The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

40. The Lines We Cross for Each Other

And something was brushing my cheek.

I blinked.

Draco.
Draco Malfoy.
Fast asleep. Face buried in my hair. Arm around my waist like he'd welded himself there in the night.

He looked... soft. Peaceful. Mouth slightly open. Not even remotely intimidating.

It was the cutest bloody thing I'd ever seen.

I shifted just a little — and he made a sound.

A sleepy, confused little grumble as he tightened his arm.

Oh sweet Hippogriffs.

He cuddles in his sleep.

My heart melted into warm mush.

He nuzzled again.

Into my neck this time.

And then—

The door slammed open.

"OH. FOR. MERLIN'S. SAKE!"

I jolted. Draco jolted harder — half falling off the bed, half clinging to me like a startled cat.

"PANSY?!" I screeched. "WHAT THE HELL—"

She stormed in, hands on hips, smug as anything.

"Well, well, well. Look who's playing Sleeping Beauty and Prince Blondie."

Draco groaned into my pillow.
"I hate everything."

Theo peered in behind Pansy, blinking blearily.
"Is everyone decent? Please say yes. I'm too tired for trauma."

Blaise popped his head in next, holding a mug of tea.
"Called it," he said casually. "Pay up, Pans."

Pansy slapped a Galleon into his palm.

"YOU BET ON US?!" I yelled.

"Obviously," Blaise said. "We're not blind."

Draco made an outraged noise as he tried — and failed — to untangle himself from both the blanket and my waist.

"GET OUT," he demanded, voice cracking like a prepubescent choir boy.

Pansy grinned. "Adorable."

Theo clapped a hand over his eyes. "I'm not looking, I'm not looking, I'm not—"

"GET OUT!" Draco roared.

The three of them dissolved into cackles as they backed out of the room, closing the door with a dramatic click.

Silence.

Then Draco covered his face with a pillow and screamed into it.

I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.

When he finally resurfaced, hair a disaster, cheeks pink, dignity in tatters, he muttered:

"Well... that could've gone better."

I snorted. "Could it?"

He cracked a reluctant smile.

"Okay, no. Probably not."

He leaned forward, forehead pressing against mine.

"Good morning, Rae."

My heart somersaulted.

"Good morning, Draco."

The corridor outside my room was already alive with movement by the time we stepped out — sleepy students drifting toward bathrooms, the low murmur of voices, the occasional yawn echoing off stone walls.

Pansy stretched dramatically, arms over her head.
"I swear, if anyone asks me one more question about who slept where, I'm hexing them."

Blaise sipped from a steaming mug that smelled suspiciously like something stronger than tea.
"You say that every morning. And yet — here we all still are."

Theo rubbed at his eyes, hair sticking up in every direction.
"I just want a shower and something vaguely edible before my brain shuts down again."

Draco stood beside me, fingers loosely hooked with mine, like letting go would be a conscious, unfortunate choice. He looked... awake now. Alert. Purposeful. Still slightly pink around the ears, but standing straighter than usual — as if the night had shifted something into place.

"Well," Blaise said, glancing between us with a knowing smirk, "I'll see you all downstairs."

"Don't forget you're supposed to be subtle," I muttered.

He winked. "I don't know the meaning of the word."

Pansy grabbed Theo's sleeve and tugged him down the corridor.
"Come on. You smell like fireplace and emotional trauma."

Theo snorted but let himself be dragged away, calling over his shoulder,
"Text me when you're ready, Rae."

That left Draco and me standing there — quiet settling around us like a held breath.

He cleared his throat.

"So," he said, suddenly very focused on the stone floor, "I'm going to head down to the Slytherin common room. Shower. Change. Make myself... presentable."

I blinked. "You don't have to go all the way back down there. You could just—"

"I know," he interrupted gently, lifting his gaze to mine. His expression softened, but there was something firm underneath it. "But I want to."

I tilted my head. "Why?"

He hesitated, then exhaled slowly.

"Because this is our first date," he said. "And I want to do it properly. Not just roll out of bed and wander off half-dressed like it doesn't matter."

My heart gave a very unhelpful little flip.

"Draco," I said quietly, "you already matter. You don't have to prove anything."

He smiled — not smug, not teasing — just earnest.

"I know," he said. "But I want to show you that I mean it. That I'm not taking this lightly. You deserve effort."

I swallowed.

"That's... ridiculously sweet," I admitted.

He chuckled under his breath. "Don't spread that around. I've got a reputation."

I squeezed his hand. "You're allowed to be sweet with me."

His thumb brushed over my knuckles, slow and grounding.

"I'll be quick," he said. "I'll come back up and get you. Properly. Walk you out like I should."

I smirked. "Like I'm some delicate Victorian lady?"

He grinned. "More like a terrifyingly intelligent witch who could hex me into next week if I mess this up."

"Fair."

He leaned in then, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead — the kind that made my chest ache pleasantly.

"Don't disappear," he murmured.

"I'll try not to," I teased.

He released my hand reluctantly, taking a step back.

"One hour," he said. "Max."

I nodded. "I'll be here."

He hesitated just a second longer — like he was imprinting the moment — then turned and headed down the stairs, robes swishing behind him.

I watched until he disappeared from view.

And only then did I realise I was smiling like an idiot.

I closed my door and leaned back against it, letting out a slow breath.

A date.

A real one.

With Draco Malfoy.

And somehow... it felt right.