Dare - Draco Malfoy

Chapter 29: It ends

Draco:

It is unbearable to want her so much and not be able to fully have her.

As I look at her leaving I think of all the things we could be if I weren't what I am, if things were normal. She would be mine and everyone would know. But I can't. I need to focus on my task and I cannot let her be with me.

-

Next morning at breakfast I sit alone, on the table which is already filled with students. I see Maeve with Aria, Blaise and Nott sitting a little further down. I take a look at Nott, as he's talking to Blaise. He turns as I stare at him and as a reaction he turns back to Blaise, mouths something to him and stands. Blaise follows him with his eyes.

I look back down as I sense Nott coming closer to me. I look up only when he sits right in front of me. I don't speak but he keeps staring at me.

"I need to speak to you" He states aggressively.

"What do you want?" I spit.

"Can we go somewhere?"

"We have class in ten minutes" I respond, disinterested.

"Okay so let's walk to class" He prompts.

I fucking despise him.

"Right." I push my plate away from me, grab my bag and stand. He quickly follows as I march out of the hall.

He reaches me and starts walking beside me.

"You asked me to keep her safe" He starts.

I want to punch him.

"You need to stay away from her, that was the deal" He continues, I scoff loudly.

"So now you are back here, you are just gonna forget the mess you created for her?" He's trying to provoke me, trying to get me to talk.

"You know what? I think it's a little fucked up the way you are so interested in her safety" I suddenly stop walking.

A few Gryffindor students notice my tone and the hostility between us as they walk past. I wait until they are far enough before getting a step closer to him.

"You gave me your word you'd keep her safe. But if I find out you touched her, you are done." I can feel the heat rising.

My lips is twitching from rage.

He looks back at me defiantly and starts walking away from me. I grab his arm and push him back violently.

"Get the fuck off me" He spits back.

"You touch her Nott, you are dead. Clear?"

My tone is quiet but threatening.

"Clear?" I repeat through clenched teeth, when he doesn't respond.

"I saw her leave your room last night. You know? You are not as clever as you think. You are gonna end up killing her" He finally says.

How did he see us? Suddenly I realise how obvious it must be from the outside. If Nott noticed something is up, anyone can.

"You saw nothing"

"Oh really? Just let me tell you this one thing." He gets closer now, I can see he's livid with anger.

"If anyone finds out - if anything happens to her, it will all be your fault and I won't hesitate to call you out to whomever comes asking questions" With that he leaves, bumping on my shoulder, trotting away.

I glare at him. I know he's right and that infuriates me.

I did drag her into too much already. If something did happen to her it would be my fault.

Maeve:

As the end of class approaches I start getting a sense of adrenaline. I hurry out of the classroom after having packed my things. As the corridors fill up I turn to the left. My blood is rushing walking down the corridors. I slow down to take deep breaths.

I reach the door and enter slowly, making sure no one is around.

I wait.

I wait.

I wait but he doesn't come. It has been fifteen minutes now. He's never late.

I don't want to listen to my head, telling me he's not coming. Maybe something happened. Something is keeping him. I wait longer. I know he wouldn't leave me here.

I leave the classroom after a half an hour. My guts wrenching.

Back in the common room I see him sitting alone at a table at the end of the room. I scan the surroundings. Almost everyone is leaving for dinner. He sees me walk in, I shoot him an angry glare, but look away. I walk to the fire, waiting for some more people to leave, making sure he doesn't move. I need to speak to him and get him to talk.

Before the commons empty completely, I see him standing up and walking towards the main door. I step in front of him, blocking his way. I can't care less of who can see us.

"Stop" he mutters.

His eyes widen in shock.

"You can't keep doing this" I say flatly.

"Move" He hisses back, trying not to be heard by anyone.

He's seems horrified by what I am doing. He walks away from me, towards the common room door, I follow him. I struggle to keep up with his pace, down the dark corridor, passing a few students on the way. When it clears he halts and I stumble behind him. He turns to look at me.

"This can't be happening anymore" He keeps a distance between us.

"It's too dangerous now. We need to stop it. I'm sorry" His face is serious, not regretful, not angry. Just seriousness.

He's hiding his emotions like he did many times before.

"Draco" I'm not really sure what's going on and I can't find any other words.

"No! Maeve. It ends, now" He inhales. 

I watch him walking away, towards the great hall, leaving me alone, without a backward glance.

I stand for a good minute before a group of students make their way around the corner towards me. I recollect myself and turn back to the common room.

My throat is getting tighter. I struggle to breathe. I run back to the dorms fighting against the rest of the students walking in the opposite direction.

I enter my room, glad to find it empty. I run to my bed and clench my fists onto the blankets, focusing on my breathing, as it's getting trapped in my throat. I can't feel my hands anymore, they are tingling and my legs are getting weaker. Draco's words hit me like a hot knife but I knew something changed ever since the ball, ever since we were both marked. Things are different now. I knew it would happen. It all changes.