Short but important chapter! Keep in mind they've known each other since they were practically born while you're reading this. This book starts in sixth year so I know it's difficult to remember that sometimes. Enjoy!
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𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒆
Each of us had received a letter with the exact same concept, all sitting on the rug in Theo's and Blaise's dormitory.
Maybelle, sent 11/8/96
All seven of you will be returning to Malfoy Manor for Christmas break. I can't spare you all the details. You'll hear more from us when you arrive. Please bring presentable clothes when you arrive. People will be waiting for you. Please enjoy your last couple of weeks. I'll see you soon, my darling girl!
- Bella received 11/14/96
"Something feels off about this," I huffed, placing my letter on the floor.
"Who are the people waiting for us?" Pansy asked, a cigarette between her teeth.
"Death eaters."
This was the first time Draco had spoken all evening.
"Excuse me?" Daph's eyes grew.
"I have a lot to tell you guys."
He explained a cabinet in the room of requirement, his task to kill Dumbledore, a plan to break old death eaters out of Azkaban, and Voldemort's return. Most importantly, he told us nobody was to take this out of this room.
"What if they break my Dad out?" I whimpered, my body shrinking. It felt as though the walls were collapsing in on me, not allowing me to breathe.
"They won't. Not to you. I won't let them," Draco exclaimed sternly, making direct eye contact as concern began to wash over his face.
"Since when did you have authority over that kind of shit? Why do you even care?" I muttered, staring at his unreadable expression.
He didn't answer.
"Yikes," Theo whispered, taking another swig of firewhiskey.
"Can you lot leave for a second?" Draco asked, motioning for me to stay where I sat.
"As long as you don't shag on my bed, then yes, let's go," Theo tugged everyone away, shutting the door behind him.
"What do you want?" I stood up, making my way to where Draco was standing.
"I want to apologize," he said quietly, sitting down on Blaise's bed.
"Who are you and what have you done with Draco Malfoy," I joked, but his face remained serious, taking my hands in his.
"I don't regret it. Not one bit," he whispered, staring up into my eyes.
"Then why'd you leave?"
"Snape and I go to fix the cabinet in the morning. It's the only available time slot he had. I didn't want to leave you, that's a promise. Can you forgive me?" he pleaded, squeezing my hands.
"How do I know you aren't lying to me? It wouldn't be the first time," I whispered, biting my lip in determination.
"Do you know what this is?" he slipped off one of the rings on his fingers, a snake etched into the silver.
"No."
"It's my Father's ring. He gave it to me when I was thirteen," he held it up in the sunlight, examining the details.
"Why would you take something from your Father after all he's done to you?"
"He told me to give it to a Slytherin pureblood witch, one whom I would consider to be a good wife."
"The way your Father phrases things disgusts me," I rolled my eyes.
"I would tell myself that I would give it to the most beautiful witch in the world, someone I wanted to spend my time with. I don't care how long I get to spend with you, Flower. You don't have to marry me, you don't have to be a pureblood, you can hate me, for Merlin's sake. I just want you to have it."
He slipped it onto my middle finger, adjusting it so the snake sat at the top.
"Draco, I-"
"Do you believe me?" he stood, placing his hands on my waist.
"I believe you, but that gives you no right to speak to me about my Mother and Father like that," I looked down at the ground, avoiding his grey eyes so I wouldn't drift away inside of them.
"I'm sorry, it won't happen again," he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
It would take me a while to forgive him for that part. But for now, this would have to be enough.
He gently, slowly, pressed his lips against mine, love in the form of raw passion and care; mending.
He took his lips off of mine, both of our eyes still closed as he pulled me closer, our foreheads pressed against each other's in a peaceful silence.
"Draco?"
"Yes?"
I inhaled a deep breath, allowing the weight on my chest to finally release as the words exhaled from my mouth, evaporating into the air.
"I think I'm in love with you," I whispered.
He pulled me into his chest, allowing my head to rest on his shoulder.
"I've- I've been in love with you since we were little. I still am."
Silence.
"Please don't say that, Flower," his voice broke.
Perhaps he'd pulled me into his chest so I couldn't see the tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Why? Why can't I love you, Draco?" I whispered.
"Because I'm a piece of shit."
"If I can be your bitch, then why can't you be my piece of shit?" I pulled away with a smile, wiping his tears from his cheeks. An exasperated laugh left his lips as he sat down on the bed once again.
"You know I can't say it back, you know I can't-"
"It's okay, you don't have to say it back. I already know, I can see it in your eyes," I sat next to him, taking his hand in mine.
He nodded. "Please don't give up on me," I could almost feel the weight sitting heavily on his shoulders as his glossy eyes threatened to waterfall on his cheeks.
"You know I won't, Draco."
But what if he gives up on me?
Because the second he gives up on himself, he'll push me away.
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𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓 𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒅𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 <3
~ 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝, 𝚒𝚕𝚢