Always / Draco Malfoy

Chapter 17

Narrator's POV:
The night that Draco kissed Aurora in the great hall, not all the students had been present but news spreads like wildfire when Ronald Weasley finds out. By the following morning every single student, teacher, ghost, and house-elf knew about the star crosses lovers. By the end of the following week, Rita Skeeter had published an article in the Daily Prophet announcing the news of the two purebloods' relationship.

Draco did write to his mother the following morning to tell her the news and she was more than happy that her little 'dragon' was in a happy relationship when his father found out it was a different story. He was furious Draco had kept the relationship a secret and that he didn't have control of how the story got out but not only that he was angry that Draco had fallen for a Gryfindor girl one that was friends with Harry Potter nevertheless.

Aurora wasn't expecting to receive a letter from her grandparents let alone her father, she was even more shocked when the two letters were both that of ones of approval. Her grandparents were happy for her and told her that she must invite Draco over the summer to their home. Her father although cold and blunt began by saying he was glad she had found someone, though it did mention that she must be careful for he had met both Draco's parents and if he was anything like his father she needed to be wary.

In the week that had passed, Aurora had spent more time with Draco than they ever had simply because the trio and all of Gryfindor for that matter were giving her the silent treatment Harry and Ron more so than anyone else. Fred of course kept her updated with any information that she might not have heard about like how Ron and Harry still had no dates to the Yule Ball. It seemed that Draco was so intimidating no one in Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw wanted to challenge him or even begin to say anything negative about the pair's romance. Now you may be wondering what happened with Milan? Well, he approached Draco and Aurora when they were together in the courtyard after lunch and asked what had actually occurred between them. Once Aurora had explained how long they had been dating and why they had to keep it a secret Milan apologized to both of them more so to Draco for overstepping and extended a hand which Draco accepted.

Aurora's POV:

It had been a week since mine and Draco's relationship had come out and Harry, Ron, and Hermione still weren't speaking to me neither was most of Gryfindor, to be honest, I felt outcast sitting at Draco's table. After finishing dinner I decided I had had enough and wanted to approach them all so I gave Draco a kiss goodbye and made my way to where the trio was sitting.

"Can I sit?" I asked timidly the anxiety bubbling in me, no one replied for a few seconds until Hermione who was clearly sick of the boys' behavior replied for them.

"Yes, Aurora of course," I exchanged a grateful smile in her direction as I went to sit next to her wondering how to approach the situation.

"Look I wanted to say that I'm sorry, I know I should have told you all when it began but you've always hated Draco and I knew it would never end well so we kept it secret for a while. I despise us not talking and I hope you can forgive me, I don't expect you to warm to Draco but for us all to be friends that would mean the world to me," When I looked up from playing with my hands I could see Hermione's face soften and she reached for my hand under the table grabbing it and squeezing it as to reassure me that she wasn't angry anymore.

"I mean you can't really expect us to forgiv-" Ron began, before being interrupted by Freddie.

"Oh Ronald you really chat out of your arse don't you? You both better forgive Aurora before me and George hex you to the medical wing faster than you can say quidditch." I let a giggle fall from my lips turning to the other side of me to give Freddie a grateful smile before he ruffled my hair which caused me to protest with a huff.

"There you go princess finally no more trouble in paradise," He smiled before continuing his conversation with George about quidditch. As I turned back to the trio we all burst into laughter a comfortable vibe among us all. Hermione couldn't stop herself from asking me to tell her everything nor could she stop herself from inviting me and Ginny to go dress shopping in London for Yule Ball dresses.

~~~

That night I found myself walking to the Astronomy tower only to find a picnic blanket, basket of food, candles, and roses I was in awe my hand covering my mouth as I stopped at the top of the stairs taking it all in.

"Surprised Darling? I thought I'd do something sweet for you since everything seems to have sorted itself out," I closed the gap between us quickly leaping into his arms, lifting me up, and spinning me round he gently placed me to the ground again giggles tumbling from both our lips.

"Oh Draco it's beautiful," I exclaimed as we sat down and began pecking at some of the snacks he had brought. We sat in a content silence next to each other looking at the tranquil, night sky for a while occasionally pointing out the constellations we could see clearly. I finally felt at peace finally found the comfort I had so desperately needed as a result of my father's absence.

"Darling I was wondering if you would accompany me to the Yule Ball?" Draco broke the silence with a barely noticeable whisper the nervousness evident in his voice yet I couldn't contain the squeal that left my lips jumping from my spot next to him to straddle his lap peppering his face with kisses.

"I will take that as a yes then," He released a breathy laugh," Yes obviously!" I exclaimed, maybe fairytales like the ones Freddie read to me growing up are real and maybe just maybe I will have my own.