Don't Ever Forget

XIX.

The next few days at the ministry are about preparation. We go over how many Aurors and Obliviators are available to patrol and work with the Muggleborn Protection plan. The Ministry has been putting in more effort to find any Muggleborn infants and children that may not be aware of their gift yet and specifics of the plan are starting to be drawn together.

"It's the Muggleborn children that are in danger, not their muggle parents, so the children should be our main focus," I explain to Billingsgate during a committee session to finalize our plan.

"Do you think the parents would just let their children go after hearing news their lives might be in danger?" he asks and I see the point he's made.

"Some might, especially if their children are older. Perhaps we can talk to Headmistress McGonagall about a temporary exception to allow the muggle parents to reside with their younger children and infants at Hogwarts until the situation is dealt with," I suggest.

"That sounds like the best option," one of the other committee members chimes in, and others seem to agree.

"Ok then, it seems we have everything figured out. Session dismissed," Billingsgate declares and the other members shuffle out.

"Asking for a muggle exception is a risky move, Y/N. Muggles have only been allowed at Hogwarts under very unusual circumstances and it's very rare" Billingsgate tells me.

"I know," I begin, "But I know McGonagall will see that it's necessary to protect the Muggleborns. Besides, I would say this is an unusual circumstance."

"You could be right," he says then his expression changes from challenging and professional to some emotion I can't place.

"I hope you'll be joining me when I discuss the plan with McGonagall," he says, taking a few steps toward me.

"Of course I will. I think I know my plan best," I reply defiantly and he chuckles. He steps even closer now and I feel a rising discomfort. He places his hand next to mine, almost touching, on the table.

"You've proven to be quite useful, Y/N. Perhaps we could make a great team," he says and I start to pull my hand farther from his. I feel really confused by his odd behavior but I decide to ignore it.

"Well, I have to get going now. I need to be prepared for tomorrow," I say as an excuse and leave in a hurry. Right when I walk out of the committee room and I bump straight into Draco's chest.

"In a hurry?" he asks and I sigh.

"Kind of... I'm happy to see you," I say and he looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Did something happen?" he asks, glancing behind me into the committee room. I decided against telling him about Billingsgate's odd behavior to avoid any problems.

"No, I'm okay. Just a bit nervous for tomorrow," I say and he looks back to me, seemingly forgetting any concern.

"Nervous for our return to Hogwarts?" he asks playfully and I feel my uneasiness about Billingsgate start to fade.

"Yes! I know I'll be asking McGonagall for a lot. If she approves of the idea, it would be the most muggles at Hogwarts at one time in history," I say. I grab onto Draco's arm as we walk away but a feeling makes me turn around. When I do, I see Billingsgate watching us. He seems angry or... resentful. I turn back around quickly and try to forget that look on his face.

Once we get to my door, he stands outside like he has for the past few days.

"Draco?" I say.

"Yes?"

"Maybe... you can come in this time. Just for a bit. If you would like," I say, blushing and he smiles.

"Alright, just for a bit," he says and he follows me into my flat. Once he steps inside, I become super critical of all of my belongings and how it must look to him. It's a small place with only one bedroom and bathroom. He's only been inside once before but he didn't have the time to actually look around, now he does.

He takes a moment to look all around. Right when you walk in the door, is my living room with a small couch and a small TV in front of it. Straight ahead is the small kitchen, with a small table with two chairs to sit. A small bookshelf filled with books. Everything seems so small.

"Well, I know it's nothing like the Malfoy Manor," I joke, trying to ease my nerves.

"That's not a bad thing," he replies, suddenly serious. My mind wanders to what memories he must have at the Manor, good and bad. It was where he grew up, but it is also where he was tormented by Voldemort's presence. I push away the thoughts.

"It's actually quite nice. You have lots of books and pictures. It's very... you," he continues, lightening up.

"Hm, thank you. Anyway... can I get you anything? Water?" I ask. He chuckles.

"What a good host. Yes, I'd like a water," he says and I turn and take a few steps to get to my kitchen. I think it's funny how awkward and unusual this is and giggle to myself. This is the first time he actually came into my flat to spend some time.

I'm facing away from Draco, towards my cabinets. I reach for a glass and hear Draco taking a few steps towards me.

"Do you ever get lonely here?" he asks, his voice sounding closer to me.

"I do. Sometimes," I reply, sheepishly. I'm still facing away from him but I hear him taking a few more steps towards me. My heart starts to beat faster and I fill up the glass with water. I turn around when the glass is full and he's standing directly in front of me, hardly any space between us. It feels like my heart is pounding against my chest and he slowly takes the glass from my hand and places it on the counter to the side. He has me trapped against the counter and I know he's enjoying it. He places one arm on each side of me, there's no escape now. Not that I'd want to.

"Draco..." I start but he stops me by pressing his lips on mine. Every worry and every thought leaves my mind. It's just him. I reach up and place my hands on the sides of his face, hoping to pull him even closer to me than he already is. This kiss is more passionate than the ones before. Our lips move against each other just right, like we already know what each of us is thinking. It feels like I'm melting into him. The sensations of his lips and his tongue against mine is euphoric.

He reaches down just a bit and pulls me up onto the counter. I take this opportunity to wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. He lets out a sigh then pulls away from me for a moment. He looks into my eyes and over my face and I do the same. I've never seen him this way and I take it all in. He looks relaxed as if all his worries drifted away, like mine. His lips are slightly parted and his eyes are softer than I've ever seen them. After the short moment, he moves down to my neck and leaves kisses there, sucking gently on my skin. I gasp at the feeling. My heart is pounding and I feel butterflies. But I feel something else, too. Something that's not so innocent.

I feel myself reaching for his collar and unbutton. One undone. Two. Three.

But he stops and pulls away. He looks away while he buttons back the ones I undid.

"Draco, I- I'm sorry," I say, trying to catch my breath. I'm embarrassed and I start to regret my boldness. No, of course he wouldn't want to do that with me.

"Don't be sorry Y/N," he says when his shirt is fully buttoned, "I should go."

"Um, yeah, okay," I say, looking down. He stands there for a moment and gives me a look. A look that seems apologetic, mixed with something else that I can't quite place. He steps towards me again and caresses my face with his hand, leaving a long kiss on my forehead.

Then he disapparates. Leaving me out of breath, messy-haired, and completely confused on my kitchen counter.