Too Sweet // Draco Malfoy

30

Celeste's pov:

     Two months had gone by and I hadn't spoken to Draco. Now it was December and I was getting ready for Slughorn's Christmas dinner. Where I would have to see Blaise, another Deatheater. He knew I knew, of course he did. Pansy and him were no longer fighting. Now she was more concerned on making sure the dark magic didn't change him for the worse. She explained to me what had happen to her uncle.I felt bad that I couldn't do the same for Draco, but I needed to collect my thoughts.  She found out the same day I did. She wanted to run and tell me but I told her that might have made it worse. She understood why I wasn't talking to Draco yet. I felt bad, he had seemed more out of it ever since that night. He never payed attention in class anymore. He had gotten skinner, skipping most meals. He had gotten paler, if that was even possible. His skin went from a beautiful porcelain white to now seemingly see trough. Part of me wanted to talk to him again, let him explain like he wanted to. 

     As far as Ophelia and Luna knew he had never shown to the pond last night. Once I had finally finished my hair and makeup it was time to slip into my dress. The dress code for this dinner was much nicer then the rest of them had been. I slipped on my white dress and realized I has lost weight to recently. Only a month ago I had bought this dress and it fit perfectly. Now Ophelia had to retie both of the bows so it suited my frame better. I slipped on a pair of short heels, said my goodbyes, grabbed a shawl, and headed to the dinner. I arrived and the first face I saw was Blaise. He sent me a soft smile and I sent one back. The room was crowded with people old and young. I figured these were Slughorn's friends and old members of the club. 

     I found a seat and placed my shawl down when Neville approached me with a drink tray. He never made it past the first dinner. "Drink?" He asked. 

     "Do you know what it is?" I asked politely. 

     "It's champagne, well alcohol free at least," He said. 

     "I'll take one, thank you Neville." I say grabbing a glass from the tray. 

     "Alright then, you're welcome." He said before walking away. Shame it didn't have alcohol in it, felt like I would need it if I had to see Blaise's face all night. I took a sip and set the glass down on the table. I headed behind one of the many curtains Slughorn had set up to take a breath. I had just gotten here and it already seemed like too much. That's when Hermione came through the curtain as well. 

     "Celeste," She said breathlessly. 

     "Hermione," I respond. This was awkward, she still hasn't spoken to me since she yelled at me two years ago. 

     "Are you alright?" She asked. Didn't expect that. 

     "Yeah... I just miss Cedric a lot more around the Holidays." I said. That seemed to be my excuse this whole month as to why I had been so quiet. Before I could ask her the same question Harry came through the curtain. 

     "Hermione, What are you doing? And what happened to you?" He asked, then he noticed me. "Oh Celeste, hi." 

     I smiled at him as Hermione spoke. "I've just escaped. I mean I left Cormac under the mistletoe," Cormac? Cormac McLaggen? God he was an utter git. 

     "I'll leave you guys to it," I say before stepping back into the party. I sat back down in my chair and watched as the others mingled around. Snape has entered to room when I was behind the curtain. Then he headed towards the curtain and was talking to Harry. A few moments had passed and the door was ripped open. I heard a voice speaking, of course. 

     "Take your hands off me you filthy Squib!" Draco said as Filch dragged him into the room. Draco's eyes immediately landed on mine once they reached the center of the room.

     "Professor Slughorn, sir. I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party." Filch says. 

     "Okay, okay. I was gatecrashing, happy?" Draco said. 

     Snape approached them fast. One minute he was behind me with Harry and the next he was up front next to Draco. "I'll escort him out." He said slowly. I had a feeling Snape knew about his dark mark. Now although my brain told me not to, I had to follow them. 

     "Certainly, professor." Draco said. The exited the room and while everyone was distracted getting back to their conversations I grabbed my shawl and left after them. I followed them through the dark and empty corridors. "Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" Draco said as Snape ushered him through the halls quickly. Katie Bell? I heard about that incident. Snape pushed him against the wall. 

     "I swore to protect you, I made the unbreakable vow." Snape said. The unbreakable vow? God this was serious. 

     "Well, I don't need protection. I was chosen for this." Draco says. Chosen? Chosen for what? To be a Deatheater? "Out of all others. Me. And I won't fail him."

     "You're afraid, Draco. You attempt to conceal it but it's obvious. Let me assist you."

     "No! I was chosen. This is my moment." They started walking again. Now I wouldn't be able to follow. The corridor they turned down was to open, they would catch me in a heartbeat. Instead of going back to Slughorn's I just headed back to my dorm. I was shivering in the cool winter air but thankfully my common room wasn't far from here. I racked my brain trying to figure out what they were talking about. Snape knew, that's the one conclusion I had come to. I stepped into my room and saw Luna and Ophelia sitting on the floor practicing some spells. 

     "You're back early," Ophelia said. 

     "Yeah, I wasn't feeling well." I said slipping my shoes off. Thankfully I had convinced them enough over the past two months to not ask many questions. I was sad about not talking to Draco anymore, which was sort of the truth, and sad about Cedric. That's what they thought. 

     "Do you want some food? I stole some granola bars from the dining hall at dinner." She asked standing up. 

     My stomach answered for me, "Yes please, Luna could you untie these bows?" I asked referring to my dress. She nodded and stood up and headed over to me. "Once I'll eat this I'll probably go shower," I said.