intoxicated,

eight

"You promised!"

After that day in the classroom everything changed. It was hard to juggle my friendships and Draco. Nobody could know, if they did it wouldn't end well. We would meet up at our table in the library every day. Ginny constantly asked me where I was always running off too but I usually gave her a response good enough to not leave her suspicious.

-

"Earth to Aurora?" Said Hermione as she waved her hand in my face. I looked up to meet her brown eyes. "Hmm?" She looked concerned and nervous, "I saw Malfoy and you in the hallway and," At the mention of Draco Ron and Harry stared at Hermione, "You were headed towards the library and he seemed to be following you. You know if he's bothering you just let Ron or Harry know and they'll take care of it."

A frustrated sigh escaped my nose and the words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them, "You guys act like I'm a child who can't take care of myself. If Dr- Malfoy was bothering me I could deal with it myself." I picked up my book and walked out of the great hall before anyone could stop me. Harry was calling my name but I simply ignored him.

Wandering through the halls aimlessly I felt someone grab me by my arm and pull me into a secluded corridor. When I looked up I met his eyes and smiled to myself, all my worries disappeared.

"What's wrong," He pushed back a strand of my hair and smiled down at me, not a smirk a real sincere smile.

"It's my friends, they keep insisting that you're bothering me and they act like I'm some helpless puppy who can't do anything myself. I know they're just trying to help but I can't help but get frustrated at them. And I can't even say anything to them because then they'll now about," I looked up at him and he sighed. Draco wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

"You know, at the beginning of fourth year I wanted to stay away from you. When we met five years ago I was supposed to hate you, you were a you, friends with Potter and Weasley, we were enemies before we ever spoke. That day when I ran into you in Hogsmead I decided if I didn't get to have you," He held me tighter and stroked my hair with his hand, "Then I should make you hate me, more than you already did from the past 4 years."

I pulled back and looked at him. Pulling my hand free from where it was crushed against his chest I put it on his cheek and smiled up at him, "I could never hate you, not now. Before I hated you because of your relationship with my closest friends."

Draco rested his hands on the small of my back and placed his nose on my shoulder. His breathing was slow and deep, I matched mine with his.

With one finger he tilted up my head and placed a soft kiss on my lips. His cologne was minty and his breath was hot. I felt safe in his arms, and by his side.

The moment was ruined when the door flew open and Neville and Ginny walked in.

I jumped back from Draco as Ginny marched over and slapped him across the face. "Malfoy! You can't just kiss her like that!" she stumbled over her words as she shoved him back and grabbed my hand. "Aurora are you okay? I cant believe he would just kiss you like that!" she was furious, her cheeks were as red as her hair and she looked just about ready to kill him right there. Glancing across the room I saw Neville standing with his jaw dropped.

"Gin," she looked up at me, the fire in her eyes softening, "It's not his fault. We kissed."

The look on her face fell and she dropped my hand. Betrayal was written all over her expression.

"You, kissed Malfoy?" I nodded, refusing to meet her eyes. Averting my gaze across the room I saw Nevilles face painted with heartbreak, he turned to the door and started to leave,

"Nev, Gin, please,"

"Save it Aurora. You chose your side," said Neville, Ginny nodded and they both left.

Sliding down onto the floor I felt a tear threatening to roll down my cheek, I let it fall and buried my face in my hands. Draco, who had been silent slid down next to me and put his arm around me. Placing his hand on my face he made me face him, a sob escaped my mouth as I collapsed against him. He pulled me into his arms as he held me tightly. I clung to his shirt as my tears soaked his chest.

"Why does it have to be so hard?" I sobbed as I let him hold me,

"I don't know Rory, I don't know, I'm so, so, sorry," his voice was calm and gentle, he started to wipe away my tears.

When I looked up at him my brown eyes welled with tears and his grey hues pierced through me. "Is it always gonna be like this?" I looked up at him and he didn't answer right away. Draco traced up and down my arms before pulling me into him, and breathing deeply, "Maybe, but I think that it could work for you and me, just wait and see," He smiled down at me and kissed my forehead. My small body in his arms felt right.

Even though my friends would never understand what I see in him, I see so much. Sure, he looks like a work of art, the way his soft hair flops delicately over his forehead and his eyelashes, his strong tall muscular build. But it was the way he looked at me, and held me, and took care of me.

I think I'm in love with Draco Malfoy.