enchanted • draco malfoy

Year 4: The Second Task

Felicity's POV

Draco and I stayed up in the Astronomy Tower until it began snowing. We stood close, but not too close. Just enough for the both of us to stay warm. Our shoulders touched, and that was it. Part of me still hadn't registered our almost-kiss, part of me was squealing like a first year, and part of was dreading the what would happen after we left our bubble of security on this tower.

Quietly, I voiced my thoughts. "Draco, what happens now? Everyone thinks you like Parkinson, we're supposed to still hate each other, and no offense, but my friends do still hate you, and your father is threatening-"

"Felicity," he cut me off, "Whatever you want to happen, happens now. If you want me to break up with Pansy, it's done. If you want me to talk to my father, I'll do it. If you think sneaking around, keeping this a secret, is the best option, then that's what we'll do." I looked up at him with something a little like awe. He was so open and willing, nothing like the mask he wears around school.

Finally, I responded. "I think we should keep it quiet," I murmured. "I won't tell anyone, you won't tell anyone. We'll find places to meet, and we'll figure something out, some plan or schedule, but for God's sake, please dump Parkinson."

It was silent for a moment, before he laughed. "Done," he whispered. His hand brushed my hand, and I didn't object as his fingers laced through mine. I prayed my face was pale from the cold rather than red from his touch.

The first snowflakes fell around 2 in the morning. We'd been standing in a peaceful silence before I realized the light mist was actually snow. I smiled faintly and looked up at Draco, who was already looking down at me. The snow stuck to his blonde hair and somehow made his eyes seem almost blue rather than the steely silver I'd come to recognize. "We should probably go inside," he suggested, his voice almost inaudible. Again, his eyes drifted towards my lips, and I forced myself to avoid thinking about his on mine.

"Yeah," I replied, "We should." Neither of us moved, and the snow fell harder around us. I could barely feel it. At last, the cold penetrated through his jacket, and I snapped out of it. I slung his jacket off from my shoulders and offered it to him. "Thanks for that," I said.

His smile set my insides on fire. "Anytime, Felicity." When he took back his jacket, his fingers brushed mine, warming them immediately. Again, I fought off my blush as I said, "Goodnight, Draco." Without waiting for his reply, I hurried down the steps and away from the tower. Only when I was back in my dorm and in my pajamas did I let myself think of what I'd done.

~*~

The day before the tournament, Harry had given us both good and bad news. The good news was that he'd figured out the egg. The bad news was that he had no idea what to do with the information. The four of us had been in the library all day, scouring spellbooks and looking for potions. Now, with less than twelve hours until the next task, we were getting nervous.

"Harry, tell me again," Hermione demanded, brow furrowed as she paced. I opened a new book about wands and their specialties as Harry sighed, but obeyed. "Come seek us where our voices sound," he recited. Hermione interrupted. "The Black Lake, that's obvious." Harry continued, "An hour long you'll have to look." I chipped in, "Again, obvious. Though potentially problematic." Harry looked at me incredulously. "'Potentially problematic'? When's the last time you held your breath underwater for an hour, Felicity?" I gave him a sour look before Hermione chimed in.

"Look, Harry, we can do this," she said encouragingly, "The four of us can figure it out." A new voice broke in. "Hate to break up the skull session," Professor Moody said before turning to Mione and Ron, "Professor McGonagall wants you in her office." The four of us made to stand up, but he stopped me and Harry. "Not you two, just Weasley and Granger."