Fatal Attraction | D.M. (Soft Rewrite)

Chapter Forty-Three - Confession

Ophelia hurried to the Gryffindor table, where almost every spot was occupied. Its benches bursting at the seams - struggling to contain the excitable energy driving every conversation.

Her nostrils met a whirlwind of scents, from coffee brewing to freshly baked sourdough, as she got closer to a familiar red-head. Yet none of this made her feel nauseous. Not the loud noise or the assault on her sluggish senses.

While her body felt weak, her mind felt stronger than usual. And she knew it was thanks to him.

After a good night, there was no excuse to miss breakfast. No sickness or sadness was stopping her from feeling her best.

Which is why I finally have the guts to tell them the truth... I can plan something for this evening, then confess that I have a boyfriend, who just so happens to be Draco Malfoy.

Easy...right?

'What's the good news?' Ophelia asked to make her presence known, as Ron spun round, smiling through a closed mouthful of breakfast.

But his chance to answer was snatched away, before he could even swallow, 'they're making predictions for the match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw,' Hermione spoke plainly, like she didn't understand the fuss. 'The date hasn't been confirmed but I suspect McGonagall will choose next week, after Halloween.'

'Exciting,' Ophelia replied, trying her best to sound interested for Ron's sake - since he was the only one who remotely cared about the leaderboard. Although maybe now that I'm officially 'with,' Draco - I should take more of an interest? Especially after the mess I made following the last match...

Ophelia still hadn't forgiven herself for that blunder.

Neither of us were sure about our feelings - or what we wanted... And after a week of teasing him from a distance and seeing him flirt with that girl - it was all too much to handle... I couldn't do anything but act on impulse and hope for the best. However, I was foolish to think he'd rather drown his sorrows with the team... I should have been there for him.

A lump snagged in her throat over the idea of telling Ron and Ginny the truth. Confessing to them was her priority. Apart from Fleur - their opinions mattered the most. But she had to remind herself - they don't know him like I do. Not the man he is to me and the person he's learning to be for others. So she swallowed these thoughts and feelings back with memories of how important he was and how good he made her feel.

Awkwardly switching her weight between the balls of her feet, while fiddling with her necklace. She slid the chain through the pendant, until the clasp fell at the nape of her neck again. Composing herself enough to ask Hermione, 'how's the plan for Friday coming along?'

'Dreadful!' Hermione blurted out - her cutlery dropping back to the table with a slight clatter. The look on her face told Ophelia that she'd been waiting for someone to ask - an opportunity to complain. 'I have never had to deal with such incompetence!' Her voice rose in volume, while her complexion blushed to a deep magenta, 'the band double booked and it's impossible to think of a new way to decorate the space. I don't want to just copy every previous year and their floating pumpkins - I really want to leave my mark as head girl-'

'-Don't worry,' Ron interrupted Hermione's tirade by gently massaging her shoulders, 'there's no shame in following tradition - nobody cares about the decor, it's all about the after-party.'

Ophelia noticeably winced - hearing Ron's terrible attempt to unload some pressure from Hermione, while undermining all her hard-work. His tone was intended to sound light-hearted but came across unfeeling.