Falling for the Facade (Draco Malfoy Fan fiction)

Chapter 18

After Transfiguration, my ring burned, a searing reminder that Draco would want to meet. Panic flared in my chest as I dashed through the corridors, weaving between clusters of students. I couldn't upset him again—not after last time.

When I reached the common room, he was already there, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his expression dark. His eyes flicked to the ring on my finger, and a cold smirk twisted his lips.

"Wow, you actually put it on after my fit the other day. Pathetic," he spat, the words dripping with disdain. HIs eyes scanned me up and down as if trying to see through me.

There was no winning with Draco. It was as if every move I made was a mistake in his eyes, every word a misstep. Not knowing what to say, I swallowed hard and followed him out of the common room, my heart pounding in my ears. He moved quickly, his cloak billowing behind him, his steps purposeful. I struggled to keep up, stumbling over the rough ground as we veered into the Forbidden Forest.

The thick canopy above cast deep shadows, and the air grew colder the further we went. The forest was eerily silent, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath our feet. Draco finally stopped, dropping his books to the ground with a thud.

"You've conjured a Patronus, right?" he asked abruptly, his voice sharp.

"Yes, a couple of times," I replied, dropping my own books and stepping closer to him. "Why do you want to know?" I could see the tension in his posture, the way his shoulders were hunched, his hands clenched into fists. He hadn't even bothered to look at me.

"Seems like it would be a good skill to have," he muttered, finally turning to face me. His eyes widened slightly as he realized how close I was, just inches away. "And with Lupin gone, I'm not too sure who to ask."

I could feel the weight of his words, the unspoken fear behind them. Draco was always so guarded, so unwilling to show vulnerability. But here, in the dark of the forest, with shadows dancing around us, I saw a flicker of something else—a quiet desperation.

"Okay," I said softly, choosing my words carefully. "The incantation is 'Expecto Patronum,' but it's not just about saying the words. You need a strong, happy memory."

He frowned, staring down at his wand as if it were a puzzle he couldn't solve. "What memory do you use?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The question caught me off guard. I had never expected Draco Malfoy to be interested in my happiest memory. But there was a strange sincerity in his voice, a yearning for something more than the darkness that seemed to envelop him.

"You want to hear about my happiest memory?" I asked, feeling a little hesitant. Sharing something so personal with Draco felt like exposing a part of myself I wasn't sure I wanted him to see. But he was asking for help, and that was rare. So, I took a deep breath and began. "It's from when I was ten. My father surprised me with my very first broomstick. I remember feeling so excited, like my heart was going to burst. He helped me get on it, and we flew together. I was nervous at first, but his laughter and encouragement made me feel safe. We soared above the trees, the wind in my hair, and I felt completely free. It was just pure joy and love, knowing I had him by my side. That's the memory I always think of."

I braced myself for the usual sneer or sarcastic remark, but it never came. Instead, Draco's expression softened, his eyes distant as if he was trying to picture it. He turned his attention back to his wand, his face tightening with determination.

"Expecto Patronum," he said softly, almost a whisper to himself. Nothing happened, which was common I have never seen someone conjure a Patronus not their first try. Draco tried non stop for the next five minutes, with quick breaks in between each try. I leaned against a tree assuming we were going to be here a while. He began trying again, you could see him searching for a new memory every time he had failed, it was beginning to become hard to watch. His wand would light but nothing more. I felt bad for him,.

He began to pace, his frustration growing with each step. His knuckles were white as he gripped his wand tightly, his brow furrowed in concentration. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his face was etched with a mix of anger and desperation.

"Expecto Patronum!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the trees, but nothing happened. He tried again, his voice breaking, "Expecto Patronum!" The forest remained still, the air heavy with his failure.

I could see the despair in his eyes as he sank to his knees, the weight of his defeat crashing down on him. He buried his face in his hands, his body trembling. The memories that should have fueled his Patronus were elusive, buried beneath layers of pain and conflict.

"Draco," I said gently, my heart aching for him. I knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He flinched at the contact, but didn't pull away. Slowly, he looked up, his face streaked with frustration.

"I... I can't do it," he muttered, his voice barely audible. My face confused and hurt for him while I looked down at him worried. "I have no happy memories. It's all gone." He turned his head into me, he couldn't bear even looking at me.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say. I had never seen Draco like this, so vulnerable, so broken. It was as if all the walls he had built around himself were crumbling, and I was seeing the real Draco for the first time. Gently, I pulled him into a closer embrace, wrapping my arms around him in a comforting hold. I stared off into the woods glancing between trees, you knew he didn't want to be watched. He stiffened at first, as if the idea of comfort was foreign to him, but then he melted into me, his body shaking while he tried to catch his breath.

"It's okay," I whispered, my voice steady and soothing. I didnt know if that was the right thing to say or even if Draco appreciated my being there, but it felt weird to sit in silence in that moment.

His breathing calmed, finding a small measure of solace in my presence. We stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in each other's presence as the forest around us grew quieter, the shadows lengthening with the setting sun. The world seemed to hold its breath, and in that moment, it was just the two of us in the darkness.

"Draco?" I whispered softly, placing my hand on his head to get his attention, feeling the tension in his body contract again. He twitched slightly, as if waking from a dream, and slowly pulled away. His eyes were red, his face pale, but there was a glimmer of something new in his gaze—a fragile spark of worry. For the first time he seemed nervous that I had seen.

He stood up, took a deep breath scanning his surroundings and offering his hand to help me to my feet. I took it, surprised by the gentleness of his touch. I hoisted myself up and looked at our hands. For a moment, he didn't let go, his eyes searching mine as if looking for reassurance. Then, slowly, he released my hand and turned to gather our books. I straightened my skirt and pulled my vest back into position. He put my bag on his shoulder and made his way back to school without a sound. I followed his lead. A notable space between us the entire way. No words were spoken jus the sounds of our feet on the ground accompanied us.

The weight of what had happened hanging heavy between us. When we reached the entrance, he handed me my bag and hesitated, his shoulders were tense. He looked at me as if he was searching for a perfect string of words to thank me. He never found them, one side of his mouth twitched up in a forced half smile and he turned away.

I stood there for a moment, staring after him, my heart a mix of emotions I couldn't quite name. Then, slowly, I made my way back to my dorm room, my mind spinning with everything that had happened.

When I opened the door, I was met with a sight that made me stop in my tracks. Cedric and Sienna were practically naked on the floor, their clothes scattered around them. I spun around, holding my books to my face. "Oh my gosh!" I exclaimed, feeling my cheeks flush.