how Draco's a Veela and you're his mate?" she asked and I nodded. "I don't know what this has to due with Pansy though." she added and I raised an eyebrow at her.
"She's the one who's been spreading the rumors." I said.
"What rumors?"
"The ones about Draco and I!"
"I thought that was common knowledge. I thought everyone knew." she said and I couldn't help but stare at her wide-eyed.
"You mean you knew?" I asked and she nodded.
"Of course. I've known since the beginning of the year. You see, my mother's brother's wife is a Veela. I speak with her quite often. To me, it was obvious what had happened to Draco over the summer." she said and I began to laugh.
"If only I'd known I had someone I could talk to about it. Zabini is a terrible conversationalist when he's distracted." I laughed and she smiled at me. "Thank you. At least there's one person who hasn't been subjected to the rumors that have been spread around." I sighed.
"I don't normally listen to idle gossip anyway. It's usually wrong." she said.
"Is it true!" someone screeched all of a sudden and I cringed. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later, but I was really hoping for later. Looking up, I saw the youngest Weasley storming towards us with Ron, Harry, and Hermione trailing not far behind her. "How could you do such a thing! I thought you were our friend!" the red head yelled as she got closer to the blond and I, causing more than a few people to look our way.
"Look, Ginny, I'm sure whatever you've heard, it's wrong." I said, holding my hands up in defense as a murderous look came across her face.
"You lied to us, Taylor! You told us he was nothing more than your tutor and we find out you've been shagging him the whole time!" she yelled.
"Now you listen here, Ginevra Weasley, I have never slept with Draco Malfoy! I may have lied to you, but I did so because I knew this would happen!" I snapped, standing up from my seat and defending myself. Harry and Hermione took a tentative step back from the Weasley siblings, Ron looked just as pissed as his sister.
"Then the rumors are true! You're nothing more than a Slytherin's whore!" she accused and I'd had enough. Bringing my hand back, I slapped the red head across the face, leaving a bright red mark where my hand had connected.
"If you wanted the truth, maybe you should've asked me before accusing me of something you know nothing of. It's what a friend would have done." I whispered dangerously and grabbed my bag before storming from the Great Hall.
A/N: I would just like to say that this is NOT a Ginny or Ron bashing fic. They might not be my favorite characters and I'm going to put them through hell cause it's fun, but I'm not going to make them full on asses. For those of you who like Ginny and/or Ron bashing, I can assure Taylor won't be friends per say with the two after this.