Forever And Always | D.M

Chapter 19

As I made my way back to the common room, I caught a glimpse of Draco, He was tugging at his collar, making his way towards the Room of Requirements. "I'll catch up with you guys later," I quickly told Harry and Hermione, who exchanged a worried glance before nodding.

Wondering why he didn't come back to the party, I hastily removed my heels, knowing that not only would they be cumbersome and difficult to run in, but the sound of them clacking against the ground would give away my presence.

I stealthily glanced around the corner. Draco hurriedly marched forward, taking a sharp right turn, and constantly surveying his surroundings with a heightened sense of alertness. His demeanor seemed tense.

I sprinted down the hall, my eyes darting around the corner with each step, determined to catch up to Draco until he eventually stopped.

He stood at the entrance of the Room of Requirement. I hurriedly dashed over and caught the door just before it closed, ensuring there was enough space between myself and Draco.

When I thought the coast was clear, I stealthily crept in and allowed the door to close soundlessly. It was the same room I had stumbled into the first time I discovered Draco in this area.

Following my steps carefully, I navigated the room filled with junk and piles of clutter. I couldn't help but wonder what was so special about this place. I could see Draco standing ahead of me, surrounded by heaps of forgotten items.

For someone who looked so paranoid about anyone in the corridors, he looked incredibly at ease now. Perhaps, he just assumed that he was in the clear.

Draco stood before the tall, ebony cabinet, and opened it to reveal an empty interior. Suddenly, a small bird began to chirp, and Draco reached in and retrieved it. In a few moments, the chirping had stopped.

My hand flew to my mouth, trying desperately to contain the gasp that threatened to escape. Had he just killed that bird? He slowly closed the door and waited another moment.

He abruptly opened it again, and I was at a loss as to what was behind it. Draco's voice echoed throughout the room without him even having to turn around and look at me. "Have you not been taught that it is impolite to snoop around?"

"Draco-" I started as he spun around to face me, his aggressive posture leaving me rooted to the spot.

"This is the second time you've followed me in here," he hissed.

I was uncertain if I should have been fearful or not as Draco seethed with rage, his fury pouring out of every pore.

He marched towards me, tightly gripping my wrist and yanking me back towards the entrance. Once I had stepped outside, he paused for a moment, eyes shut.

His grip on me was still tight, and as we approached the doors, they changed to the familiar ones of our secret room. I looked up at him, feeling a sense of trepidation as I wondered what could be going through his mind. His expression seemed so angry and intense.

He abruptly pushed me through the doorway, and I hastily discarded my heels onto the ground, unable to hold them any longer from the constant trembling.

"Draco-"

"You don't get to talk."

Draco angrily discarded his suit jacket and tie, and I shuddered in fear as he stepped closer, his voice low as he whispered into my ear, pressing me up against the bedpost.

"Why did you follow me?" he asked.

"I've been worried about you."

He stepped away, gazing upon me intently. His silence made me anxious.

He pondered, "What will I do with you?"

"Draco, please. Let's talk about this."

"Talk?! You expect me to listen to you when you have been nothing but an insufferable, nosey, pathetic brat!?"

If it had been physically possible, I'm sure I would have taken a step back in shock at his words. Draco started to stride back and forth, running his hand across his lips as he did so.

"You ruined everything," he yelled. "I can't believe I made this mistake. They were right; everyone was right. I've been so fucking stupid."

"Draco, what are you trying to say?"

"This is the end. Please do not come near me, and do not attempt to follow me or even take a breath in my direction."

"You don't mean that," I whispered, my heart breaking into a million tiny pieces.

"Get out!"

I stepped up to Draco and firmly grasped his face in my hands. "You don't mean that," I said sternly, my voice rising. Tears began to stream down my face, and my breathing grew ever more labored.

My chin quivered slightly in anticipation of what was to come. He couldn't have meant it. Yet, memories of the warnings my friends had given me flooded my mind. How could I have been so foolish to disregard their advice? What was I thinking, acting as if I knew better?

Draco's hands shot out and encircled my wrists like he was on the verge of pushing me away, yet he seemed to hesitate.

Instead of standing, he crumpled to the floor, unleashing a torrent of emotions. I sank to the ground with him, gathering him in my arms. I tenderly ran my fingers through his hair, occasionally scratching his scalp.

When his cries subsided, he gazed up at me and pulled me close with a passionate kiss. Our tears mingled together in a disorienting, sorrowful mixture. The intensity of his kiss burned deep within me, radiating through my entire being.

He ignited my mind with thoughts I never knew existed, and as he leaned in to kiss me, his hands explored the back of my dress with eagerness.

I pulled away from Draco, breaking the kiss. My voice was heavy with sadness as I spoke. "Draco, we can't," I said, trying to suppress the tears that were welling up in my eyes. "We have to stop seeing each other."

The silence that hung between us as my words settled in felt like an eternity. I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze.

Draco mumbled softly "What? You can't mean that."

I took in a deep breath, summoning the courage to confront him with a pained expression. "Draco, what you said to me was inexcusable. And all this secrecy you keep. I'm afraid there's something you're hiding from me." I said, my voice trembling slightly.

"I...I didn't mean any of that."

"I think you did. And if you didn't, you said it just to be mean. Which is also terrible." Draco's face hung in pain and disbelief.

"But I love you," he whispered tenderly, his words piercing my chest and tightening around my heart until I felt the urge to curl into a ball.

"You wouldn't do something like that to someone you love," I said, as I reached for my heels.

"So what happens now?" he asked.

"I can't do this right now," I whispered as that sob I was so desperately trying to hold in finally comes out as I exit the room.

Making my way back to my common room, with tears streaming down my face, I can't help but feel completely shattered. Breaking up with Draco was not something I ever saw coming, and I don't know how to process my emotions. All I know is that I feel completely devastated.

Every step I take feels like a struggle, and I can't help but sob uncontrollably. My heart feels like it's been ripped out of my chest, and I don't know how to make the pain go away.

As I finally make it back to my common room, I collapse onto the couch and continue to cry. It feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders, and I don't know how to move forward.