Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 5- Ch. 123

"Are you okay Ron?" Céline asked.

"Me? I should be asking you." He said. "She was nasty to say something like that."

"She's always been nasty." Daphne said, "but I think she gotten considerably worse since last Christmas."

Tracey nodded her head in agreement. There there was an awkward shift in the air and a moment of silence.

"Listen..." Harry spoke up, "we need to speak to Céline... privately."

Daphne looked at Céline to see what she thought. Céline nodded, though she looked a bit uncertain.

"Right, well. Let me just say something very quickly." Daphne said in a serious tone as she stared down Harry and Ron. "She is as dear to us as I hope she is to you. That being said," she glowered at them, an intimidating aura oozed out her that made Harry and Ron a bit nervous. "Make her cry or upset again... and no one will stop me from letting my fists meet your faces... I've always been rather interested in muggle fighting."

Tracey nudged Daphne to start walking once she was done successfully intimidating Harry and the others. The two of them made their way up the stairs to the castle, leaving Céline with the three of them.

"Greengrass is bloody terrifying." Ron muttered as he shuddered.

"She's always been a fierce protector." Céline said, she appreciated Daphne's friendship very much, as well as Tracey, she isn't as vocal as Daphne, but she definitely shows her protective qualities in different ways.

"Right..." Ron said, letting the awkwardness engulf them again. "Well —er— I needed to talk to you..."

Céline shifted nervously where she stood. She looked at Hermione who gave her a reassuring smile, that made her feel a bit better.

"I wanted to say I was sorry... I shouldn't have said what I said, I was just as nasty as Parkinson." Ron finally said. "I know you'd never turn on us... I was just angry."

Céline looked at him in surprise.

"Please know that we fully trust you, Céline." Hermione chimed in, she rang her fingers anxiously. Harry nodding his head vigorously.

"Sorry for going off on you.... You know, about you and Malfoy..." Ron said. "I suppose, as long as he treats your right. Makes you happy and all."

Céline felt immediate relief with his words and she threw herself on him for a hug. "Thank you." She said softly, her voice filled with emotion. She let go of him and stepped back. "Again... I'm sorry that it has to be him-"

"No," Harry stopped her. "Stop apologizing. Like you said, we can't always control who we like..."

Céline gave him an appreciative smile and hugged him tightly too.

"I will reiterate the words of Daphne Greengrass though," Ron said. "If he ever does anything to make you cry or hurt you.... No one will stop us from ending him."

"Not exactly what she said, but all the same." Harry said. Céline nodded. She finally felt like she could breathe really for the first time in the week. She absolutely hated when they werent speaking with her. She knew that they probably weren't exactly okay with everything, but the fact that they've made an effort to put it passed them for her sake made her heart swell.

"And just because you two are dating, doesn't mean he's invited to Christmas dinners and all that." Ron protested.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind." Céline giggled. Ron gave her a lopsided smile, and ruffled her hair like he would with Ginny.