slytherin boys 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁.

draco malfoy (2)

୨୧

two weeks had passed since y/n and draco stopped talking. the silence between them was unbearable, but neither of them seemed ready to bridge the gap. despite everything, the feelings they shared hadn't disappeared. draco found himself consumed by thoughts of her, unable to focus on anything else. he regretted not explaining himself sooner and wished desperately that she would give him the chance to be understood. y/n, on the other hand, was struggling in her own way.

she missed him more than she could put into words. her heart ached every time his name crossed her mind. but every time she remembered the bet—how she thought he only pursued her for money—her pain felt fresh all over again. she would cry, feeling betrayed by the person she had loved so deeply. despite it all, she still loved him. she always had.

that night, y/n sat alone on the couch in the common room, the fire crackling before her as the cold wind howled outside the castle walls. she held a book in her hands, though she hadn't really been reading it. her thoughts were elsewhere—drifting back to him, as they always did. she sighed heavily, closing the book and resting her head back against the couch, her eyes fluttering shut as the weight of it all pressed down on her. no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about him.

suddenly, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

"y/n?"

her eyes snapped open, her head shooting up to see draco standing at the bottom of the staircase, his pale face illuminated by the flickering firelight.

"fuck, you scared me," she said, her heart racing. "what are you doing up so late?"

"i'm sorry," he murmured, his voice soft, almost hesitant. "i couldn't sleep."

she sighed, sitting up straighter. "understandable."

he hesitated for a moment before making his way to the armchair across from her. he sat down, his hands fidgeting nervously. "can we talk?"

her chest tightened at his words. part of her wanted to shut him out, but another part—one that still cared deeply—was desperate to hear what he had to say. after a brief pause, she gave in.

"fuck it," she said quietly. "i guess."

he leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. "i'm just going to get straight to the point," he began. "y/n, let me explain myself, okay? i didn't take the money. not a single galleon."

she stayed silent, her expression unreadable, so he pressed on.

"the reason the whole bet even started was because i liked you. i liked you before we ever started talking. mattheo would always tease me about it—how i couldn't build up the courage to actually speak to you. then regulus made that stupid bet, saying i should hook up with you or whatever, and... i took it. not because of the bet, but because it was my excuse to finally talk to you. it was the only way i could get close to you."

his voice cracked slightly as he continued, his vulnerability laid bare. "i know it sounds terrible, and i hate myself for how it all played out. but i swear, y/n, i never cared about the money. i only cared about you. and if you never want to talk to me again after this, i'll understand. but i needed you to know the truth. because... because i love you."

her heart raced as his words sank in. she hadn't been prepared for this—his honesty, his raw emotion. it was overwhelming.

"come here," she said softly, standing up.

without hesitation, draco rose and crossed the small space between them. as soon as he was close enough, she wrapped her arms tightly around him, burying her face in his chest. he let out a shaky breath, pulling her even closer as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"i'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking.

"i just wish you'd told me instead of letting me find out the way i did," she murmured against his chest.

"i know," he said, guilt lacing every word. "i'm so sorry, love. i never meant to hurt you."

she pulled back slightly to look up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "i love you," she said, her voice trembling.

a small, genuine smile tugged at his lips. "i love you even more," he replied, pulling her back into his embrace.

they stood there in the warmth of each other's arms, the firelight casting their shadows across the room. for the first time in weeks, the silence between them wasn't painful—it was healing.

a/n, ty @sunset791 for the idea! hope you guys love this.