𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐞 || 𝐃.𝐌

Chapter 2 - Amortentia

*The next morning*

Ivory's POV:

"Shit, I'm late!" I muttered in panic, quickly scanning the room and realizing everyone had already left for breakfast. I rushed out of bed, hastily grabbing my clothes, nearly forgetting my wand. I rushed through the halls, attempting to apply some lip gloss to look at least somewhat presentable. By the time I finally reached the Great Hall, every eye seemed to turn toward me.

"There you are, Ivory!" Hermione exhaled, her tone more relief than scolding.

"Sorry I overslept..." I mumbled, sliding into the bench beside her, trying to make myself smaller

"We tried waking you," Ginny chimed in, smirking. "But you were dead to the world. Must've had a wild night, huh?"

I forced a smile. "Very funny."

But the moment hung. Hermione turned toward me, her brows knitting. "What do you mean? Is there something I don't know about?"

I shook my head quickly. "Nothing. Ginny's just talking rubbish."

But she wasn't. Not really.

Ginny's grin widened like she knew something she wasn't supposed to. Or worse, thought she did. I glanced around the hall, trying to find him, without making it obvious.

"He's over there." Fred said casually, like he'd read my mind.

"What?"

"Malfoy." He nodded toward the Slytherin table, a smirk playing on his lips.

I glared. "Piss off, Fred."

"Just joking Ivory, unless..." he said.

"No way! Malfoy? I would never." I replied.

Still, I looked. I couldn't help it. And there he was, Draco, already watching me. He raised his brows in that smug, unreadable way of his. Not romantic, not cold. Just... knowing. I offered a shy smile before quickly looking away.

God, am I this transparent?

I tried to focus on my toast, but it was impossible. Every move I made felt like it was being watched, analyzed. I could feel my friends clocking every flick of my eyes, every shift of attention. They were onto me. Or worse, someone had seen. Or Draco had said something. That thought twisted in my stomach like poison. What if he'd told someone? What if last night was already a rumor?

"Malfoy does seem oddly interested in you today, Ivory." Hermione murmured, bumping her shoulder into mine.

Her voice was light, but her eyes weren't.
Suspicion. Disapproval. Maybe even disappointment.

"Oh please, he's not," I snapped. "Can we not do this right now? I'm too tired for it."

It came out sharper than I intended. But I was unraveling. If they knew what really happened last night... They'd never let it go. They'd question every detail, interrogate me like I was on trial. Or worse, go after him.

"Bloody hell, Ivory," Ron added, mouth full of eggs. "Did you have a bad night or something?"

I shot him a look. "Shut up, Ronald."

Hermione swatted his arm. "Honestly, Ron."

My heart was thudding too hard to eat. I hated this feeling. Like I was walking on a thread that could snap with one more question, one more sideways glance.

I used to tell Ginny everything. We clicked instantly, same humor, same chaos. And Hermione, she was brilliant, intimidating in the best way. But lately, the two of them had grown closer. Whispering in corners. Inside jokes I wasn't part of. Maybe that's why I didn't want to share this. Not yet.