Y/N x Draco Malfoy (Enemies to Lovers)

Dancing

Y/N's POV

Laughter bubbles in my throat as Dean twirls me across the dance floor, his grip steady and reassuring. The music sways around us, wrapping the ballroom in a warm, enchanted atmosphere.

"You're a good dancer," I admit, slightly breathless as he spins me again.

Dean grins. "I had to be. Seamus and I used to practice in the common room when no one was watching. Had to impress the ladies, you know?"

I raise a brow. "Oh, so I'm just another lady to impress?"

Dean chuckles, shaking his head. "Nah, you're different. Special."

My smile falters slightly, but I recover quickly. "Smooth, Thomas. Very smooth."

He dips me unexpectedly, and I let out a surprised laugh as he pulls me back up.

"One of my many talents," he says smugly.

Before I can respond, a familiar voice calls from behind.

"My turn!"

I turn to see Seamus standing there, hand outstretched.

Dean rolls his eyes. "You had to, didn't you?"

Seamus smirks. "Of course, mate. A promise is a promise."

I glance around, seeing the eager faces of my Gryffindor friends waiting their turn. Even Neville gives me a small, nervous smile.

I shake my head with a laugh and take Seamus's hand. "Alright, let's go."

For the next hour, I dance with almost every Gryffindor boy in the room. Fred and George sweep me into an over-the-top performance that makes the professors shake their heads in exasperation and their dates giggle at their stupidity. Neville stammers his way through a dance but manages to keep from stepping on my feet. Even Harry, grumbling about how he hates dancing, spins me around the floor for a bit.

It's the happiest I've felt in weeks.

At least, until I catch sight of Draco from the corner of my eye.

He's standing by the drinks table, his jaw tight, his fingers curled around the stem of his goblet. Astoria is nowhere in sight. His icy gaze flickers toward me for a moment before he looks away, taking a sip of his drink.

I force myself to ignore the pang in my chest.

Tonight is about moving forward.

Dean's POV

I step away from the dance floor, needing a break. My tie is slightly loosened, and my hair is messier than it was at the start of the night. I spot Seamus near one of the tables, filling his goblet with punch.

He notices me and smirks. "You've got it bad, mate."

I scoff. "What are you on about?"

Seamus gives me a knowing look. "Y/N."

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's not like that. We're just friends."

Seamus snorts. "Right. Because friends stare at each other like they hold the entire bloody world in their hands."

I shake my head, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up my neck. "She's been through enough. I don't want to make things complicated for her."

Seamus tilts his head. "And what if she wants complicated?"

I don't have an answer to that.

But before I can even think of one, a cold voice cuts through the air.

"What the hell did you just say?"

I turn sharply, my stomach twisting.

Draco Malfoy.

His face is unreadable, but there's a dangerous glint in his eyes. He steps forward, grabbing the front of my dress robes and yanking me closer.

"Stay away from her," he hisses.

My hands instinctively go to his wrists, but I don't push him away. The raw intensity in his gaze sends a chill down my spine.

"You don't get to say that," I grit out.

His grip tightens. "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."

Seamus steps forward, looking like he's ready to intervene, but I shake my head.

I meet Draco's gaze head-on. "She's not yours to control."

For a split second, something flashes in his eyes—something vulnerable, something broken. But then, just as quickly, it's gone.

He shoves me back, straightening his robes with a scoff. "You don't know anything."

Then, without another word, he turns on his heel and stalks off toward the drinks table, leaving me standing there with my heart hammering in my chest.

I watch as he downs a goblet of firewhisky, his shoulders tense, his expression unreadable.

And for the first time that night, I wonder if maybe... just maybe... he's hurting just as much as she is.