Veiled Alliances - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

𝟕 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐰𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

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i now, happily, introduce

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐰𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

As I trailed behind Crabbe, Goyle, Draco, and Blaise, the corridors of Hogwarts seemed both familiar and strange after the summer break. We had all changed into our uniforms earlier, and I hadn't anticipated how much I had grown out of mine. My skirt was a bit short, and my white button-up was tight. Surprisingly, I didn't hate it. It gave me a sense of maturity, though Harry had insisted I go to Hogsmeade to buy new ones.

Pansy followed behind me, and she suddenly caught up, asking, "Alright?"

"Yeah," I smiled, though I sensed she was a bit upset. I wondered if it had something to do with Draco, despite the fact she said she had no feelings for him whatsoever in her letter. "You?"

"Yeah," she replied, absentmindedly kicking at the rocks.

"Hmm," I hummed.

"I'm totally okay with you and Draco," Pansy said suddenly, her eyes sad as she spoke. I glanced at her, my brows furrowing in confusion. Draco's brief glance back made me squirm, but he quickly turned his attention back to Crabbe, giving him a playful flick on the forehead.

I shook my head, laughing awkwardly. "No," I said, "Uhm, me and Draco aren't together, Pansy."

"Oh my Merlin, I said it's alright Aurelia," she huffed, "you don't have to lie."

Draco glanced back once more, briefly locking eyes with me before hastily turning away. "N-no, I'm serious," I insisted. "He's been hanging around Enzo a bit over the summer," I added with a strained chuckle. "Reckon it might've had some influence on him."

"Really?" she gleams.

"I thought you didn't like Draco," I countered, a bit annoyed now.

"Well, I don't know. He is cute," she says, giggling. Of course she found him interesting whenever she saw us all flirty. Pansy has a habit of not showing interest in something until I do, then insisting she have it because she wanted it first. It can get annoying, but she was my first real friend at Hogwarts.

"Yeah, but is that–" I began, but before I could finish my thought, Draco pivoted, his school dress shoes grinding against the pebbles.

"And what are you ladies chatting about?" Draco interjected with a smile, sidling up next to me and slipping an arm around my waist.

Pansy glanced at Draco, then at me, her gaze lingering on his hand resting casually on my waist, before finally returning her attention to me. "Nothing," she pouted, striding off toward Blaise, leaving us behind.

"Really?" I said, irritation creeping into my tone.

"Blimey, I don't know what you mean," Draco replied with an innocent smile.

"Seriously, Malfoy, you can be a real dick," I pushed him off of me.

"C'mon, I know Pansy was annoying you," Draco responded with a roll of his eyes. Suddenly, we heard cheers and laughs, and when we looked ahead, everyone was settled around the balcony that overlooked the lake. We glanced at each other and shrugged, walking over to join them.

Suddenly, we saw Thestrals pulling a carriage flying down toward Hagrid below. Draco pushed what looked like a bunch of first-years out of the way to get closer. I laughed, grabbing onto Draco's arm to steady myself as I stood on my tiptoes. Then, a figure emerged from the water – a ship. Everyone cheered and clapped, and I laughed.