brewing hatred (d.m)

Close Call

The night was quiet and still, save for the soft rustling of leaves outside the castle. Ariana Green and Draco Malfoy had met again in their secret spot within the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts. The corridor was bathed in moonlight that slipped through a high window, casting elongated shadows on the cold stone walls.

They had been spending more and more time together in their hidden sanctuary, and tonight was no different. The tension that had built up over the past few weeks was palpable. Draco leaned against the wall, his hand gently brushing against Ariana's as they stood close, their faces inches apart.

Ariana's heart raced as Draco's fingers tangled with hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. "I didn't think we'd find time for this tonight," she whispered, her voice soft and slightly breathless.

Draco's eyes were intense as they met hers. "Neither did I. But I'm glad we did."

Before Ariana could respond, Draco leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. The warmth of the moment enveloped them, and for a brief, blissful second, everything else seemed to fade away.

Suddenly, a faint echo of footsteps interrupted their stolen moment. They pulled apart quickly, their faces flushed and their breaths rapid. Ariana's eyes widened in alarm as she glanced down the corridor, trying to locate the source of the sound.

"Someone's coming," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Draco's eyes darted around, searching for a place to hide. "Quick, behind that statue," he urged, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards a nearby statue of a stern-looking witch.

They squeezed behind the statue, trying to stifle their breathing. The footsteps grew louder, and they could see the faint glow of a lantern approaching. Draco's arm was around Ariana's shoulders, and she could feel the warmth of his body against hers as they huddled in the small space.

The footsteps halted just outside their hiding spot, and they held their breath, barely daring to move. Ariana's heart pounded in her chest as she listened intently, hoping whoever was approaching would move on quickly.

After what felt like an eternity, the footsteps started again, this time moving away from them. The lantern's light dimmed as the person continued down the corridor, and soon the sound of their footsteps was gone.

Ariana let out a relieved sigh, her body relaxing as she looked up at Draco. He was gazing down at her with a mixture of amusement and concern.

"That was close," he said, his voice low. "I didn't expect to get caught."

Ariana chuckled softly, the tension of the moment fading. "Neither did I. But I suppose that's part of the thrill, isn't it?"

Draco's gaze softened as he reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, I guess it is."

They remained in their hiding spot for a few more moments, their proximity creating a bubble of intimacy that felt safe despite the recent scare. When they finally emerged from behind the statue, the corridor was silent once more.

"Maybe we should be more careful," Ariana suggested, a playful glint in her eye. "Or find a better hiding spot."

Draco laughed softly, his hand still clasped around hers. "Agreed. But it's not the worst way to spend an evening."

As they walked back through the corridor, hand in hand, the thrill of their near encounter added a new layer to their budding romance. The secrecy, the risk, and the stolen moments made their connection feel all the more special. They knew that their relationship was far from simple, but the excitement of their secret meetings only made their time together more precious.