Skill and Seclusion [2] || Harry Potter x OC x Draco Malfoy

141. Manic

DISCLAIMER

I do not own Harry Potter ... but if I did there would have been more focus on the trauma all these poor kids carry

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Christmas break came to an end, and with it Bel's pure joy.

After the Yule Ball, there had been some noteworthy changes.

Firstly, Ron and Hermione were not on the best terms. Their limited interactions always ended up in intense arguments which Harry and Bel had to diffuse.

Secondly, Tia and Ginny were on the best terms. As in, might-be-dating-now sort of terms.

Thirdly, Malfoy hadn't spoken a word to her for days. Something Bel didn't think twice about, and took the time off from his cruel remarks.

Finally, Harry and Bel were on a mission.

Keeping themselves in a place where they could figure out everything going on between them without their friends all sticking their noses in it.

Initially, it was difficult.

Riley Ewans was a romance expert, and self-proclaimed detective.

She put a very focused interest on Harry and Bel's 'relationship' ever since Bel spoke to her about the Yule Ball issue.

And because Riley was invested, so was Ollie.

The boy had always been able to get secrets out of Bel like taking candy from a baby because he was such an easy person to trust and speak to.

Bel had to watch what she said about and how she acted around Harry for these reasons.

But fortunately for her, those two were the only two she had to worry about finding out anything.

Tia knew Riley and Ollie believed Harry and Bel might become more whilst fully supporting it, and thus stayed as far away from the topic as possible.

Cedric was distracted with his success with Cho after the Yule Ball, the two of them officially an item.

As for Ron and Hermione, they suspected nothing. They were too busy being mad at each other.

Which made it easy for Bel to hang around Harry as much as possible in a group setting, sitting slightly closer to him, sneaking in admiring glances, not having to worry about their closest friends calling them out for it.

But just to be sure, Harry and Bel kept their lips to themselves. The obvious giveaway.

Even when they found themselves alone, there was something that didn't feel right just yet.

Nerves and awkwardness was the explanation.

Both had been drinking at the ball, so it hadn't been an issue then.

Now they were just taking it one day at a time, waiting for the moment to feel right, enjoying each other's company just as they had always done.

Testing and proving to both that nothing would change.

When they were comfortable, they would tell the others what was happening.

But unfortunately, that time hadn't arrived before Christmas break ended.

And so, Bel had to return back to her tournament sorting, her lessons with Dumbledore, and her lessons with Professor Moody.

Speaking of the latter, after the Yule Ball, Bel found that her nightmares had stopped.