ALLURING || D.M.

Chapter 48

One hand adjusted the tie, the other buttoned the skirt. "Are you sure you're not coming?" The girl watched him through the mirror. Draco was already dressed, reading over those cryptic parchments he kept in his desk, he just shook his head without really looking at her.

It had been a week since she saw him actually sit at the breakfast table with everybody, almost two since she started visiting the male dorm with frequency. The weather in hers not exactly fixed. "Well I should get going" She pulled her hair up in a loose ponytail, glancing over and pursing her lips, quietly advancing and smacking a kiss on his cheek just to awake him from that statue-like way in which he was reading, "Bye" she laughed.

He turned just enough to catch her easy smile as she picked her bag and covered her hair before closing his door. Taking a deep breath, he pocketed four pieces of parchment and left as well.

She lingered in the hallway for a heartbeat, listening to the faint clatter of Draco's footsteps retreating down the corridor. The morning sun slanted through the tall windows, catching dust motes in lazy streams, and for a moment the castle felt almost peaceful. Lilianne adjusted her bag, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and allowed herself a small, quiet smile. Even if only for a few minutes, the tension in her shoulders loosened just enough to breathe when she slipped past the rock wall. Then, with a final glance toward the sunlight slipping through, she turned and made her way toward her dorm, her steps light despite the weight of the day ahead.

Wood hinged quietly as the girl made her way to her neatly made bed, that had remained made for a couple of days now. Moving around the books in her desk to make her school bag as her roommates tipped around in their own morning routine. After a particular redhead had closed the bathroom door after sparing just one glance to the brunette, a blonde plopped next to her.

"Malfoy seems to be doing his job just fine" Tichborne commented, a teasing lilt in her voice. Lilianne couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips, whether it be the constant stress relief or the company, she had found herself in no foul mood for days on end, positively smiling at every little thing she did. Ariel could bet the girl would start skipping at any minute. "Well he is quite skilled" Lestrange played along, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as she closed her supply drawer.

Corine's laugh bubbled from her vanity, joining in as the group made their way up the stairs. Over the somewhat empty common room, sat a very engrossed boy with his hair slightly tousled and tie loose. "Hey Warren" Ariel waved as the girls joined, making his brows furrow as he seemed reluctant to stop staring at the entry but could not be rude.

His face morphed to one of shock when he focused on the girl standing on the right, glancing again at the door and back at the waving Slytherins. "Hi" He stood, adjusting his hair, "Morning, I... I'm sorry, bad night" he added quickly, shaking his head as if to physically rouse himself from the fog of lingering thoughts. Phelps did really seem tired and unkept that chill morning, his mind a little absent as the girls chatted for a couple minutes before leaving to catch good food before their classmates ate it all.

Warren stayed behind, explaining something about a forgotten item in his dorm as he plopped back down to a green couch. "So?" A voice sounded next to him after some time, "What did she say, cause sh...".

"She's been there the entire time" He cut firmly, the edge in his voice leaving no room for protest. "What?" Eleonora blinked, momentarily thrown, "Did you fall asleep? I told you to keep an eye on early mornings". Dark brows were tight, "I spent the entire night on that couch, Eleonora, she went down with you lot around ten yesterday and left a couple minutes ago, that's it" the boy appeared to be extremely fussed.

"Warren I told you..." Hazelton stood her ground, her eyes flicked to the side as though someone were watching, "Look she came with us, put a new uniform in her bag and left, she didn't stay more than ten minutes". Phelps shook his head, pressing his lips together, "Why are you telling me this? She never left, no one left. Are you making this up?" he saw the girl gasp, "Are you? I know Lily, there's no way she's been sneaking out, spending the night, no way".