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chonkyspacecat · 13 days ago

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Bad idea right? (Fred Weasley)

Summary: Y/n was sick of being chased by Miles Brown and decides to take drastic measure kissing Fred Weasley in the middle of the quidditch field, when this isn't convincing enough Fred offers her a mutually beneficial deal, what consequences can fake dating Fred Weasley really bring?

Warnings: kissing, angst, cute behavior

Word count: 10.1k (started writing and couldn't stop apparently)

(Not my GIF :))

Having basically grown up alongside the Wealseys wasn’t always easy- half the time it led to injuries, arguments and being covered in dirt, howevergbfv it did also mean buckets of laugher, inside jokes and always knowing you had someone that cared.

Your parents both worked at the ministry of magic in different departments, your father an aura and your mother near the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They both enjoyed working alongside Arthur Weasley, your parents met Molly and Arthur whilst they were all still at Hogwarts and stayed close since.

This was indeed ideal when they were both busy whizzing around running the wizarding world, and you were half living at the burrow. Most of the summer was spent helping out Molly in the mornings, playing quidditch in the afternoon and evenings filled either playing board games with all the kids in the house or trying to find some peace with Hermione and Ginny in her room.

Now however the chill was starting to creep into the world, leaves were starting to give signs that winter was upon as we boarded in early October. Hermoine, Ginny and I were stood in the Gryffindor stand watching the first quidditch game of the year, Gryffindor against Hufflepuff. As of forty-five minutes into the game we were winning by about 125 points.

“He was asking about you again,” Hermione’s voice finds me, and I find myself dying a little more inside, hand covering my eyes.

“I actually cannot even stand to think about him right now, can we just enjoy the game?” I begged genuinely. If I had to think about Miles Brown again, I would explode. Hermonie just gave me a sympathetic smile and faced back towards the field.

We won!

Harry caught the snitch so swiftly the other team didn’t stand a chance. The twins high fived so hard that George nearly fell off his wand as the cheers in the stand erupted. The excitement in the air palpable, a huge smile found its way onto my face. We all hugged before running down to the congratulate the team.

It wasn’t long before Fred just couldn’t help but strike a nerve. He had always been like this, had to be right all the time. It was enough that his penchant for mischievous and alluring energy already attracted everyone’s attention, he needed more.

“Oh God here they go again,” Ron said rolling his eyes, before pulling Harry towards the changing rooms. Ginny shot me a smile before saying she needs to ask professor McGonagle something before she got back to the castle and pulled Hermione away.

“You were distracted,” I stated simply crossing my arms.

“I was not,”

“You could’ve prevented that one score if you’d haven’t been too busy look around the stands, don’t worry Freddie your whole little fan club was there,” I say before turning to his brother, “George, can you tell him I’m right,”.

“Quite frankly I just want a hot shower and to not listen to you guys bickering,” he said with a fake smile and walked off in the direction of changing rooms as Fred tapped him hand on my head a few times.

“There, there simmer that temper down quidditch expert,”

Exasperated with his actions you continued to bicker about who was right, of course it was you but the boy was too proud to admit it, but deep inside you knew he knew you were right. Yet, him admitting it would give just the perfect amount of satisfaction.

That’s when you saw him, Miles Brown, 6th year Gryffindor, same year as the twins, coming straight towards you.

“Oh for fu-” you murmured to yourself.

“What was that Y/n?” Fred put a hand against his ear leaning towards me mockingly, “I’m right? I knew you’d come to that conclusion, you’re smart after all” the smirk painted on his face made what I was about to do so much worse the cheeky git.

“Y/n!” Miles’ voice boomed as he neared.

Fred went to turn his head towards the noise, but I took a deep breath whilst simultaneously reaching my hands to his neck and pulling him towards me, crashing my lips into his.

For a second he didn’t move, frozen. Then the next second his hands snaked around my waist, his bat and broom long forgotten, dropped onto the floor of the quidditch pitch. His lips moving against mine in ease.

Then I was pulling away from him, eyes immediately shooting back to where Miles stood, now frozen, quickly turning to go when I spotted him staring, he ran a hand through his hair as he sped up.

“Look that was hot and what not but if you’re in love with me you could have just-” Fred started saying, now too running a hand through his hair, a sly grin on his face.

“Shut it,” I said punching him in the arm, hard.

A small ‘ouch’ escaped him as he immediately went to soothe the spot. How could he forget that I did in fact learn to fight from him.

“Miles Brown bothering you?” he asked, his gaze following mine.

I sighed, my fingers running laps over my nape, the wind started picking up, “He’s a lovely guy don’t get me wrong, but he is not my type at all, and he just won’t get the hint,”

“And you thought this would help?” he asked and then very quickly added “Not that I mind I know everyone wants a chance to kiss me,” as if he was running out of air.

I rolled my eyes at him, “Tone the charm down Weasley, your fan club is waiting back at the castle,” I said, then with some guilt, “I just had to take an extreme measure, I’ve verbally rejected the guy three times since we started term, a month ago,”. That’s not even considering the many times in the last couple of weeks last semester.

I had been trying, really hard, to be nice, to let him down gently, and whilst this was a push it was better than me finally losing my shit and frustratingly screaming it at him, no?

“Ouch. For him this time,” he conveys picking his belongings off the floor, “that’s what you get when you have no class,” he shrugs his shoulders.

“And you think you have class?” I ask with mocking concern.

He looks back offended, “I am very charming.”

“Yeah whatever, never bring this up again or I’ll tell the whole school about that one time you-”

Before I could even finish the sentence he interrupted, “You’re telling me you’re not going to kiss me again, and here I was counting down the minutes,” he thought he was being funny, but he wasn’t.

“Never happening again,” I stated seriously, “and go shower, you stink,” I added pulling a face, he pulled one right back.

“You’re welcome by the way!” he shouts as I start ambling back up towards the castle.

“Thanks for being useful for once!” I called back without turning, I could imagine him lifting up his middle finger up at my back.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The next evening, I was sat in the library hiding away in the very corner near the restricted area, Pince, the librarian, trusted me for some reason to not do anything stupid. I had five essays due in beginning of next week and so far have done half of one, having missed my study session with Hermoine to escape Miles. That girl was my personal coach, everything would get done in the designated time she assigned. I didn’t need her help with the content, I knew how to do it but my tendency to get distracted was phenomenal.

However, my peace was interrupted. I heard footsteps approaching and a shadow forming as the person’s frame neared. I knew who it was before looking up. Fred came over twisting the chair beside mine, so the back faced me, he sat down bracing both his arms as he leaned close.

“Your plan didn’t work quite as well as you wanted it huh?” his voice was gloating. Miles spent most the day talking to all my girl friends trying to figure out what the kiss between Fred and I meant and if he would still be able to ask me to be his date to the Yule Ball. I wanted to mentally smack my head against a table.

“What does he think it was? Some kind of freak accident that we were snogging in the middle of the quidditch field?” I could hear the agitation in my voice, which I knew meant Fred was about to challenge everything I was saying.

“I mean it kinda was” Fred said, “Okay keep those dagger eyes away from me woman,” he raised his hands as if in surrender.

I threw my head back closing my eye, squishing them shut as much as possible.

“Hoping that it was all a dream and when you open your eyes it won’t be true?” Fred kept talking, he always did, unfortunately this time he was right.

“Look I’ll make you a deal,” he introduces the idea, “I’ll be your fake boyfriend, so he leaves you alone,” he explains putting the offer on the table.

A million different reasons for him to do this shot through my mind and none were good, was he planning on embarrassing me somehow? Was he just doing this so he could have the gloating right for the rest of our lives, so he could make sure I would never be free of the thought?

“You just want to kiss me again admit it,” I prompted.

He laughed out loud harshly, “Your kissinf was passable at best, I on the other hand have never received a bad review” he retorted smugly.

“Whatever, what do you get out of this?” I asked cleverly.

“You’re not the only one with admirers right,” he said righteously, “I’m sick of all of the girls in the years below chasing behind me like I’m some kind of puppy,”

“You’re not cute enough for that,”

“You’ve literally seen the amount of girls that try to get with me,” he exclaimed sassily. This was weirdly true, I know most girls always fall for the class clown, it wasn’t like Fred was even trying, he was just going about his life as he would if there wasn’t goggling girls all around, because this is exactly how he acted at the burrow too.

“I meant to be a puppy, I love puppies, you are nowhere near cute enough to be compared to one,”. Fred was not bad looking, and he was funny- sometimes, but I could never admit that to him out loud, someone had to humble him or his head would be too big to get through any door.

“Okay whatever, I tried to help you,” he said going to stand up.

“Wait,” I took a hold his arm and pulled him back to sitting down, “This is a bad idea right?” I asked already knowing the answer.

Fred’s head turned sideways, his fiery hair sitting just right, “I thrive on bad ideas and excel in bad situations,” he boasted.

Eyes squinting I turned to face him, “Not something to be proud of,”

“This could be fun anyways,” he says, “we’re practically just pranking the entire school. Fools.” He says with his usual pre-prank glow, “Don’t be so serious, you’re much more fun when you’re up to no good,” he continued. He was right this could be really fun, to mess with everyone, and maybe get myself someone I actually want to go to the ball with.

“We tell no one,” he says winking then looking towards me expectantly, I dug my teeth in my bottom lip, “Let’s do it,” I agreed.

“Great, see you around fake girlfriend,” he said getting up and kissing my check before walking away.

I shook my head, this was going to either work out excellently or be absolutely awful. I then proceeded to focus on the homework returning to the dormitories no earlier than one in the morning only having completed two and a half essays.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

I wasn’t sure how we were going to break into this new pattern, especially in front of our friends, but it was stupid thinking Fred wouldn’t come up with some kind of theatrics to make a scene. Sitting in the great hall for breakfast with Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Harry when the Weasley’s owl flew down in front of me dropping a small box.

Confusion wasn’t just painted on my face but all of ours. Miles also looked eagerly from a couple of seats down.

As soon as he realised what it was, a box of expensive looking chocolates, Ron reached for the box, “Stupid owl can’t even deliver mail to the right person,” Ron cursed.

“Wait!” Hermione exclaimed seeing the bottom of the box, a note was stuck there in questionable handwriting.

‘Y/n, the biggest pain in the ass, but a great kisser’

I could feel my entire face turning red as Hermione read it out, I bit the inside of my cheeks. I was going to kill Fred Weasley it was confirmed.

With an even more confused face and also slight disgust Ron passed the box to me, Ginny and Hermione next to me were gushing having been asked by Miles if a certain rumour was true but did not have the time to ask me last night.

I opened the box to find an assortment of chocolates in the shape of hearts.

Then a hand from behind was grabbing one, I turned around to see Fred plopping it into his mouth, “What?” he said after he swallowed, “I did pay for these I deserve at least one,” he argued. Immediately Harry and Ron’s faces look mortified, more than when they saw the note, Hermione and Ginny trying to hide smiles.

Fred kissed my cheek and sat down next to me reaching for the bread and butter. “Since we share DNA does that mean I also technically paid for them so also get one?” George asked as he sat down opposite Fred.

“Hang on a second are you trying to tell me that you two have…” Ron started as if his brain was lagging behind.

“From the note seems more than once,” Ginny egged on.

I realise all of the sudden that I was in a state of shock and had no spoken since the mysterious package had arrived at the table.

“You sure knew how to break the news,” I said sounding borderline sarcastic.

“Just wanted everyone to know how great of a kisser you are and that unfortunately they will not get to experience it,” he said just a tad too loud to make sure Miles could hear.

Whilst slightly awkward everyone seemed to settle into their own conversations, Miles looked over every couple of minutes, until it was time to head to first lesson.

“What the hell was that?” I whispered to Fred as he settled him arm around my shoulder, we headed towards the exit of the great hall.

“I’m being a good fake boyfriend,” he said, “Was actually gonna kiss you but thought Ron might yack over the food,” he laughed.

I just looked up at him, somehow, I never realised how much taller than me Fred actually was, I was like the perfect height for him to lean against me.

“Take it down a notch or no one is going to believe this real, no one acts like this,” I said.

“You’ve never seen Fred Weasley in a relationship so you don’t know what I act like,” he said in a matter of fact, “right I’ve got potions see you later,” he said normal volume again kissing the top of my head before messing up my hair with his hand and heading the other way.

I turned to see Hermione looking at me expectantly, Harry and Ron had already walked ahead, I took a deep breath to prepare myself for a series of questions.

“So why did I not know about this?” she asked pointedly.

I revert to the story Fred and I decided on, “Uh, it’s very fresh, you knew we talked more towards the end of the summer but it wasn’t anything like that until the other week when I came down to the common room cause I couldn’t sleep and he was there working on something for the shop,” I explained.

“Let me guess you guys had a row and then finally had this super romantic kiss?” she asked hopefully, who knew Hermione was such a hopeless romantic.

I shook my head slightly, “sure something like that,” I conveyed, she waited for me to continue, “We sat on the sofa when he said he’d do something stupid and I of course said he wouldn’t and he said I had to give him something if he did… and then he did it,” I said, “then he kissed me and you know,” I trailed off.

It felt awful lying to her, she was my number one friend and has been since we started at Hogwarts but this was for the greater good I had to believe that. My mental wellbeing was on the line, I don’t know how much longer I could’ve coped with Miles chasing me around. At first Hermione and I thought it was sweet but not anymore, now he was like a pest, and he made sure to be everywhere.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

A couple of days later we were all gathered in the common room on Saturday afternoon getting on with our own stuff and just chatting. Fred was sat in one corner of the sofa, having spotted Miles he pulled me down next to him, pulling my legs over his lap, running his fingers over them.

Hermione and I started discussing the homework for arithmancy whilst Fred, George and Lee were talking about the next quidditch game and the strategy against Ravenclaw who seemed to have a basically all new team.

“This is sickening, when will it stop,” Ron burst out pointing to Fred and I

Fred chuckled, “Listen Ron, if you ever actually manage to get a girl interested, you’ll understand,” he said and then added in a whisper “you’ll never want to get your hands off her,”

I smacked his arm but it only made him and his friends laugh more.

“Please tell me you won’t be doing this at the house too,” Ron pleaded. With the look in his eyes I wanted to reassure him that it was going to be fine, we would only be keeping this up long enough to get to the Yuke ball, that everything would return to normal at the burrow.

“Shut up Ron, mum is so excited,” Ginny perked up from where she was sat with her boyfriend at one of the tables.

Brilliant, I did not know Molly knew about this, it was silly thinking Ginny wouldn’t let her know, what the hell were we going to say to her when we were through with this plan. Ginny had confided in me two years ago that her mum was secretly hoping I’d end up with one of her sons, ideally one of the ones that has some sort of life plan. It seemed silly to us then as I pretend yacked making us both giggle, and it still seemed silly now, however I did have to admit the two oldest Weasley brothers were not bad looking, damn the age gap.

We then played a couple rounds of card games, Mr Weasley recently acquired some muggle playing cards and Hermione taught us a couple of games, I actually quite liked the fact that they were much more boring and less destructive than games like wizard chess.

At some point two giggly girls from our year came walking past, “Hi Fred, hi George,” they said in unison waving their fingers at the twins.

“I’m here too girls,” Lee added as they had already passed.

Fred looked at me smugly, “Told you,”, so I elbowed him and gave him a wide, toothy grin as if it were an accident.

“Don’t be jealous love,” he said getting really close to me face, eyes shifting to my lips then back to his cards.

A couple of minutes later we watched Miles walk out of the room his head hung low.

Fred and I separated a little without it seeming too suspicious, Ron actually ended up winning most of the different games, a proud look on his face, his most favourite was ‘Go Fish’ which we all thought was a rather strange name for a card game, this made Harry and Hermione giggle. Fred, George and Lee suggested we create a magical version of the game with actual enchanted fish.

Not long later we were all making our way down to dinner, everyone seemed light-hearted and thankful that Hermione had planned a schedule for us to divide and complete our homework on Friday and Sunday so we could have a chill day today.

It was on the way back from dinner that he approached, Ginny, Hermione and I were talking about the latest edition of the Daily Prophet that once again managed to make up something ridiculous about Harry.

“Y/n hey,” he said fiddling with his hands, I looked up to meet his eyes green eyes, “I was wondering if you fancied a walk around the lake, I heard there’s loads of fireflies out recently,”.

I turned to look at my friends but seemingly Ginny had disappeared, Hermione looked sympathetic and turned around to talk to Harry and Ron. Brilliant. Thanks for the help girlies I thought to myself sarcastically.

“I was also meaning to ask, I know Fred isn’t a serious type of guy, and I can totally understand the pull towards him, he’s tall, funny, plays quidditch and from what I hear good at all kissing stuff” he stated “but I think we both know it’s not going to last,” he was walking alongside me, “I just think maybe you shouldn’t waste your time on something temporary when I’m here for the long-run,” he scratched his messy, blonde hair at this statement.

I shake my head at the absolute audacity, “You think I’m with Fred for what? Just so I can hook with him or something?” I couldn’t even believe that words that were coming out of my mouth. Part of me was offended, if I actually wanted to just snog with Fred Weasley I was good enough friends with him to just do it and not have to put a label on it. Not that I would. And not that I would ever just hook up with someone like a friends with benefits situation but still the point stands.

A panic strikes his features, “No no no, I didn’t mean that as an insult to you,” he quickly said.

“Brown I would appreciate it if you stopped discussing mine and Y/n’s sex life that’s a bit weird mate,” Fred said approaching laying an arm around my shoulder and kissing me, “but to satisfy your curiosity,” he starts after pulling away, “it’s fucking amazing- still I was the one begging for her to be with me not the other way around so get your facts straight,” he continues as we walked ahead.

“Stupid git,” Fred murmured when he was out of earshot, I just let out a laugh.

“How did you know I needed rescuing,”

“Ginny” he replied quickly looking down at me. Okay, I am no longer angry at her for abandoning me, “Merlin that guy is really non stop huh,”.

“But you’ve seriously got to stop telling people about our amazing intimacy life or I’ll have more guys like Miles chasing me, not that I’d blame them but-” I continued. Fred took the hand from around my shoulder to ruffle my hair and push my head away.

“George, Lee and I are gonna test some new fireworks later behind the lake if you wanna come,” he asked, he knew I loved fireworks, and whilst muggle ones were impressive wizard ones could not be beat, “get the others to come along too if you want,”. So that evening we snuck out from the common room wrapped up in warmer clothing. Even Hermione had a good time whilst breaking the rules.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

A couple of weeks later Fred and I were coming back from Hogsmeade where we went on a totally romantic date that definitely wasn’t us being the biggest idiots and inconveniences ever, starting at the joke shop Fred ‘accidently’ set something off that caused the entire shop to smell like an old rotting shoe and ending at Three Broomsticks getting butter beer and sitting at the back making up fake stories about people.

As we stepped into the common room all the usual candles were lit, it having already been dark outside, the room only had a couple people in it. One hand was holding onto Fred’s the other holding a bag of sweets.

“Miles is here,” Fred whispered back to me, I had forgotten about him today, I looked around the room inconspicuously, he was sat at a desk reading some textbook.

I turned to watch Fred taking the bag out of my hand and putting it on the windowsill as he stepped closer to me, both hands on my waist, guiding me backward until I was against a doorframe. I smirked up at him shaking my head, I knew exactly what he was doing, and he was unfortunately pretty smooth about it which infuriated me further.

“He’s watching,” Fred whispered lowering his head to my ear, I turned to look but Fred’s other hand turned to stop my face turning.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispered against my neck, the question made something in my stomach twist, unconsciously I turned my head slightly to give him more space whilst I nodded.

Fred’s lips brushed across the skin on my neck as he laid a simple kiss there, then another on my jaw, then one of his hands glided to my face getting me to face him. Then he was kissing me on the lips. It was nothing like the kiss on the field nor the time Brown was monologing at me in the corridor, not hurried, it was calm. Which was a word I never associated with the Weasley boy.

After a couple of minutes, he pulled away and rested his head back in the gap between my neck and shoulder. I lifted my hand to run my fingers up and down his nape. It felt awfully intimate; my brain wasn’t sure how to react even though my body seemed to know exactly.

When he took a step away and grabbed the bag of sweets, we moved towards the staircases which led to the dormitories.

“Weirdo,” Fred said messing up my hair instead of a goodnight.

“Idiot,” I say in reply and hurry up the stairs.

As much as I hated to admit it Fred Weasley was a good kisser, he seemed to know precisely what to do and exactly when to do it, and his hands fit on my waist just right. Ew what was I even thinking about. Then I reminded myself that I was allowed to enjoy it, yes he was an annoying little shit but it’s not like any of this was real.

I stepped into the bedroom to find Ginny and Hermione sat together on one bed and our three other roommates; they seemed to have been gossiping.

“Did you just make out with Fred Weasley in the common room Y/n Y/s/n,” Hermione asked shamelessly. I opened my mouth in shock.

“How did you-?”

“Not even denying it,” One of our other roommates pointed out.

“I was just trying to get my book that I left downstairs, but it would have meant I had to walk past what seemed like quite a passionate snog,” Ginny said.

“Was it with tongue?” Another roommate asked, I just flopped on my bed and didn’t answer any of their questions, after ten minutes they realised they weren’t getting anything else out of me.

After I had gotten into pyjamas and to bed I tired to get to sleep but something kept me twisting and turning. Yes, Fred Weasley had never been in a relationship during his time at Hogwarts, but I heard he’d made out with a couple of girls and he was clearly good and confident doing so, so why hadn’t he gotten into a relationship, and if he did was this actually how he’d behave because it seemed too good to be true.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

It was actually happening, the Gryffindor common room was going to be holding another party, I’m still not quite sure what the reason for this one was, it started as a late celebration for their first win of the season, then they added it was because we were currently winning at house points then another reason was added and to me it seemed like everyone just wanted to party screw any reasoning.

The evening was going reasonably well, everyone was having fun, music was playing, drinks were being passed around, Hermione doing her best to make sure everyone under below 5th year was only drinking pumpkin juice. People were laughing and talking, it felt good, the atmosphere fun.

I had barely seen Fred all night as Miles didn’t have seemed to show to the party so we were both doing our own thing and it was weird I became so used to him being glued to me side these last couple of weeks. I was stood talking to Micheal who was in 7th year, he was good looking and smart and I could totally see myself going to the ball with him, we had been talking for a while but when the conversation was coming to an end, I was subconsciously searching the crowd for the red head.

I finally found him leaning against the fire, and there was a girl next to him twirling a piece of black hair around her finger. She was in the year between Fred and me.

“You know Fred I can see that Y/n is hot and cold with you like all the time, you deserve better than that, somehow who appreciates every part of you, not dimming your flame and passion,” she then continued to rest her hand on his arm.

Something about it just ticked me off, maybe it was because I actually had to fulfil my part of the deal and rescue him.

I set my eyes on the target and started moving towards them. With full credit to Fred, he was trying to get her off politely without ruining the vibe of the room.

“Do you wanna get out of here?” she said in a lower voice, she batted her eyelashes up at him. Seriously the audacity of some people, did she not know that he has a girlfriend or was she just a bad girl’s girl? Okay- fake girlfriend, but still she didn’t know that fact.

She didn’t move her arm as I approached, I couldn’t tell what Fred was thinking either, I just let out an obnoxious cough, then she turned towards me.

“Excuse me,” I say brushing her hand off him, and instantly wrapping mine around his neck pulling him down towards me, kissing him, deeply like that day in the common room, right in front of her face. I feel his hands grab hold of my waist, his nails digging in, holding tight.

Loud cheers erupted around us, I knew they would, but it was still awful.

“Damn,” Lee said as he patted both Fred’s shoulder like a proper bro.

Fred had a giant grin across his face, and were his cheeks turning slightly pink?

The girl look mortified.

“What were you saying about passion?” I asked her mockingly, she turned bright red, everyone was still watching the interaction, she quickly walked out the common room.

“Okay everyone mind your own business,” George exclaimed giving Fred a fist bump and going to get another drink. It was moments like this that I wondered whether George and Lee knew, I know we agreed not to tell anyone but George was his twin.

Still a fair amount of eyes stayed lingering on us so he grabbed my hand a pulled me towards the staircase which separated the girls and boys’ dormitories, Merlin it’s like he actually wanted to propel the rumours.

He stopped halfway up the stairs looking back towards me, now he was even taller, so much so that he sat down on the stairs before speaking, “What was that?” he asks, was he impressed? Was that pride in his eyes?

“I’m your knight in shining armour duh,”

A smirk appeared on his face.

“Don’t get too excited I was just holding up my part of the deal,” I reinforced.

“You might want to tone it down or no one’s going to believe this, no one acts like that,” he repeated my words back at me. I threw him a side eye, “you mad at other people than me might be my new favourite thing though,” he chuckled.

I wanted to give the same talk back as he did, but I have in fact been in two relationships since starting at Hogwarts four years ago and in neither was I particularly outgoing or so bold. Both of those guys were smart and kind but both of them failed to bring out that kind of joy, none of them made me giggle so much I couldn’t breathe or make my heart race like I imagined someone made for me would.

“It’s like come on though, have some common decency, like yeah this may not be real but come on to the world it is, how bad of a person do you have to be to flirt with someone else’s man when they’re literally in the room with you,” I find myself ranting.

“So I’m your man,” Fred teased laying both his hands on my waist, I was stood between his legs look directly at his face, never had I realised just how many freckles he had, suddenly the air seemed to become very still.

“You know they’re definitely thinking we’re sleeping with each other right now,” I say to break the tension.

Either his eyes seemed to darken a little or my sight was going funny from standing in near darkness, “Thought you’d never ask my rooms is right there,” he teased.

I shook my head at him, and suddenly the weight of his hands on me was heavier, without my consent my eyes looked towards his lips before shooting back to his eyes the moment I realised what was happening.

Fred and I stood there just talking for what must have been the best of an hour making fun of that girl and the others who seemed to have no boundaries. This just showed how ridiculous this whole thing was, such a weird pairing. Then the next week of planned pranks him and George sorted supplies for and which teacher would get the most mad.

When I made it back to the common room, the party still mostly going on downstairs, Hermione and Ginny were both sat on Hermione’s bed chatting to each other in their pyjamas, it’s as if they were having meeting without me every couple of days. Their heads both turned to me as I walked through the door and they tried to contain their eager faces and questions.

“Do you know what? Weirdly I always had a feeling you two would end up together,” Ginny said with a small smile playing on her lips.

Did they actually think this? After we’ve witnesses how many people found this unbelievable the last couple of weeks. Still Ginny and Hermion didn’t know this was all fake, were they just being nice or were they genuinely rooting for Fred and I behind my back all along, the thought disturbing.

“Mom is really excited to have you at the Burrow for Christmas,” Ginny says then her face falls, “though she has been referring to you as her ‘perfect future daughter in law,’ it’s kind of scary,”

“She’s happy he finally got his act together,” Hemione added,

“Wait you’ve also been exchanging letters with Mrs Weasley, what is this some gossip circle?” I ask, “feeling low-key excluded guys,” they both shot looks at me and I nod, yep, something told me I would not want to be involved in these letters.

After Ginny had left and I got in bed, covers up to my ears my mind started running laps, what did Hermione and Mrs Weasley mean by finally got his act together, it’s not like Fred liked me or was planning on ever making an actual move. Then a sort of dull pain struck. A reminder that this was not real, that it was going to end, that all the pet names, and hugs and kisses were for show. It wasn’t like I was feeling anything towards him, or was I?

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

It was as if the universe was poised against me, later the next week in potions Snape decided we were going to mix Amortentia. Someone explain why the hell the most cold, heartless professor in this school was suddenly feeling all sentimental and gooey.

To no one’s surprise there was only a couple successful attempts, Hermione’s being one, Snape sighed and told the class to sperate themselves out between the successful potions and each get a smell.

The second I stepped up to the cauldron I thought I could throw up, and not because the smell was bad, no, in fact it was familiar and I was quite fond of it.

Fireworks, trees and something ever slightly sweet.

Fred Weasley.

That’s what I could smell and all of a sudden my heart was in overdrive, beating too fast for its own good.

Hermione looked at me hopefully from her place behind me in line, so I gave her a kind smile in hopes she wouldn’t pester.

It happened, the absolute unthinkable, I had gotten feelings of some sort for Fred Weasley, out of all the people on this earth. How the hell was I attracted to him, when did this happen.

I stepped to the side watching as the brown-haired girl moved up a step and leaned forwards slightly, her face scrunched for a moment as she tried to figure out what it was, then something clicked, but I could not tell if the reaction was positive or negative.

“This is stupid,” she muttered on the way back to the common room.

“This is coming from the girl who worships anything to do with magic, a sad day has fallen upon us,” I lowered my head in feign mourning.

“Did you get Fred?” she asked, “I completely forgot to ask the whole stupid task had me distracted,”.

“I what?” said his familiar voice as we stepped through the painting.

“We made Amortentia in potions,” Hemione said simply before heading straight towards the girl’s dorm tower, I don’t know what she smelt in the cauldron, but it seemed like she wanted to hide.

“Ah,” he said coming closer, “And you were graced with my very manly smell huh?” he winked at me before pulling me into a hug, his chin atop my head.

Without even trying the very same smell that came from the cauldron enveloped me. There were a couple of students in the common room. I closed my eyes for a second.

Then we were in motion, Fred was walking towards the sofa never letting go of me in the process. He sat down on one side and pulled me next to him, our legs were pressed against each other, and it shouldn’t have got my heart racing as much as it did considering we have literally made out in front of the whole of Gryffindor tower.

“I was thinking,” he said reaching over to the table next to the sofa and passing me something rolled up.

As I took I from him our hands brushed, I unrolled it to see the surname ‘Weasley’ spelled out on the back. His quidditch sweater.

“Maybe you could wear it to the game tomorrow,” he sounded apprehensive but excited, how could I not agree? I looked around at all the other students and took it into my arms, Fred’s hand on my knee, his fingers soothing.

“Thank you,” I whispered before kissing his cheek and getting up the sofa and rushing up to the dorm before he could see how much I was blushing.

When I got up to the room Hermione was shooting curious eyes towards me, “Ooo you’re wearing his surname now,” she prompts, “sounds serious”

“He wants me to wear it to the game tomorrow, I’m going to look like an idiot,” I said putting the sweater in front of myself and starting in the mirror.

The other girls in the dorm disagreed very vocally saying it was so cute, and how they wanted a boyfriend like Fred. I tried to calm them down before heading to dinner.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Upon our return to the common room Fred dragged me back towards the sofa, this has somehow become our spot, the trio all headed to the library in the search of something. George and Lee went upstairs to work on some homework, so it was just Fred and I and a few other students. I wanted to escape to the room too, Miles wasn’t here, neither were our friends so there was no need to pretend, but before I could suggest the notion of going to bed early Fred spoke “I got that book from the library that you wanted to read,” he conveyed passing it to me as we settled into our usual position. He then reached for something that looked like sketches and said it was something for their next product. I turned around and leaned my back against him stretching out my feet across the rest of the sofa.

I don’t know how long we were there but by the time I ripped my eyes away from the page I realised how dark it had gotten outside, the only light being the candles and the roaring fire. Then something else clicked into place, Fred was running his fingers through my hair, my head on his lap. I don’t know how we ended up like this but he looked like he dozing off slightly, eyes closed, head leaning against the back of the sofa.

“You should get to sleep it’s an important game tomorrow,” I croaked out, this got his attention, he opened his eyes and smiled at me.

“I didn’t want to distract you, that book got you good you weirdo,” he teased, I rolled my eyes as I lifted my body up giving it a proper stretch.

As I started heading towards the two stairway that separated the girls and boys’ dorms, I felt arms wrap around my middle, Fred’s head settling in the curve of my shoulder. If he moved even a slight bit, his lips would brush against my neck.

Without thinking I retorted “there’s no one here you don’t need to pretend to be all lovey dovey,” I let out a laugh, he froze for a moment and pulled away, the sudden cold not pleasant.

“Right,” he said stiffly and started walking up his stairs.

“Night Weasley,” I said and waited, he didn’t say it back, didn’t turn around, then at the last minute “Night Y/s/n” and then he was gone. The interaction left me feeling sour.

Against all odds and reasoning I ended up in bed still holding onto the sweater, it too had that smell that I couldn’t seem to escape, nor wanted to apparently according to my body.

Merlin this was bad. This had to end, and soon. If Fred knew this, he would just burst out laughing, I could hear the snide comments already.

I pulled it closer now that my mind was analysing his weird behaviour upon separation, he looked exhausted, he probably forgot for a moment to look around before choosing how to act because he was so sleepy. Everything would be fine in the morning.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Morning came too early and I felt as though I hadn’t slept a wink. I avoided speaking to anyone before breakfast, Fred, George and Lee were sat with their other friends this morning and coming to think of it was probably the first time this has happened since we began this whole ruse.

“Finally, the honeymoon period is over,” Ron said stuffing his face, “Ouch,” he yelled and I saw that Hermione has kicked him under the table.

“Are you okay?” she whispered next to me and I explained that I didn’t sleep well, must be stressed about the upcoming potions test, she looked at me one more time and then laid her head on my shoulder. I tried to get some food into my system but my throat was dry.

After breakfast the two quidditch teams ran to get to the pitch to change and get ready whilst we headed back up to the common room to grab some layers before heading out into the cold. I couldn’t help but sigh when I saw the dreaded sweater waiting for me. It’s not like everyone didn’t already know but with the feeling that Fred was annoyed with me for some reason, and that I seemed to be feeling more for him than intended, I didn’t know if I should wear it.

“Come on Y/n Ginny is waiting downstairs we want to grab good seats,” Hermione hurried me, I threw the sweater over myself and grabbed some earmuffs and gloves.

We sat in exactly our favourite area, cheering as our team came out, it was windy which would definitely throw a spanner in the game but the boys had been complaining about how many extra practises they’ve been getting in with the weather was changing, but their captain was correct, it would help them out today.

“Did you guys argue? Fred looks distracted and… sad,” Ginny said, the last word coming out as a mixture of surprise and confusion. I had to agree with her there, I have never seen Fred with this little life and sparkle to him, especially when playing quidditch.

I pretended not to hear her and cheer as the game continued instead, though I could see the looked passed between her and Hermione.

It was a tough game, the teams were basically head-to-head until Harry managed to grab the snitch after an hour. Cheers erupted across the stands, the team gathered, hugging and high fiving each other. I watched Fred quickly say something to George before rushing to the changing rooms.

I bit into my bottom lip and turn to the girls telling them I’d see them later before heading to the exterior doors of the changing rooms. Head leaning against the wall watching all the guys leaving, congratulating them as they went by. George and Lee were the second to last to leave, I said hello to them and they smiled sympathetically.

Then Fred came out, running a hand through his wet hair, he stopped abruptly when he saw me.

“I’m sorry if I did something to annoy you,” I said, it came out faster weaker than I expected, never did I ever think I would be apologising to this boy and actually meaning it but I just wanted his smile to reappear.

He looked down at the sweater I was wearing, and he rolled his eyes smiling.

“It’s not fair how much better it looks on you,” he threw his arm around my shoulders, and we made our way back up to the castle. He started ranting about going to grab butter beer next weekend at Hogsmeade. It was a comfortable conversation as if the last couple hours of weird behaviour didn’t happen, he had probably just been stressed about the game.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

That evening Fred kissed me goodnight as I headed to bed early, it was warm and it make my stomach flutter with butterflies as he brought my body close to his. Pulling away from him I waved everyone goodnight and made my way up.

I laid in bed with my eyes closed for what felt like hours, I heard each of my roommates returning to the room, getting ready for bed, and falling asleep whilst I was still twisting and turning. I could feel the restlessness in my every single one of my bones. I could not get another night of horrible sleep, or there a lack of sleep at all.

Swinging my legs over the side of my bed and throwing on a jumper I made my way down to the common room hoping to get some alone time, that maybe a change of scenery could help me think. Think about how Fred and I were going to end this, how we would go back to normal, and how it needed to happen fast, it was getting out of hand.

Unfortunately, the world did have something against me because there he was sat in his usual spot, as I stepped onto the floor a board creaked, his head snapped towards me.

“Hey you,” he said softly, and something in me cracked, finally like a dam giving in, water flooding everywhere, my eyes stinging, “come here,” he continued patting the seat right next to him.

“I think we’ve done it,” I said weakly, he looked back at me confused, brows raised. I took one step forward and a deep breath, “Miles has left me alone and he has a date for the ball, your little fan club seems to favour George and Harry now, we need to stop this,” I stated looking directly into his eyes, mesmerised, as if I could not look away even as I watched something shift in his eyes.

“This has gone too far Fred, it’s been fun, but it’s time to return to reality,”

“It’s been fun,” he scoffed

“Yes, fun, you said yourself that’s what you said it would be, one big prank on everyone with mutual benefits,” I reminded him. I didn’t even want to think about what Molly would say when she finds out we’ve ‘broken up’.

“Are you serious right now?” his voice was hoarse as he stood up, I didn’t know where these emotions were coming from.

I just nodded.

“The Yule ball is next week,” he stated, I could hear the frustration in his voice. Was he angry that I didn’t leave him enough time to find a date.

“As much as I hate to admit this, if you ask any of the girls I’m sure they’d say yes, even if they already have a date,” I conveyed with somewhat of a smile, trying to be helpful even though every part of my heart was crushing like a delicate glass ornament brashly thrown.

He ran his both his hands over his face, then through his hair, “You know what,” he sighed and ran his tongue over his lips, brows furrowing as if he was struggling to appoint together words, “Screw this,” he called out and marched towards the stairs up to the boys rooms.

The minute he was out of sight it’s like my knees gave out, the bubble that was building up in my chest burst, the tears running down my face as I leaned on the sofa to keep myself steady. I just let myself cry at how pathetic I must have looked, how stupid I felt, this whole thing was so dumb.

After managing to calm myself down, hand digging into my side to forceful myself to get it together I snuck back to my room grabbing Fred’s quidditch sweater and the series of handwritten notes he gave me these last 3 months and crept to leave them before his door. For a moment I let me head rest against it, hoping to hear his voice. But it was all silence.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The next days were bleak, the twins sat at the opposite side of the table for breakfast every day, Fred was never around in the common room, and he would not meet my eyes even in passing. Everyone quickly caught on that something was off, though they seemed to know it was better than to poke at it.

Life had become awfully quiet without Fred’s noisy self around, his boisterous laugher and the feel of his always warm hands. Mostly I seemed to miss the bickering, that was our dynamic our whole lives, even before this mess.

When it hit Ginny and Hermione that this wasn’t just a falling out, that our ‘relationship’ was through, on Saturday night they made it their mission to just chill in our bedroom and do things to get my mind off it, talking about Hogsmeade tomorrow and plans for the winter holidays.

Noticing me trying to make an effort Ginny pulled me close, “Whatever he did to mess it up I’m sure he’s very sorry, you know he’s stubborn, but I’m sure he’ll fix it,” Ginny said as I leaned into her, she brushed her hands through my hair.

How could I tell them he didn’t do anything wrong, that he actually had been quite the perfect boyfriend. I felt silly now to mourn to something that wasn’t real, that I had been stupid enough to fall for someone who took nothing seriously.

The next morning, I opted to stay in the castle under the pretence of not feeling well and not wanting to make it worse before the ball and considering I already had a dress it was fine. Even though I really did not want to go to the ball, seeing Fred with someone else would just push me over the edge. Particularly because he was not speaking to me.

The day of the ball arrived fast, I hadn’t heard whether Fred had secured himself a date or not and with the impending doom of going home for Christmas tomorrow everything was filled with a mixture of doom and excitement.

Ginny and Hermione looked beautiful and as we headed down, they met both their dates, Harry and Ron even looked impressed at their looks, I elbowed them both with a laughter, Merlin they were both clueless as they watched the two get pulled towards the dance floor by their partners.

I followed behind them into the great hall which was decorated grandly with smaller tables surrounding the outer layer of the room and the large glowing dance floor in the middle. Dim candles lit the room just enough for shadows to dance across the walls, snow covered Christmas trees and floating snowflakes glimmered.

After a brief introduction and welcome to the ball from Professor McGonagle and Professor Dumbledore a soft upbeat melody started to play, couple cuddled up close on the floor, even some of the professors.

I couldn’t help but look for him among the sea of students, Hermione looked enchanted, Ginny was giggling at something Neville had said and Ron kept stepping on his partners feet. George beside him dancing with his partner poking fun at his poor younger brother. But the one Weasley I both really wanted to see and also did not want to see was nowhere to be found.

Then as if my wish was a command I saw him sitting by himself on the opposite side of the room, he didn’t look angry or excited to cause some trouble, he looked sad. Then his eyes caught mine, we stared at each other for a second before he stormed out through the side entrance.

My feet were working against my will; I pushed past people as I rushed to follow him.

He was stood outside leaning against one of the stone pillar looing out into the courtyard.

“What do you want?” he asked harshly before even turning around.

I took the hit, I couldn’t stand this coldness between us, I could feel my lips pointing downwards, the only way we could move past this is if everything was laid out on the table.

“You’re going to laugh at me for what I’m about to say,” I said feebly, I couldn’t take this energy anymore, he turned with his brows up waiting for me to speak, “I think somewhere, at some point during these last few months I actually started to feel something for you and it really scared me,” I started, his face didn’t change, “and I knew that you’d find it ridiculous I mean,” I pointed to myself, “I started finding it hard to be away from you and your touch and the jealously would eat me alive whenever I would see you with another girl because I had to remind myself that what was going on between us wasn’t real and that you could flirt and touch and make any girls laugh and blush,” all the words tumbled out of my mouth and I couldn’t stop them.

“Y/n” he whispered.

“I knew we couldn’t try to move from this unless everything was said and out there, so we know where we stand instead of shutting each other out,” I said just about ready to sink into the floor and disappear.

“It wasn’t fake to me,” he said, I lifted my gaze from the floor, he was still stood in the same place as if the delicate air around us would shatter if he so much as moved. My heart began racing, what was he saying? “Yes I wanted to help get Miles Brown off your back but the only thing that was in it for me was the chance to make you see me as an option, that I wasn’t just a stupid family friend who knows how to do nothing but cause trouble,” he said.

“I’m in love with you. Every part of you,” he said. It was paralyzing that the man in front of me, who could not take a single thing seriously was stood in front of me completely still, raw and real, it was unnerving “but what were the chances that you’d go for me when there are so many more ‘sensible’ options with their grades and lives sorted out,”. He echoed some of his mother’s words, that I deserved someone organised, ready for the real world.

I ran forwards and wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him into a tight hug, he pulled me close, every single part of our bodies touching, out breaths uneven.

“I would choose arguing with you every day over anything and anyone else always,” the words escaped my lips in a hurried tone. This boy aways pushed every single one of my buttons but he was also the one who pushed me to be my best.

He pulled away just enough to kiss me, it was hot and desperate and real. Pulling away it suddenly everything was worth it for that glimmer that sparkled in his eyes.

“Is this why you never dated anyone here at Hogwarts because you’ve just been so obsessed with me for years?” I asked looking at him.

“Yeah whatever,” he rolls his eyes.

I let a smile slide onto my face, “You know why none of my relationships worked out?” I ask and he nods curiously, “I don’t think I ever laugh as much as I do with you, never argued with anyone as much and never felt so appreciated for being the way I am,”

“So what I’m hearing is they were all boring, I’m amazing, and you’ve also been in love with me for years but in denial,” he boasts, and I just kiss him, tugging the hair at his nape with my hand, earning a satisfied sound.

After pulling away he said “Thank Merlin now my mother isn’t going to kill me,” he blew out a breath as if it were a close one.

I smack his arm playfully, “I see, that’s why you did this, to avoid hearing an earful from your mother,” I challenge him.

He just kissed me again, “I can’t believe we could have been doing this for years,” he kissed me again.

“So, what do we do know?” I asked.

“We have plenty of catching up to do,” he said smoothly changing the subject before turning me around, so my back hit the cold stone column and kissing me again.

He then told me that at that very first quidditch match of the year he was trying to find me in the stand, that’s why he was distracted, I knew I was right.

Since the feeling were pretty much always real it didn’t make sense to tell anyone about the deal, we were just together. Maybe this was all a bad idea but right now it felt pretty amazing.

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chonkyspacecat · 22 days ago

Text

BUY ME PRESENTS | draco malfoy

summary; draco loves you, and you love him. he just needs a little push to make things official. OR, draco malfoy fighting for his life when he realises just how much everyone wants his girl.

word count; 8928

notes; this is based on christmas eve, but I'm posted a couple days later! this fic puts us half way through our slytherin boy holidays! I'm not sure how the one I expected to be the shortest became the longest one so far. like, seriously, I know I keep saying this but wtf? why can't I write a short fic?

Dinner had already been served by the time you made it to the Grand Hall, the smells of roasted meats and seasoned potatoes filling the air, your mouth watering as you navigated between the throngs of people. Your seat had been saved, of course. A spot on the bench between Draco and Daphne, and as you neared, your friends noticed, smiles rising and waves in your direction.

Sinking into your seat, you pressed a kiss to the cheek of the blond boy beside you, his face tipping up to receive it and lips twisting into a smile, attention moving to you as you sat.

“Good day?”

“Better now that it’s over.” You smiled, a chuckle falling from him, and his hand came to rest upon your thigh, squeezing comfortingly while you helped yourself to a plate of whatever food was left. “What are we talking about, what did I miss?”

“Not much. Just Theo telling us all about Christmas in Italy.” Mattheo rolled his eyes, as though you all hadn't heard this exact same speech since that very first Christmas you’d become friends. Most of the group seemed to have simply tuned it out, laughing and nodding at the correct times as they whispered their own conversations.

A swipe of a thumb over your thigh as you finished filling your plate with food, and you shifted your attention to Draco. “So, what are your Christmas plans, Dray?”

Shuffling a little bit closer now that your plate was full, his arm moved to lay across your shoulders instead, letting you snuggle up into his side. “Oh, you know, the usual.”

He smiled, and your world seemed to get a little bit brighter, his lips brushing your hairline as he left a barely-present kiss there.

“Typical Malfoy-family Christmas. I get to do the tour with my parents, visiting every other rich-arsehole couple they know. Christmas Eve party. The pleasure of my father’s annual ‘you’re growing up now, son, it’s time to get serious about the world’ over the dinner table on Christmas Day. Open some presents I don’t want, on a schedule I don’t like.” He sighed, clearly used to it by now, but it didn’t make it sound any less awful.

“Well,” You smile, nudging him playfully with your elbow. “Maybe we could write to one another, or even get a little visit in?”

The hope in your voice was evident, and Pansy gave you an encouraging smile across the table. You’d been meaning to ask Draco this question for weeks now, and your last chance had been fast approaching. Since the summer, you and Draco had been hooking up. It was no secret among your friends, or even the students; your affections for one another were hardly contained, but it wasn't official.

You wanted the labels, the security, and the safety of knowing that he was yours and you were his, and nobody else could come between you. You wanted to be introduced to his parents, be his date at events, to have him be proud to call you his girl. But Draco had been hesitant, avoiding every conversation that might inch into the ‘so, what are we?’ territory, keeping a safe distance from any kind of real commitment.

It wasn’t enough for you anymore, not by a long shot, but trying to talk to Draco about it only ended up with him shutting it down, or skilfully diverting the conversation and you were growing tired of his games.

Draco only made a vague noise, neither an agreement nor disagreement, and looked away from you as he picked up his drink to take a sip. “I don’t know… maybe. I can get pretty busy over the holidays, I’d hate to let you down.”

Another skill of his, making it seem like cancelling or delaying or not doing something at all was your idea. He was clearly hoping you’d brush it off, and tell him not to worry about it, but instead, you kept quiet. Not giving him the satisfaction of any easy win, this time.

Pansy caught your eye across the table, shaking her head disapprovingly, and shooting a glare at an oblivious Draco. She had been your confidant these last few months, every update and development in your situationship, she’d been informed of. Every decision, she’d been a part of. She was practically as invested as you were, at this point, and she certainly did not approve of his nonchalant behaviour either.

“Speaking of parties,” Mattheo cut Theo off, clearly having had enough of the annual rehashing of ‘that one Christmas when Theo was eight’ for today, and changing the subject, “Who’s got their dates sorted for the Malfoy Christmas Eve Ball, and who’s daring to go solo and have Narcissa set them up like a matchmaker all night long?”

Chuckles rang out among the group, and Pansy smiled, leaning into Blaise’s side with a love-struck grin. “I think we’re safe this year.”

“I’m going solo, but, I did tell Aunty Cissa that I have my eye on a girl in one of my classes, and I’m seeing how it plays out. So, she’s not setting me up anytime soon, since she believes I’m already onto someone.” Enzo smirked, and Blaise congratulated him for his clever tactics.

You smirked through your mouthful of food, listening to Mattheo explain his complex excuse, to Reggie mournfully spill the story of how he’s already been set up by his parents witha ‘potential bride to meet’, and how he hopes she doesn’t show up. You laugh with the others as Tom simply raises an eyebrow, knowing that even Narcissa doesn’t attempt to set him up anymore, lest he scare away any more of her friends’ daughters. Theo, ever the player he is, is looking forward to dancing with every single lady he can find, and taking his pick at the end of the night.

“I suppose nobody needs to ask Draco who his date will be.” Mattheo grins, wiggling his brows at the pair of you as you smile, leaning a little further into the man at your side.

“Hey, who knows?” He chortles, and your eyes narrow a little, “I’ve had plenty of offers. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

“Oooh.” Enzo’s eyes went wide, the other boys joining in, and Pansy fixed him with a glare. Daphne leaned around you with her jaw dropped at his statement, and you sat up from his embrace, lips pressed flat and a brow raised.

The boys snickered, ‘he’s in shit’ and ‘someone’s in the doghouse’, but he lived for the spotlight, a drama queen at heart, and he smirked down at you.

“Oh, c’mon. Don’t look at me like that, babe.” The playful nickname was one he only ever used when joking around. When he was sincere, he was much more romantic; darling, sweetheart, beautiful. “What am I supposed to say? ‘Hi mum, hello father, meet the girl I’m skipping class to shag! Thanks for paying my tuition!’, I don’t think so.”

The boys all laughed, Daphne scoffed in sync with her sister behind you, and Pansy looked like she’d lunge across the table at any moment, if it wasn’t for her chastising Blaise for laughing, instead. ‘You and Draco can share that couch you’ll both be sleeping on tonight’, she’d said. ‘See how funny you think it is then’.

The words stung as he spoke them, dismantling your relationship down to the bare minimum; to sex and physical connection and nothing else. Like the nights spent talking until the sun came up were nothing, the times you’d held him while he cried, or washed him in the bath when he was so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. Like he didn’t rub your stomach for hours every month when you got cramps, or had a stash of your favourite snacks in his bedside table for whenever you came over.

You knew that Draco Malfoy lived you, just as much as you loved him. It was evident in everything he did, every kiss and every word. But, he needed a little push.

“I suppose you’re right,” You sigh lightly, giggling along with the laughing boys around the table. “I’m not so sure Lucius wouldn't burst a blood vessel then and there.”

“Exactly.” Draco hummed, and you glanced back to Pansy. She was shocked, only for a second, before taking in the subtle signs of mischief on your face. Her own smirk stretched out in return, and her gaze flickered once to Draco, before back to you.

A new game was afoot, and Draco wasn’t going to stand a chance.

Slipping your coat from your shoulders, the annual Malfoy Christmas Eve Ball was well underway. Your parents had disappeared into the crowds before you’d even stepped out of the carriage, uncaring of where you were as long as you weren’t causing trouble. They were here to mingle with the other importants, and you were just here to learn the ropes of proper socialising.

The garment was taken from you, your small bag clutched in hand as a ticket was given to you for it, and you brushed down the front of your dress delicately. Pearls moved under your touch, beading along the bodice flat and perfected, and you felt your confidence rise as you looked at yourself once more in the reflection of a dark window. Adjusting the small lace gloves on each hand, you took a step towards the dining room.

Elegant music was playing from a live band up on a stage, the room was decorated this year to look like a winter escape. Pale and frosty, like a palace of ice, twinkling lights and glittering decor, crisp white tablecloths and ice sculptures. A layer of goosebumps travelled along your skin at the sight of it all, despite the warming charms that took place for the guests.

Scanning the room, you quickly found your table. The designated kids table, despite you all being legal adults and far beyond such status. You’d all be the babies of the ball until the new generation emerged, no doubt. Moving through the bodies and crowds of people politely, Theo was the first to glance up and spot you, his mouth falling open, and a rush of confidence took over as he raised two fingers to his lips and whistled.

The sound caught the attention of the others’ chatter fading to quiet as they all turned to look for the object of his cat-calling, Enzo’s eyes widened, Pansy cheered loudly, and even Mattheo looked momentarily speechless. You’d had the same reaction when you’d seen yourself in the dress too, your stylist had truly outdone herself for this one.

You looked flawless, and you looked expensive, and utterly elegant. Doing a little spin as you approached, a smile broke free on your lips as you stopped before the chair with your name card before it.

“Merlin, babe,” Pansy started, drawing your attention straight her her, “You’ve got every eye on you tonight. If I was single, I’d be all over you.”

She winked when you laughed, and Blaise rolled his eyes but smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek affectionately.

“Pretty necklace,” She commented, and your fingers rose to the pretty string of pearls and diamonds that you had.

“It was a gift,” You simply hummed, tugging at your gloves. Glancing at the others, you gave each a polite smile, eyes lingering on Draco as he stared. In any other style, this dress would be scandalous for an event like this. A low neckline, spaghetti straps, no sleeves. Tight and fitted to every curve of your body, and yet the classic designs and vintage nature elevated it to the kind of class Audrey Hepburn would be proud of.

He looked just as good, a dark suit, a fresh white shirt, a champagne-coloured tie that made the colour of his eyes and his hair stand out and your mouth dried out a little. Silver rings adorned his fingers, the Malfoy signet standing out, clenched so tightly around his whiskey glass that his knuckles were almost white.

You’d worn soft, golden makeup effects today, a dusting of glitter along your cheekbones and eyelids, a shade of pink on your cheeks and lips that you knew was his weakness.

“Someone really wanted your attention with that, huh?” Your best friend teased, and your eyes snapped away from Draco, back to her.

“I suppose so,” You muse, hand coming up to touch one of the beads on your ear, “Since they also got me this lovely pair of matching earrings.”

Pansy made a dramatic show of admiring them, and Blaise gave a funny look, glancing at the jewellery, and then back at Draco, who was frowning. Before you could reach for your chair after placing your clutch down, Enzo was shooting to his feet from beside you, tugging out the chair for you.

Draco scoffed as you gave him a thank you, settling into your seat, and he glared at the man beside you. Enzo didn’t flinch, however, smirking at Draco as he spoke;

“What? It��s called being a gentleman, cousin.”

Crossing your leg delicately, you’d hardly even removed your gloves, before a tray was coming down by your side, and a young waiter with a dazzling smile was looking right at you.

“Champagne, ma’am?” Not a planned pawn in your game, but a welcome addition, you smiled sweetly in return.

“Oh, I’d love some. Thank you.” Taking the single glass by the stem, you lifted it from the tray and the man’s smile stretched wider as you sipped the bubbly, holding his eye.

“Of course, miss. If you need anything, anything at all, I’ll be at the bar, happy to serve.” His flirting was heavy enough that normally you’d want to roll your eyes, but tonight, you suppressed that urge, playing into it as you bat your lashes.

“I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Thank you.”

He took the dismissal, staring appreciatively as he walked away, another look over his shoulder to you as you watched him go.

“Stop eye-fucking the help.” Draco snapped, and your focus moved to him slowly, just to find his icy glare on you. He didn’t scare you, though, all that mean bravado, but you knew what was underneath.

“I was doing no such thing.” You tut, placing down your drink. “Don’t be jealous, Dray. You look even better in that suit. If you want compliments, just ask. No need to be mean.”

He seemed rather placated by this, his ego settling down, even if the others did laugh at him.

The conversation seemed to continue around you as you settled in, avoiding Draco’s heated stare and sipping at your champagne. The rush of warming alcohol through your veins settled every dancing nerve, and gave you the calm confidence to do what you had planned. Sitting forwards, just enough, you angled your body so that Draco might have the perfect view over your cleavage as you feigned interest in the chatter around you.

He took the bait, his gaze falling right where you wanted it, the gems of your necklace dangling just over the swell of your breasts, and he licked his lower lip, pulling it between his teeth.

Raising your hands and catching the swinging gem, you toyed with it carefully, letting it run over your fingers. Time melted away as Draco’s gaze flicked between your nimble touch, your lips, and your chest, shuffling in his seat every so often, and gulping at the bubbly in his glass.

He was on his third refill by the time food started to be taken around, and you took pity on him momentarily, sitting back in your chair and angling away from him, ready to receive your first course.

As the starters came around, you turned to thank your waiter, surprised to see it was the same man from the bar who had brought you your champagne. You’d given him little thought since he’d walked away, and you’d never spotted him again, but perhaps that was exactly why he was delivering your food now, as he beamed at you and set down the plate.

Men did love a little attention, after all.

Reaching for the bottle of champagne cooling in the centre of the table, the waiter never looked away from you as he refilled your glass without being asked. Draco finally seemed to notice as he finished adjusting his napkin, gaze narrowing on the man serving you. “You’ve got to be kidding me…” He muttered.

You pretended to take no notice, smiling at the man and waving your fingers flirtily as he walked away.

“I’m going to get another drink at the bar,” He announced, leaving without his glass and without asking if anyone else wanted one. You knew where he was truly going, if the lock of his jaw and the stamp in his step were any indication. You doubted you’d be seeing that waiter again.

As you poked at your food, Pansy excused herself too, only a few bites into her meal before she disappeared with a wicked grin and no explanation to anyone. Enzo just chuckled beside you, glancing around the room like he was watching all the cogs of a machine in motion, before turning his gaze on you. “You do look lovely tonight, do you know that?”

“Of course I do. I spent days on end trying on dress after dress to find this.” You sighed, admiring the gorgeous piece of art on your body as you set your cutlery down.

“And is it serving the purpose you need it to?” He teased, voice knowing, and you nodded. Flicking your gaze over the patrons and guests in the room, you searched for Draco, finding him talking politely to one of his mother’s friends at the bar.

“It is, I think.”

“Let’s hope it stays that way.” He whispered, your focus still on the man who truly held your heart, who was making his polite excuse and walking way, back towards you all. His gaze locked on yours, only for a second, before Pansy was calling your name and drawing your focus elsewhere.

When you looked up to her, she was grinning, a man by her side. “This is Elliot, he’s been wanting to meet you for some time. I promised him I’d introduce you both tonight.”

You offered the best smile you could as his cheeks reddened, and Pansy merely patted him on the shoulder, slinking away as you offered your hand to him. “Lovely to meet you, Elliot.”

“You too. As embarrassing as that introduction was, it’s true. I have wanted to meet you for some time.” He had a kind smile and pretty eyes, and he seemed far too nice to be dragged into your game tonight, but he seemed almost like a willing participant, and you weren’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. As Draco took his seat, Elliot continued, “Pansy has told me so much about you. You know, if you’re free one day before you go back to that fancy boarding school of yours, I’d love to take you out.”

“Yeah? What have you got in mind?” You smile, twisting a little more to face him, and your encouragement only brightens his expression as Draco’s darkens in your peripheral.

“A night in London, perhaps. We could get dinner, and see the opera?”

“She doesn’t like the opera.” Draco sneered, openly staring at Elliot with enough contempt to scare away lesser men. Elliot tugged at his collar, glancing at Draco, and then back to you as you tried to hide your shock at his behaviour.

“The theatre, then?”

Draco looked ready to snap again, and before he could, you nodded, sparing your unwilling partner. “That sounds wonderful, I’ll see what my schedule says. I’ll get in touch with you through Pansy if I can find the time, is that okay?”

“Perfect.” He smiled, sneaking another wary glance at Draco who was not backing down from glaring at him unflinchingly, but Elliot shook it off, bravely. “It was a pleasure to meet you, truly.”

“And you, Elliot.”

Soon after he left, the plates were being cleared. You tried not to smirk as a different waiter, and one who very pointedly did not so much as even catch your gaze, cleared your dishes away at record speed.

You knew that Draco had something, everything, to do with that. He was jealous by nature, a spoilt single child who did not like to share his favourite toys, and that is exactly what you were betting on tonight.

You stood, taking a lap around the room with Pansy to settle your food before the next course, and to get another drink. She took the opportunity to fill you in on how her first Christmas event with Blaise’s family had gone, and when you returned, you made sure to surreptitiously place yourself behind Draco’s chair.

You placed a hand on his shoulder, a friendly gesture, squeezing and rubbing enough that your thumb swept over his collar and across his neck. His pulse jumped under your touch, and he tipped his head closer, into your touch.

As he did so, your heart leapt in your chest. To others, it might look like a friendly gesture but to you, it meant so much more. You were tempted to cave then and there, to live with this being enough, to settle, but you couldn't. You didn’t want this to be it, you wanted to follow this by leaning down to kiss him, to have him smile against your lips in public the way he did when you were alone.

To arrive at these events together, arms linked, and to stumble out tiredly together too. To sit by him, his hand on your thigh, to rest your head on his shoulder, to kiss him on the dance floor. The thought was enough to push you through.

He twisted his head, to kiss your hand like he often did when you did this. Carefully, you slipped your hand away just in time, knuckles brushing across the nape of his neck as you stepped away, and back to your seat.

His sights moved to you, but like a saving grace, the servers began to appear with more dishes, and dinner soon distracted you all. A delicious serving of salmon and potatoes, and the hall fell quiet enough for you to hear the beautiful music playing when chatter fell low.

Low conversation, drinks refilled, and that perfect mood set across the room, as people took to the tables and quieted down. Your favourite part of the night, usually. Good food, your friends, and a chance to catch up without the usual weight of it all sitting on you. Regulus was talking, telling the rare story that had him caught up in a long conversation where he usually just observed quietly, but your attention was fixed on your lover.

Until, Theo spoke up.

“Oh, merda,” He muttered across Reggie’s’ story, his gaze cutting to you alarmingly quickly. “I forgot to tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Your heart skipped a beat, a flash of panic.

“My cousin flew in last minute for the party, and he wants to speak to you.” Theo’s words soothed your panic, and you offered him a flat look for the dramatic way he’d put it. Taking a sip from your glass, you raised a brow.

“When?”

“Now.” He confirmed, sights lifting to sit just behind you, and before you could even turn, a chair was being pulled up beside your own from another table. Turning your head to the owner, a smile burst across your face at the man sitting before you.

“Dario!” Your arms were around his neck before you could stop yourself, and he was chuckling as he bundled you into an equally enthusiastic hug. He chuckled lightly, pulling back only far enough to press a friendly kiss to your cheek, and you cupped his face as you parted from him. “You’re growing a beard!”

“My mother hates it.” He chuckled, rubbing a hand over it. As you twisted a little more towards him, he reached down, practically manhandling you as he reached for the edge of your seat by your legs, tugging it sideways to face him. You squealed as the chair jolted, screeching on the floor, tugging you closer as he leaned in. “Sei incantevole.”

“Are you charming me in Italian?” You smirk, a boyish smile on his face as he lounged back in his seat. “What are you doing here, anyway? Theo said none of you were flying in this year! I thought you couldn't make it.”

“I couldn't,” He sighed, shrugging, “But, then I heard that you would be here, without a date, and I knew I just had to make it. So, here I am, la mia bella donna. You think a short flight from Italy would stop me rushing over here to you?”

Your giggle was against your control. Even if he was more like family than a romantic interest, the way his accent twisted around coyly spoken words, was enough to bring a blush to even the most unreceptive woman’s face. “Cut it out, you flirt.”

“You’ll save me a dance later, right?”

“We’ll see.” He rose his brow, and you lifted your glass, taking a sip of bubbly to hide your smile, leaving him hanging. “Depends on how much more of your cheesy flirting I can endure.”

“You mean my wonderful Italian charm?” He teased, pinching one of your cheeks, and deepening the flush he had already created. “Don’t think I don’t see the way I make you blush.

You could only scoff, mouth dry as you tried to think of a retort, and you didn’t miss Theo muttering in Italian behind you, curse words you’d picked up on tumbling from his mouth.

“Perhaps this can convince you,” Dario reaches for his inner pocket, producing a small, slim box. An excited squeak breaks from you as he hands it over, your fingers brushing the elegant leather, an Italian name embossed across the front. “Open it later, alright?”

You could only nod, admiring it happily, before slipping the box safely inside of your clutch. He took your hand, kissing your knuckles as he stood. A final wink as he offered you hid charming goodbyes, and a farewell to the rest of the table, before returning his borrowed chair to where he had taken it from.

You watched as your friend left, disappearing into the crowd, no doubt to mingle and socialise as he had always been so good at, before you swung back around in your chair.

“He taught you everything you know, huh, Nott?”

Theo only shrugged, a cheeky grin on his face. “What can I say, tesoro? We Nott men just have charm. We’ll woo your panties right off.” He winked, the cockiness not lasting long as Draco swung at him, a fist landing roughly on his arm as the Malfoy heir scowled, glaring at his best friend.

“Cut it out.” He growled the words through gritted teeth, and your hand shot up, rubbing at your lip to hide your grin as Draco made no effort to hide his own emotions. Theo only laughed, rubbing at the patch on his arm he’d taken the hit.

Dessert was served, a beautiful display of ice cream and winter berries that almost looked too good to eat. The key word being almost. You hadn't been able to resist, however, and the first small groan you’d let out as the sugar hit your tongue had Draco’s gaze snapping straight to you. I did not leave, once, after.

Instead, he watched, through a dark gaze, every curl of your lips around the spoon, every swipe of your tongue to catch the juice of burst berries. If you’d put on a little extra show, just for him, nobody else had to know.

It was like he was staring right into your soul, so intense, even after the meal was long since finished. Finally, you indulged him once again, turning to look at him and raising a brow. “Yes, Draco?”

“You look beautiful tonight, I am simply admiring.” He let his gaze move across you slowly, making his admiration apparent, and his gaze lingered a fraction of a second longer on your neck. He stared at you with open adoration, the kind of look that told you exactly how he felt, even if he was fighting it, but he was close to breaking. He was close to losing this game he didn’t know he was playing. Then, his gaze flickered over your shoulder, sweet observation morphing. His brows drew together, his open hand slamming down on the table hard enough to make the glass rattle. “Oh, fucking hell…”

Mattheo erupted with sudden laughter, loud and brash, and there was a tap on your shoulder before you could even ask him what had him in such hysterics. A young man you did not know, perhaps a few years younger than you, and glanced around the table to see which of your friends had put this one together. Each seemed to have caught on in their own time, and had a hand in adding to the fun, to watch Draco suffer more, but none of them were laying any claim to this one.

“I’ve been watching you all evening, and you are beautiful.” He smiled, stuttering over his words slightly, and Draco made no shy show of his disdain, rolling his eyes and making a disapproving sound. “I was wondering if you might grant me the pleasure of a dance?”

“She would dance with you,” Enzo interrupted, before you could speak at all, leaning forward toward the edge of your chair from his own, and you could have kissed him in gratitude for saving you. “But, she promised me her first dance. Isn’t that right, love? And I think now is the perfect time. Let’s go.”

Offering you his hand, you took it, letting him sweep you away without a second’s delay, navigating you both to the dance floor and twirling you expertly into his arms. One hand clasped your own, the other sitting at a respectable place on your waist, your own on his shoulder, and he fell into the well-rehearsed steps of a classical ballroom dance he’d been doing since he could walk.

You let out a shaky sigh, relief flooding your veins as you looked back to your seat, noticing that the boy had taken Enzo’s rejection well and disappeared, not hanging around and waiting for your return.

“You’re killing him slowly, like a predator playing with its prey,” Enzo smirked, neither of you needing to clarify who you were talking about, as he brought up his cousin.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” He chuckled, spinning you out before pulling you back in, sharp actions that made you dizzy with their accuracy, and you grinned as he brought you tumbling right back into his arms, perfectly. If he’d been trying to win you over, his dancing alone would’ve had you swooning. “You just show up to a fancy event like this, dripping in diamonds and pearls and looking like a million bucks, supposedly single. You mean to tell me you didn’t know that all these rich London boys wouldn't descend on you like vultures?”

“Not my fault I’m single and hot, Enz.”

He just laughed, dipping you a little. “We do struggle, don’t we.” You wove between people, a happy silence falling between you both once again as he guided you over the floor, back and forth, “Are you, though? Single, I mean.”

“That is up to your cousin.”

“Touché.”

You continued to move, until your feet were sore from all the twirling, clinging to Enzo in fits of giggles as he spun and twirled and dipped you more, hands on your waist as he lifted you through the air, making a show of his dancing.

He may have seemed altruistic in his gestures, sweeping in to save you and Draco from your dance with the boy, but he was using you too. Enzo was taking every opportunity to show off his moves to every lady around the room watching, a flirty smile on his face between conversations and he glanced around, and you wouldn't be surprised if he received more offers than Theo or Dario by the end of the night.

As the third song came to an end, and the music fell for just a second, you panted slightly, arm around his neck now, looking up at him with flushed cheeks and a bright smile. “Can we take a break?”

“Tired, already? You only gave me three so far.” He smirked at the way your jaw dropped, your face going hot and you knew your cheeks were red. You untangled yourself from his body, barely making it a step away from his laughter before he wrapped an arm around your waist, tugging you into his side. “Oh, c’mon. I thought the aim was to flirt and make him mad?”

“He’s not even here to listen!”

“I’m practising,” Enzo murmured, steering you towards the bar, and leaning on the wood as he flagged down the bartender. You were quickly served, by a woman who fawned over Enzo as she passed by, and you had to snap your fingers in front of his face to snap his gaze away from her retreating form. “So, how long are you going to make him—”

A tap on Enzo’s shoulder cut him off, and he turned to look, straightening up instantly from his slumped position. As soon as he moved so you could see, your relaxation melted away too, as you found yourself face to face with Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy.

“Lorenzo, I’ve hardly had a chance to talk to you all evening. I want to ask you about your schoolwork.” The impressively formal and deep voice of Lucius Malfoy settled over your skin like fresh snow, cold but smooth, and you shuddered.

Narcissa only chuckled lightly at her husband’s words, her eyes on you. “You’ve been busy, though. Who is your lovely lady?”

“Uncle Lucius, Aunt Cissa. This is my friend, (Y/n).”

It wasn’t exactly the circumstances you’d wanted to meet them under, but you smiled nonetheless, nerves running wild as you offered your hand to them both, shaking politely just as your parents had taught you.

“Ah, (Y/n). Yes. I make a point of knowing all of Draco’s school friends, but I’m in business with your father, aren’t I?” Something like a small kernel of sweetness was buried in that statement, his interest in his son’s life, even if he tried to hide it behind formalities, but it wasn’t your place to comment.

“Yes, sir. That is correct.”

“They’re very proud of your schoolwork. They were telling me about your latest project. You synthesised a new potion to grow murkweed faster, is that true?”

You were surprised he knew so much, your small project submitted for Herbology was the last thing you’d expected Lucius Malfoy to know of, or take an interest in, and your mouth felt like sandpaper as you tried to form words. “Yes. Yes, sir. That’s right.”

“Interesting.” That calculating gaze scanned over you, analysing you from head to toe, like he could see right through you with a single glance. “That is impressive, for someone of your age. I’d be open to learning more. Are you considering making a future out of your alchemy talents? I have connections that I could contact for you.”

You were speechless, your stomach going wild with butterflies born of both excitement and anxiety. He smirked, a look that would set you on edge if you weren’t sure deep down that this was in your interests, not against them.

“Perhaps we can discuss it more soon, when we next see you. With Enzo?”

Enzo’s arm around your waist shifted, a reassuring weight that you were sure had been your only grounding presence for this surreal conversation. He patted your hip encouragingly. “Oh, no, we aren’t…”

Motioning between you both, Lucius’ brows furrowed, and Narcissa tried to hide her sigh.

“Sorry to disappoint you, Aunt Cissa. (Y/n) isn’t mine, though it is wonderful that you approve.” Before either could question him, or expand on their confusion, Enzo gave your waist a final rub, before removing his touch from you entirely, and stepping towards his family. “Shall we go and discuss schoolwork then, Uncle? You have questions, and I have answers. I hope the ones you want.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss (Y/l/n).” Lucius politely offered you his hand again, shaking it firmly, and that was about as friendly a dismissal as you’d ever get from him, you’d heard. This was only supported by the surprised look on Narcissa’s face, and the beam Enz gave you as he guided his uncle away.

“I hope to see you again soon, (Y/n). You look wonderful this evening, thank you for coming.” Narcissa murmured, before following her husband and nephew, glancing back at you only once over her shoulder. She knew. The woman was far more cunning than she let on, the true embodiment of a sneaky Slytherin, observing quietly and taking everything in. Her eyes glinted. She knew you knew she knew, too.

Your heart was pounding, cheeks warm as you lifted your fingers to them cautiously. The disappointed waitress placed down two drinks before you, Enzo long gone without his, but you smiled at her with appreciation, fingers shaking a little as you lifted the glass to your lips to take a sip.

You’d spoken to Draco’s parents.

They’d liked you. Lucius had offered to put you onto the career path, and Narcissa had complimented your dress. A soft laugh of disbelief slipped free, your eyes sliding closed for just a second as you revelled in the moment.

It hasn’t been what you’d set out for tonight, but it was far more than what you’d hoped for. Opening your eyes again, to head back to the table and find Draco, you were met by the sight of a stranger leaning before you on the bar, grinning down at you in amusement. “Hello.”

“Hi.” You gave a terse smile, and a single nod. “If you’ll excuse me—”

“I didn’t even get to ask you to dance yet. Saw you out on the floor with the Berkshire boy, earlier, and I thought—”

“I’m dancing with her next, mate. Piss off.”

Draco rarely sounded that mad, a chill went down your spine as you felt an arm slide around your waist, tugging you back into his chest. “Dray…”

The stranger only scoffed, glaring at Draco as he wandered away, and your hand reached for his forearm on your body. He snatched it away too soon, however, tugging on your hip to turn you around. His jaw was clenched tight, eyes more frozen than the coldest glacier. “Dance with me.”

Not a request, and he didn’t wait for an answer, before plucking your drink from your hand and slamming it down onto the bar, guiding you back to the swaying bodies. Standing before you, you offered him your hand, your hand sitting lightly on his shoulder. He didn’t take the respectable route, instead, his arm wrapped tight around your waist, sweeping you close to his body, and beginning to move you both in simple steps.

It was several minutes before he relaxed, your arm sliding further around his neck in a more intimate hold, bringing the two of you much closer, swaying slowly. The tension in his body gave way with every step, and with a resigned sigh, he finally spoke, “You met my parents.”

“I did. They were lovely. Very curious about Enzo and I’s relationship.”

His hand clenched on your waist, and you tipped your head at him as his piercing gaze drilled into you. One more move…

“Oh, don’t be so mad, Dray. We’re only shagging, after all. You’ll find a new girl if I get swept away by someone else.”

His eyes narrowed, jaw clenching, and a fire burned in those silver eyes now, melting the ice away with rage. Checkmate.

“You win, alright? I’m not playing this stupid game any longer.” He took a deep breath, and another, fingers twitching on your back as jealousy bubbled under the surface. “For fucks sake, how many pieces of jewellery from other guys are you wearing? Who bought you those earrings, that necklace? I should be the only one buying you gifts. I should be the one spoiling you. You want the Malfoy family ring? I’ll go yank it off my mother’s engagement ring from her finger right now, just take all this off.”

He studied you for a second, confusion growing at the smirk that grew on your lips. Victory was yours, and you leaned in, pressing a delicate kiss to his cheek. Letting the hand from his neck smooth down his chest, his gaze stayed locked on the jewels around your neck, glaring angrily. “No.”

“No?”

“No. It’s pretty. I’m going to keep wearing it all, let it remind you what you have. Next time you piss me off, forget a date, or use the last of my shampoo, I’m going to put it all back on so you can remember how many guys would jump at the chance.” His nostrils flared, but he stayed silent, wisely knowing when to keep his mouth shut. “I don’t want your family ring, Malfoy. Not yet. I just want a proper title, and the respect that comes with it. I’m not your booty call, or your side piece. You don’t want to play games anymore? Then don’t.”

“You already won.” He whispers, his head dropping down to let his forehead rest on your own. “You know how much you mean to me.”

“Yes, I do. But I want the whole world to know it, too, Dray.”

He didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he twisted his head, enough to press his mouth to your own, silencing any more arguments between you both as he kissed you. His lips claimed yours, a tender and loving kiss, showing everyone just how much you meant to him. There was no mistaking the emotions within it, not as his arms wrapped around your body, holding you to him as the pretence of dancing was given up, your hand on the back of his head, fingers in his hair, meeting every push and pull.

When he pulled away, your smile took over, bashful now under his openly adoring gaze, and he stole several more pecks from your lips. A happy sound escaped you as he tugged you in, tucking his face into your neck, and swaying you both to the music.

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”

“You have, but I’d be open to hearing it again.” Your hand smoothed over his hair, and he chuckled against your skin, leaving a kiss on the crook of your neck before raising to meet your eye.

“You are breathtaking, darling. I’m in awe. This colour is my favourite, you know.”

“Why do you think I wore it?”

His fingers trailed down your spine, eyes sparkling even more at that revelation. “How about we get out of here? We’ll make our goodbyes to my parents, and head out.”

“Our goodbyes?” You repeated as he took your hand, lacing your fingers together.

“Yes. From their son and his girlfriend. I think you deserve a proper introduction, after all.”

Tugging you across the floor, he gave you no time to prepare, and certainly, none to disagree, as you smoothed your hair and attempted to control the blush he’d brought to your cheeks. Through the crowds he wove, until he was pulling to a stop just shy of his parents, and Enzo looked as though he could have cried with relief when Lucius’ intense focus was taken away from him. The boy quickly slipped away as both of Draco’s parents turned to face you.

“Miss (Y/l/n), when we said we hoped to see you again soon, I didn’t realise you’d take it quite this literally.” He murmured, voice as low and calm as always, and your lips parted, a different kind of heat flooding your features.

“Oh, behave now, Lucius,” Narcissa grinned, her gaze dropping to your clasped hands, before she reached up to her son’s face, pinching his cheek with a smile. “Draco, darling, I’ve hardly seen you all evening.”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you Mother, but we’ll be leaving early.” She only gave him a knowing look, ignoring Lucius’ displeased huff, as if she wasn’t surprised at all.

“‘We’?”

“My girlfriend and I.” He said, proud and strong, before tugging you forward a little more to stand in front of him. His hand left your own, circling your waist instead, and she offered him a smile at the news.

“I see.” She smiled, patting her son’s cheek affectionately, before turning that knowing gaze on you. “Now Lorenzo’s evasiveness whenever I asked him about you makes sense.”

“You asked about me?” Your words were a rushed squeak, which only seemed to amuse Narcissa more.

“Of course, dear. I wanted to know more about you. I’d ask you to sit and chat with me for a spell, but I believe my son might combust if I did.”

“Mother!” He gasped, and Lucius only tutted.

“Draco.” His father growled softly, shaking his head, and the red on his son’s cheeks only grew.

“You both may go, for now. But I hope you’ll visit me soon, and we might talk?”

“You mean… just us?” Your words tapered off to a near whisper, and Lucius smirked to himself as Draco rolled his eyes.

“Yes, dear. We’ll have tea.”

You could only nod, bidding your final farewells to them both in a state of awe, before Draco was hurrying you along. Tight hands gripping your waist, lips on your neck as he loved you through the crowds, swiping up your bag and giving you barely a moment to say goodbye to your friends before sweeping you away again. It was only due to the snow falling outside, you were sure, that he allowed you to stop long enough to get your coats.

Helping you, he lifted the garment onto you from behind, kissing your cheek as he reached around your body to fasten it. His elegant coat was already on, and leather gloves were on his hands as he offered you one. Lacing your fingers through his own, he smiled, tugging you out into the freezing night, and ushering you around the side of the Manor, away from the stream of cars lined up for guests as they left.

“Where are we going, Dray?”

“To one of the gardens near the path.” He never turned back, leading you carefully around patches of ice and slippery snow as you moved, the light from the house fading. It was almost pitch black, before he mumbled a small spell, and the garden lights glowed to light, glittering on the fresh blanket of ice.

Sitting on the grass was an old-fashioned sleigh, enchanted to keep dry, even in the snow, and two reindeer sat happily in the snow snuffling at the grass and scattered food.

The landscape stretched out far before you both, trees and grass and walls all covered in snow like something from a Christmas card, and the sigh that left your lips clouded in the air before your face.

“Oh, Draco…” Taking a few steps closer, snow-tipped over the tops of your heels as you stepped off the pathway onto the grass, chilling your feet for only a second, before Draco was following. Scooping you up into his arms, you kicked the ice from your feet with a giggle, your arms looping around his neck. “What’s all this?”

“This is your Christmas present. I didn’t realise that was the kind of ice you wanted instead.” He muttered, eyes flicking down to your neck, as he carried you carefully through the snow and towards the ornate sleigh. As you leaned in to kiss his cheek, he smiled shyly, avoiding your gaze as he became embarrassed, “I wanted to do something romantic for you. We can take the sleigh back to the town, get a cab, and take the jet anywhere you want to go. Pansy already packed a bag for you.”

He placed you down on the edge of the sleigh, letting you shuffle across onto the warmed leather. With another kiss to your lips, he scoffed at your smile.

“Merry Christmas, my wicked little girlfriend.”

“I can’t believe you arranged all this.” You were practically bouncing in your seat, watching as Draco nervously tugged on the reins, prompting the lazy animals to stand back up, before settling into the sleigh himself. Like they knew just what to do, they took off in a slow trot, tugging the pair of you along through the snow.

“Maybe if you’d have waited, instead of making me fight for my life tonight, you’d have been surprised.”

His arm was splayed along the back of the seat, and you snuggled in a little closer to him. Curling his arm around you, he pressed a kiss to your forehead, shaking his head and burying his nose in your hair. “If I didn’t make you fight for me, Dray, you’d probably have introduced me to your mother as your study partner. I gave you a little push, that’s all.”

“Is that so?” He muttered, guiding your face up so he could peck your lips. “Who do you think helped me arrange all of this for my ‘lovely lady friend’, hm? I’ve been writing to my mother about having an interest in someone for months now. You underestimate me.”

“You never gave me any other indication!”

“Oh, please. You walk me like a damn dog, you knew how I felt.” His mouth closed over your own, stealing a kiss, and you couldn't help but smile into it. “I think tonight just proves it.”

The sleigh trotted on as Draco kissed you in the back, beyond thought and reason, your hands tucked into his coat for warmth as he kept you cuddled in close to his side.

Minutes melted away, the two of you lost in your own world as you jostled and trotted through the fields, back toward the town. Whatever he had planned, it had been in motion for days, and the thought only made you fall a little more in love with him. Perhaps you had underestimated him, but none of it mattered now, not when he was kissing you like you were his only way to breathe, and you had him in your arms, properly, at last.

“So, Pansy knew about your little plan?”

“Yes. I told her days ago.”

“Hm…” You loved her, and it was perhaps her knowledge of Draco’s actions that made this all the funnier. “So, she knew about your plan, and mine. And still, she made sure to introduce guys to me all night. She played us both just for her own amusement.”

As you thought of her, your fingers lifted to your neck, sitting on the delicate jewellery there, and Draco huffed. Looping his finger underneath it, he tugged lightly. “Can you take this off now, please?”

“Why would I do that?” His pout deepened, glaring at the offending item, and you gave in with an airy laugh. “Pansy, Daph and Tori picked it out personally.”

“What?” His head snapped up, pout gone as his jaw dropped, and he was not laughing like you were. “You let me believe another guy decked you out in diamonds all night! What about the matching earrings?”

“Blaise.”

“The bracelet?”

“Theo and the Notts.”

At that mention, his eyes narrowed again, searching for your clutch and finding it resting in your lap. “But Theo’s cousin Mario gave you a separate gift.”

“Dario.” You corrected, and he mimicked it childishly, scoffing afterwards. “Well, that part was real. He truly was flirting, and I have no idea what it is, I haven’t opened it yet.”

“Give it to me.” He reached for your bag, a second too slow as you swiped it away from him with a gasp. He didn’t give up, still trying to snatch it as he leaned over you, pressing you back into the seat through fits of laughter, the two of you fighting over the bag until it was pressed to your chest, your eyes wide as you stared up at him, shaking your head. “Give it to me! I’m chucking it, hand it over!”

“No, it’s mine!” He slumped back into his seat, panting for breath and smoothing his hair back down. He was pointedly staring away in the opposite direction, and when you leaned in closer with a chuckle, he leaned away. Grabbing his shoulder, you planted yourself firmly in his lap, kissing the underside of his jaw. “I’m keeping it, but your present is better, I just know it. Whatever it is, could never beat this.”

“Promise?”

“I promise, Dray.”

He gave in, wrapping his arms around your waist, tugging you in closer to his body and pressing a happy kiss to your cheek. “Fine, but I’m buying you a new necklace when we get off the damn plane. I don’t care who bought that one.”

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