The Purest Kind of Magic

- fifty seven -

"No, I refuse, just don't." I said firmly.

Draco sighed once again, "It's just a dress, Y/n. Plus, you'll need it for the Christmas Ball."

I crossed my arms, giving him a stubborn look. "I don't care if it's for the Christmas Ball or the grandest event in the wizarding world. It's way too expensive, I can't accept something so grand."

Draco rolled his eyes, "Please, just take it. Just look at it as a present from me, okay?"

I took another glance at the emerald-green dress that was laid out on the bed. It was undeniably stunning, with intricate lacework and delicate embroidery. The fabric shimmered in the soft light.

Draco's gaze was fixed on me, a mixture of impatience and hope in his eyes.

I sighed, my arms slowly uncrossing as I walked over to the dress. My fingers traced the intricate patterns on the fabric, feeling the softness beneath my touch.

It was clear that Draco had put a lot of thought into choosing something that matched my style while still being grand enough for the occasion.

"I'm not sure I can pull this off," I admitted, my voice soft as I continued to examine the dress.

Draco stepped closer, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "Y/n, you're incredibly beautiful, and this dress is just an extension of that beauty. Trust me, you'll shine in it."

I looked up at him, my stubbornness slowly giving way. "Okay," I finally said with a small smile. "I'll try it on."

Draco's face lit up with a triumphant grin, and he stepped back, giving me space to change. As I slipped into the dress, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

When I walked over to stand in front of Draco, his eyes widened in awe. He looked at me as if I was the most enchanting thing he had ever seen. "Wow," he breathed out, his voice tinged with admiration.

I blushed under his gaze, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Is it really okay? I mean, it's a bit much..."

Draco shook his head, his gray eyes fixed on mine. "No, Y/n, you look breathtaking. I knew you'd be stunning, but you've exceeded every expectation."

My cheeks flushed even more at his compliments, "Thank you, Draco."

He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "Just promise me you'll wear it to the ball."

"I'll think about it," I said as I looked down at the beautiful dress.

Draco's eyebrows furrowed in mock disbelief. "You'll think about it? After all this?"

I chuckled at his playful tone, feeling more at ease. "Okay, okay, I promise. I'll wear it to the ball."

He grinned, satisfied with my answer, and took a step back to admire the dress once again. "Good, because I can already picture how amazing you'll look on that night."

--

The pain in my Dark Mark was intense, like a searing fire that clawed at my skin. I glanced around the room, my heart racing as I tried to get my bearings. The memories of the encounter with Voldemort and the day I was marked came flooding back to me.

The room was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting eerie shadows across the furniture.

I could feel the perspiration on my forehead, my breath coming in short gasps. It was as if the Mark was a direct line to something darker, something I couldn't quite comprehend.

As the pain began to subside, I glanced over to the other side of the bed. Draco was still sound asleep, I smiled to myself as I reached for his hair.

I ran my fingers through Draco's hair, finding comfort in the sensation as the last remnants of the pain ebbed away. His features relaxed in his sleep, and I couldn't help but marvel at how peaceful he looked.

I lay back down sideways, facing Draco as he continued to sleep peacefully. The soft moonlight highlighted his features, casting gentle shadows on his face.

It was moments like these that I cherished the most—when the weight of the world seemed to momentarily lift, and all that mattered was the person beside me.

As I watched him, my thoughts wandered back to our journey together. From when I practically used to hate him to everything that happened in between and to now.

I gazed at Draco's sleeping form, thinking about the future that lay ahead. The looming threat of Voldemort and his Death Eaters hung over us, casting a shadow that we couldn't escape.

Draco stirred in his sleep, his lips curving into a faint smile as if he sensed my thoughts. His hand reached out and found mine, his fingers intertwining with mine sheepishly.

I smiled at the warmth of his touch and leaned in to give him a gentle kiss on his cheek. His eyes slightly opened as he smiled.

"Taking advantage, are you?" He mumbled, still half asleep as his eyes closed again.

I ruffled his hair, "Maybe just a little."

Draco smiled as he fell asleep once again. I continued to watch him for a while, my fingers still entwined with his.

I looked out the window. What if Voldemort's nearby now? Is that why the Mark started hurting so much?

I gently disentangled my fingers from Draco's and quietly got out of bed, careful not to wake him. I moved to the window and peered out into the night, my heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation.

The moon cast a pale glow over the landscape, illuminating the grounds of the estate. Everything looked so calm and peaceful.

But I have a bad feeling about this.

Why does the Mark hurt? Why now? I couldn't have possibly shown any defiance in my sleep. Is He mad about something or is he nearby?

As I stood by the window, my mind raced with questions and uncertainty. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something bigger was happening, something that demanded my attention and action.

My eyes scanned the grounds, searching for any signs of movement or disturbance. There was none, everything was in place and very peaceful.

With a deep breath, I turned away from the window and slipped back into Draco's embrace on the bed.