Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
vi. Not a kiss
DRACO'S NAME SEEMED TO FOLLOW HER EVERYWHERE, ECHOING IN EVERY CORNER OF THE CASTLE. It was as though his very presence haunted her steps, especially now that their relationship was out in the open after that explosive row in front of the entire Slytherin common room. In the heat of the moment, Eulalia hadn't considered the consequences; the thought that everyone would know hadn't even crossed her mind.
All she'd been focused on was their furious exchange, voices raised, words sharp and cutting.
Now, though, she wasn't sure how she felt about it. On one hand, she despised the idea of everyone knowing her business, of being the subject of whispers and stares. But on the other, she could almost picture her father's face, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his features at the news. Knowing him, he probably already knew. He had a way of finding things out before anyone else.
But the worst part, the part that gnawed at her insides, was the thought of Dumbledore's Army finding out. The idea of them knowing she was tangled up with Draco Malfoy—the very person siding with those they were fighting against—was unbearable. She was helping them fight against the evil that was now upon their school. The old hag dressed in pink, while Draco was... well, Draco. The thought weighed heavily on her mind as she wandered the empty corridors, her messy blonde curls bouncing with each step, her thoughts a tangled mess of fear and confusion.
Draco, Draco, Draco. It seemed like he was all she ever thought about these days. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the figure standing in front of her until she nearly walked right into them.
"Draco? Really?" a voice said, pulling her abruptly from her thoughts.
Eulalia groaned in frustration, not even bothering to look up at the speaker. "Can we please stop talking about Draco?" she snapped, her tone soft yet laced with anger. When she finally looked up, she found herself staring into Harry's calm, almost disbelieving face.
"Harry," she acknowledged, her voice much quieter now.
"Is that why you won't join us? Because you're dating Malfoy?" Harry's voice was steady, but there was a trace of something else—hurt, maybe—in his words.
Eulalia froze, the question hanging in the air between them like a dark cloud. She hadn't expected him to confront her so directly, and the reality of it hit her hard. It wasn't just about Draco; it was about everything they were fighting for, and everything she stood to lose.
