Falling For You-Draco Malfoy x Y/N

13- 𝑰 𝑴 𝑰 𝑺 𝑺 𝒀 𝑶 𝑼

the castle was alive in a way that i'd never thought would happen. even the portraits seemed livelier, sharing amused looks and whispering as students passed.

each day that got closer to the ball felt like hell. everyone got more and more excited about it, as if it's a countdown until everyone gets to be millionaires. and then there's just me. all lost and lonely in my own thoughts. my mind wrapped up and tangled in each lingering memory about draco.

as i walked down the main corridor, two hufflepuff girls practically squealed when they caught sight of a boy they'd been hoping would invite one of them, and a group of ravenclaws were deep in debate over who was likely to arrive wearing the most stunning robes.

as i turned into the great hall, i'd told myself i wasn't going to care about the ball, that it was just another event—another evening where people would get dressed up and pretend their lives were as bright and beautiful as the lights around them. and yet... every time i thought of that night, a small thrill of hope wound through me, followed immediately by a sudden feeling of something sharp and cold.

it would be impossible not to see him there, not to feel the distance between us in a room so filled with light and music.

part of me wanted to escape all of it. the idea of standing alone in the middle of all those people, searching the crowd for a face i didn't even want to admit i'd be looking for.

the great hall was even worse than i expected. students were gathered in clusters at every table, laughing and exchanging stories about previous yule balls or speculating about what the decorations might look like this year. at the far end of the room, i saw hermione and ginny, deep in conversation, their eyes bright as they leaned in close, chattering.

when i joined them, they immediately started in on the usual questions, but this time with a new intensity.

,,so," ginny said, giving me a sly look as she crossed her arms. ,,have you decided who you're going with yet?"

i tried to smile, forcing a lightness i didn't feel. ,,i... haven't really thought about it," i said, my voice sounding unconvincing even to my own ears. the truth was, i'd thought about it too much. but every time i pictured the ball, all i could think of was the complicated, impossible knot that was draco and me, and how much easier it would be if i just stayed away.

hermione sighed, her eyes full of something soft and understanding. ,,you know, you don't have to go with someone just for the sake of it," she said gently. ,,sometimes it's just about enjoying the night."

,,yeah," i said, but my voice sounded hollow. somehow, i couldn't imagine enjoying the night—not when it felt like everything i wanted, everything i couldn't have, would be right there, just out of reach. i wanted to be with him but i need to get over him. this can't happen. we can't happen.

we're from two sides of family's -malfoy and y/l/n-, he's a pureblood and i'm a halfblood. even though i'm not a mudblood, im still classed as a blood traitor to them.

although, i don't actually know what my real last name is. my auntie has a different last name to my parents and whenever i'd try asking what their last names were, she'd always get mad and tell me that i don't deserve to know, which doesn't make any sense at all because i in fact, have all the right to know. god i hate her.

hermione and ginny's conversation shifted back to dresses and dance steps, and i let myself fade into the background, letting their words blur together like a comforting hum. in a way, i envied them—the ease with which they could look forward to the night, their simple excitement. for them, the ball was just a night to dance and laugh. for me, it felt like it might be a reminder of the things i couldn't have.