Distance // Draco Malfoy

Chapter 23

The news that Alyssia Dolittle and Draco Malfoy are now a couple seems to spread through the school like wildfire. Looks like Parkinson couldn't keep her bloody mouth shut. Harry, Ron and Hermione are some of the first to hear. 'You and Malfoy. You and Malfoy?!' Ron gapes. Harry looks just as disgusted. Hermione is wearing a look that I can't put my finger on. 'Yes, me and Malfoy. He didn't want anyone knowing but fucking Parkinson saw.' I spit.
'Oh, so you weren't going to tell us. Even better!' Harry laughs. I roll my eyes.
'Listen to me!

'I was angry, I was mad at him for slagging the lot of you off and it just came out. And then he kissed me, and I kissed back. And he asked me to be his girlfrind. And we spent some time together. And Parkinson found out. Big whoop.' I growl. Hermione stays quiet. 'Hermione?'
'What about the mudblood incident?' Hermione suddenly bursts. I look at her.
'I forgave him. You know what he's like.' I explain. The three look fuming.
'Oh God, here he comes.' I turn to see Draco walking toward us.

'Hey.' He smiles.
'Hi.' I reply, and he sits down next to me, taking my hand under the table.
'How's everyone taking it?' He whispers.
'Not well, you?'
'Ditto.' He shrugs, and I can hear the slight hint of a frown. Harry is glaring.
'You hurt her Malfoy and I swear to God -'
'No one asked your opinion on our relationship, Potter.' Malfoy spits. I give both boys warning looks. Harry gives me one back and looks at Hermione.

Draco turns back to me, whispering. 'I flipped my shit at Pansy. Ended up hexing her, she was driving me mental. Wouldn't shut up about me and you and everything, started screaming the common room down . . .' He trails off.
'What did she say?' I whisper back, and see Harry, Ron and Hermione get up and leave. Draco looks down. 'Tell me.'
'No, no. I'd rather not.'
'I appreciate you are trying to "protect" me or some shit, Draco, but I have a right to know, this is my business.'
'But . . . but it was about your family. About you.'
'Tell me.'
'Like, well . . . she called you a mudblood, said your family were a load of foul shit that you really won't ever get me to repeat.'
'Are you definitely Draco?' I ask, astounded. 'The Draco I know would not normally hesitate.'
'I'm just looking out for you.'

We stand from the Gryffindor table and Draco also takes my other hand. 'I appreciate that, but you can still tell me. Look, I won't force you to because I'm an amazing girlfriend like that, I won't make you do something you don't want to do. Oh God, here she comes.' I groan, seeing Parkinson smirking as she walks over to the Slytherin table. 'Okay. I'll see you in a bit, okay? I should probably sort some things out.'
'Yeah, me too. See you later.' I smile. Draco kisses my cheek before walking to the Slytherin table. I find Harry, Ron and Hermione at the top of the Gryffindor table with Fred and George.

'What was all that about?'
'What was what about?'
'You know what.' Harry glares at me, 'The whole lovey-dovey with Malfoy. You've only been seeing each other a few days.'
'It's not your decision how we act together.' I snap. Fred and George exchange looks as I glare at Harry. 'I just think you could do better.' Harry shrugs.
'What, like you? Draco is perfectly fine for me and I will make my own decisions about who I like, thanks very much.' At this, Harry flushes.
'Alright, you two.' Fred awkwardly chimes in.
'Yeah, break it up.' George agrees. 'But I do have to take sides with Harry on this one, Alyssia. Malfoy is such a git, the things he's done, the way he's treated you as a friend -'
'Not to mention the mudblood incident.' Fred adds. 'He is a bit of a twat.' I swat the both of them, seething in silence. 'Ron?' I say, raising a brow.
'I'm - I'm with them.' Ron points at Harry and his brothers. I gape.
'Hermione?'
'I - well - I know that you like him but . . . I'm also with the boys.'
'Oh my god!' I shout angrily.

'Whatever, it's none of your choices who my boyfriend is. And I think some people -' I turn and shout over at the Slytherin table, '- need to learn to keep their mouths shut!'
'Alyssia, we can understand that this must be -'
'No, you don't! I don't want the whole of Slytherin to hate me - but they already do - and all of Gryffindor, let alone my best friends who I usually confide everything in. Fuck!' I shout, running a hand through my hair and earning me some stares and shocked glances. I see Pansy skipping from the hall and furiously get up, casting one last look at my so-called friends before groaning with anger and stomping off, shouting, 'Oi, Parkinson!' As loud as I can.