Late Blooms | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 6

The day arrived when Draco took me on a second date to a hidden rooftop terrace overlooking Diagon Alley. The terrace belonged to an old wizarding inn, a place few people know exists. Enchanted lanterns floated lazily overhead, casting a soft, warm glow on the cobblestones, while the distant sounds of bustling shops are muted by the height and privacy of the terrace.

Draco was waiting for me, leaning casually against the terrace railing. He straightened up when he saw me, his gaze lingering as I  approached.

"Impressive choice." I commented, glancing around the secluded space. "Very different from a quiet café."

"I thought you'd appreciate something a little more... magical." Draco replied, his smirk faint but unmistakable. "And private."

"Private, huh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Trying to avoid the gossip columns?"

"I'm trying to avoid distractions." Draco chuckled, but his expression softens slightly. "Just wanted it to be you and me tonight."

The sincerity in his words caught me off guard. There was a shift in the air between us, subtle but undeniable. We took our seats in a small, round table near the edge of the terrace, the lights twinkling above us and the soft murmur of the streets below created an intimate atmosphere.

After a while of catching up on the days when we only texted back and forth, I leaned back, looking up at the sky.

"It's beautiful out here." I said softly, my voice almost dreamy.

Draco watched me for a moment before leaning back as well, relaxing.

"You're beautiful." He said quietly, his voice low, almost like a confession.

I turned to look at him, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. Draco held my gaze, his grey eyes intense, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as if he knows exactly what he's doing but is giving me space to react.

"That's bold of you." I said, my own voice a bit teasing, though my heart raced at the way he was looking at me.

"I'm nothing if not bold." He replied smoothly, his eyes never leaving mine.

"So..." I paused, my voice lowering slightly. "Is this where you bring all your dates?"

"Actually." Draco started, leaning in just a bit, "You're the first."

The admission surprised me even though I did not know if I could believe his words. I turned to look at him, my pulse quickened at the intensity in his gaze.

"The first, really?" I asked, trying to sound casual but unable to keep the curiosity out of my voice.

"I haven't... dated much since Astoria." He admitted quietly, his voice dipping into a rare vulnerability. "Ours wasn't a marriage of love, but it wasn't easy to... move on."

I watched him for a moment, sensing how difficult it was for him to speak about this. I  reached over, my fingers lightly brushing his hand in a gentle, reassuring gesture.

"I get it." I said and he shook his head lightly.

"We shouldn't get into depressive things. It's a date, not a therapy session." He laughed lightly, making me lose my seriousness a bit.

"True that." I muttered, looking down in shyness. I couldn't help but feel the most feminine around him.

After the quiet dinner, he insisted on taking me somewhere "a little more special" to end the evening. He took me on a quiet countryside walk before leading to a hidden spot he said to have kept secret for years. A clearing on a cliff overlooking the sea. The waves crashed softly against the rocky shore below, and the sky, now fading into twilight, stretched endlessly above us.

"Pretty?" He asked me when he saw me staring at the sea.

"It's so beautiful." I whispered, not breaking my gaze from it.

"Glad you like it. Still full from dinner?" Draco asked as he sits down on one of the blankets conjured by him. He then patted the spot beside him.

"A little." I smiled, settling down next to him.

He leaned back, propping himself up on his elbows, looking far too comfortable.

"I know a few good places." He replied, his tone casual but the smirk on his face giving him away.

"I'm starting to see that." I teased, watching him with a playful smile. "What's next? Flying cauldrons?"

Draco chuckled, his gaze shifting from me to the stars overhead.

"Not quite. But I think you'll like this just as much."

I turn my attention to the sky as the stars fully emerges, sparkling like diamonds scattered across the vast space. The quiet hum of the waves below and the cool breeze from the sea made the moment feel surreal, almost dreamy.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Draco murmured after a moment, his voice low and thoughtful. "This is one of my favorite places. No one knows about it. Not anymore, anyway."

"It is. So, should I be flattered?" I teased.

"Extremely." Draco replied, his voice filled with mock seriousness. He shifted a little closer, his arm brushing mine as he stretched out on the blanket, lying down fully now. "You're different. That's why I wanted you to see this place."

"Different how?" I asked, intrigued by the sincerity in his tone.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked up at the sky, his expression thoughtful, almost vulnerable.

"I don't know." He admits quietly. "You make me feel... lighter. Like I can breathe."

There was a small pause. I felt the air between us change.

"I wasn't looking for this." He sat up to face me. His voice barely above a whisper. "But you... you've surprised me."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, the sincerity in his voice stirred something inside me. I could feel the warmth of his body so close to me.

"Is this your usual charm?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood, though my voice betrayed me a little.

Draco grins, the teasing glint returning to his eyes.

"I'll admit, I'm pulling out all the stops tonight."

"And here I thought you'd be more subtle." I laughed softly, shaking my head lightly.

"I can be subtle." Draco replied, his voice low and almost teasing now. "But I don't want to be subtle with you."

He leaned in slightly, his hand brushing against mine making goosebumps erupt on my skin. His gaze flickered from my eyes to my lips, his expression soft yet deliberate.

"If this is too much..." He began, his voice suddenly quieter, more restrained.

I reached out, placing my hand gently on his chest.

"I'll stop." Seeing no hesitations coming from me, he slowly leaned in, closing the small distance between us.

Our lips meet in a soft, slow kiss. It wasn't rushed or bold, but filled with a quiet intensity, as if both of us were savoring the moment. His hand moved to cradle my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin as he deepened the kiss, still gentle but more confident now. When I pull back out of breath, the world around us seemed to come back into focus. He stayed close, his forehead resting against mine.

"I didn't think this would happen... but I'm glad it has." He murmured, his breath warm on my lips.

"Me too." I smiled as my heart raced.

"I'll take that as a sign to keep going, then." Draco smirked softly, his thumb still tracing lazy circles on my cheek.

I giggled, swatting at his chest playfully before resting my hand there again, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.

"Perhaps, don't get too ahead of yourself, Malfoy."

Draco chuckled, lying back down on the blanket and pulling me with him as I squealed in surprise.

"I'll try, but no promises." He looked up at the stars again, his expression softening as his hand remained intertwined with mine.