dark paradise // d.m.

- vulnerable -

I finally reach the seventh floor, coming back from cheerleading practice, and I head to the common room, sighing heavily. I lean against the wall, catching my breath for a second and rubbing my temples to cancel the tiredness. I'll be seventeen tomorrow and I'm really not in the mood for celebrating- the twins, on the other hand, are literally head over heels for the upcoming party.

In fact, I'm avoiding them. I can't even think about laughing or joking, right now. I've been insufferable since yesterday and nothing seems to make me feel better.

And it's all about Draco.

I don't even know why I'm acting like this over a fight with Malfoy, it's nonsense. I can't figure out whether I'm more thrown off by the fight itself or by the fact that I was actually looking forward to spending the afternoon with him. Freya Black Lupin, eager for some quality time with Malfoy. I'm not being myself anymore since that time in the storage room.

The fact that he's affecting me this much makes me insane. I don't want to see him ever again and, at the same time, I want to fix things between us.

No. There's no us. What the hell are you thinking, Freya?

Suddenly, a noise breaks into the hallway and, as I turn around, I see him, exiting the Room of Requirement.

"Draco?" I call him, before I can stop myself, "What are you doing?"

He glares at me and I immediately notice that his eyes look puffy, like he's been crying for hours. "Leave it, Freya," he seethes, tiredly.

Hearing my name coming from his lips makes my heart flutter in a way that I can't explain myself and I clench my teeth, fighting the urge to slap myself. I walk towards him quickly, reaching him in a few seconds. "What were you doing in the Room of Requirement?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows, "I saw you."

"I said leave it" he begs sternly, taking two steps away, "Please, Freya, it's none of your business."

Is he really saying 'please'? Draco would never. Not when he's in his senses.

"Draco, I just want to know if..." I blurt out, staring at his exhausted face, "Are you okay?"

Draco gazes down at me, blinking a few times. He's confused, I can tell- and I am too. "Why do you care?" he queries, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. I stay silent for a few seconds, biting my lower lip.

Yeah, Freya, why do you care so much?

"I don't know, I just do," I mumble, clenching my fists and staring at my feet. "So?" I ask again, staring back into his grey hues, "I want to know if you're okay or not."

He looks around, while his breathing grows shorter, and he pulls me into the near bathroom, shutting the door with urgency. Then, he covers his face, and my heart sinks into my stomach when I see that his hands are shaking.

"Draco..." I whisper, brushing my fingers on his arm, "What happened?"

I've never seen him this way. Never.

"I'm so tired" he stammers, his voice breaking in a low sob, "I'm just so fucking tired."

"Please, Draco" I murmur, taking his wrists delicately, "Let me see your face."

He shakes his head repeatedly, tearing up in his palms, but he eventually gives in and he lets his hands fall, revealing his puffy and watery eyes. I cup his face, brushing the tears away from his rosey cheeks and caressing his skin.

I would've never thought that I was ever going to see Draco cry. And I'm not sure why, but it hurts like hell.

"Talk to me" I beg him, looking into his desperate and beautiful eyes, "What happened?"