Unexpected Love

chapter 3

Days turned into weeks. I spent my time lost in the pages of countless books, the library becoming my sanctuary. Each day, like clockwork, a fresh meal would appear, a silent offering from my mysterious benefactor.

Desperate to uncover their identity, I had devised countless plans, all of which had failed miserably.
Tonight, however, I was determined. A note, left earlier that day, warned me to stay away from the fifth floor. It was a challenge, a direct provocation. Clad in a red cardigan, I crept up the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. The dim candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, adding to the suspense.

I reached the fifth floor, the air thick with anticipation. The door to the forbidden room creaked open, revealing a cozy space filled with books and a crackling fireplace. As I stepped inside, a blinding light flashed from an adjoining room. The door burst open, and there, standing before me, was Draco Malfoy, dripping wet and  only in a towel.

Shock rippled through me. Draco Malfoy, the boy who had once been my tormentor, was now my mysterious savior. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place.

I stood there, my jaw dropped in disbelief. “Malfoy? What the hell? I thought you died!” The news of his demise had been plastered across the front page of the Daily Prophet. Yet, here he was, standing before me, looking more like a Greek god than the lanky teenager I once knew.

My eyes couldn’t help but wander over his physique. Gone were the awkward limbs and gangly frame. In their place was a sculpted body, rippling with muscle. I quickly shook my head, dismissing the inappropriate thoughts. Malfoy, the arrogant, cruel Malfoy.

Draco, seemingly flustered, stumbled backward. In his haste, his towel slipped, revealing a toned physique that would make a centaur blush. I averted my gaze, a blush creeping up my cheeks. What was happening to me? Was I actually finding Draco Malfoy attractive? Yuck!

With a muttered curse, Draco snatched up his towel and stormed out of the room. I couldn’t help but chuckle. It seemed that even the once-proud Malfoy could be reduced to a flustered mess. As I made my way back to my room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was going to be a very interesting chapter in my life.

I woke up the next morning, my mind still reeling from the previous night's encounter. The usual breakfast offering was absent, a stark reminder of the awkwardness between us. I wondered why Malfoy had faked his death. Was it a strategic move? A desperate attempt to escape the clutches of the Dark Lord? Or was there something more sinister at play?
I tried to focus on the present, to push aside the lingering questions.

But my thoughts kept drifting back to his reaction, his embarrassment, and that sculpted physique. I couldn't help but blush at the memory.
The aroma of bacon filled the air, pulling me from my reverie. As I made my way downstairs, I found Malfoy standing by the stove, flipping pancakes. He looked different, more relaxed, almost ordinary.

"Breakfast is almost ready," he mumbled, avoiding my gaze.
"Thanks, I guess," I replied, unsure of what else to say.
"I'll explain later," he interrupted, his voice barely a whisper. "Let's just eat."
We sat down in silence, the only sound of the gentle sizzle of the pan.

I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to meet his eyes. The tension between us was palpable. I quickly devoured my breakfast, eager to escape the awkward atmosphere.

Draco mumbled something about firewood as we bumped into each other in the hallway. He disappeared, promising to explain later, but his avoidance was palpable.

Frustrated, I stepped outside into the garden. The once vibrant landscape was now a shell of its former self. But my attention was drawn to a small wooden platform, where a steaming hot tub beckoned. I rushed back to my room, grabbing my swimsuit, and slipped into the warm water.

As I relaxed, the sound of footsteps interrupted my tranquility. Draco appeared, a bag of firewood slung over his shoulder.
"Hi," I greeted him, my voice barely a whisper.

He nodded curtly, avoiding my gaze. "We need to talk," I insisted. "You can't keep avoiding me."
Draco rolled his eyes, his annoyance evident. "Fine," he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Draco sat down beside me, the silence stretching between us. Finally, he broke the ice. "Are you crazy, Granger? Is there something wrong with your head?"
I raised an eyebrow, taken aback by his bluntness. "Why are you asking me that?"He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "First of all, what possessed you to run across a frozen lake? And secondly, what were you trying to achieve by jumping off a cliff? Aren't you supposed to be the smart one?"

My face flushed with embarrassment. "I lost my wand, okay? And I panicked. I know it was stupid."
"Very stupid," he retorted. "And what about this stunt with the cliff? Were you trying to win a Darwin Award?"
"I wanted to find out who was saving me," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "I thought if I acted desperate, they'd reveal themselves."
Draco scoffed again. "And what did you expect? A parade? You should be grateful I saved you from starving to death."

I rolled my eyes, annoyed by his arrogance. "After the Battle of Hogwarts, your name was on the list of the fallen. How did you manage to fake your death?"
Draco avoided my gaze. "Let's just say I got an offer I couldn't refuse. A job as Voldemort's right-hand man I didn't want that life anymore . But that's all I'm telling you. You don't need to know the details."

I scoffed, unimpressed by his vague explanation. With a final, irritated glance, Draco turned and walked away, leaving me to ponder the mysteries of his past.