Chapter 43: Liquid Luck

Born from both good and evil, from intelligence and gall…

Born to carry the weight of the weapon, the one used to vanquish the Dark Lord…

When the true one reveals herself…

Upon the day when the myth becomes truth, one shall perish in the waters of the first…

Known thereafter as The Girl Who Died…

The Prophecy had been swirling in Madeline's head from the moment she'd left France.

The Girl Who Died. That was going to be her destiny. And yet, here she was, sitting at a table in the Hogwarts Express with Daphne, laughing along to Daphnes lewd jokes like they were still in fourth year.

But they'd grown up. The Dark Lord was back, no one could deny it.

Every single one of them had grown up. Even Lavender Brown, who was currently climbing on board of their carriage with a copy of the Daily Prophet in hand. And of course, on the cover was none other that Harry Potter.

Harry Potter had been on the cover of every Wizarding magazine that was brave enough to report the return of the Dark Lord. She hadn't been keeping up with it all - mostly because her mind had been plagued with enough guilt recently - but Madeline was sure the poor boy was going blind from all the flashing cameras.

"It's dreadful, isn't it?" Daphne asked, "All the stuff going on."

Madeline frowned, "Am I missing something?"

"You don't know?" Daphne asked, frowning as she lowered her voice, "There have been… Death Eaters pillaging Diagonally. Strange things have been happening all over London, like bridges collapsing. The death toll is already going up, Madeline. They even caught Lucius Malfoy again. Locked him up and everything. "

Madeline swallowed, guilt bubbling in her chest. She allegedly had the power, somehow, to stop all of this. But she didn't know how. And Draco's dad - she just hoped Draco was alright.

Their conversation was cut short by Theo as he stepped into their compartment, a smile on his face as he greeted the two girls. He hadn't quite been as cheerful as he'd been before his father got arrested, but the fact that he was back at all was a good enough sign for Madeline.

"Theodore Nott," Daphne exclaimed dramatically, "Oh, what a pleasure!"

"The pleasure is always mine, Greengrass."

"What a flirt," Daphne teased as Theo took a seat next to her.

Theo didn't respond. Instead, he nodded politely to Madeline before taking a book out of his rucksack, flicking through the pages before he began a new chapter.

Madeline raised an eyebrow to Daphne, who simply shrugged. Perhaps he needed some time adjusting to being back after his father had been outed as a Death Eater.

The train soon started moving, students flickering past their compartment door. Madeline was sure she'd seen a flash of orange hair or two, but she didn't fixate on it. No, she was looking for a flash of blonde now. Which was kind of... Exciting, in a way. To have a secret that actually made her feel good.

"Guess what I saw when I was boarding the train?" Daphne began, "None other than Draco Malfoy in a suit."

Madeline huffed, "A suit?"

"A black three-piece and everything," Daphne exclaimed playfully, "You'd think he's off to a funeral or something, but he looks good."

Oh, Madeline knew exactly how good Draco looked in a suit.

"Seems like someone's trying to make a good impression," Theo snorted.

"Draco Malfoy?" Daphne laughed, "Never."

Madeline fought hard to hide her smirk. Daphne was right, he didn't need to make a good impression to anyone.

Madeline didn't see Draco until dinner time.

Daphne was right; he was wearing a black suit, and had simply shrugged on a Slytherin robe on top for the feast. And he looked good. His eyes were deeper set that when she'd last seen him, however. When he wasn't engaged in conversation with someone, he was staring blankly at the far wall, a frown deeply set into his face. He didn't exactly look alive or happy, but she had to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But once in a while, his hand would brush against hers when they reached for something on the table, or he'd bump her ankle with his foot, meeting her eyes for just a moment before looking away. She couldn't talk to him like she wanted to; couldn't ask him if he was okay. But the glances and the touches… That could be enough, for now. Would be enough.

And Madeline was far too entranced by Draco to notice Pansy and Daphne who'd been giggling and knocking shoulders far too often for it to just be friendly. Theo noticed, however, hiding his smile behind his glass of pumpkin juice.

"So Greengrass," Blaise began, "Did you do anything fun over the holidays?"

Daphne paused, thinking, "I toured around Scotland with my parents for a bit. Loads of sights to see."

"Really?"

"No," Daphne shrugged, "But the beer was pretty good."

"What about you, Malfoy?" Pansy interjected, "Anything fun to report?"

Draco smirked, shooting Madeline a subtle glance, "I went to a pretty interesting party, actually?"

"Did you cop a dance with a pretty girl?" Madeline teased, hiding her smirk.

"The most beautiful girl," Draco replied, "Shame we didn't get a second dance."

"Draco Malfoy being cute? That is sickening," Pansy teased, pretending to wretch into her goblet.

Madeline had to fight very, very hard to keep her blush at bay.

Her eyes drifted over to the Gryffindor table. Perhaps out of curiosity, or perhaps it was her muscle memory. But there Fred was, sat with George and the Golden Trio, laughing loudly at one of their jokes while Harry clutched a bloodied rag to his nose. Madeline frowned; had he broken his nose on the way off the train?

"Potters gone and gotten himself into a fight," Madeline mused, nudging Daphne, "Look; his nose is broken."

Daphne shrugged, "I don't think that boy is ever going to catch a break."

Draco snorted to himself, lifting another piece of chicken into his mouth. Madeline seemed to be the only one who'd heard him, narrowing her eyes at him. Did he know something?

Her musing was interrupted, however, by Dumbledore rising to the podium. Almost immediately, the room fell into silence, all eyes drifting to the headmaster.

"Good evening to you all," Dumbledore began, waiting until the room fell into a complete silence, "First of all, I'd like to introduce to you all the newest member of the staff team; Professor Horrace Slughorn."

Polite clapping echoed through the hall as the unfamiliar man stood up, waved at the students, and sat himself back down. Draco, once again, seemed to be spacing out, not even looking at Dumbledore.

"Professor Slughorn, I'm pleased to say, has agreed to resume his old post as Potions Master," Dumbledore continued, "Meanwhile, Professor Snape will be taking over as Professor of Defence Against The Dark Arts."

Whispers immediately echoed through the hall, with much fewer claps that Professor Slughorn had received. Madeline frowned.

"Snape?!" Daphne hissed as the Slytherin students began clapping loudly. Perhaps the loudest in the hall.

All except for Draco, who was staring blankly at the table. Madeline frowned, nudging him with her foot, but he barely gave her a glance before turning to look at Dumbledore.

"Now as you know, each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival here tonight. And you have the right to know why," Dumbledore continued, silence falling over the hall once more, "I cannot emphasise strongly enough how dangerous the present situation is, and how much care each of us at Hogwarts must take to ensure that we remain safe. The castle's magical fortifications have been strengthened over the summer, we are protected in new and more powerful ways, but we must still guard scrupulously against carelessness on the part of any student or member of staff. I trust you to conduct yourselves, always, with the utmost regard for your own and others' safety."

The room stayed silent as they took in Dumbledore's words. However, he wasn't done.

"Once there was a young man, like you, sat in this room. Walked in the same halls as you. Studied the same things as you. To the world, he was a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle."

The room fell into hushed yet frantic whispers. Madeline's eyes were glued onto Dumbledore.

"Today, of course, he is known all over the world by another name," the Headmaster continued, "Which is why, as I stand here today, looking upon you all tonight, I am reminded of a sobering fact. Every day, every hour, this very minute perhaps… Dark forces attempt to penetrate these castle walls. And their greatest weapon, is you."

Madeline noticed Dumbledore's glance to the Slytherin table.

"Just a thought for you to think about," Dumbledore concluded, shaking the gloominess off himself, "Now off to bed, hip hip!"

Almost immediately, everyone started moving. Including Draco, who stood close to Madeline as the two made their way out of the Great Hall.

"Well that was cheerful," Madeline muttered as the two walked through the halls. They were barely an inch apart, and it was making Madeline's heart race, "What do you think that was all about?"

Draco shrugged, his hand grazing hers, "I don't really care, if I'm honest Bisset."

"Oh really? And why is that?"

Draco didn't reply. Instead, he waited for a particularly flustered crowd of first years to surround them before grabbing her hand, pulling her into a desolate corridor in the dungeons and into an alcove.

"I don't care because I was far too distracted," Draco murmured in her ear, his face now much closer to hers, "Your perfume…"

"Lemongrass," Madeline murmured.

"My favourite," Draco responded, planting a chaste kiss against the side of her neck, his fingers gently curving around the side of her jaw, "Intoxicating."

Madeline didn't know that she could feel this way. Hell, that anyone could make her feel this way. It was like there was a fog over her brain, clouding her better judgement of going back to the common room. Draco was hot and cold all at the same time. He smelt like mint and green apple and absolutely delicious.

One of her hands found his bicep, the other curling around his shoulder, just holding him. "I missed you, you twat," she murmured, earning herself a chuckle from the blonde boy.

"I guess we didn't really get a chance to say hello," he mumbled, planting another kiss on her neck, "Hello, by the way."

Madeline had to stifle a rather inappropriate noise as she managed a small, "Hey."

Draco laughed. Actually laughed into her neck, his forehead resting on her shoulder. If anyone were to look at them know, they'd definitely think they were a couple.

And maybe they were. Madeline wasn't sure yet, but it seemed far too much of a weighted word just yet.

"Do you want to meet me in the Astronomy Tower tomorrow night?" Draco asked, "After lights out."

Madeline nodded, "Look at you, being all rebellious for little old me."

Draco smirked, holding her hand in his and kissing the back of it.

"Anything for you."

Pansy and Daphne waited until their dorm was asleep before sneaking out into the common room. Ensuring the coast was clear, the two sat onto the green Slytherin sofa, a blanket draped over them as their knees knocked against each other. They faced the other, small silly grins on their faces.

"Hello you," Daphne greeted, "Nice summer?"

"Could've been better," Pansy teased, "Yours?"

"I was missing a little something…" Daphne smirked, looking down and away from Pansy, "Perhaps a certain friend…"

"Oh? I'm a friend now, am I?"

"Is that what you want to be? Just a friend?" Daphne questioned, leaning forwards towards Pansy.

Pansy smirked, leaning forwards. Her nails pressed against Daphne's arms holding her close as she whispered one decisive word.

"No."

Madeline was halfway through her first day of N.E.W.T classes, and she was already exhausted.

Her first class had been Charms, which had mainly consisted of parchment after parchment of notes regarding what they'd be studying. Following that was, of course, a lovely long double Transfigurations lesson. And now, she was headed to her first Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson.

The room had been decorated much to Snape's taste, clearly. It was gloomy, with curtains drawn over the windows and illuminated only by candlelight. There were newer paintings on the walls, mainly gruesome pictures of people in pain. No one dared to speak out of turn as they all filed into the room.

"I have not asked you to take out your books," Snape snapped as he closed the door. Madeline stood close to Theo and Daphne, both of which had thankfully opted for the subject as well. Draco was in the room too, but he stood with Blaise on the other side of the room, "I wish to speak to you, and I want your fullest attention."

The room watched him silently as he walked to his desk, turning to face them all.

"You have had five teachers in this subject so far, I believe," Snape began cooly, "Naturally, these teachers will all have had their own methods and priorities. Given this confusion I am surprised so many of you scraped an O.W.L. in this subject. I shall be even more surprised if all of you manage to keep up with the N.E.W.T. work, which will be more advanced."

Snape continued, "The Dark Arts, are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible. Your defences must therefore be as flexible and inventive as the arts you seek to undo."

Madeline listened to him, nodding along. He was right, after all. A little harsh, but right.

"Now…" He continued, setting off for the other side of the classroom, "You are, I believe, complete novices in the use of non-verbal spells. What is the advantage of a non-verbal spell?"

Hermione's hand shot up in an instant, "Your adversary has no warning about what kind of magic you're about to perform, which gives you a split-second advantage."

"An answer copied word-for-word from a first year textbook," Snape reprimanded, earning a couple of sniggers from Draco, "But essentially correct. Yes, those who progress in using magic without shouting incantations gain an element of surprise in their spell-casting. Not all wizards can do this, of course; it is a question of concentration and mind power which some… Lack."

Madeline swallowed thickly. This was by no means a pleasant class. She missed the way her aunt taught her, but also thankful for those many evenings of practice she'd given her summer after summer.

"You will now divide," Snape went on, "into pairs. One partner will attempt to jinx the other without speaking. The other will attempt to repel the jinx in equal silence. Carry on."

Immediately, everyone split off into pairs. Madeline had ended up with Neville, something she didn't mind at all. Neville had always been kind and gentle with her, but unfortunately, she wasn't planning on doing the same with these jinxes.

Everyone had expected Hermione to be able to cast the first non-verbal incantation. Of course, that would've been the case, if Madeline hadn't spent the better part of her holidays over the last few years practicing exactly this sort of magic. And so, she had successfully cast the Levicorpus jinx on Neville within ten minutes of the class, causing him to float upside-down a few feet from the floor.

"Well done Bisset," Snape nodded, moving onto Harry and Ron.

Madeline helped Neville back to the floor, not missing Draco's cheeky little grin from across the room. God, it was going to be a nightmare to have to share classes with him now.

"Pathetic, Weasley," Snape snapped, everyone's eyes falling onto him, "Here - let me show you-"

In an instant, he turned his wand on Harry so fast that Harry reacted instinctively; all thought of non-verbal spells forgotten, Harry yelled, "Protego!"

His Shield Charm was so strong Snape was knocked off-balance and hit a desk. The whole class had looked around and now watched as Snape righted himself, scowling. Madeline had to hold back a grin.

"Do you remember me telling you we are practicing non-verbal spells, Potter?"

"Yes," said Harry stiffly.

"Yes, sir."

"There's no need to call me 'sir,' Professor."

Several people gasped at his words, including Madeline. Behind Snape, however, Ron, Dean, and Seamus grinned appreciatively.

"Detention, Saturday night, my office," Snape scowled, "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter... not even the Chosen One."

Madeline could see Draco grinning triumphantly, but she was more fixated on Harrys scowl. It wasn't like him to act up like that, was it?

Nevertheless, the lesson continued. Madeline managed to get a few more non-verbal jinxes to work, as did Hermione. Neville was having a hard time casting a non-verbal shielding charm, so Madeline helped him with that, until he'd successfully blocked her jinxes a few time. She'd seen Snape watching Neville carefully, and she was sure that the boy had, somehow, managed to impress their gloomy teacher.

"That was pretty impressive," Daphne complimented Madeline as the Slytherin trio walked out of the classroom, "Have you done non-verbal magic before?"

Madeline shrugged, "Here and there."

"You're definitely Snape's favourite," Daphne continued, "As usual."

Madeline snorted, "I'm not half as good in DADA as I am in Potions, Greengrass. He'll see that soon enough."

Daphne grinned, bumping her shoulder, "We'll see about that."

When Madeline arrived to her Potions class, she realised that just over a dozen people had managed to progress to the class to N.E.W.T level. She wasn't surprised, with Snape's past focus on perfection. Thankfully, however, she recognised a few of the green-tied students. Specifically; Gabe, Blaise, Theo, Pansy, and of course -

"Well don't you look happy to be here," Madeline teased as she approached Draco, who'd been gloomily leaning against the dungeon walls.

Draco snorted, "I'm just glad it's our last class of the day."

"Got somewhere you need to be?"

Draco looked over at Madeline, a smirk tugging at his lips at the private joke, "Maybe I do."

The classroom door swung open. The students began filing in, Professor Slughorn greeting them all amicably. However, Madeline noticed the way he was especially enthusiastic to Harry, Blaise, and herself.

The dungeon was, most unusually, already full of vapours and odd smells. Madeline sniffed interestedly as she passed large, bubbling cauldrons. One was smelling especially interesting. Nevertheless, she took a table with Draco, Theo, Pansy and Blaise, the other students also sitting with their housemates. Somethings never changed, it seemed.

"Now then, now then, now then," said Slughorn, clapping his hands with excitement, "Scales out, everyone, and potion kits, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making…"

Madeline drowned out the sound of Harry and Ron asking for spares, and instead moved to set out her own items. Her hand knocked against Draco's as they both put their books down, and she was sure she'd seen Blaise and Pansy grin at each other.

"Now then," announced Slughorn, returning to the front of the class, "I've prepared a few potions for you to have a look at, just out of interest, you know. These are the kind of thing you ought to be able to make after completing your N.E.W.T.s. You ought to have heard of 'em, even if you haven't made 'em yet. Anyone tell me what this one is?"

He pointed to the cauldron nearest the Slytherin table. Madeline peered in, looking at the plain water-like substance in the cauldron.

Both her and Hermione's hands shot up.

"Ah, Miss Bisset!" Slughorn pointed, as if Hermione wasn't in the room.

"Veritaserum," Madeline answered, "It makes the drinker tell the truth."

Madeline knew that potion very well after her encounters with Umbridge, after all.

"Very good, very good!" said Slughorn happily. He pointed at the next cauldron, "Now, this one here is pretty well known… Who can-"

Hermione's hand shot up in the air before Madeline could even think.

"lt's Polyjuice Potion, sir," she said.

"Indeed it is!" Slughorn clapped, moving to the next cauldron, "Now, this one here-"

"Amortentia," Hermione answered immediately.

"It is indeed. It seems almost foolish to ask," said Slughorn, who was looking mightily impressed, "But I assume you know what it does?"

Hermione nodded, "It's the most powerful love potion in the world!"

Madeline took a sniff towards the potion as Hermione and Slughorn continued talking. She knew Amortentia was meant to smell like what attracts you, but she'd never had the chance to smell it herself. And yet, here she was, the smell of mint and green apples and expensive cologne filling her senses. The smell of… Well, Draco.

She didn't dare meet his eyes as he took a sniff. Little did she know that the only thing he could smell was, of course, lemongrass.

"Amortentia doesn't really create love, of course. It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love," Slughorn continued, "No, this will simply cause a powerful infatuation or obsession. It is probably the most dangerous and powerful potion in this room."

Madeline believed that to be true.

"And now," continued Slughorn, "It is time for us to start work."

"Sir, you haven't told us what's in this one," Gabe Birch interrupted, pointing at a small black cauldron standing on Slughorn's desk. Madeline could see the molten gold colour splashing around in the cauldron, as if it were alive. To an extent, it was alive.

"Yes. That. Well, that one, ladies and gentlemen, is a most curious little potion called Felix Felicis," Slughorn announced, "It's quite a rare potion indeed. Would anyone like to guess what this particular potion does?"

Madeline's hand went up in an instant.

"It's liquid luck," she answered, "It makes you lucky. You'd be able to achieve anything."

Like figure out what the hell I'm meant to do about becoming Head of The Family.

"Quite right, Miss Bisset," Slughorn nodded, "Desperately tricky to make, and disastrous to get wrong. However, if brewed correctly, as this has been, you will find that all your endeavours tend to succeed… At least until the effects wear off."

"Why don't people drink it all the time, sir?" Gabe asked eagerly.

"Because if taken in excess, it causes giddiness, recklessness, and dangerous overconfidence," Slughorn explained, "Too much of a good thing, you know... Highly toxic in large quantities. But taken sparingly, and very occasionally…"

"And that," continued Slughorn, "Is what I shall be offering as a prize in this lesson."

There was silence in which every bubble and gurgle of the surrounding potions seemed magnified tenfold. Madeline's eyes widened. Even Draco's interest seemed perked.

"One tiny bottle of Felix Felicis," Slughorn announced, taking a minuscule glass bottle with a cork in it out of his pocket, "Enough for twelve hours' luck. From dawn till dusk, you will be lucky in everything you attempt."

"So," Slughorn briskly continued, "How are you to win this fabulous prize? Well, by turning to page ten of Advanced Potion Making. We have a little over an hour left to us, which should be time for you to make a decent attempt at the Draught of Living Death. I know it is more complex than anything you have attempted before, and I do not expect a perfect potion from anybody. The person who does best, however, will win little Felix here."

Draught of Living Death. Madeline was sure she'd be able to do that. She'd brewed more advanced potions before (sure, with her mothers help), but surely this wouldn't be as hard, would it?

Slughorn looked around, a grin on his face, "Well? Off you go!"

Madeline was fast to gather all the ingredients she needed. The table was quiet as she began following the instructions written, Draco attempting to go double her speed next to her. He clearly really, really wanted a lucky day it seemed.

The concentration within the room was almost tangible. Madeline and Hermione seemed to be the only ones who'd gotten their potions to the acceptable half-way point, although Madeline's seemed to be a lighter shade of lilac than Hermione's. Nevertheless, Madeline persisted.

And then, all of the sudden, it seemed that Harry Potter was racing ahead and had almost finished his potion.

Madeline frowned, returning to her textbook. He was stirring clockwise when the book said anticlockwise! She huffed, continuing to follow the instructions.

She hazarded a glance towards Draco, surprised to find him deep in concentration. She'd never seen him move so fast in potions, nor with such precision. He really, really wanted some Liquid Luck.

"And time's... up!" called Slughorn. "Stop stirring, please!"

Slughorn moved slowly among the tables, peering into cauldrons. He made no comment, but occasionally gave the potions a stir or a sniff. Madeline had just managed to finish hers, although it wasn't quite the colour she needed, according to the book. Draco seemed to be in the same situation.

Slughorn gave both her and Draco approving nods, although he seemed more interested with hers than Dracos. He made his way to the other tables. He nodded at Hermione's potion too, until he saw Harry's, and a look of incredulous delight spread over his face.

"The clear winner!" he cried to the dungeon. "Excellent, excellent, Harry! Good lord, it's clear you've inherited your mother's talent. She was a dab hand at Potions, Lily was! Here you are, then, here you are-one bottle of Felix Felicis, as promised, and use it well!"

Madeline could feel the frustration emanating from Draco. She decided to hazard a glance to him - yes, he was furious. If this was going to be a pattern, it was going to be a long year.

Madeline snuck to the astronomy tower in the dead of night.

The Invisibility Cloak was wrapped around her as she dashed through the many corridors. Why couldn't Draco pick somewhere closer to the Dungeons?! Nevertheless, she scuttled beneath paintings and slid through passages until, finally, she'd managed to make it to the Astronomy Tower.

Draco was already there, with his perfectly coifed hair and in a dark, dark green jumper. He leaning on the tower railing, clearly deep in thought. She folded the Invisibility Cloak, stashing it by the door before making her way over to him.

"Good view?"

Draco jumped just slightly, spinning around quickly. His eyes immediately relaxed when they landed on her.

"Hardly, comparing it to what I'm looking at now," Draco had a small smile on his face as she leant against the railing next to him, barely an inch between them.

Madeline scoffed, "Have you always been such a romantic?"

"I wouldn't call myself romantic, per say," Draco argued, "I just know when to appreciate something beautiful."

Madeline rolled her eyes, bumping her shoulder against his, "I didn't know you could even talk like that about someone else…"

"Because you thought I was an asshole?" Draco snorted, "I could see that."

"You said it, not me."

"I'm not good at being vulnerable," Draco shrugged, "I don't think it's a bad thing, but… Sometimes I don't have the right words."

Madeline hummed, thinking for a few moments. Finally, she replied, "Then let's find the right words, shall we?"

"What are you on about?"

Madeline turned to him, a glint in her eyes, "I don't think I can be your friend, Malfoy."

"Pardon?!"

"I don't think friend is the right word for what we are," Madeline continued, "Do you?"

Draco began catching on, a small grin forming on his lips as his left hand searched for hers in the darkness, "No, I completely agree."

Madeline let Draco's fingers curl around hers. With only the moonlight illuminating them, Madeline took a moment to take in Draco's features. From his slim nose to the cut of his jaw, he was absolutely beautiful. He was nothing like Fred, but simultaneously everything she'd craved. She didn't know when it happened, but she was absolutely enamoured by the Slytherin Prince.

And quite frankly, Draco was the same. Her dark hair, the way her cheeks dimpled when she laughed… He could go on all night. He wanted to memorise the map of her face. He wanted to know where every dip and curve and smile was, and he wanted them to himself. He couldn't bare the thought of anyone else seeing Madeline like this; looking this beautiful under the moonlight.

For a moment, both of their worries were thrown off the Astronomy Tower. They were just two teenagers, who had just begun to like each other. Two normal teenagers without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Draco struggled for the words for a while. They were on the tip of his tongue, but eventually, after taking one last look into Madeline's eyes, they tumbled out of his lips like poetry.

"I like you, Madeline Bisset," Draco began, "I don't know when I started to like you like this… But I don't think I could ever stop."

Madeline's heart was beating out of her chest at hearing those words, "And you said you weren't a romantic."

"Way to undermine my brilliant confession, Bisset."

Madeline smirked. She squeezed his hand once, "I like you too, Draco Malfoy."

Draco pulled her closer to him, his other hand now resting on her waist, "And?"

Madeline could feel his breath on her cheek. She could feel his heart beating against her chest, just like hers.

"And… I think we'd make a rather charming match," Madeline concluded, holding her breath as Draco smiled. He leant forwards to her ear, whispering words that Madeline had been waiting to hear since their first kiss.

"Let's find out, shall we?"