hi my loves,
this story hit 2 million reads this week! thank you so, so, so much, i am so grateful for every read, vote and comment. i love you, thank you <3
chapter thirty-four will be up around this time next week but again, check my instagram closer to the time if you would like to know the exact date :)
ok bye ily
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i s o b e l
It was already night-time when the crack of Apparition finally sounded from the driveway.
Isobel turned in her place on the couch to look at Draco, as he walked in the cold towards the house. Streetlights bounced off his light hair, the curling trees created serpentine shadows across his face.
She pulled open the front door, unable to contain her smile. "Hi."
"Hi," echoed Draco. He smiled back, but she saw the exhaustion in his eyes. "Sorry I'm so late, I couldn't get away."
"Evening, Malfoy," said Ginny, from behind her. "Am I excused, now?"
Draco gave her a short nod. "Thank you," he said curtly. "Weasley."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Did Draco Malfoy just thank me?" she asked. "Well, I never -"
Isobel bit back her smile. "Now, now."
She looked at Draco. His eyes were tired, the tip of his nose was pink from the cold. As the hours of the day had passed, she had begun to worry that something had happened. That Astoria hadn't kept her word, or worse, that Lucius had somehow found out. But Draco seemed to be alright.
"As much as I'd love to stay," said Ginny, edging past them, "I'll leave you to it." She wrapped an arm around Isobel's waist and gave her a squeeze. "Merry Christmas, you two."
"Merry Christmas, Gin," said Isobel. "Thanks for everything."
The door shut behind Ginny, and Isobel reached for Draco's hand. His fingers were ice-cold; she clasped them in hers, trying to warm him up. "You're here," she said. "Astoria didn't. . ."
"No," he said. His eyes dropped momentarily to her hands - his fingers between hers - and then they were back on her. Tired, but focused. Intent. "She hasn't done anything yet."
Isobel breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good."
"She was so angry," said Draco. "I've seen her angry before, but not like that. I was positive that she would go straight to her parents."
"Maybe she's not as untrustworthy as you think."
"Maybe." He looked away. "I don't know," he said, "how the Greengrasses will visit us for a whole day, without Astoria saying something. Our parents will discuss the wedding, and everything else, and Astoria will just have to sit there and take it. I can't see that happening."
"I trust her," said Isobel. "And I think you should try to, as well. For now, I suppose all we can do is hope."
Draco looked back at her. His brief moment of nervousness was gone, vanished from his expression and replaced by a wry, half-smile. He closed his hand around hers, and lowered their hands between them. "I suppose you're right."
Isobel's heart fluttered. She wondered if this was normal for him - if he was used to holding her hand as if it were an extension of himself, or did he feel as flustered by her touch as she did by his. Because all she could concentrate on was his skin, cool beneath her palm.
