6 Year Plan

Yule Ball

Chapter 5 :
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Laurel's POV :

It's been over a month. Draco and I have been getting along greatly. We've kept up our Saturday tradition, and added Sunday morning cuddles to the tradition.
The Yule Ball is coming up. So today, Hermione and I are going dress shopping. She's finally going with Ron this year, I've been waiting ages for this to happen.
Hermione chose a beautiful champagne dress, It fit her well and she looked so grown.

I chose a white dress.

Hermione gasped when I walked out in the dress, as I had done to her. We'd found our dresses and we were going to look stunning, especially alongside our dates.
-

"So, what color dress did you get?"

"None of your business, Malfoy. You'll see."

"As long as it matches my black tux, Graves."

"Oh it will. Trust me."

The Yule Ball approached fast. Draco bugged me about the color of my dress practically every day. He's even tried to peep through the bag a couple times.

The morning of the Yule Ball, Hermione and I got ready together. She'd never admit it, but she is incredibly nervous. If only she knew how nervous Ron was. 

I managed to bring my polaroid to Hogwarts, so of course we took many pictures before going to the ball. I was shaking, standing there in my heels. Nervous to see Draco, and his reaction. Ron was speechless when he saw Hermione. Harry went with a girl I knew quite well from Slytherin, Dani. I'd managed to hook them up dates together in some of my free time. 

As I'm watching the four of my friends walk off together, I feel a hand on my shoulder spin me around.

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Who else has your hair? Besides maybe my mom."

I laughed, and pulled him into a soft kiss. He looked so handsome in all black. 

"Black and white. Someone was listening on the train."

"I'm always listening, Malfoy. Let's dance."

He reluctantly followed, his hand in mine. We danced for what felt like forever, but it would never be long enough. His eyes on mine, I wish I could make it last forever. 

"You look beautiful, yknow."

"Only because I actually tried today."

"No Laurel, you're beautiful. I feel like I don't tell you enough.

 I much prefer you on a regular day,  but I do love this dress on you.

 It looks a bit like the future."

As he said this, I felt his heart beat a little faster. He looked away for a moment, trying to avoid what he just said. I smiled and giggled under my breath.

"The future? What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Forget I said anything."

"Nope. Sorry, you're in too deep."

He doesn't say anything, he just looks into my eyes and smiles before looking down at my dress.

"My dress? You plan on seeing me in another white dress, Malfoy?"

"Okay fine. Yes, I do. I, I really care about you. I don't understand how

 I ever opened up to you this fast. Or why it took so long to get to you."

"So long?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean?"

"I've liked you for quite some time. First year."

"Draco, You d-"

"Before you say it. No, I'm not saying it because you did.

 I've had a crush on you since the first day I laid eyes on you. 

Ever since you walked up to be sorted and you turned around. 

Your smile lit up the whole room. I needed you to be in Slytherin,

 but then once you were, I never even tried to get close to you."

"Everything happens for a reason. There's a reason why it took

 us so long, we just don't know yet. You'll see one day. Draco, I lo-"

"Come on, let's go somewhere else."

He cut me off before I could say it. Does he not want me to? Does he not love me? I followed him, hand in hand. He led me to the astronomy tower. He seemed nervous, his hands were fidgety and he was struggling to make eye contact.

"Laurel, I know how you feel about me. But there's something

 you should know before you tell me."

"What is it, Draco?"

My mind was running a race, my heart was jumping out of my chest. What was so important that I couldn't even tell him that I loved him? I was so nervous I just wanted to shout it at him, I love you Draco.

"Please don't hate me."

"I could never hate you."

He looked like he was about to break into tears. He leaned against the wall, he was so scared. I walked up to him and placed my hand on his back and rubbed circles against his jacket. He turned to me, and took off his jacket. He planted a kiss on my forehead. He lifted up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal the dark mark. I stood there, shocked. Before I knew what was happening, I fell backwards. I heard Draco speaking but it felt further and further away until everything went black.