Forever And Always | D.M

Chapter 6

Unsure if I should meet Draco tonight, I deliberated for a while before deciding to go, just to listen to what he had to say. As I carefully made my way down the stairs to the common room, cautiously attempting to keep quiet, I was almost at the exit when a voice suddenly called out, startling me as I cautiously rotated to face whoever had spoken.

"Harry?! What are you doing still awake?" I questioned, as he looked up from his task.

"I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd do some reading," he said as he continued. His eyebrow raised inquisitively as he added, "Were you planning on going somewhere?"

"No," I started to say, but he cut me off. "Sofia, I've known you for a few weeks now, and I didn't want to point it out, but I've noticed you always take off to the Astronomy Tower." He let out a little laugh.

"You did? How? Nobody is down here when I leave," I asked, my voice filled with disbelief as he held up The Marauders Map.

Feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment, all I could muster was a quiet, "Oh."

He said with a smart tone of voice, "Tell Malfoy I say hello," Waving the map in the air as I was about to ask how he knew.

Playfully rolling my eyes, I shake my head and make my way outside to the Astronomy Tower. As I ascend the stairs, I see that Draco has his back to me.

He spun around with a look of surprise on his face and said, "You came." My heart raced as I walked closer to him, and our eyes met in the star-filled night.

After a few moments of quiet, I spoke up and stated, "I don't understand you."

"What do you mean?" He looked at me with a genuine look of confusion, his head slightly cocked to the side like a curious puppy. I spoke with care, wanting to ensure I was conveying my meaning correctly.

"We had a pleasant meeting, or so I assumed until you were unkind. You pulled me into a closet for an intense makeout session, only for you to turn cold again. Your friend, who is smitten with you, called me a mudblood and punched me. You defended my honor, only for you to become strange again."

Now here I am, unable to look him in the eye. I desperately wanted answers, to comprehend the situation once and for all. Still, my stomach churned at the thought of hearing something I would not want to hear.

Draco looked at me with a mix of sadness and regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry for being so mean," he said. "There's been a lot of pressure from my family and I'm expected to live up to certain expectations. It's been hard for me to handle, and so I take it out on other people, which I deeply regret. I also don't trust anyone easily, since I've been hurt by those I've trusted in the past. I hope you can understand that I'm trying to do my best and I don't want to cause any harm." He sighed and looked away, hoping I would sympathize with his situation.

I reached out and cupped his face in my hands, feeling his pain. "It's okay," I said gently, looking into his eyes. "We all make mistakes, and that's okay." Draco smiled gratefully, relieved and thankful for the understanding and kindness I was showing him.

He asked, "How is your lip doing?"

"It's alright," I said softly, releasing my hold on his face.

"I'm sorry about her; she tends to view the world in black and white, with no room for nuance. I'm starting to think that perhaps she's mistaken." He said regretfully.

"She was extremely harsh," I stated.

Draco bit his lip and looked down, his expression filled with shame. His voice quivered as he tried to speak, his chest heaving with emotion. "I've never been far from her. I-I-" He couldn't finish his sentence before I placed my hands on his shoulders and said softly, "Hey, it's okay." He gave me a weak smile before leaning in to kiss me.