Bound by Blood and Magic

Chapter 10: The Tipping Point

The tension in the air had become nearly unbearable as Draco navigated the halls of Hogwarts, his mind racing with thoughts of (Y/N) and the ongoing competition with Harry. The weight of jealousy had settled heavily upon him, igniting a fierce determination to stake his claim. He couldn't allow Harry to think he could just waltz into (Y/N)’s life.

As he made his way to the Quidditch pitch for practice, he spotted Harry sitting on a bench, casually tossing a Quaffle into the air. Draco's heart raced with irritation at the sight of Harry, who looked too relaxed and too pleased with himself.

“Potter,” Draco called, his voice slicing through the crisp afternoon air.

Harry looked up, his expression shifting from casual indifference to surprise. “Malfoy,” he replied, a slight edge creeping into his voice.

“I need to talk to you,” Draco said, stepping closer, a sense of urgency in his tone.

Harry stood up, the Quaffle forgotten in his hand. “What’s there to talk about? You’ve made it pretty clear how you feel about me.”

Draco glared at him. “This isn’t about you and me. This is about (Y/N). She’s not a prize to be won, and you need to back off.”

Harry's expression hardened, and he took a step forward, his jaw clenched. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Malfoy. (Y/N) can make her own choices, and she seems to enjoy spending time with me.”

Draco’s anger surged, his voice rising. “Enjoy? Or is she just being nice? You think you can charm her into forgetting who really cares for her?”

“Care for her? Is that what you call it? Because it looks more like possessiveness to me,” Harry shot back, his tone filled with frustration. “You think you can keep her from making her own decisions? That’s not love, Malfoy. That’s control.”

Draco’s heart raced, feeling both infuriated and vulnerable under Harry’s piercing gaze. “I know her better than you do, Potter. I understand her, and I’ve always been there for her.”

Harry's brow furrowed, but there was a hint of sadness behind his fierce facade. “You’ve been there for her? When? Because the last time I checked, she was laughing with me in Potions class while you were too busy sulking about.”

Draco clenched his fists at his sides, feeling the air between them crackle with tension. “You’re just using her to make a point, Potter. You’re trying to get under my skin, and it’s pathetic.”

“Pathetic?” Harry echoed incredulously. “And what about you? You’re acting like a jealous child. If you actually cared for her, you’d want her to be happy, even if that means she wants to spend time with me.”

A silence fell between them, charged with emotion. Draco’s heart raced as he fought the urge to lash out further. Somewhere deep down, he knew Harry had a point, but the thought of (Y/N) laughing with Harry ignited something primal in him.

“Just stay away from her, Potter,” Draco warned, his voice low and threatening. “Or I swear I’ll make your life a living hell.”

Harry’s expression turned icy. “Is that a threat? Because I’m not afraid of you, Malfoy. You can’t bully me or anyone else into submission. (Y/N) deserves better than that.”

Before Draco could respond, he felt a sharp presence behind him. He turned to see (Y/N) approaching, her expression a mix of confusion and concern.

“Draco, Harry, what’s going on?” she asked, glancing between them.

Draco stepped forward, trying to keep his composure. “Nothing. Just a little disagreement about Quidditch.”

(Y/N) narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced. “You both look like you’re about to start a duel. Can’t you just talk it out like normal people?”

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but Draco interjected. “It’s not worth your time, (Y/N). Just forget about it.”

But (Y/N) wasn’t having it. “I’m not going to just forget about it. You two are acting like children, and it’s ridiculous. I’m tired of the jealousy and the posturing. Can’t you both just be civil for once?”

Draco felt the heat of embarrassment rise in his cheeks. He had always been protective of (Y/N), but seeing her frustration shifted something in him. “Fine,” he said, forcing a calmness into his voice. “I’ll try to be civil.”

“Good,” (Y/N) replied, crossing her arms. “Because I like spending time with both of you, but I won’t choose sides.”

Harry nodded, his expression softening as he glanced at (Y/N). “I just want what’s best for you, (Y/N).”

“Same here,” Draco added, though the words tasted bitter on his tongue.

(Y/N) sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Then stop fighting over me. I’m not a trophy to be won. Let’s just focus on being friends.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving the two boys standing in the tension of unresolved emotions.

Draco watched her go, feeling a mixture of anger and admiration for her strength. He wanted to fight for her, to show her how much she meant to him, but he also knew that pushing too hard would only drive her further away.

“See?” Harry said, breaking the silence. “She doesn’t want to be put in the middle. If you care about her, you’ll respect her wishes.”

Draco clenched his jaw, his irritation bubbling back to the surface. “You think you’re some kind of hero, don’t you? Always playing the noble Gryffindor.”

“I’m just trying to be honest,” Harry replied, frustration creeping into his voice. “You should try it sometime.”

“Honest?” Draco shot back. “You’re the one who needs to be honest about your feelings for her. You think this is a game? That you can just take her away from me?”

“I’m not trying to take her away from you,” Harry said, his voice steady. “But if you want to fight over her, you’ll only push her further away. She deserves someone who respects her choices.”

Draco’s mind raced as Harry’s words sank in. He didn’t want to lose (Y/N) to Harry, but he also didn’t want to be the reason she felt trapped. The internal conflict twisted in his chest like a vice.

“Maybe I don’t want to lose her,” Draco admitted, his voice quieter now. “But it’s hard when I see you two together.”

“Then show her how you feel,” Harry replied, a hint of compassion breaking through his competitive exterior. “But do it without the jealousy. That’s not what she wants.”

As Harry turned to leave, Draco felt the weight of the conversation settle over him. Maybe there was more at stake here than just his rivalry with Harry. Maybe he needed to step back, reassess his feelings, and find a way to show (Y/N) that she mattered to him without suffocating her.

With a newfound resolve, Draco walked toward the Quidditch pitch, ready to channel his emotions into something productive. He would prove to (Y/N) that he cared for her in ways that were more genuine than mere jealousy. He would fight for her, not just against Harry but for her happiness, whatever that might look like.

And deep down, he hoped it would lead them both to where they truly belonged—together.