Forever And Always | D.M

Chapter 25

Thirteen weeks and six days. That's how long it's been since Draco and I had our falling out. It feels like an eternity. Every time I see him in class, it's like a knife twisting in my chest. He always sits in the back, as far away from me as possible, and whenever I'm able to catch a glimpse of him, he always looks so sad and empty. It's a dreadful comparison to the Draco I grew to admire over the months. He was so full of life and energy, and now he's the complete opposite.

I remember the day it happened so vividly. It was the day of Professor Slughorn's Christmas party.

Flashback

"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.

End of flashback