"Look at you playing matchmaker," I remark with a grin as I gently close the door behind me.
Mattheo turns around, tilting his head to the side, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips. "Well, what can I say? I seem to have a talent for matchmaking," he replies, walking over to the edge of his bed and taking a seat.
"Oh, really?" I tease, strolling toward him and crawling onto his lap. He instinctively wraps his arms around my waist, drawing me closer, while I encircle his neck with my arms. "So, is that why you were so insistent on being with me? Purely instinctual?"
Looking up at me, he smiles tenderly. "Yes, exactly. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew deep down that I would marry you someday."
"Since the day we met, huh? And what if I say no to your proposal?" I playfully inquire.
He shakes his head, his expression filled with a mixture of amusement and vulnerability. "Don't break my heart, Potter," Mattheo begs, reaching up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "There was just something about you that made me fall head over heels in love with you right from the start."
I let out a soft laugh, my hands gently threading through his hair. "You truly are a hopeless romantic, and I absolutely adore it."
Bending down, I press my lips against his tenderly, savoring the moment. "Do you truly believe that Draco and Hermione will evolve into something deeper?" I ask, my voice tinged with curiosity.
Mattheo affirms with a nod, his eyes filled with certainty. "I think those two have a lot more in common than they both realize."
Agreeing with his observation, I tilt my head and let my thoughts wander, picturing Draco and Hermione as a couple. A kaleidoscope of possibilities unfolds in my mind's eye. It could be a filled with bliss and enchantment. Or... it might lead to a catastrophe of emotions, a collision of contrasting personalities.
Hermione
"So what? Do you have feelings for Malfoy?" Ron's voice whispered into my ear, his tone laced with curiosity and a hint of concern. Leaning in close, he ensured our conversation remained discreet, shielded from prying ears. The incessant questioning had been weighing on me ever since Riddle had casually mentioned Malfoy's name in the bustling Great Hall.
Admittedly, I couldn't deny that Malfoy possessed a certain allure. Standing tall with a lean physique and a chiseled jawline, his piercing ice-blue eyes were difficult to resist. I found myself unintentionally captivated by their gaze, and it troubled me. Did I have feelings for him..? No. I quickly dismissed the idea. It was possible to find someone attractive without developing deeper emotions, right?
Exhaling a weary sigh, I pushed aside those thoughts and redirected my attention to Ron, who remained just inches from my face. "For Merlin's sake, Ron," I retorted, my voice tinged with exasperation. "No, we're simply going to the Yule Ball as friends."
Ron's eyes widened, incredulous. "Now the two of you are friends?"
Shaking my head in disbelief, I snapped back at him, my frustration evident. "What's wrong with you, Ron? Seriously? You're acting like a jealous boyfriend, and we're not even together. So, what's your problem?"
Ron's eyes widened further, his gaze fixed on me. In a fleeting moment, he glanced upward, his jaw visibly tensing. "Well, your new friend just walked in."
I followed Ron's line of sight, turning my head slightly to catch sight of Draco entering the room. As our eyes connected, he paused in his tracks, an unspoken tension crackling between us.
As his gaze slowly traveled up and down my body, a rush of excitement surged through me, causing my heart to quicken its pace. A mischievous smirk formed on his face, intensifying the whirlwind of emotions within me. It was as if a swarm of butterflies had suddenly taken flight in the pit of my stomach. Confusion overwhelmed me. What was happening to me? Why was I feeling this way?
In an attempt to regain composure, I averted my gaze, quickly gathering my books and abruptly standing up. However, before I could make my escape, Ron reached out and firmly grasped my arm. I recoiled, attempting to break free from his grip.
"What's happening right now?" Ron inquired, his voice laced with curiosity and concern.
Struggling to gather my thoughts, "Ron, let go of me." My words were a whispered plea, sharp with urgency. Finally relenting, Ron released his hold on me but remained firmly planted, obstructing my path towards the exit. His question hung in the air, demanding an answer.
"Why are you leaving?" he questioned.
My voice barely audible, "I-I... Ron, I need to leave." With a surge of determination, I pushed past him, walking quickly towards the door. Glancing back, I caught a glimpse of Ron, his gaze fixed on me, his expression a blend of longing and bewilderment. Shaking my head to dispel the tumult of emotions, I continued my journey out of the room, resolute in my retreat to seek solace within the confines of my own room.
I remained there for the remainder of the day, immersing myself in an attempt to unravel the form of these unfamiliar emotions. Never before had I experienced such intense sentiments toward anyone. Throughout my time at Hogwarts, I had never encountered someone captivating enough to warrant a pursuit beyond mere friendship.
Glancing over at the clock, its hands indicating 10:12 p.m., I realized that most students were expected to be in their respective common rooms by now. Aware of the potential repercussions, I understood that engaging in my current course of action could lead to trouble. However, I desperately needed a diversion to redirect my thoughts. With determination, I rose from my bed and made my way towards the library.
Despite the late hour, I possessed a key to the library, a privilege I earned due to my occasional volunteer work during lunch breaks. The librarian held a fondness for me, appreciating my willingness to assist in organizing and securing the books for the night. She had granted me access to the library after hours, under the condition that I steer clear of the restricted section.
As I closed the door behind me with a hushed click, a voice that sent shivers down my spine echoed from behind. "Your little boyfriend seems jealous of me." My heart skipped a beat as I turned around to find Draco, casually reclining in his chair with his feet propped up on the table. He held a book on the dark arts in his hands.
"Who? Ron?" I shook my head, taking slow steps towards him. "No, he's not my boyfriend. And how did you manage to get in here?"
Draco raised an eyebrow, bringing the book up as he replied, "Interesting... The Alohomora spell, of course. You should have known that."
Curiosity mingled with caution as I settled down across from him. "What are you doing here, Draco?"
"Studying," he stated matter-of-factly, his eyes fixed on the pages before him.
I couldn't help but scoff at the notion. "You study? I had no idea you were even capable of such a thing."
Draco's jaw clenched, and he placed the book on the table, leaning in closer to me. "You know," he said, his voice laced with an intensity that caught me off guard. "It may be hard for you to comprehend, Granger, but I am smarter than you might think."
Rolling my eyes, I shook my head in disbelief. "I highly doubt that, Malfoy."
Draco held my gaze for a moment, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Go ahead and doubt. The truth is, I'm at the top of our class. Right next to you."
I observed him carefully and could sense a genuine confidence in his words. No, he couldn't possibly be. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. "There's no way you, Draco Malfoy, rank that high."
A devilish smile crept onto his face, and he stood, walking around the table, towering over me. "Oh, but I am, Darling," he murmured. "How about this? Check the records and get back to me... and maybe, just maybe, I'll accept your apology."
I shook my head, my frustration evident. "You are utterly insufferable, Malfoy!"
Tilting his head, he challenged me, "If I'm utterly insufferable, then why is it that every time I see you, your eyes are always on me?"
I averted my gaze for a moment, feeling the weight of his intense stare. Do I really stare at him?
Draco reached up, his fingers gently grasping my chin, sending a chill down my spine as he lifted my head to meet his gaze. His breath caressed my ear as he whispered, "Do you crave a taste of darkness?" He pulled back slightly, bringing us eye to eye. My heart raced, and it seemed as if his could sense it too, for he smiled. "Weasley won't give you that, but with me..."
He inhaled deeply, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. "Oh, Darling, I could give you everything you've ever imagined and more."
His eyes flickered to my lips and back to my eyes, a mischievous smirk spreading across his face. Slowly, he released his grip on my chin, then walked away into the night, leaving me alone in the library with a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me.