blurred lines [draco x reader]

6 ౨ৎ | heartache

After the encounter with Cedric, the assignment from Snape, and the unpleasant exchange with the rude blonde, you were officially drained. You trudged back to your dorm, lost in thought and hoping that things couldn't possibly get any worse.

Once there, you dropped your books on the floor and collapsed onto your bed with a heavy sigh. The thought of enduring a whole year of this felt unbearable. You wanted to cry but were too exhausted to do so. After a moment, you rolled off the bed and reached for your Potions textbook, ready to dive in when a knock interrupted your thoughts. With a groan, you got up and opened the door to find Hermione and Ron standing there.

"Y/N! How was your first day?" Hermione asked excitedly

"It was... eventful," you replied. Hermione must have picked up on your lack of enthusiasm, as she immediately started probing.

"What's wrong? What happened?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

You quickly held up the Potions textbook, trying to divert the conversation. "Just Snape giving me a rough time. I have to get through all of this by the end of the week."

Ron gave Hermione a suspicious look, and she reached over, taking the book from your hands and setting it on the bed. "Is that really all? Y/N, you can tell us."

"Yeah!" Ron added, while taking a bite out of his chocolate frog.

You sank onto the bed, pulling a pillow over your face. Silence filled the room for a moment before you decided to open up. You sat back up, tossing the pillow aside.

"Well, for one, I ran into Cedric this morning," you said, your tone flat.

"Isn't that a good thing? I bet he was happy to see you," she replied.

"He was happy. It's just..."

"Just what?" she pressed, her tone growing more serious.

Ron nudged her slightly, encouraging her not to pry. She brushed him off and diverted her attention back to you.

"I didn't mention this before, but Cedric and I kind of... dated. When I left for France, we had a two-year relationship, mostly through letters. The breakup was mutual—we just couldn't handle the distance."

Both her and Ron listened intently waiting for you to continue.

"I really thought I was over him. But seeing him again, especially with a girlfriend, stirred up so many memories. It's already hard enough to imagine being in the same room as him, and now this. I was convinced I'd moved on, but seeing them together just makes me wonder what we could've had if we'd been in the same place".

You collapsed back onto the bed, covering your face with the pillow again. Hermione started to respond, her tone gentle, but then the memory of your encounter with Malfoy hit you, rekindling your frustration. You quickly sprang back up, throwing the pillow across the room with renewed energy.

"Oh! And speaking of annoyances, this blonde prat I met earlier! I asked him for directions to Herbology, and he sent me to the clock tower instead. If Hagrid hadn't found me, I would've missed the entire class!"

"Malfoy," they both groaned in unison.

"Yeah, what's that kid's problem anyway?"

"Don't pay much attention to Draco. He's always been like that, ever since our first year. Been giving us and Harry trouble forever" Ron replied rolling his eyes.

"Well, that about sums up my first day. I see Cedric with a new girl, Snape assigns me an entire textbook for homework, and Malfoy sends me on a journey throughout campus."

They both looked at you sympathetically. "I'm sorry about Snape and Malfoy," Hermione said, "but as for Cedric—have you thought about telling him how you feel? You never know, he might feel the same way, or maybe—"

"No, Hermione. I can't. He's with someone else now, and I just have to accept that. Cedric seems happy, and I don't want to jeopardize his relationship."

She nodded, placing a comforting hand on your shoulder.

"My first day wasn't all that great either," Ron chimed in. "Starting the morning by falling head first off a broomstick is less than ideal."

You couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, I know what might cheer you up. How about joining Ron, Harry, and I for dinner?"

"I suppose that couldn't hurt," you replied with a smile.

"That's the spirit!" Hermione exclaimed, grabbing your arm to help you up.

A second knock on the door made the three of you exchange puzzled glances. "Probably Harry," Ron said as he got up to answer it. Instead, Cedric stood there, looking equally surprised to see Ron at the door.

"Am I interrupting something? I can come back later" Cedric said with a smile.

"Oh, not at all! Y/N was just telling us about her first day," Hermione replied quickly, getting to her feet and tugging Ron along. "I'm sure you two have plenty to catch up on. Ron and I were just heading out anyway."

You shot Hermione a pleading look, but she simply winked at you before closing the door behind them. Cedric took a seat at the foot of your bed, his expression unreadable.

"I think I owe you an explanation," he said.

"An explanation? For what?"

"You know what I mean, Y/N. Please don't think I started dating Cho right after we broke up. We only got together recently, after the Triwizard Tournament."

"I see. Well, congratulations on that, by the way. I heard you're known around here as the Hogwarts champion."

He chuckled, his cheeks reddening.

"But, I'm fine Cedric. I admit, it caught me off guard, but I'm happy for you," you replied, managing a smile even though you were forcing the words.

"Y/N, I never thought I'd see you again. Moving on from you was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But now that you're back... I just need to know that we're still friends. I'm so glad you're at Hogwarts now, and I'd really like to catch up and hangout like old times."

"Of course we're still friends, Cedric. There's nothing you could ever do to change that." you replied.

He let out a relieved sigh, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Good. I want you to know that if you ever need anything—anything at all—you can come to me. I still care about you a lot."

"Thank you, Cedric. That really means a lot to me, and I feel the same way."

He gave you a comforting pat on the shoulder, just like Hermione had done earlier, and turned to leave. As the door closed behind him, a wave of emotion washed over you. You felt tears welling at the corners of your eyes, but you took a deep breath and forced them down, determined to keep your composure. It was clear he had no feelings leftover. If Cedric wanted to be friends, you could push your emotions aside, and eventually, they would have to fade away. You quickly tidied yourself up and made your way towards the Great Hall for dinner, where you knew Hermione, Ron, and Harry were anxiously awaiting your arrival.