His Hidden Side - Draco Malfoy

18- At our Place

It's uncomfortable to consider how cold the Black Lake must be and even worse to imagine what creatures lurk below, ready to attack the 4 champions.

I lift myself up, trying to see over the many heads in front. Managing to squeeze through, I spot Harry and the other champions anxiously awaiting the race. Neville is with him, yet Ron and Hermione were out of sight. They wouldn't want to miss their best friend's big day.

I turn to Luna who has just finished on her lecture about mermaids to a Hufflepuff girl beside us.
"Luna have you seen Ron or Hermione?" I ask her. "I think it's time I apologies to them."

I'm tired of all of the quick hellos, and awkward side glances between us. A boy, even though it's Draco, shouldn't come between us.

She tilts her head in confusion. "No... Shouldn't you apologies to them after you get with Draco?"

"...I'm not planning to. And I don't want to think about it." I feel a pang of guilt saying that. My eyes travel to Draco who's eyes were already on me. We look at each other for a short moment before Draco abruptly looks away. Has he changed his mind?

"You try so hard to ignore the inevitable Lily, but the future won't stop coming, before you know it, the future is the present. It's quite obvious, that you've tried to distract yourself, you've read almost as many books as Hermione!"

"Well I need to distract myself, he's everywhere, even when not physically, he's in my head!"

"I suppose you've got your answer then."

"No, no I don't. With Draco everyone will hate me, people already do... I swear you're the only one that doesn't."

"People don't hate you, they just... fear you. They see you as the superior now." Luna explains and rubs my arm, consoling me.
"Your choice shouldn't reflect the opinion of others. Do what your heart desires Lily. If you really like him then you should go to him, since love is a gift that rarely happens, like a shooting star."

Pfff love?? I stuff my frostbitten hands into my pocket, not wanting to talk more about this rubbish. Luna gets the hint and stops. My fist touches something deep inside my pocket, it crinkles. As I take it out, I instantly recognise the crumpled piece of paper.

***

It was a particularly boring, freezing Valentine's Day. Everyone was either slumped against their chairs, dozing off to Snape's monotonous voice or warming their hands by the boiling cauldrons. I was taking notes on different antidotes to poisons when I feel a tap on my shoulder from Draco, who as always tries hard to sit beside me.

He smiles and puts a finger to his lips after handing me a folded note. Glancing quickly at Snape, who was busy, I open it up.

"Lily I'm tired of waiting, be my Valentine now. If no, don't break my heart in 2 weeks time.
Draco" Beside his name was an animated loop of a heart breaking and fixing itself.

I reply back: "Patience loverboy."

***

BOOM!

I shake away from my reminiscing session with a pounding heart.

"Relax, it's just the cannon. The race has started." Luna tells me. The champions have jumped in - Harry requiring a shove. The race takes part underwater, and while everyone watches tensely, I lean against the railing and admire the note which had a new message on it now.

"Today is the day - Astronomy Tower. Don't be late.
Draco"

Luna tells me all that's happening as I don't pay attention.
"Fleur has been disqualified."
"Cedric's in first place, with Cho?"
"Krum's come up, with Hermione..." Luna hits my arm "Lily! Hermione has been brought up."