"Shut up right now." He says, covering my mouth with his hand.
For a moment we both stare at each other, not quite sure what to do next.
My body is frozen against the wall. All I can focus on is Draco's minty breath that dances across my face.
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- FRANCESCA'S POV:
Its a little tense at breakfast. Everyone's here except for Theó who's either decided to never show his face again or simply has the worst hangover of his life. The latter is confirmed when he finally scuffles his way into the Great Hall, ignoring the stares and whispers that follow him. I grimace at the sight of a large purpely-blue coloured bruise on his left cheek.
"How did you sleep?" Theó asks casually as he takes a seat opposite me. I pause for a moment in disbelief. Is that all he has to say for himself.
"Uh... I slept fine thanks. You?" Theó grunts without looking up from his breakfast plate. He clearly wants to forget last night ever happened. I decide that I won't press it right now but if Theó thinks he can act as if it never happened, he's got another thing coming. Everyone's silent as we eat our breakfast. Cedric comes in not long after. He doesn't make eye contact with any of us. As walks to the front of the hall to meet up with his friends, I notice the prominent black and blue marks on his face and inhale deeply. Cedric defiantly came out worse off; I hadn't realised the damage Theó did until now.
"I'm heading off to Potions." Draco states as he gets up.
"I'll come too." I say. "Theó?"
"What?"
"We've got Potions- are you coming?"
"Nah. I'll see you guys in there." Theó still refuses to look me in the eye.
"Don't be late or Snape will lose his shit." I tell him before leaving with Draco. I feel a lot more comfortable with Draco now. It doesn't feel like there's pressure to be something and that gives me the chance to actually enjoy his company.
"Don't talk to him about last night unless he brings it up first. You and I both know its not Theó's proudest moment." He gives me a meaningful look.
"I promise I won't. It just seems so out of character for him. All I want is to understand why he did it."
"He was drunk, Francesca."
"He's been drunk before and nothing nearly as bad as this has happened... but I'm sure he'll tell me when he's ready." I add, clocking Draco's discomfort. "So... we're friends now." I feel a pang of embarrassment the minute those words leave my lips. Why do I always have to make things as awkward as possible?
"We are indeed." Draco smirks. I watch as he lifts his hand to his head and runs his fingers through his floppy blonde hair. The most annoying thing about Draco is that no matter how hard I try, I never seem to lose feelings for him. Sure, they fluctuate a little and they decreased significantly during the whole Cedric debacle but they're always there. I meant what I said last night though. I can't afford to be anything more than friends with Draco right now. My mind is occupied with concerns about my father and the last thing I need are the daily explosive arguments with Draco again. However, I also meant what I said about us never really being able to stay 'just friends'. Some people might say I'm creating a complicated situation for myself in which I never really have a resolution to my feelings for Draco, but I actually think its easier this way. Nothings expected of me. There aren't any responsibilities or commitments beyond being friends. That's what I need and I'm just grateful Draco agreed to it.
