Thursday, December 20th,1996:
SLUGHORN'S CLASSROOM:
It was Slughorn's Christmas Party today and Artemis couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling coursing through her veins.
She couldn't wait to be home. Only one more day, she kept telling herself.
Not many people could see her facade, however, she expected her fiance to be more aware of her state, yet, he seemed to be more self-serving over these last couple of weeks.
Whenever he wanted to talk, or rant, she would be there and then he would up and leave. To put things simply, she felt used, but did she vocalise her feelings? No.
He left once the tension in his body dissipated, leaving his fiance dateless and irritated.
Nevertheless, Artemis remained composed, put on her outfit, styled her hair, plastered on a smile and joined her cousin and entered the room.
A glass never left Blaise's hand, whereas Artemis was subtly stress-eating.
The bright lights and the colourful decor almost made them want to leave, it didn't help that the room was full of people they didn't care for, or bothered to look at.
"Draco keeping you busy then?" Blaise randomly asked, earning a confused look from his cousin.
"What?"
He sighed, then said, "Your neck."
"Merda," she cursed, her neutral expression faded and soon she appeared as irritated as she felt. I should've put makeup there.
Blaise pulled off his blazer and placed it on his shoulders, concealing the love bite on her neck.
His outfit worked better without it, wearing a black turtleneck ultimately drew more attention to him than before.
A few witches couldn't help but let their eyes linger on his toned build. Clearly, Quidditch performed wonders on his physique. He always looked healthy, but when the cotton material tightened around his arms, it made them all gasp.
"Thank you," Artemis mumbled as he pulled her hair from under the blazer.
Her silk press remained in perfect condition, due to the cold weather, thank Merlin.
Blaise was quick to change the subject, "I need something stronger than this." he said tiredly and placed down his glass of tongue-tying lemon squash.
"Same."
As they went on their quest to get something that would at least force them to stay awake, they bumped into one of the servers.
"Nevile?" Artemis appeared shocked as her eyes raked over his white attire, Blaise quickly took a few drinks from his tray and handed one to his cousin.
The Longbottom wizard wasn't in the slug club, surprisingly. Well, he was invited on the train ride to Hogwarts, but did not pass Slughorn's first test and was not invited again.
"A-artemis," Nevile stammered, he stared at her in shock, wow, "you look amazing." he couldn't help but gush at the Seramore witch.
Blaise snorted, "Don't let her fiancé hear you say that." he teased and the Gryffindor wizard gulped nervously.
"I heard about the engagement," Nevile added, gesturing to her ring, "congratulations."
"Thank you," she responded with a smile, surprised by his genuine tone.
"I have to go," Nevile motioned to the tray of drinks, "Have a nice night."
He hastily walked away, almost bumping into a few guests along the way.
"He was about to piss himself," Blaise mused and gulped down his butter beer.
Living with a Mikealson, meant his tolerance for alcohol was bound to increase.
Elijah only allowed him to drink when he was present because he didn't want his son to turn into a drunkard at such a young age.
Artemis playfully rolled her eyes, "You wanted that to happen."
"30 galleons says I can in 5 minutes."
"Don't, not Nevile," Artemis scolded, making him whine.
"Please," he pleaded and jutted his bottom lip.
"You're a psycho."
"Says the psycho," Blaise quipped.
Artemis shrugged, "Touche."
"But Theo is the biggest because he pours his milk in before his cereal," Blaise remarked and they both shivered at the thought.
"True," Artemis agreed as her eyes wandered across the room, then landed on a certain wizard who had been gawking at her all night, "If you want someone to hurt Cormac has been staring at me —"
"On it," Blaise cut her off and eyed Cormac in disgust, then adorned a fake smile, "Oi, Mclaggen!..."
Artemis smirked when her cousin took her lurker away.
She couldn't help but wish that Draco was here, but he had spoken a word to her. He hardly attends their prefect meetings or strolls, leaving her alone with Pansy. Yes, the witches made up last year, so it didn't matter to either of them, however, the Parkinson witch did notice Artemis' sullen mood.
Someone knocked into Artemis, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Sorry, I didn't-Artemis?" Harry breathed out in shock, even though the witch thought he did it on purpose.
She sighed, "Harold."
The two hadn't spoken since 5th year and Artemis wanted to keep it that way. Her godfather was in Azkaban whilst he was dead, it was a sore subject that they argued over and neither discussed it since then.
"You look nice," he cringed at his compliment, she looks beautiful.
"Don't lie I look amazing," she jested and he huff out a chuckle. Noticing his tense demeanour, she cocked her head to the side, "why do you look like that?"
His smile faltered slightly, "Like what?"
"Like you're anxious," she stated, her eyes travelling over his odd-looking attire, which she wasn't going to comment on.
Rolling his shoulders back and shaking his head, Harry replied, "I'm not."
"Tell that to your hands," she nodded to his trembling hands making him clench them, "bye Harold," she waved him off, spinning on her heels and walking away before he had a chance to respond.
Harry stared as she manoeuvred through the room, making small talk with Nevile and sending tight-lipped smiles to Hermoine and Ginny, who reluctantly sent them back.
He noticed a frown replace her confidant facade fade. He wanted to inquire about her odd behaviour and whether it was due to Draco. Knowing that he's a Deatheater and believing he cursed Katie Bell, Harry wouldn't be surprised if he dragged the Seramore witch into his games.
Artemis felt his eyes on her and ignored them. She didn't have time for his questioning, nor did she have time for him.
Suddenly, Cormac raced past her, clutching onto his groin with tears pouring down his face, he didn't say a word as he left the room, embarrassed by the laughter that followed him.
"You owe me," Blaise stated, appearing beside her.
Artemis cracked a smile, "Best 30 galleons I ever spent."
"Take your hands off me, you filthy Squib!" A familiar voice boomed through the room, startling the guests and causing the music to come to a halt.
"Here we go," Blaise mumbled, taking his cousin's drink and downing it.
Draco was dragged by his lapels, into the room by the Hogwarts caretaker.
"Professor Slughorn, sir, I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party," Filch explained, holding to the wizard.
"Okay okay, I was gate crashing! Happy?" Draco snarled at the man.
Artemis stepped forward, "Draco, Darling, don't lie," she spoke up, capturing everyone's gaze "I invited him," she added and walked over to him.
"Is that true Mr Malfoy?" Professor Snape questioned the wizard, Artemis was shocked by his sudden appearance, nevertheless, she nudged her fiance to agree.
"Certainly Professor," Draco sneered and roughly pulled out of Flitch's grasp, "Nonetheless, I think I'll be going."
Artemis shot him a subtle glare, that didn't go unnoticed by Harry.
"Alright, that's settled. We can resume," Slughorn announced with a grin and the music restarted.
Draco stormed out of the room, with Snape hot on his heels.
Artemis turned to her cousin, who quickly expressed, "Go."
"Are you sure?" she asked, with furrowed brows, she didn't want to leave him alone, especially with the limitless supply of butter beer that Nevile was clearly giving him.
He nodded, "Stop worrying about me and go after the brat."
She slapped his chest, "Blaise."
He held his hands up in surrender and strolled away.
Artemis made her way out of the room. Bleak corridors replaced the lively party,
Witnessing the altercation between Snape and Draco, she picked up the pace. Fortunately, no one else was around, well at least she believed that there wasn't.
"Draco." She called out and Snape took a back, allowing her to reprimand him.
Her fiance huffed, "Not now."
"Then when?" she snapped, "What were you even doing back there?"
"Keeping on an eye on you," he lied, "but you seemed to be enjoying talking to Potter," he sneered, causing her to back away.
"That's hardly relevant Mr Malfoy," Snape stated, with a pointed look.
"Just stay out of my way," Draco snapped, referencing his previous conversation with the professor and stormed off.
Artemis just stared hopelessly at his disappearing figure.
She knew he was going to the Room of Requirement and fortunately had enough self-respect to not run after him, even though she wanted to=.
Noticing her change in demeanour, Snape silently turned to her.
He had never seen her look so... lost. It irked him, yet, he didn't mention it.
"He hasn't been sleeping, that's why he's behaving so irrationally" she poorly lied.
"Don't insult my intelligence by lying to me Artemis."
"Could you help me make a sleeping potion?" she asked, ignoring his previous statement.
The raven-haired sighed and nodded reluctantly, "Fine."
***
SNAPE'S OFFICE:
Artemis grabbed the Wormwood, Powdered Asphodel petals and Flobberworm Mucus, whilst Snape got the Sopophorous bean, Valerian sprigs and Nettle essence.
Neither of them spoke a word as they gathered the specific measurements for sleeping draught.
The potion would make the drinker fall into a deep yet temporary sleep. It was simple but powerful.
Artemis didn't need any assistance, she simply didn't want to be alone.
Standing near the cauldron with his hands clasped behind his back, Snape watched with a mutual expression, despite being extremely impressed by her skill, that mimicked an advance level.
"It appears married life would be brilliant for the two of you," he mused, making her huff out a chuckle.
"It would, wouldn't it?" she asked sarcastically.
"His behaviour is merely a manifestation of his fear."
She stiffly nodded, "I know."
"Nonetheless, that does not give him the right to direct his fear towards you," he added.
Observing Draco's behaviour all year, meant that he saw any and every public altercation the young couple had. It also forced him to hold his tongue
"I know," she murmured and waved her wand, leaving the potion to brew for 70 minutes.
"Do you?"
"Yes," she lied, earning a raised brow from the professor, which made her sigh, "I'm scared for him."
Moving his hands to the table, Snape said, "I will do my best to assist him."
"I'm grateful."
She was aware of the unbreakable vow that he made with her aunt about Draco's tasks. He held immense responsibility and Artemis would never forget that.
In turn she remembered the vows her grandfather made with the dark lord decades ago and how that was the reason she and her cousin would never be harmed both directly or indirectly by him, yet that didn't mean the people they loved wouldn't be.
Snape hummed, "And since I'm helping you with your potion..."
"You've done nothing," her words were ignored.
"I must require you're assistance cleaning up."
"Of course professor," she nodded mockingly, making his lips twitch up, "I'll do it out of the kindness of my own heart," she said placing a hand on her chest.
Snape's eyes beamed with delight, thinking back to her 1st year when she came to him with a cure for dragon bites. Ever since then, she's exceeded his expectations. She's truly brilliant, he thought as he almost smiled.
Artemis turned to face the brewing cauldron and let out a pronounced sigh, "What if he doesn't complete his task?"
"You mustn't concern yourself with negative thoughts," he advised and to Artemis, it sounded like he was speaking from experience.
Suffering and misery hid behind his dark eyes.
Artemis wanted to ask him about it, but she knew it wasn't her place, so she opted out, "Easier said than done."
"You have enough time-"
"No, time is running out," she stressed, interrupting him, "he might die and he won't tell me anything anymore." He could hear the vulnerability in her voice and chose to let her continue, "I'm scared," she admitted.
"I will do my best to assist you as well," he said softly.
Artemis' shoulders loosened up at his reassurance, although the fear she felt didn't vanish.
"My mother always use to tell me that, 'Death is certain but time is not", he recited and she nodded, digesting his words, "You must keep going, do the best you can and never look back."
"But —"
"Never look back," he repeated firmly, staring directly into her eyes.
Artemis swallowed nervously, before repeating, "Never look back."
***
DRACO'S ROOM:
"I brought you this," Artemis said as she entered Draco's dormitory, not bothering to knock on his door.
It had been at least 2 hours since she had seen him. Fortunately her prefect possession allowed her to be out after hours. Professor Snape even offered to walk her back to the dormitory but she reassured him that she would be okay, despite feeling someone watching her during her journey back.
Carefully taking the purple potion, Draco eyed it and place it on his bedside table.
"Thanks."
He hadn't bothered to take off his suit, due to experimenting with a spell in the room of requirement using an apple. His attempts were not futile, nor were they a success.
"Draco," Artemis stepped closer to him and he reluctantly looked up at her.
"What?"
"Can you stop it?" she snapped, tired of his rudeness and erratic behaviour, especially when it was directed at her.
Nothing she had done warranted his attitude, she was simply trying to help.
"Stop what?" he tiredly asked.
"Speaking to me like I'm nothing."
"I'm tired. I'm sorry," he disingenuously replied.
"You sound it," she said with a scoff.
He ran his hands down his face, then mumbled, "Is there anything else you need?"
"For you not to be a prat," she replied with a tight-lipped smile.
"I'm not in the mood to talk."
"Right," she hummed, with an eye roll, "And why can't you talk to me about how you're feeling?"
"You aren't exactly the warmest person Artemis..." he mindlessly said, then noticed her widened eyes, making him quickly retract his statement, "Wait I didn't mean that."
Artemis' brown eyes glazed over, she wasn't bored, but she was tired.
Tired of trying. She wanted everyone around her to be safe and happy, even if she wasn't. Recently she had been more expressive, with both her feelings and emotions, however, with Draco's change in behaviour, it had been harder for her to do so.
She was emotionally regressing and she had barely even noticed it.
"You did and it's true," she reluctantly admitted, causing him to bow his head in shame, "but that doesn't mean you can't treat me like shite whenever I try and help you."
"It's not your burden to bear," he mumbled, fiddling with his ring-clad fingers.
She laughed humourlessly, "You don't think I want the man that killed my father to die?"
"It's not your task. You aren't involved."
To her, he sounded more bitter than relieved at the statement, even though that wasn't the case at all.
"But you are and I'm not losing you," she emphasised her every word.
Draco huffed as he loosened his tie, "You're too stubborn for your own good."
"And you aren't?" she retorted.
Draco blinked back his exhaustion and started to change, "Can we talk about this tomorrrow-"
"No, forget I even asked," she cut him off sharply and he turned to her, "and just to be clear, Potter bumped into me. I didn't talk to him. But he was a lot more pleasant than you've been," she held up her hand before he could speak, "I know you think I will run off with any boy that looks my way - thanks for the vote of confidence," she said sarcastically, "If you want to break things off then tell me instead of treating to me like rubbish because I haven't got time for this anymore."
He panicked at her words and reached out for her, "Arty —"
"Goodnight."
Artemis slammed his door shut, leaving him to flop back onto his bed and scream into his hands.
***
Friday, December 21st:
GIRLS DORMITARY:
Draco pushed open the door, revealing the Greengrass sisters, the oldest was packing her things, with Astoria's help.
"Have either of you seen Arty?" He asked.
He had heavyset bags under his eyes, his hair was unkept and simply looked miserable. Artemis' threat about leaving him taunted his every thought, have I really pushed her to her limit?
The witches exchanged a look, then answered in unison, "Yes."
Draco narrowed his eyes at them, "So where is she?"
"Busy packing," Astoria bluntly replied.
Draco scoffed, "I haven't got time for your lies. She wasn't in her room."
"She doesn't want to speak to you right now," Daphne harshly said, making him sigh.
"Look I've apologised for the argument yesterday."
"It's not about that."
"Then what?"
"You've been using her."
Draco almost laughed at the notion, "That's absurd."
Daphne shot her sister a look, Astoria took that as a sign to leave. The brunette shot Draco a glare before slamming the door shut.
"You've been using her m," Daphne stated as she closed both her and her sister's trunks, merely glancing at the wizard whose face contorted with hurt and disbelief. "You use her for whenever you want her to listen or just to be with you and then you leave."
"No, I haven't Daph," he shook his head, however, his eyes never met hers.
"You have, she just doesn't say anything because she wants to protect you," Daphne worded carefully.
It seemed that both she and Artemis had been doing what they believe was best for their fiancé's, just yesterday, she and Blaise argued for hours on end about him neglecting her.
"Is that what I've been doing?" Draco mumbled, mainly to himself.
"Yes."
"N-no I wouldn't do that to her, I wouldn't hurt her like that," his eyes glossed over, causing her to shuffle closer to him.
"You have."
"I need to go and find her and apologise," he voiced desperately and went to reach for the door, only for him to be gently pulled back.
Clearing her throat, Daphne advised, "If you're going to apologise let her know how much she means to you not because you feel obligated to make things right."
"I know I just can't lose her. I'm just not focused on anything. I don't even know where to start with an apology," he huffed out and threw his arms up.
If he realised what he had been doing sooner he would've put a stop to it ages ago. He never intentionally set out to use the love of his life. He simply wasn't thinking only acting on impulse.
"Start with that," she suggested.
He scrunched up his face, "It's crap."
"So it's obviously genuine," she remarked, making him crack a teary smile.
"Oh gee, thanks Daph."
She weakly smiled, "Shut up and go speak to her before I whisk her away."
"I will," he quickly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to his chest and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Blaise will come around," he mumbled against her hair.
"He better soon we have to leave in 2 hours."
"He will," he repeated firmly as he pulled away.
He sent her one last smile and then left.
Daphne sat on the edge of her bed and let out a loud sigh, "Hurry up Blaise," she pleaded, facing the door, "Hurry up."
***
ARTEMIS' LAVATORY:
"What?" Artemis sneered the moment Draco found her in her bathroom. She was hiding out there until it was time to leave, not wanting to speak to or give him the time of day.
He scolded her publicly and acted as if he had the right to be mad. Foolish.
"I'm sorry," he went to step forward but one glare from the witch made him stop any advances.
Laughing bitterly, she spat, "Sure."
She turned a page in her Occulmens book that Professor Snape had given her. She was supposed to be practising with Draco, but that didn't turn out well.
Either he was busy being a git or wasn't around.
Nodding vigorously he said, "I am."
Although his pleading voice was convincing, she was becoming more and more doubtful of his apologies.
"Until you do it again," she stated, not sparing him another glance.
"I didn't realise- I mean I don't think I thought about what you were feeling." he corrected himself as he leaned against the bathroom door.
"Clearly."
"And I haven't thought about anything really," he added, staring down at the tiled floors.
His mind had been preoccupied with figuring out ways to get the death eaters into the school.
His tunnel vision made him neglect that his plans were running him into the ground, making him forget he had people to pull him out, he just didn't stop to think.
"I'm aware."
"I know."
"Do you?" She questioned, finally placing down her book and turning to look at him, "do you know how I've been feeling for these past couple of months?"
He winced when he noticed her teary eyes, "Hurt?"
"No," she snapped, "I'm angry."
He gulped, "You don't seem it."
"Oh really? I thought I wasn't 'exactly the warmest person'" she mocking quoted him, causing him feel even more guilty.
"I deserve that," he murmured, playing with his clammy hands.
"You do, but unlike you I never sought out to hurt you."
"I do," he reluctantly admitted.
They instantly were pulled back into their 3rd year, reliving all his spiteful actions. Although he's apologised and made up for it, sometimes she couldn't help but think if he would do something like that again.
And judging from his most recent actions, she sadly wouldn't put it passed him.
"At least you're self-aware."
He inhaled deeply and attempted to move closer to her, "Why are you angry? Tell me."
He desperately wanted to know,
Artemis locked eyes with him and started her rant, "My father's murderer is still breathing, I'm surrounded by people who think he is the best wizard in the world, I have to make sure you don't hurt yourself and also help you even though you constantly show me that I shouldn't bother."
"You shouldn't bother," he stated, not to gain sympathy, but because he believed it was the truth.
"Yet I do because I love you and it hurts every time you push me away," her voice started to break, "I haven't even thought about the many ways I could put down dumbledore and don't get me started on how I would recover from doing something like that," she croaked out, "so that is why I'm angry."
Artemis choked back a sob as she finished her confession, her heart pounded loudly against her chest and filled her ears.
It felt like a weight was lifted off her shoulders but she knew only more bad things were to come.
"Come here," Draco ushered her to come to him.
It broke him to see her like this, mostly since he neglected what he was putting her through as well as the things she was dealing with.
She shook her head, "No."
More tears flowed down her face.
"Please," he pleaded and she finally let him wrap his arms around her, sobbing into his.
"I only moved because I wanted to," her muffled voice said.
"I know, I know."
"Not because you told me to," she added with a sniffle.
He sadly smiled against her head, "Instead of apologizing again, I'll show you why I'm sorry," he proclaimed, "I know it's difficult to be around me, let alone with me, but I'll prove to you why it's always going to be me and you."
"I'm tired," she admitted.
"I know," he said, "I'll start by helping you with whatever you want," he promised with a kiss to her forehead, "With whatever you want."
***
GIRLS DORMITORY:
"I heard you wanted an Italian stallion," Blaise said with a bashful smile as he walked into the room.
Daphne suppressed a smile as she nudged him, "Shut up,"
"Daph, I'm sorry about yesterday," he blurted out, wanting to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
"You're going through a lot."
"That's not an excuse. I shouldn't snap or shout at you. I don't want to make you feel like you're shite."
"You don't," she replied, however, her eyes avoided his making him gently grab her chin so she could look at him.
"Sweetheart, every time you look at me, you seem anxious or hurt, I shouldn't make you feel that way, ever," he stated apprehensively.
She nodded, "You shouldn't."
"That's on me and if I'm acting like a git tell me. Shit, even if I'm acting like Draco let me know," he add the last part with a smirk.
"I will."
"I love you so much, it physically hurts me to not be around you and I'm sorry I can't hold you as much as I used to," he admitted, missing the way they used to be.
"That's okay, I understand."
Daphne truly did, she was willing to wait.
Blaise stared at her lovingly and cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her lips.
He wished he could've done more, but he didn't think he was ready yet, besides Daphne was content with a kiss, it was sweet and loving.
"And I'm sorry I haven't been as patient as before, especially with what your dealing with," he apologised again.
"Okay."
"Do you want to tell me about them now?" he asked, gently pulling her towards her bed.
Her gaze turned to the moving hands on the clock that hung above the door.
Raising a brow, she said, "We need to leave in an hour."
"I don't care," he smiled as he shook his head, "tell me everything,"
With one reassuring hand squeeze, Daphne nervously gulped and started her rant, "Let me start from the beginning..."
***
MENTE STRIAE:
Blaise, Theo and Draco were sitting in a huddle, neither of them had spoken a word since they had arrived and they only had 30 minutes before they had to join everyone in the great hall so they could leave for the winter break.
Theo dragged the boys out of their rooms so they could all resolve the tension between them because they were not spending the holidays together. And for the first time in a few years, he was happy to be around his parents even though he was still apprehensive about how it would play out.
"So are you lot done being arses?" Theo asked bluntly, eyes darting between the two.
Blaise was quick to respond, "If Draco stops being a muppet."
"And if you stop being a royal tosser," Draco retorted.
"How did this even start?" Theo paused as realisation dawned on him, "and how did I become a mediator? Bloody hell, it's like 2nd and 3rd year all over again."
"No it's not," the godbrothers shouted.
"Take that back," Draco hissed, pushing Theo's shoulder.
Neither of them wanted to think back to such a time, despite the similarities between then and now.
With a scoff, Theo replied, "It is though, your arguing with arty," he pointed at the platinum-haired boy, "I'm arguing with you, and you and Blaise have all this tension —"
"What?" Blaise and Draco detested to which Theo ignored.
" — And all that is left is for me to kiss Blaise."
"Merlin's beard," Draco muttered.
"But since I'm in a relationship now, that can't happen," Theo added staring out into the distance.
Blaise groaned, "Theo!"
"Let's all makeup now or girls will finally kill us."
"They won't," Draco mindlessly replied.
Blaise and Theo exchanged a knowing look, then simultaneously stated, "Yes they will."
"Shit, they will," Draco mumbled to himself in horror.
Theo gasped when he recalled something else, "Did you know they had tattoos?" he questioned quietly and received nods from both parties.
"Daph showed me hers," Blaise answered with a shrug.
A smug smile tugged at Draco's lips as he said, "Artemis also has a dragon on her thigh."
"Wait what?!" Blaise screeched, daphne didn't tell me that. And now he wanted a dragon tattoo.
Theo childishly clapped, "I wanna see. I wanna see. I wanna see."
Draco sent him a pointed look, "You better not."
"Alright alright," Theo cut off his threat as they really didn't have the time, "How did this tension start?" he asked, motioning between the godbrothers.
At first, he didn't get a response, which ultimately annoyed him, then he quickly realised that they were thinking about what they were going to say.
Blaise shifted uncomfortably and twisted his emerald trio ring, before speaking up, "I'm stressed and I didn't think you cared."
His confession made Theo turn to the younger wizard who wore the same hopeless expression and mirrored his actions.
"I'm stressed and I didn't think you cared," Draco quietly admitted.
"I do."
"So do I do."
The godbrothers sent each other a sheepish smile and a nod of appreciation which was short-lived due to Theo's giggle.
The Nott wizard started to clap, "Well I want my boyfriend," he exclaimed, grinning like an idiot.
"Shut up T." Blaise and Draco jokingly shouted at him.
Theo innocently shrugged, then suggested, "So now we've all comprehended what communication means, can we hold hands and make up before the next problem arises?"
The godbrothers knew that Theo wasn't joking, so they all gradually reached out and joined hands.
It was a new experience for the trio, usually, they would hug, but since Blaise was still uncomfortable with any form of contact, they opted out for something safe.
And with Christmas approaching, they just wondered if it was going to be better or worse than the previous year.
***
a/n:
harry has been stalking both arty and draco btw, i don't know if that was clear or not.
also, i needed draco and daphne to have a scene alone because it seems they never had one alone. out of the past 50+ chapters they've never talked by themselves.
wasn't a fan of this chapter (only liked the Snape x arty scene) although the group sorted out their issues, more will come.
btw, I have written the final chapter and oof, it's intense, just like next chapter.