Touch Starved

Turns out I was right...

//TW MENTIONS OF R*PE//

You and Draco stood at the Leaky Cauldron. Ready to finally see Diagon alley. You were both still very nervous, though no one seemed to watch you as you both walked into the pub. You both had on dark robes, with hoods. Just in case you did need to stay hidden. Diagon Alley was packed, mostly faces you didn't recognize. You both smiled, holding onto one another's hands as you pushed your way through the crowd. You had so many places you wanted to visit.

You went first to the bookstore, Flourish and Bolts. You skimmed over what you expected was the required reading for that year for the students. Smiling as you saw Potters book. It was good that kids were learning about what had happened there. Not that long ago.

You and Draco were huddled together, whispering over a book when you looked up, your face suddenly falling. You couldn't breathe. Behind Draco, standing less than 50 yards away, at the counter was the man from the grocery store, buying books for his son. Who was obviously going into his first year. Draco looked up from the book he held, seeing your face. You had fallen pale, your eyes began to water. Following your gaze, he looked at the man. Who was too distracted by the bookkeeper to notice you standing there... Draco looked from him, back to you. And it clicked, before you could speak Draco was walking over to him. You couldn't speak. You watched as Draco held the man by his collar.

"Recognize me? You monster?!" The man's son backed away, watching in confusion. A woman came running in

"Take your hands off my husband Malfoy" she smeared. Trying to pull Draco off. Draco shot her a look. Did she know?

The man looked beyond Draco now, seeing your face. You caught your breath, starting your way to Draco. A group had formed, watching Draco as his hands shook.

"Draco" you touched his shoulder

"No y/n, he almost raped you that night. And he would have had that muggle not stopped him! Why should I let him go?!" The man's wife looked around, from her husband to you. Then back to her son, who she instructed to wait outside.

"Jacob?" she spoke, looking at her husband. Who didn't deny it, instead he glared at you. "Oh Merlin" she whispered. "That night, when you came home. You said you were jumped" you looked at her now, can you imagine finding something like this about your husband?

You couldn't speak again, your heart was pounding in your ears. Draco looked at you, dropping the man. Draco knew you needed him, and not to do this.

"Expect to be hearing from The Auror," Draco spoke firmly, apparently he recognized the man. Draco grabbed you hastily rushing you from the bookshop. You looked back only to catch the man's wife slapping him hard. Draco pulled you to an alley beside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, holding you.

"Let's go home," he said, staring at you. You choked back tears.

"No." you finally answered. "I am tired of running". You just wanted to enjoy something familiar for once. "I am okay Draco. Really"

"Ok... if you are sure" he looked at you intently, trying to read you. You nodded, leaning forward kissing him.

"Thank you Draco" you smiled at him.

"I should have at least punched him" Draco chattered as you both ate your ice cream. You were determined to not let this ruin your day.

"You did what was right, Draco. Thank you for standing up for me" you took your finger, taking a small dab of ice cream, tapping it onto Draco's nose. He looked at you and laughed, doing the same. You and Draco sat together, whispering to one another when you heard them speak.

"If it isn't Draco Malfoy!" A voice called, you shuddered in your seat, great what now? Pansy Parkinson was walking over to you two.

"Pansy Parkinson, how are you?" Draco stood, holding out his hand to Pansy. Who looked at him for a moment before hugging him. He was stiff under her touch. Then hugged her back lightly. She let go.

"Draco, how are you? As gorgeous as always I see!" She hadn't even looked in your direction. Pansy had always been a bit much, even for you. You stood.

"I will let you talk" You nodded, Pansy barely looked at you. Draco shot you a look, confused. As you turned to leave he grabbed your wrist. Pulling you to his side, wrapping his arm around your shoulder. You felt warmth. He was claiming you in his own way. Pansy looked at you now, deeper as if she recognized you. You knew she did, or she used to.

"Pansy, you remember y/n, she was in our year" at that moment she remembered you.

"I do! You were the girl who Filch caught hooking up with Zabini in that broom closet!" She cackled, you cringed.

"We were hooking up. He pulled me in there and just started kissing me. It's was terrible timing that Filch opened the door right when he did." You ground your teeth. You had tried to forget that day. It was so embarrassing.

"That's not what Zabini said happened, he said you were basically throwing yourself at him. Begging him. He said it was pathetic." What the hell, why was she being this way. Then you remembered, she had been in love with Draco since year one. Your skin heated with anger.

"You know what Pansy Parkinson. It's pretty sad that after all this time. You still think you are impressive in any way. I mean look at you. Draco didn't choose you then. And he won't choose you now. Don't you think THAT'S what's pathetic?" The words spit from you, rolling over Pansy. People were listening now, you definitely weren't being quiet. Pansy looked around you both, seeing all the eyes on you.

"I could have had him if I really tried!" Was all she could manage.

"Uh, No you couldn't" Draco finally spoke, he was stunned by your sassiness. He loved it actually. Pansy looked at him, frantically shaking her head.

"You're just saying that because she's right here. Come on Drrayyy we had some good times" She reached for his arm, you stopped her.

"Don't touch him"

"Oh what is she your girlfriend or something?" she looked from you to Draco.

"Yes actually." he looked at her as if it wasn't obvious. He hadn't released your shoulder since she walked up.

"Oh ok I see, making your rounds in school wasn't enough, y/n, you had to get that last piece of the puzzle. Had to make sure you fucked every pureblood you could get your hands on?" As she spoke, your jaw dropped. Before you knew it, you had slapped her. Hard, leaving a mark on her face.

"You pathetic, pug-nosed bitch. When will you ever learn no one wants you" you retorted, she held her face. People around you applauded, it was nice to see someone finally stand up to Pansy. You saw then a few faces you recognized, people who Pansy had also started rumors about in school. "Maybe if you weren't so fucking miserable to be around Pansy, you wouldn't have to have daddy PAY a family to make their son marry you" She was quiet now, you had told the entirety of Diagon alley something you had only guessed to be true, she confirmed it with her silence.

"Let's go Draco" you grabbed him now, pulling his hand. You left Pansy standing there, her hand still on her face. You and Draco walked hastily down Diagon Alley. Finally stopping before walking into the Leaky Cauldron. You needed a drink.

"How did you know her parents did that?" Draco asked after you both got your drinks. Him a fire whiskey and you a vodka soda.

"I didn't, I guessed. Turns out I was right..." Something in you wanted to feel guilty about what you said, but you couldn't. You were far too proud of yourself.