Falling For You-Draco Malfoy x Y/N

18- 𝑪 𝑶 𝑵 𝑭 𝑳 𝑰 𝑪 𝑻

–𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐓–
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

the end of 4th year was slowly coming up. it had always felt like a limbo between what has been and what's to come, the days stretching out lazily as if hogwarts itself is taking a collective breath before the drama of the next year settles in. as the sun begins to fall and slowly set, i found myself reflecting on how much had changed since september. so much had happened—so much i never could have predicted.

draco and i had grown closer, a bond between us that had deepened even in the face of uncertainty. his world, his past, still haunted him, but we had something real. even as we sat by the crackling fire in the common room, wrapped in the quiet of our own warmth, i felt the calmness of the moment, an undeniable sense of peace in his presence.

the school year was winding down, and everyone was looking forward to the break. the upcoming 5th year loomed ahead, the o.w.l.s hanging over us like a cloud that only seemed to get closer with each passing day. but for now, the holidays offered a brief reprieve from the pressures of schoolwork, and i intended to savor it.

draco had barely spoken of his family during these weeks, the silence in the air between us sometimes filled with an unspoken understanding. i knew he was dreading going home, dreading facing his parents, knowing they still saw him as their lost heir.

,,are you ready for the holidays?" i asked, my voice low as i nudged him playfully. he was sitting across from me, staring into the fire, his expression a mix of thoughtfulness and something i couldn't quite place.

draco's gaze shifted to me, and for a moment, he seemed lost, caught somewhere between his past and present. ,,ready?" he repeated, as though the idea of 'ready' didn't apply to him. ,,i suppose. it's always the same, isn't it? the same faces, the same cold rooms... same boringness of the manor." his voice faltered just slightly, the vulnerability seeping through in a way that made my heart ache.

i reached out, placing my hand on his. his fingers curled around mine immediately, and for a moment, the chaos of everything outside of this room faded into nothing.

,,we could meet up if you'd like? sometime around christmas maybe?"

his lips curved into that half-smile, the one that was still new to me—soft and real. ,,that would be nice."

i smiled back, my thumb brushing the back of his hand and i lean my head on his shoulder. his tense body relaxes and we fall asleep on the sofa in the common room.
—
as i awoke, what seemed to be a few hours later since i looked out the window and it was dark, i sit up and notice that draco has gone.

i stand up and stretch slightly, my eyes drifting towards the clock. it's 01:36 am.

my mind tells me i should go to my dorm and go to bed but i don't want to. instead, i find myself walking out of my common room.

the halls of hogwarts were silent, as they always were in the dead of night. the sound of my footsteps echoed off the stone walls as i made my way toward the astronomy tower, a sense of quiet determination pushing me forward. i wasn't sure why i was going there, only that i felt drawn to it.

when i finally reached the tower, i climbed the wooden staircase slowly, the cold night air seeping through the cracks in the walls as i ascended. the higher i went, the more the weight of the night seemed to settle around me. the castle was asleep, yet i felt awake—wide awake with something inside me that refused to quiet down.

i reached the top, the heavy wooden door creaking open as i pushed it, stepping out into the open air of the tower. the view from here was wonderful—hogwarts laid out before me, its ancient spires illuminated by the silver light of the moon. the luminous stars twinkled overhead, and the gentle breeze ruffled my hair. but it wasn't the view that had brought me here.