When I was younger, I was the kind of person who would scorn all feeling. I never believed the hype that the world associates with first love - or love in general, really. I never understood the idea of loving another person so much that you value their happiness over your own, and make your decisions based on that. That you think of them with everything you do.
I am a different person now.
When we first met, I thought you were an idiot. I was fascinated by you, yes, but I hated you, because Gryffindors and Slytherins are obligated to hate each other. At only twelve years old, we were thrown into our own defining worlds – Gryffindors were told they were brave and chivalrous; Slytherins cunning and ambitious. You are twelve. These are your most valued traits. These will define you from now on. If it hadn't been for those houses, our story might not have started the way it did. I hated you, yes, but only because I was wired to do so.
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F L A S H B A C K
~
When it snows, there is no better word to describe the world than 'white'. White represents purity and perfection, and that is what happens – all of the world's flaws disappear under a quilt of perfect white snow. The beauty of everything is suddenly amplified.
Although we had been warned to stay inside, the majority of the school's population could be found in the Hogwarts grounds, making the most of the icy weather by playing in the snow like children. I was with Harry, Ron and Hermione, all three of us unrecognizable in bundles of clothing. We were trying to make a snowman – Harry's first proper snowman – without any magic. Around us, people were running and laughing, and even using magic to conjure flurries of snow and mini ice castles. Snowballs whizzed past my ears, begging me to join the fun, but I had one sole mission: to find the perfect arms for our snowman.
Joined by Ron, I walked towards an opening in the trees, where some branches had fallen. Sunlight bounced against the powdery snow, making it seem fluorescent in its paleness. I wandered around the pretty scenery, in search of a suitably arm-like branch.
That is, until icy coldness sliced down my back.
I screeched in indignance, causing Ron to roar with laughter behind me. I started gathering snow to get him back, but he had already thrown me over his shoulder.
"See that pile of snow?" He spun me so I would look at it.
"I – Ron-"
"I'm going to throw you right in it. Sorry if you die."
"Okay, Ron, look-"
"Are you prepared – to be - a snow – angel-"
"Ron."
He sighed and let me down. "What?"
"There's someone watching us."
"There's-" Ron turned indignantly. "Where?"
"Up by the bridge," I pointed to the dark figure standing at the corner of the stone wall, facing our direction. The person turned hastily as I pointed.
Ron squinted dramatically. "No, sorry. I don't see anyone."
"You liar."
"Oh I'm a liar, am I?" he grinned, grabbing my arm so as to pull my attention away from the figure. "Were you not the one who gave me a face full of snow earlier, having said it would be a hug?"
I yelped and tried to run away, but he pulled me back to face him – and he was down on one knee. I chuckled warily. "What're you going to do, propose or something?"
"Isobel Abigail Young", he started. His voice was loud, but his ears were bright red – a tell-tale sign of his nervousness. He grinned sheepishly. "Would you like to attend the Yule Ball with me?"
"Oh, Ron," I said, feeling very awkward. His grin faltered. "I'd love to, I really would, but I'm going with Dean."
"What?" Ron hastened up, blushing furiously. "Since when?"
"Since last week," I replied guiltily. "But I promise to save you a dance." Noticing how embarrassed he still was, I added, "you know, I don't think the Patil twins have found dates yet."
Ron's face lit up slightly. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. And I could ask them for you... Maybe..." I picked up some snow and formed it into a ball in my hands. "It all depends..."
"On?"
"On how much snow I can get down your back!" I leapt forward, snowball in hand, but he was too fast – he spun and grabbed my hood. I shrieked loudly, wrenching out of his grasp. As he scrabbled at more snow, I darted back through the trees to hide, almost crashing into Harry and Hermione on my way. I raced around them and to the corner of the bridge, trying to find someplace safe – until I bumped into someone.
"Sorry!" I started. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"
My breath caught as I realised who it was.
Not only did I not wish to apologize to Draco Malfoy, but he looked...
Weird.
His nose and cheeks were pink from the cold, and snowflakes had caught in his fair eyelashes. He was clad from head to toe in charcoal-grey wool, complete with a black coat and gloves; so soft and expensive-looking that it made me want to snuggle up to his chest.
Except that he was Draco Malfoy.
I tried to push the disturbing thoughts from my mind and say something clever, something nasty, but I stuttered and simply stood there staring at him. Had he been the one watching us?
He blinked. "Cat got your tongue, Young?"
I desperately searched for a witty comeback. "I – What –Where are your two goons anyway?"
Towering over me, Draco gave me a condescending look, his grey eyes intimidatingly striking. The hard line of his jaw was clenched. "Why does that matter? Can't I go for a walk alone?"
"Please", I scoffed, trying to gather my thoughts. "You're never alone. I swear I've never seen you without a bodyguard at your side."
He smirked. "I didn't know you paid so much attention to me."
"I don't," I retorted quickly. "I just wonder if you pay your friends to play guard -"
"Shut up," Draco snapped. "At least I don't make friends with mudbloods."
The pit in my stomach disappeared as quickly as it had popped up. "That's a horrible word, Malfoy," I said sharply.
He snickered, shooting me a nasty smile. "I knew that would get you. Don't forget the other blood traitors, and Scarhead Potter-"
"If you mean Ginny and Ron, they have names-"
"I think blood traitor is name enough."
"You take that back!" I said, my voice rising. "I don't know who you think you are, assuming you can go around calling people names and thinking you're so much better than them!" He laughed, which maddened me even more. "I'll have you know-"
"What's going on here?"
I felt someone gently pull me backwards and I suddenly realised I had gotten very close to Draco's face.
Harry stepped up beside me, fuming; Ron at his tail. "Something wrong, Malfoy?"
Draco's smirk only grew, his eyes still on mine.
I scowled at him. "It's fine, Harry, forget it. We have better people to waste our time on." I turned and dragged the two with me. When I glanced back, Draco was still watching me, his grey eyes cutting into my very soul.