Marriages and Malfoys

Chapter Eight

A/n: If anyone is reading this, they've realized by now that 90% of this fic is me yapping and it's all over the place-

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As the birds chirped and the harsh glare of the sun graced the windows of Malfoy Manor, Mish turned in her sleep, back pressing against Draco's bare chest. He mumbled something incoherently in his sleep, involuntarily tightening his hold on her, almost as if it was muscle memory by now, even though this had been the first night the two had let themselves openly show affection for each other.

Mish woke up with start courtesy of a dream she was already beginning to forget, and her jolting to consciousness caused Draco to stir in his sleep too, eyes eventually fluttering open. There was a brief pause as both of them took in their positions and conditions, and Draco said in a gravelly voice, "Good mornin', sunshine. Sleep well?" 

"Very." She replied, laying back down, muffling a yawn in her pillow, "'m still sleepy, though."

"We don't have to get up. We could just cuddle the entire day, or, y'know, indulge in far more interesting activities. I wouldn't be opposed to either," he proposed, pulling her back in his arms.

"That sounds nice." She managed to respond even as she felt her focus slink away, eyes falling shut.

She felt him press his lips against her forehead, and she smiled as she fell asleep again.

*

"-Get up, get up, GET UP!" Ali exclaimed, throwing a pillow at Mish's face and the latter jolted up from sleep, blinking dumbly, "Whassamatter?"

"He did it! He asked me to the ball!" She squealed, and Mish's expressions instantly brightened up. Ali wasn't one to randomly fall for a new boy every week, and ever since the beginning of Hogwarts she had only ever taken a liking to one boy and one boy only, and even then, she wasn't desperate for him. To Ali, almost everything was more important than romantic relationships, and this was the first time Mish had seen her this excited and happy because of a boy.

"Nott grew balls? Unbelievable. I reckon you're still too pretty for him, though," Mish teased her, causing Ali to roll her eyes, "Look who's talking."

Mish chuckled at the backhanded compliment, a state of calm and happiness settling over her body and mind as she observed her best friend chattering animatedly, all smiles. She'd never let Ali go.

*

Her eyes snapped open again, breathing erratic. Unlike the last few nights which she'd spent alone on her bed, she'd dreamed of pleasant things as she slept cocooned in the comforter and Draco's protective arms. But even pleasant things, or lack thereof, could make you disconcerted and upset. 

A part of her had died when her mother had, the nights in fifth year filled with utter despair a stark reminder in the back of her mind, and then Ali had helped her heal.

And now Ali was gone too.

She'd have to come to terms with the fact eventually, but for now, there was nothing stopping her from sniffling as hot tears filled her eyes. She tried to blink them away in vain, trying to focus on Draco's touch, his body next to hers instead, but it didn't work. Silent sobs wracked her body as she tried to physically distance herself from Draco, adamant on not letting her impromptu crying-her-eyes-out session wake him from his sleep. It had to be midday now, and she knew that she could sneak into the rest-room, cry her heart out, brush her teeth and freshen up and walk outside, pretending everything was okay. It was a solid plan, and she might have even hidden her outburst of emotions rather successfully if Draco hadn't turned in his sleep, arms searching for her and upon not finding her body snug against his, a drowsy voice calling out, "Oi, where're you going? C'mere, you're warm."