Theo patiently waited in front of the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower in the morning sunlight. He leaned against the polished, wooden railing opposite the door. He was in no rush as he had left his first block open for quidditch training. However, he noticed as he checked his watch, Dahlia would be late to class if she didn't make an appearance soon. He was growing bored with solving riddles and he tired of receiving frightened looks from first and second-year students. He found their stares to be quite judgmental — as if they had never casted a fire charm out of frustration. He never intended to harm anyone, but if it had worked and he had successfully blasted through this very door into the Ravenclaw common room to find Dahlia, then so be it.
He had written back to her early this morning right after he had seen her distressed message. He was deeply concerned that she was having dreams about the Dark Lord. He hated that her abilities made her somewhat unpredictable. She dealt in things he didn't yet fully understand. He could never fully read how she felt. She hadn't verbally said she loved him back, but she had written it in the middle of the night. He wasn't sure yet how that tallied up against the odds in his heart. If it were up to him, he would devour all of her love whole, and leave nothing to spare for the rest of the world.
He thought of her and Draco constantly. His unease manifested into an envious beast that kept him hovering over her all the time. He was almost certain Draco had been mildly interested in Dahlia for quite some time beforehand. It was his denial to obey his father wishes, his refusal to get close to her, that had fully confirmed his suspicions. It was a tell that Draco cared. Theo had maintained a peace of mind once they had started to interact more in classes. They were opposites such as the sun and moon, tolerating each other's orbit and canceling the other out. It comforted him that Draco seemed to have only been infatuated with the idea of her it, or so Theo assumed.
Doubt started to creep under the hoods of his dark and clever eyes. It was inevitable if he thought too long. A tiny reminder smiled viciously from the back of his mind to reiterate that they had been alone together, slept near. It sent his jealousy ricocheting. It landed somewhere near irrationality and obsession. What had they talked about? They had been willing to risk a chance of kissing in Hogsmeade. It couldn't be too far of a stretch that they had done something more — alone with no one around to hold them accountable. He spun his time turner anxiously. No, he believed her when she told him nothing had happened. What else would he have if he didn't believe her? She was the best thing in his life.
"What gets broken without being held?" The golden bird on the door asked him. It had grown tired of the persistent Slytherin student who was far more cunning than clever.
"Hm," Theo spun the golden time-turning ring around his finger. "A promise?" He guessed.
The door opened to reveal Dahlia as she bounced through the threshold. Her eyes lit up, and she flounced into his arms.
Dahlia was pleasantly surprised to see Theo waiting for her so promptly. She had woken up to his response in her journal that he would be waiting to see her before class so they could talk as soon as possible. She felt horrid that she was omitting the truth about spending time with Draco last night but she desperately wanted answers as to what Theo knew about it. She knew the truth would displease Theo, and she was desperate to keep things on the right track with him. They were still in a fragile place.
She had written that she loved him last night, which wasn't totally a lie. She knew her heart answered to him and she often daydreamed about their future. She couldn't see it with anyone else at this point in time. She felt conflicted that her friends were against their relationship but he would eventually earn his way into their good graces.
But, she could no longer deny to herself that she might be developing feelings for Draco. She was hesitant to even call it that. This thing between the two of them felt cosmic. She could feel her body and soul gravitating towards him like the tides. She wore her charmed necklace hoping that it would dim those instincts after last night. Hopefully, her theory that it limited her Sight and all things Divine was true. It had to be since she had left her neck bare before bed and then had sleep walked to the Room of Requirement. She had also been able to read the premonitions of the cabinet last night without it. She couldn't understand why her gods would push her towards Draco. It made her spiteful that they would deny the boy who adored her so much. While she was sure the Fates might be stringing her and Draco's hearts together for their own agenda, Theo had actively won it despite the odds.
She smiled at Theo as she moved to be near him. There was nothing more Dahlia adored than Theo dressed in anything but his uniform. He was wearing all black and his long sleeve shirt strained against his muscles as he crossed his arms. His curls were still damp from his morning shower. He gave her the most charming, boyish smile and opened his arms to receive her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he tilted her chin up to kiss her.
"You almost had me fooled into thinking that I had successfully gotten that gaudy door to open for me," he said slyly.
She softly laughed. "Good morning," she murmured into his ear.
"Can we start all of our mornings like this?" He asked her innocently.
"I think we can definitely arrange something even better than this over the weekend," she bashfully whispered to him.
Theo's black heart bloomed as he remembered he would get her undivided attention for days on end. She would be spending the long weekend with him and their friends at his childhood home. That is, after he would spend the first evening at the Aldair Estate with her and her father. Somewhere deep beneath his skin, he was nervous. But his desire to know absolutely everything about her surpassed his anxiety. Just one stressful evening then he could wake up with her in his arms for the rest of the break, he thought.
"I would love to talk now but I'm running behind. I have to make it to my morning class which is across the castle."
He rolled his eyes as if she was forgetting a critical detail. He held her in his arms and Dahlia felt the world shift around them.
He apparated them to the edge of a small outdoor courtyard near her classroom. Dark smoke dissipated into the air as he lazily stepped down and took a seat on the white stone staircase that lead to a bridge overlooking the surrounding mountains.
He ran his hand through his mess of hair as the breeze danced in a happy welcome. It reminded him of a dog. It seemed to have a life force now that Dahlia had become a permanent fixture in his life. The sentient wind poked at him constantly. It irritated him to no end. It would often blow his papers out of his hands and gust playfully during quidditch matches. He saw Dahlia's gentle smile as he shushed it.
"It likes you," she said softly.
"It's not entirely mutual."
He fought the urge to light a cigarette. He wasn't chipper to have this conversation, but he resisted his desire as he wanted to be better for her. He sat still in anticipation; a rare feat.
"You should really learn how to apparate, love. It would help combat your persistent tardiness." He tilted his head back to view her as she approached, always needing her lesser whereabouts known. "I can teach you soon." He sighed and leaned back against the top of the stairs, taking in the impressive view. Fall had come all too soon. He had never wished for time to slow before, until now. An instinct told him she wasn't permanent — maybe it was that fucking nuisance, the wind, that was trying to warn him.
She took a seat on a stair next to him that allowed her to be at eye level. She was nervous; he noted. He brought his hand to her thigh to make her more comfortable. Physicality grounded them both. She sighed in weariness.
"So, I was speaking with my friends the other night and we think that the necklace you gave me possibly hinders my Sight." She masked her statement with an inappropriate pleasantness.
Dahlia watched as Theo wrinkled his eyebrows together curiously. If he was shocked, she couldn't tell. He reminded her a fox the way he glided through conversations.
Theo waited for her to finish her thoughts before responding. Of course he had considered the possibility of the necklace interfering with her Sight. But he had only assumed that could be possible if her Sight physically pained her, or her visions potentially lead her into harm's way. Theo considered this a win/win from his perspective. When he gifted her the necklace, he didn't know that she wanted to go digging for rocks to maim her skin in order to obtain more power. How would he have known that? She never divulged her plans. He both respected and was deeply attracted to her ambition, but he valued her safety above all else and the necklace seemed to provide it. He was in no rush to tell her his theory as she might reconsider wearing it altogether. It was karmic that he would fall for someone who was equally curious and attracted to trouble like himself.
He nodded for her to continue.
"Before I casted the spell to amplify my Sight, I removed my necklace. However, it was put back on before I completed the ritual." She was careful not to say Draco's name.
His jaw ticked as Theo wondered if Draco had been there. Her careful wording made him almost certain he had been. What had it truly entailed? If they had rushed to place it back on her before the spell was completed, it made him think that she had needed to be healed. He took a sharp breath — it should have been him.
She continued, "I think that's why I assumed the spell didn't work. Last night, I took it off again before bed and I saw both the past and future. I saw the Dark Lord speaking with Draco," her voice wavered as she remembered his horrible face.
Theo moved closer to her to be more attentive to her emotions. She was shaken by what she had come across. He had never seen the Dark Lord himself.
"I know he has to fix this cabinet and as a result someone will be murdered. I'm assuming Harry or Professor Dumbledore." She took a long pause as her throat went dry. "I know how to fix it, but I don't know what to do. How much of this did you know? Has the Dark Lord asked something of you, as well?" She asked quietly.
There was only a lovely concern in her tone and her expression was painted in sorrow. Theo couldn't manage anything but the truth despite Dahlia's body language hinting otherwise. She was tense. Was there something she wasn't telling him? Or was she just scared?
He brought a hand to her cheek. "Dahlia, the Dark Lord has asked nothing of me. If he had, I would bear his mark. I know of Draco's responsibility but I have been resistant to help him. You know we've grown distant. I'm trying to stay as uninvolved as possible. I'm no longer staying at the manor when I'm not here at Hogwarts. You have to believe what you can see in this reality. My actions have not misled you."
She looked hesitant and a bit distrustful of his response. If he could, he would break into her brain and steal her thoughts. She was wearing his necklace now though, so there must have been some part of her that still believed in the good of him.
"I'm being honest with you, darling. I had decided to gift you the necklace before I even knew you were a seer. Did I consider that it could possibly interfere with your visions? Yes, but not until after you were already gone. I've also been hesitant to bring it up, I know the topic upsets you..." His voiced carried off softly.
Her eyes softened, and she leaned into his arms.
"I won't be upset if you want to give the necklace back. I can buy you new jewels, yeah?" He said lowly, whispering into her hair blissfully.
He was lying about his acceptance of her returning the necklace if she wished to give it back. The thought of her not having a protective charm was unacceptable to him. There was no cost that was too high for her guaranteed safety.
He only meant to lighten the mood, but she was still crumbling. He felt silly for suggesting such a materialistic gesture when she was visibly distressed.
"I saw his face, and I heard him speak, Theo. I don't want you to think I'm ungrateful. I'm quite appreciative to have the necklace as assurance that I won't have to look at the Dark Lord again."
It was like it physically pained her to speak about the Dark Lord. He hadn't yet considered that she might be terrified of what she saw in her visions. She seemed so confident in the Astronomy Tower that night, divining his own fate. He had only scratched the surface in his research of seers since she had made her confession. He would have to search harder. The notion of her own abilities causing her anxiety made him feel hatred for a higher power. She was helplessly subjected to their will.
"You can have it forever," he whispered.
He tilted her chin to him and kissed her gently. "I love you, darling," he murmured into her ear.
"You are safe," he told her confidently.
"I love you too," she murmured with sincerity.
It was as if nature held its breath collectively. His own world fell into harmony as a genuine smile reached his lips. He exhaled with relief and wrapped his arms around her more tightly.
"Shall I shower you with more gifts? Would that brighten your day? Make it better?" He grinned as he took off his watch and threw it into her lap. He removed his rings and threw them at her, too.
"You can have them all if it pleases you."
She threw her head back against his shoulder and laughed earnestly. She picked up the watch and saw that it was vintage from a prestigious designer.
"Do you think I could pawn this for enough galleons to pay off Professor Slughorn to let me pass his class?"
He took it from her delicate fingers, "alright, maybe you can't have that one." He pushed her lightly out of his arms.
"And get to class! You're always late! Even with my assistance." He waved her off with a small kiss.
Theo skipped his training that morning even if he knew his teammates would give him hell for it. He opted to sit on those stairs instead, suddenly okay with the passage of time.
"Alright," he huffed with the flex of his hand. He submitted and let the wind lick his face.
He felt more content than he had in months.
—
Friday rolled around and with it brought her much dreaded tutoring session with no other than the Chosen One himself, Harry Potter.
Why he had agreed to do this was beyond her understanding. They had been partnered together for a few assignments in a couple of classes but she wouldn't consider them acquaintances. Even with Juliet pursuing him, she had chosen to steer clear of anything involving the Golden Trio.
She rushed into the Great Hall during study period and saw him waiting for her. She smiled and waved at Harry as she headed over to grab a seat next to him.
"Hello Harry! It's been quite a while," she said politely.
It had possibly been a full year since they had interacted with each other in class. There had never been ill will, just a lack of opportunity. Dahlia had preferred to keep herself from trouble until recently. She thought she might have saved all her desire for it until this year as she let Theo's rough waves carry her away from safe shores.
"Yes! You're roommates with Juliet Hart, right?"
"I am! She has said nothing but kind things about you." She was buttering him up to get through this session as quickly as possible.
Juliet had been uncharacteristically quiet on the subject of him despite her spending more time with Gryffindor students. Dahlia didn't mind, even if she found herself lounging lazily near Slytherins more often than not. She wished her friend would confide more in her about it. Juliet seemed more uncomfortable than not with the knowledge that Draco bore the dark mark. Dahlia would be lying to herself if she didn't admit that it made her nervous she had shared such personal knowledge with someone who now spent days with his enemies. Draco would be murderous if he knew she had shared such secrets, but he had fallen back into his usual awful behavior as of late after their night in the Room of Requirement. He used 'fucking idiot' or 'waste of space' as her very own terms of endearment. Dahlia took it, in fear he would spill every detail of their encounters with Theo before she could. She saw the violence shimmer in his whisky eyes as he watched them interact in class. He no longer tolerated the boys who shared smiles with her. He would ask them with his own cruel grin, why they smiled for her. Dahlia rolled her eyes at his possessiveness.
Harry looked somewhat nervous to here with her now. Although, that could have just been his natural state.
"Likewise. So you want to dive in?" He asked politely.
"Yes, but Harry, just know that you don't have to tutor me. It's really fine. I don't want to be a bother," she replied sweetly.
This was quite a bother to her, Dahlia thought. He raised a brow at her, picking up on a hint that she wasn't thrilled to be here.
He leaned forward across the large table. "Well, I'm actually trying to get into Slughorn's good graces. I thought accepting his request to tutor you might help."
She internally groaned but pretended to appreciate his honesty. She smiled at him. "Okay. Let's do it then."
He pulled out a rather beaten version of their potion's textbook. He looked at her as if contemplating that he was making the right call.
With a finger tapping the textbook, he proceed to say in a lowered voice, "if I were you, I would copy all of the notes in the margins. To be fair, I'm not that exceptional at potions either."
She narrowed her eyes. She then opened the book and looked at him incredulously. Her mouth fell open in shock as she flipped through the pages.
He didn't have to tell her twice — she began writing down the commentary listed in his textbook. She looked up to ask him a question but noticed Theo walking past the Great Hall. She attempted to lower her head but it was too late — he had already glanced into the hall. He slowed his strut as he made eye contact with her. The most devious grin slowly spread across his face as he realized she was sitting with Harry Potter. Dahlia anticipated him strolling into the hall if only to mock Harry for speaking with her. She hadn't told him about her required tutoring because she was embarrassed. Theo was incredibly smart and she didn't want to appear less than him.
Theo did something worse. He beamed as if he thought this was prime hilarity, as if he found her circumstances extremely amusing to him. He gave her a little questioning nod as to convey that they would definitely be discussing the later. Then, he continued on his way. She had been trying to hide her tutoring lessons from all of her friends, but especially Theo.
"Ugh," she exclaimed painfully covering her face in humiliation.
Harry noticed her discomfort and who she had been glancing to.
"I've heard you two are dating?" Harry asked her. He wasn't sure if he was being rude but Dahlia seemed nice enough.
"Yes, he is quite public with his affection isn't he?" She asked with loaded sarcasm.
Theo had practically stamped to her forehead that she was his. His obsession for physical connection was overwhelming. He wanted to kiss her everywhere and all the time.
Harry eyed her with pause as if he might want to become close in a way alliances are built.
"Dahlia, are you close with Malfoy too?" He asked suspiciously.
Her blood briefly ran cold. She jumped to the conclusion of where this was going. Juliet had made it known that Harry was suspicious of Draco. Dahlia found herself to be kind by nature, but only to the extent that she felt slightly threatened. She was easily provoked to spew sweetened venom. He had misjudged her and read into the facade. She internally chastised him — he should have known there was more beneath her surface if she was dating Theodore Nott. He probably thought her naive and ignorant to how awful he could be. Rest assured, she wasn't spilling any secrets five minutes into a tutoring session or if at all.
"I wouldn't say that I am close to Draco. Theo is hardly friends with him anymore, honestly. They grew distant over the summer." Her tone was casual although she wondered if she should have not used Draco's first name so easily. It rolled out of her mouth like a lyric.
She was trying to at least clear Theo's name from his list if at all possible. They were once best friends, she wasn't sure how much impact she could have.
"Well, it's rumored that Draco is quite fond of y-,"
"By who?" She snorted. "I'm sorry, that just seems ridiculous," she said. Her tone had accidentally been much more snide than she intended.
"Some people just say he...stares at you intently and often? I know it sounds like a stretch when I say it out loud," he answered uncomfortably.
Harry seemed to have no insight into their inner dynamics. Juliet was loyal to her and it didn't seem she had betrayed her trust by sharing the drama within their circle of friends. If Harry only knew, he might die of shock. The Dark Lord might give her a metal.
She strategized her next move.
"If there is something you would like me to ask Draco or pass along to him, I can try?" Dahlia asked sweetly.
She had absolutely no interest in doing this favor for Harry nor any interest in divulging secrets that could potentially put Theo or Draco under a microscope. She was hoping to dig deeper into Harry's intentions since he assumed she was closer to an ally than an enemy. She could only imagine how Draco might react if she came flouncing over to him with a question from Harry. He would shriek her last name and strangle her for being so obliviously stupid. He would be so exasperated that he might pop an artery. If so, good riddance.
He looked at her contemplating if she was trustworthy enough to share information.
He sighed and said lowly, "I think Malfoy is working directly for the Dark Lord. He's plotting something. I just know it."
Dahlia pulled away and gasped in faux shock.
His words settled and the seriousness of the situation took hold. She didn't have to fake a frightened expression. She was dismayed that Harry was so close to unraveling Draco's secrets. She didn't want to get involved between the two of them but she wondered if she should tell Theo or Draco that he had nearly figured it out.
On the other hand, she wasn't sure how she felt about Draco's willingness to complete the Dark Lord's task to begin with. She couldn't help but ponder if this was possibly a chance to potentially save lives. If the Dark Lord's plan failed despite Draco succeeding in restoring the cabinet, could she possibly preserve his morality? Harry could step in at the last minute to save the day, per usual.
"If you could just keep an eye out for me and note anything suspicious, I would be grateful."
"Yes, absolutely." She smiled. She had a lot to think over.
—
The smell of rain cradled Dahlia as her wet footsteps echoed through the dungeons. She breathed it in, allowing it to comfort her.
Xavier Grey was unusually perceptive; she realized this as he turned over his shoulder to shoot her a dazzling, knowing smile. He accompanied Dahlia and her roommates inside the Slytherin common room.
"After you," he said, voice like silk, as he stepped aside to let her enter before him.
The students had organized a large party before everyone left in the morning for fall break. Eloise took his hand and disappeared into the dark and booming atmosphere. When Dahlia's eyes adjusted, she noticed Theo leaning against a large column. He was smoking again, not that she minded, and talking to a group of Hufflepuffs she recognized.
As if he sensed her very heartbeat, he glanced over in her direction and confirmed his suspicions. He coaxed her over to him with a silky smirk of his own. She swayed over to him, craving his presence.
He reached for her. He grabbed her by the waist and brought her to his broad chest. He tucked her hair behind her ear and laughed lowly. "You look like my devastation. How could I possibly resist you all night," he whispered.
She had worn a black dress with a low black and a cut out in the front beneath her breast. The straps were embellished and complimented his necklace she wore. She had, in fact, dressed to both impress and tame him.
"Good things come to those who are patient. Will be alone soon enough," she teased as to remind him that they had all weekend to spend in each other's arms.
"But I am rather impatient and I only want bad things," he said smoothly as his hand caressed up her inner thigh. The darkness turned him a different shade of monstrous. She felt herself heat at his words.
Someone called his name from a distance. She leaned into kiss him anyways. He returned her affection for a brief moment, delighted she hadn't been able to resist, but pulled away too soon.
"I'll be right back. I have to go talk to someone for a moment."
He kissed the palm of her hand and gave her his drink. "It's top shelf tequila. Be careful and don't over drink, my love," he warned her.
He kissed her forehead and approached a Gryffindor she recognized who was in his seventh year. He was apparently exceptional at Herbology. What Theo wanted with him was a mystery to her.
She shrugged and walked away as she took a giant gulp of Theo's beverage. She felt the sweet burn hit her stomach as she went deeper into the party. Bodies swayed and liquor was thick in the smoggy air. She soon found Amelia lounging on a chaise with Blaise. He had his arm slung around her as he murmured into her ear. Dahlia was happy they no longer seemed to be fighting as much. The secrets between them had dissipated. Dahlia liked Blaise more than any other Slytherin boy, including Theo or Draco. He was properly grounded and sensible. She found herself openly mumbling about all sorts of things when the group would sit at dinner or below the swaying trees between classes, taking in the last of the pleasant weather. She was actually quite excited to spend her weekend with them. Everyone but Draco would be attending. He had mentioned he was too busy to Amelia, saving her and Theo from the awkwardness of not inviting him in the first place.
Dahlia didn't interrupt them as they looked happy alone. As time passed, she found herself exploring more of the common room. She pushed her way up the gargantuan, white stone staircase with gilded serpent railings. she strolled down the long landing, past several dancing bodies until she hit a dead end with an alcove that featured preserved knickknacks like a museum might. The space was too packed for anything to be appreciated. A fellow Ravenclaw girl she was familiar with from her history class pulled her closer to dance. Dahlia smiled and gasped in delight even though she couldn't remember her last name.
"Dahlia! You look amazing! Cheers!" The girl linked arms with her holding her own glass. Dahlia threw back the rest of her fifth drink and laughed with her. The girl raised an eyebrow at her. She placed her manicured thumb on her chin and opened her mouth. She put something delicious on her tongue. Dahlia pulled the girl closer and they danced freely. She whispered sweet secrets of how she might find the best future into her ear.
She felt like she had been dancing for eternity when she felt a tall figure approach her from behind. He pressed his front against her. Strong hands traced her hip and she smirked. She wondered if Theo had finally found her.
"Close your eyes," he murmured behind her ear.
A heart stutter — a timeline found singularity. The last of her lungs exhaled. Dahlia instantly knew who it was. She could have sensed him falling into sync with her through all of time and space. She felt a thrill run through her entire being. Was she just drunk or had she not realized how desperate she had been for him to touch her just once. He began pulling her deeper into the hidden alcove at the end of the hallway. It was like she was having an outer body experience. It was wrong but her instincts guided her as the liquor strengthened her foresight. This was the only path. She knew that now as she vibrated on this plane in the ether. He turned her around to face him and pushed her back into the wall of the black, deserted alcove.
"Can I open my eyes?" She asked playfully.
"No," he whispered.
He grazed his fingertips down her cheek. She exhaled shakily as if she was prey finally facing its hunter. He was so close to her that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. He finally pulled her to him from the wall as if he had finally decided to grasp something sacred — something he wasn't meant to touch not because it wasn't his, but because he feared being smited and the consequences. He placed a hand on the back of her upper thigh. She felt his warm fingers curl around her skin. Whiplash — he quickly shoved her into the wall and then found her body with his own. She kept her eyes closed. She didn't want to see. He left no space between their bodies. Two destined stars collided. Her bones shook with realization. She could feel him breathing unevenly. He felt this premonition too, she realized.
He placed two fingers inside her mouth and tilted her head up to expose her neck. He couldn't resist touching her mouth but he didn't want her to speak. They had spoken plenty already. He kissed her gently on her collarbone as to not leave any trace that he had been there at all.
Dahlia sucked and pulled his fingers out of her mouth. He groaned against her collarbone. The sound alone, the inviting notion that she pleased him, had her thoughts fumbling and beliefs turning. She gripped his face and pulled him away from her neck. She leaned into kiss his mouth and opened her eyes. The shadows were too dark to see any expression. The pulsing light only briefly illuminated his glowing hair. He viciously spun her to face the wall as if he didn't want anything sweet from her. He pressed himself against her back trapping her between his legs. He ran his hands up her sides slowly as if he was being granted permission to touch a coveted, priceless item and did so carelessly. He kissed her neck and down her back. He licked up her spine and she closed her eyes, shuttering. His lips turned upwards in a smirk against her skin. She indulged him for a minute as he roamed her body with his mouth and hands but she found herself growing impatient with this game. She leaned her head against his shoulder and licked his jawline.
He gripped her face harshly and forced her to look straight ahead.
Her lust turned over angrily into resentment. She was done with this charade. She didn't want to be intimate with him in this manner, or if at all. If he could cradle her back to life, he could face her while he tried to fuck her — especially after how they had left things.
Draco sensed her go still and begin to shrink into herself. She closed her legs and crossed her arms. He removed his weight from her and waited patiently. He didn't want to be the first to speak if they must come to a horrible conversation.
Dahlia felt him inhale like he might finally find words. She didn't want them. She turned and shoved him off of her.
"Don't waste my time and don't touch me again, unless you plan to follow through with the consequences," she spat.
There were too many dominoes that would fall. This would hurt others and for what? Draco couldn't even properly acknowledge any time of emotion that wasn't contempt. The worst consequence would be owning her heart and he wasn't equipped to do so.
She shoved him away harshly again and disappeared back into the party.
A hot iron of rejection burned through Draco. Was he not what she wanted? Or was he not enough for her? He exited the Slytherin common room in a fury. He seethed at the thought that she hadn't spoken to him out of fear of what he was capable of, but that she had instead not spoken to him as she had chosen Theo each and every night over him. Had he misread her signals? If he could feel this invisible tether pull between them then he could only imagine how strongly she felt it, too. It was an awful responsibility gifted from the higher powers. He could sense her always. He craved her company. It filled him with so much hatred that she had done this to him. It bordered on a sick love.
Did she want him to love her gently? Because he would never be capable of that. Draco fell deeper into his insecurity as he slammed the door into his dorm and started a hot shower. The contrast between the waking and dreaming world was too great for him to reconcile. She infiltrated his dreams every night and showed him a blissful future. Did she not want that with him? Was she that cruel that she would haunt him so casually? He would spin her across his ballroom one night and tangle her up in sheets the next. But come morning, he would wake and watch her whisper sweet and dirty things into another's ear like she hadn't dreamt of him at all. He couldn't take it anymore. He paced and smashed the mirror onto the floor.
Dahlia was panicked to find Theo. She was uncertain if she felt overcome with guilt or if she was finally and completely sure she had made the right choice. Her dreams had wandered to Draco every night this week. His grey eyes haunted her. However, his defiance in the alcove had been her clarity. He hadn't even wanted her to look at him. He had been completely unable to convey any feelings beyond desire, which wouldn't do.
She spotted Theo as she made her way down the massive marble staircase. He was playing a round of poker with his friends. She must have looked distressed as he raised an eyebrow at her from across the room. She motioned urgently for him to come to her.
He gave a clever reason to excuse himself and volunteered his seat up to a fellow Slytherin.
He strode over to her and cupped her face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
She said nothing as she grabbed his hand and led him back up the serpent staircase. She could sense his uncertainty but he followed. He followed her all the way back to the alcove with a questioning grin.
She was about to combust. She leaned her back against the same wall she had just pinned against minutes ago. She brought his body to hers with a harsh pull on his black shirt. He stumbled forward.
"Fuck me," she demanded.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. He mentally buffered at her request as if this had been the last thing he expected at the moment. She thought he might have not understood until a bewildered grin began to spread across his face.
"Now," she ordered.
He nonchalantly tossed his crystal glass of fire whisky over his shoulder as his eyes darkened. The glass smashed into a million pieces against the opposite wall. He proceeded to press himself against her. He pushed her dress up to her waist with rough hands. He seductively leaned over her and cupped just beneath her ass. He groaned and a feral smile crossed his face. He lifted her up against the wall. She wrapped her legs around his waist as to comply.
"Darling..." He murmured as he discovered that she wasn't wearing underwear and she was already slick for him. He raised a brow but he didn't question it. He wasted no time at all. He tried to bring his lips to her mouth as he entered her but she instead gripped his face to keep his forehead against hers. She made him look into her eyes the whole time.
He nodded, understanding that this closeness was what she needed. A proof that he would do anything she asked and that he would never leave her. He caught her breaths eagerly through parted lips as he stared into the green forest of galaxies within her eyes. He slammed against her until they both found their release.
He was patient and unquestioning as he proved to her that he could be everything she needed.
Dahlia had never been more grateful. "I fucking love you. I would die for you," she said into his mouth.
Theo noted that she tasted like a nightmare spun of tequila and glitter.
"I don't care what the Fates say. It's you and me," she whispered to herself through heavy pants. She was drunk and high he thought. She said it like a desperate prayer.
He paused in pain as he thought he might have just felt his heart physically crack.
Then he kissed her again, harder. Who needed the Fates when he could control time himself, he thought.
—
Theo stood in a darker corner of the alcove as he watched the way Dahlia moved upon him. He spun his time turner lazily around his finger. He had suspected she was hiding something from her body language when she had confessed to dreaming of the Dark Lord. He had written it off as fear until tonight. Her impulsive need for him had to have been triggered by something. He knew it. She had learned something critical to the puzzle that she hadn't shared.
He hadn't wanted to do this. He wanted to be better for her but he needed to know her ugly truths. He spun upon a smaller golden band that was interwoven into the ring and flipped through the pages of time, until he found her in the Room of Requirement, then the bluffs and finally, back to the dark alcove.
He then took her hand, as if he hadn't just betrayed her trust and led her back to the party. What she had hidden was just as awful as his betrayals. He finally accepted her for what she was and he vowed to love her anyways. He had already fallen off the ledge and to accept heartbreak might forever leave him in a free fall instead. It might wreck him entirely. He realized they were both frauds cheating at the game. He grinned back at his Divine crook. She returned a heart-sworn smile like she would con them all for him.
