𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐝𝐞 || 𝐃.𝐌

Chapter 18 - Detention

*One month later*

Draco's POV:

It had been a rough month. Every day I looked in the mirror and saw the same thing, those scars, those damn reminders of what I'd been through... what I'd done. Some days it felt like I was barely holding myself together. But she was still here. Ivory. Still by my side, even when I wasn't sure I deserved it. And that made the guilt worse.

I hadn't asked her about her summer. I didn't know how she was doing, not really. I'd been so wrapped up in my own mess that I forgot to be the boyfriend she needed. I hated it. I hated how distant I'd become. It wasn't her fault, not even close. She'd been patient. Kind. But I could feel the distance growing, and if I didn't do something, I was going to lose her.

Tonight, she didn't come to my dorm. She stayed in hers. It was enough to make my chest tighten.
I went to her door, taking a breath to settle the nerves I didn't want to admit I had. I knocked gently. "Darling, it's me." I called.

No answer

"Princess," I tried again, this time with a smirk in my voice, "open the door now, or there will be consequences."

Still nothing. A little uneasy now, I pulled out my wand. "Alohomora." The lock clicked, and the door creaked open. And there she was, sitting at her vanity like nothing was wrong, carefully putting on mascara, completely ignoring me.

"I thought you left without me," I said, stepping in. "Why didn't you answer?"

She didn't even look up. The silence hit harder than I thought it would. I walked over, leaned down, and kissed the top of her head, softly, again and again. Something to remind her I was still here.

"Draco, not now. Can't you see I'm busy?" she muttered, still not looking at me.

"You're not ready yet?"

"Shut up. I can't concentrate like this."

I blinked. That wasn't like her. "I see, darling." I said, trying to play along. I reached out and gently stole the mascara from her hand.

"Draco! No!" she groaned, standing up immediately.

I held it above my head, and she tried to grab it, standing on her toes, reaching. She looked so damn cute when she was frustrated, and I couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips. "Next time you ignore me, there will be consequences."

"You're such a tease!" she huffed, eyes narrowed, cheeks a little pink.

"You're so cute when you're mad." I teased.

She tried to hide it, but I caught the small laugh that slipped out. "Give it back, Draco."

I handed it over, brushing my fingers along her waist as I did. She gave me that mischievous little smile that drove me crazy, then pushed me toward the door. "Go, Draco. I don't have time for this."

And just like that, the door shut in my face.
"I'm sorry, darling." I said through the door, quieter this time.

"Go away, Draco." came her voice from the other side.

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "Feisty one, I'm telling you."

But behind the laugh... yeah. I knew I had more to make up for than a few missed questions or late-night kisses. I had to be better for her. For us.

Ivory's POV:

Our relationship had changed. Or maybe I had.
Something in me had shifted over the summer, something I couldn't put into words, not even for Draco. Especially not for him. He didn't know anything about what had happened while we were apart, and honestly, I didn't plan on telling him. Some things were better left buried.