Falling for the Facade (Draco Malfoy Fan fiction)

Chapter 19

They both burst into laughter, scrambling to get dressed. Cedric, still grinning, didn't leave the room. Instead, he sat on our love seat in the corner by the bookcase, looking completely unfazed. He sloppily put his hoodie on.

"Sorry about that," Sienna said, not sounding sorry at all. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day—you look like hell." She said as she put the closest shirt she could find on.

Her bluntness caught me off guard, as usual. I admired her honesty, but right now, I wasn't in the mood for it. I walked to the dresser and saw Draco's hoodie, the fabric soft and worn. I debated putting it on but decided against it. I had already spent too much of my day thinking about him.

"Draco and I have been working on our project," I said, trying to keep my voice even. My eyes not leaving the dresser drawer, I knew Sienna could tell I was lying if she could see me.

Sienna made a noise, not pushing for more details, and made her way over to Cedric. She sat on his lap, her fingers intertwining with his. He accepted her seat of choice with open arms.

"I imagine Draco is an insufferable person to be paired with," Cedric said with a sly chuckle.

"He's not that bad," I replied, my voice soft. I didn't want to get into it, didn't want to explain the complicated mess of emotions that swirled inside me whenever I thought about Draco. It wasn't something I could easily put into words.

Cedric seemed to sense my discomfort and changed the subject. He lifted Sienna off his lap, kissing her passionately. "See you tomorrow, right?" he murmured, his fingers still intertwined with hers.

"Of course," she replied, smiling against his lips.

As Cedric left, Sienna fell back onto her bed with a dreamy sigh. "Cedric's something, don't you think?"

I turned to her, forcing a smile. "He really is," I said softly. "You're really happy, aren't you?"

She rolled over to face me, her eyes sparkling. "Yeah, I am. He makes me feel... safe. Like I can just be myself, you know?"

"Yeah, I get that." I thought back to the forest and how, even in the midst of Draco's breakdown, there was a strange, comforting closeness between us. I debated telling Sienna everything that had happened—the fight, the ring, the Patronus, and especially Draco's breakdown—but decided against it. It felt too private, too fragile to share. Instead, I snuggled into my bed, taking off the ring and placing it on the nightstand. I would remember it tomorrow, even if he was going to be playing a Quidditch match. But for now, I needed sleep, and maybe a dreamless night.

. . .

Up early like every other match day, Sienna and I dressed in green and silver to support our house. Cedric had come by to join us and witness the pre-game antics. I walked over to my nightstand, slipping on Draos ring. To keep it hidden, I grabbed a handful of Sienna's jewelry and scattered them across my fingers, blending the ring into the chaos. She was adjusting her scarf when she noticed, rushing over to add a green bow to my hair as a final touch. I swatted her away, feeling like it wasn't necessary, but she insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she placed it in my hair. I was now wearing a black skirt with black pants-hoes an oversized green hoodie and a bow placed in my hair. I grabbed my bag, all my rings jangling against the chain my purse had.

The common room was already a sea of green and silver, buzzing with excitement. Sienna, ever the strategist, positioned us where the team would have to pass. The players emerged in their sleek uniforms, ready for battle. Draco was at the back of the group, his expression focused and serious. He didn't look up at me, but his eyes briefly flickered to my rings, and a quick smile tugged at his lips before he turned his attention back to the match. It was a small, almost imperceptible gesture.

. . .

We hurried to the Slytherin box, dragging Cedric along with us, and managed to get decent seats. As we settled in, Sienna nudged me and pointed across the field. There stood Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father, his gray eyes cold and calculating as they scanned the field. Even from a distance, his imposing presence was undeniable, a man who seemed to command respect and fear in equal measure. His hands were clasped behind his back, his stance rigid, and his gaze sharp, missing nothing.

Beside him was Narcissa Malfoy, her posture elegant and poised despite the commotion around her. Her platinum blonde hair cascaded like spun silver in the sunlight, it was accented with her dark black hair that lay on top of the silver layer, she was a sight of poise and beauty, and her tailored emerald green robes, accented with delicate silver embroidery, exuded wealth and grace. Her blue eyes were focused intently on the field, but they softened whenever they landed on Draco. Even from afar, the protective concern in her gaze was evident, a mother watching her son with a mixture of pride and worry.

The Quidditch match had reached its thrilling finale. The stadium was alive with energy, the stands packed with enthusiastic spectators. Every glance at the pitch felt like a moment suspended in time. The game had been a fierce contest, with both teams giving their all, but now it was down to the final, most crucial moment.

My eyes were locked on the pitch, my heart pounding in my chest. The players zoomed past in a blur of color, their brooms cutting through the air with incredible speed. The Snitch, a tiny, elusive golden ball, darted about unpredictably, weaving through the players and narrowly escaping capture.

Then, as if by some stroke of fate, Draco Malfoy appeared on the scene. His sleek, dark robes fluttered behind him as he expertly maneuvered his broom through the chaos. I watched, breathless, as he darted in and out of the players' paths with a grace and precision that was almost mesmerizing. His eyes were fixed on the Snitch, every movement calculated and decisive.

And then, in a heartbeat, it happened. Draco's hand shot out, and with a triumphant flick of his wrist, he seized the Snitch. The tiny golden ball struggled for a moment before settling into his grip. The crowd erupted into an uproar, a wave of sound and excitement crashing over us. I realized I had been holding my breath, the tension of the moment leaving me almost light-headed.

The jubilation around me was overwhelming. Cheers and applause filled the air, and I found myself caught up in the euphoria of the victory. Yet, as the crowd's cheers crescendoed, I couldn't ignore the undercurrent of my own emotions. My relief was palpable, not just for the house's triumph, but for Draco's safety. The match had been intense, and seeing him come through it unscathed was a huge relief.

Sienna, who had been sitting beside me, noticed my distraction. Her eyes, usually so focused on the game, softened with understanding as she glanced at me. Without a word, she reached over and pulled me into a quick, heartfelt hug. The gesture was simple but spoke volumes.

Her embrace was warm and comforting, and as she pulled back, she squeezed my hand gently. The gesture was a subtle encouragement, urging me to embrace the victory and join in the celebration. Her silent support was all I needed to shake off the lingering tension and fully immerse myself in the moment.

With a deep breath, I let go of the unease and allowed the cheers and excitement of the crowd to wash over me. I raised my voice in support, joining the chorus of jubilant fans who were celebrating Draco's victory and our house's triumph. The noise of the stands was deafening, a cacophony of joy and pride that seemed to echo through the very fabric of the stadium.

Across the stadium Narcissa and Lucious stood tall, Narcissa watching Draco while clapping with a smile on her face. She let out the occasional cheer but got embarrassed quickly and stopped. Lucius was watching as if Draco could have done better or more for his team today.

As I cheered, I felt Sienna's presence beside me, she turned her head and we made our way through the crowd to get back to the common room. For a moment I trailed behind Cedric and Sienna, he has his arm draped around her and Sienna was making wild noises when people ran past us cheering as if to egg them on.