Too Sweet // Draco Malfoy

25

Celeste's pov:

     It was now December and it was finally winter break. I would finally get to see my friends again. Even Draco and I talked about going up to Hogsmead one day. We never mentioned the almost kiss again, just like we never mentioned the first kiss he gave me. I was starting to think he really did hope I didn't remember it. So that's what I did, well tried to do at least. I tried my best to push it to the back of my mind. Word got around that The Golden Trio had formed some sort of club, a sort of Dumbledore army as she called it. Umbridge recruited a team to try to help catch them in the act. Draco joined along with Blaise, Crabbe, and Goyle. He said he hoped she would give him more leverage on the rules so he could see me again. So far it hasn't worked. 

     We were headed to the train back home now and it was quite chilly. Even through my coat, gloves, hat, and scarf, I was freezing. I couldn't even begin to understand how cold Tulip must have been as she was bundled in my arms wrapped in a blanket. We finally reached the train and found a booth with all of our friends. I set Tulip down on the seat and fully expected a hug from Pansy. Which she definitely delivered. She practically jumped over the table and pulled me into one of the tightest hugs I had ever felt. 

     Umbridge insisted on making the houses walk to the train in groups of two. Thankfully Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were paired together so I already got my reunion with Luna. Once Pansy pulled away from the hug I took off my coat and everything and put it in the overhead compartment. Tulip ended up climbing out of the blanket and was now cuddled up on Draco's lap. 

     "I think she likes you," I say sitting next to him.

     "You're lucky I'm a cat person. If this was a dog I would've pushed her off quicker then you could've imagined." He said. 

     "Good to see you too Draco," I said.

     "Good to see you Celeste." He said. Everyone else began having their own conversation and it was just Draco and I.

     "Do you still wan't to go to Hogsmead sometime over break?" He asked me. Does he want me to say no? Everything after the almost kiss blew my mind into shambles. It didn't help that I wasn't able to see him at school anymore.

     "If you want to..." I say. 

     "Of course, I'll try to find a day I can and I'll send you an owl once I'm home." He says petting Tulip in his lap. 

     "Okay," I say. "It seems Tulips really taking a liking to you," I add.

     "Is that her name?" He asked.

     "Yeah, named after my favorite flower. Unfortunately they're very toxic to cats so she's the only tulip I'll ever have," I say. 

     "Hmmm I didn't know that," He hums. 

     "Sadly a lot of flowers are toxic to cats," I say. 

---- Two weeks later

     Two weeks had gone by since the train ride and it was finally time to go to Hogsmead with Draco. To say I was nervous was underestimating it, I was having a mini panic attack. This was a much tamer one then I've had before but it was still more then just a little anxiety. Thankfully Ophelia had been staying with me this week so she was helping me calm down. I was panicking about what to wear, how to do my hair, if I should do makeup, everything. She helped me decide on all fronts, outfit would be casual but cute, hair would be natural, and I would do very little makeup. All though I had been bullied for many things, my skin was never one of them. Thankfully whatever god was out there blessed me with clear skin. Sure I got a few pimples here and there but they weren't bad. 

     I ended up wearing a pair of jeans and a long sleeve baby pink shirt. My makeup just consisted of mascara and lip balm and my hair, that was in much need of a cut, dropped down my back. 

     "It's time," I say taking a deep breath as I slipped my coat on. 

     "It's going to be fine I promise," Ophelia said. 

     "I love you, I'll be back soon," I say. Thankfully Ophelia had no problem staying at my house without me. She had become very close with my grandparents and they loved her just as much. 

     "Love you too girl," She said. I headed downstairs and said goodbye to my grandparents. I used some floo powder and poofed myself to Hogsmead. The plan was to meet Draco outside of Three Broomsticks and get some lunch first. His treat, he insisted. I walked towards Three Broomsticks and there Draco was. 

     "Celeste, good to see you again," He said walking closer to me. I was only outside for a few moments and I already felt my cheeks red with the bitter air. 

     "You too Draco," I say rubbing my hands together to get some warmth. He wrapped me into a hug and I hugged back. This was only our second hug, and this time I was able to hug back. Hopefully we would have a kiss like that soon.

     "Let's get you inside, I can feel you shivering," He said pulling away from the hug.

     "Yes please," I said. He held open the door for me and I stepped inside. Immediately feeling the warm air cascade over my body. Draco steps in and leads the way to a table, pulling out a chair for me. I sit down and he sits across from me. Soon a waiter comes and takes our order for us and brings us back a Butterbeer. 

     "So how has your break been so far?" He asked while we waited for our food. 

     "It's been good, Ophelia's staying with me this week so that's nice." I say.

     "Ophelia's staying with you? You left her at your house?" 

     "Yeah, but it's okay. My grandparents love her about as much as they love me. How has your break been?"

     "It's been... something." He say's hesitating for a moment. "My father's been busy with work so I've been spending a lot of time with my mother."

     "That's nice," I say. The waiter finally comes with our food and we begin eating. Once we're done eating he pays, with my disapproval of course. We head out of Three Broomsticks and head to the shops. We reach an antique shop called "The attics whisper" and step inside. We're browsing around and Draco spots something that piques his interest. I try to look but he quickly hides it behind his back. I playfully roll my eyes and continue browsing. Nothing really caught my eyes so we decided to leave. Once we got outside Draco handed me a bag. "What's that for?" I ask.

     "Just open it," He says. I open the bag and pull out a box. I slowly open it and I see a brooch, a tulip brooch. "Now you have a tulip that isn't toxic to cats." He says.

     "You remembered?" I asked admiring it.

     "Of course I did," He says with a soft smile. 

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A/N: Two chapters today since I hit 1k reads! Thank you so much! ❤️