Thicker than Blood (Draco Malfoy love story)

Chapter Twenty-two: Snitch

Draco's POV

I smile all the way back to the castle, thinking about Phoenix holding that tiny baby. I'm not sure why, but I haven't felt this happy in a long time.

"So... You're not, you know, terrified of me or disgusted or anything, right...?" She asks slowly.

I think for a second. "No. Not even in the slightest. Because you're right. Beneath the scary eyes and fangs, you're still the girl I met on the first day."

She laughs, a little breathless. She reaches over and grabs my hand, pulling me closer to her. I smile and wrap an arm around her.

"Hey, Draco?" She says slowly, blushing.

"Yeah, Phoenix?"I say, mimicking her tone. She sticks her tongue out at me before answering.

"Um... Before Dobby, you know, interrupted... What were you going to say? About why you changed your mind?" She asks quickly, stumbling over her words.

I smile and feel my face heating up. "I just... Well, um... It's kinda embarrassing..." I say, rubbing the back of my neck.

She laughs and rolls her eyes. "You want to talk about embarrassing?"

I nod in consent, then laugh. "I just, well I was just thinking... You'd make a great mom..."

She freezes, looking at me like I'm insane. Then she does what I least expected.

She bursts into tears, running off towards the castle.

I watch her for a minute, before recovering myself long enough to think about chasing her. I run after her, my legs protesting against the action.

"Phoenix! Phoenix, what the hell is the matter?!" I yell at her back. She disappears around a corner and I give up, sitting down.

"What'd I say wrong?" I wonder.

"Draco Malfoy! What on earth are you doing out here at this hour?!" An angry voice booms behind me. I turn around, knowing exactly what I'm going to find.

Professor McGonagall looks at me with a horrified expression. "Well, young man, do you have nothing to say for yourself?" She snaps.

I gape for a second, before recovering my usual bravado. "Well, professor, you see, I was looking for the bathroom and the oddest thing happened. I suddenly found myself out here--" I cry out in pain and surprise when she grabs my arm and drags me back to the castle. Her eyes are wide with fright.

"Malfoy, you can't just wander outside whenever you feel like it! There are many dangers outside this castle that you are not prepared to fight!" She says angrily, pulling me through the doors. I cuss when my shoulder hits the door frame.

"Watch your language, Malfoy. You're already in trouble, you don't need to add on to it." She says quickly, as if she's barely paying attention to her own words.

I look towards one of the staircases, only to see a very surprised Phoenix. She looks at me, looking horrified.

She runs over, schooling her expression into one of shame. "Professor, wait!"

She stops beside us, seemingly oblivious to McGonagall's surprised expression. She keeps talking, not giving the professor a chance to recover. "I'm so sorry, Draco. I thought you were still with me! I turn for one second, and you disappeared!"

Finally, McGonagall recovers herself enough to respond. "What on earth are you talking about, Phoenix?!"

She blushes and looks down. Damn, she's good. Scary good, actually... "Well, you see... I got lost outside earlier trying to find this tree that they wanted me to see and I didn't realize it was past curfew, so I sent a note to Draco asking him to find me and help me back." She explains, the perfect picture of an embarrassed schoolgirl.

To my surprise, McGonagall buys the story immediately. "Okay, dear, but next time, please be more careful. I'll let you go this time, since you're new, but no more wandering around, okay?"

Phoenix nods and grabs my hand, walking towards the hall that leads to our dorms.

"Oh, and Phoenix?" McGonagall calls out.

Phoenix turns and looks at her with her eyebrows raised. "Yes, professor?"

"What tree were you looking for?" She asks curiously.

Phoenix blushes. "Um... A willow, I believe? I forget the name."

McGonagall just nods and walks away, letting us go. We turn back and start walking again. We don't speak until we're in the common room.

"How did she know you were out there?"

"What the hell was all that about?"

We say at the same time. We look at each other, waiting to see who will answer first. Finally, she breaks and goes first.

"Sorry. I just... It's kind of a long story. One I don't like thinking about." She explains, staring at the floor.

"Fair enough. As for your question, the only logical answer is that somebody told her I was out there." I say, thinking about who would do that.

She frowns. "But no one saw us... Right?"

I sit down, pissed. "I guess someone did. But who?"

She shakes her head. "I honestly don't know. None of the elves would have, and Layha doesn't talk to anyone here."

I sigh. Then, I grab her waist as she walks by me and pull her into my lap. I bury my face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her. Her scent is intoxicating. Nothing I can think of is good enough to describe it. One second, it's like vanilla and violets and roses and chocolate all mixed together. The next, it's more like sunshine and salty beaches and mixed drinks.

She giggles, breaking me out of my somewhat strange thoughts.

"Are you sniffing me?" She asks, giving me an odd look. I can see her suppressing a smile.

I decide not to be embarrassed. "Yes, I am, because you smell amazing. Do you have a problem with that?" I challenge playfully, pulling her closer to me.

"No, I guess I don't." She says, relaxing into me.

We get quiet as I continue to nuzzle her neck. I can almost her the gears in her mind turning, waiting for the best moment to ask whatever it is that's on her mind.

"Hey, Draco?" She asks slowly, playing with my fingers.

"Yes?" I answer, looking up at her from where my head is on her shoulder.

"Are... Are we dating?" She asks quietly.

I think for a minute, then smile. "Hmm... Let me think on it."

She smacks me on the shoulder and tries to get up. I pull her closer and laugh. "Yes, Phoenix. We are dating. You're mine now, and I don't plan on letting you go."

She smiles, then turns around and hugs me. "You won't leave? You'll really stay?"

I smile and hold her tighter. "Always, baby."

I stand up and grab her hand, walking to the window. I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her tiny waist. I look at the sky and whisper, "I love you to the stars and back."