The Stranger (Dramione)

18 - Butterflies in the Broom Cupboard

Enola curled up in the common room, taking her usual spot on her favourite chair. It was always free these days as the rest of the Slytherins didn't dare sit there for fear of Crabbe and Goyle. Enola had to admit, she wasn't exactly complaining about it; there was nothing better than curling up by the fire with a book. It was even better without the others. No Pansy to leer at her, no Blaise trying to catch her attention, no Draco bringing the mood down, and no Crabbe and Goyle... what did those two even do? Gawp? Just as she began to get into a particularly juicy chapter about vampires, she caught sight of platinum hair in the corner of her eye. She tried to pretend she hadn't seen. Things had been awkward lately. In fact, it was ever since she'd leaned into him on the sofa. She was starting to regret it.

Draco flopped into a seat by the fire, saying nothing to Enola. They ignored each other's presence until the awkwardness of it became unbearable. They looked up at the same time.

"Hi, Noley." He said.

"Hi." She smiled at him, surprised by the warmth on his face. It was like a weight had been lifted from him. "That's better than Aloney."

He smirked. "Well, I can't call you that anymore, can I, Miss Popular?"

She rolled her eyes. "Nope, I'm the famous amnesiac."

"Sorry, Potter. You are famous. Let me just grab my autograph book." He teased.

"For a small fee." Enola said.

"Thought we were friends."

The sentence made her blush, and she buried herself back in her book, feeling unsettled. He was quite handsome in the absence of his usual sneer. Pansy was probably right. He would look pretty hot in his quidditch robes. She shook the thought immediately, feeling angry with herself.

"You don't need to be so shy. It was you that made a move on me." Draco said with a cheeky grin.

"I did not!" She said hotly. "If that's how it's perceived, I won't do it again."

"I'm joking." He said. "But you have been funny ever since."

"No, you have. You wouldn't even make eye contact this morning."

He scoffed. "That's bull- shh, I can hear Pansy."

"I wasn't-"

"Shut up." He hissed. "Oh, I can't be bothered with her tonight."

"I can't be bothered with her any night." Enola muttered to herself.

Draco's face perked up in amusement, and suddenly a funny look came across his face.

"Hide." He said urgently.

"What?" Enola giggled.

He stood quickly and grabbed her hand, pulling her across the room with lightning speed.

"Hide." He repeated.

They ran for the broom cupboard and clambered in, sniggering.

"I told her I didn't want to hook up anymore." He whispered in explanation.

"Why?" Her heart began to beat fast in her chest.

"I can't have any distractions. I need to focus."

"Sounds sensible." Enola managed, feeling giddy.

They were squished against each other, and the proximity made her body tense.

"...She hasn't taken it well. She thinks it's your fault."

"What? Why?" She asked. She was curious but not too surprised; of course Pansy would find a way to make it her fault.

"Something about ever since you came along, me being no fun."

"Ha!" Enola laughed. "And what did you say?"

"Shhh. That I had more important matters to attend to and didn't want to talk."

"Oh, no wonder she's mad." Enola allowed herself a smile. "But I love how it's my fault again."

"It's not your fault." He said, a little too firmly.

"I know." Enola said, hating the feeling that she might want it to be.

"This is what she doesn't understand. You're just so good. So pure. You never have a bad intention."

"You didn't say that to her?" Enola asked, horrified.

"I did, and I'm not stupid, Enola." He could see the shock on her face through the dim light of the door crack. "It's not what she wanted to hear, but I meant it. I'm surrounded by so much bad. I like your good... I want to take it from you."

"Then that would make me bad." Enola joked, nervously trying to make light of what had become a heavy conversation.

"Well..." He said suggestively.

"Draco!" She protested.

"Shhh." He whispered, smirking.

Suddenly the space between them felt far too small. Draco's nose was practically touching hers. Her stomach swam with butterflies instantly as their breath began to intertwine. Gradually, the gap between them got smaller and smaller, an unspoken question lingering in the air, until their lips met and they kissed with painfully delicious slowness.

They'd awakened something inside them both, and once they started to kiss, it was almost impossible to stop. The closeness to another person was too addictive. Thought escaped them as his hand fisted in her hair, and the kiss grew deeper and more desperate. His body pressed against hers, stirring a new feeling in Enola. A want. After an eternity, they broke apart.

"Sorry." Draco said. "I don't know why I did that."

"No." Enola heard herself say. "I want this."

"You do?" Draco asked, slightly taken aback.

"Yes." Enola breathed. "Hogwarts is lonely. Yesterday was nice."

"Just now was even better." He eased himself away from her slowly. "Let's just keep this between me and you, okay?"

"Fine by me." She said. "But erm, how are we going to get out of here and keep this a secret?"

"Fuck." He began to shake with laughter, desperately trying to stay silent.

Enola let a rush of air out of her nose, setting him off. They clapped their hands to their mouths, smacking each other to be quiet. Finally, Draco got a hold of himself.

"Looks like we've got a long night."