ALLURING || D.M.

Chapter 50

It may have been the time there, but she'd already settled on her routine. Eyes fluttering open to that strange, underwater glow that filtered through the tall mullioned windows. It was Slytherin light, one that never quite reached warmth, but was familiar, to some maybe even comforting. Lilianne stirred in her place, turning around to find pale blond hair fanned messily across dark pillows..

He always slept rigidly, like a statue, in control even in unconsciousness. One arm flung across the space between them, hand curled loosely at her waist, though not slack, anchored. Brows furrowed making her lips curl for she wondered who was he arguing with to frown in his sleep.

Her body turned, reluctant to check the time, on the contrary, enjoy his sleeping state for she rarely had the chance to see it. Malfoy usually rose before her, she would normally find him scribbling on his desk in early mornings. She thought, with all the classes he was missing, he might just use the time catching up. It may be more effective to go to class, but he always came up with something when she brought it up. He would mutter something about incompetent professors or redundant lectures and effectively, quite deliberately change the subject or shift the conversation to a make out if she kept pressing.

She studied him for longer, the unguardedness peaceful. His breath was even, tension dormant as she supported her chin lightly on his chest, careful not to wake him, closing her eyes to hear the shuffling of the lake outside. She opened them again when she felt his fingers tighten on her skin, a short groan settling in his throat, first indicator he was now awake. "Morning" She murmured, barely above a breath. His eyes opened, grey and clear, awake almost immediately, sharpness cutting through the remaining sleep sharply.

"Mm" He said, voice rough, low, "What time is it?". She smiled before shrugging as he huffed a quiet, almost amused sound, eyes closing again for a heartbeat. He shifted closer, forehead brushing her shoulder, breath warm against her skin. His arm slid more fully around her, possessive, unhurried. Neither of them really spoke.

"I have Slughorn this morning" He made a move to stand, her eyes parting in slight shock. She stayed quiet, biting back any comment that might shatter the moment, she didn't want to jinx it, she liked this version of him. As he threw the towel over his shoulder, she spread her arms wide on the bed, feeling the mattress go on past her fingertips. The bedding dipped and creaked softly as she shifted, luxuriating in the space.

She adored how big his bed was, how big the room was in total. She could never do that in the single bed she had in her dorm, it was not extremely narrow or excessively thin, but it was certainly not this. High ceilings, dark wood furniture that was not expected to be shared with a multitude. To think of it, she glanced around the room, still struck by the quiet evidence of herself everywhere.

It had happened the way everything with Draco did, gradually, inevitably, without much of a discussion. One night became two, then a week, now a little more than a month. She brought her toothbrush, then clothes. Then suddenly, at some point, going back to her dormitory started to feel impractical rather than necessary except to collect the last remnants of her belongings. She wouldn't be surprised if she could pick up her entire trunk with one hand now.

Her jumpers were folded into one of his drawers, rather hers now she supposed. Her books on Advanced Healing Theory she'd been reviewing mixed with his dog-eared copy of 'Defensive Counter-Curses, Vol IV' lined up between potions texts and brand new Dark Artefact Compendiums. Even her slippers were there, tucked beside his shows on a corner at the foot of the bed.

Her lips curved into a soft smile, "I like it here" she murmured as they moved around each other with easy familiarity, a choreography over shared mornings. Draco paused mid-button, glancing at her through the mirror. She showered while he packed, steam curling into the room, mingling with the scent of his cologne and her shampoo. He passed her a second towel without comment when she emerged with her hair damp, cheeks flushed from the heat.