the chase (draco malfoy)

chapter eight

The shock and confusion that come with Draco's sudden affection are short lived. He pulls away only for a moment.

"Kiss me," He demands softly. And I do.

I allow myself to melt into him. He smiles against my mouth. He grips the backs of my thighs and lifts me, pushing me harder against the wall. I wrap my legs around his waist and tangle my arms around the back of his neck.

He backs away from the wall and finds the chair that sits in the corner of the room. He sits and I'm on top of him, straddling his hips.

His mouth travels down my jawline and he latches onto my neck, softly sucking at the skin. He wraps one arm around my back and tangles the other in my hair. I move my hips in slow motions, pressing into him. The soft groan that escapes his lips causes a shiver to run down my spine.

The way he kisses me is unlike anything I've ever felt. The intensity and fire created when our lips are locked is unimaginably pleasant. I've never kissed anyone like this, not even...

Cedric.

I snap back to reality when I hear the approaching laughs and shouts, no doubt Cedric and the others returning to the tent. I jump off Draco's lap and back away into the furthest corner of the room, creating as much space between us as possible. I grab my robe and hastily put it on, attempting to cover myself. Draco looks confused, hurt even, before he hears them too. He stands and turns his back to me, adjusting his pants. I blush.

Cedric enters the room, eyes falling on me with a smile before he notices the intruder. I silently pray he doesn't notice the way my lips are more pink than usual, my hair slightly disheveled, and the redness beginning to creep up on my face. 

"I'll be going then," Draco says, pushing past Cedric and heading for the door, stealing one last glance in my direction before exiting the room and the tent.

"Well, how'd it go?" I ask Cedric, hoping he won't mention Draco.

Cedric beams when he delivers the news that he had won the second task. Harry had saved the day, though, rescuing Ron and Gabrielle both. Fleur has been knocked out of the competition. 

"What was Malfoy doing in here?" He asks, a hint of accusation in his tone.

"He had a question about some potions homework." I lie, biting my lip and secretly hoping that Cedric trusts me enough to believe such a ridiculous lie. 

He nods and wraps me in a hug. "I'm sorry you had to participate today." He says.

"That's okay Cedric. Thank you for rescuing me." I giggle. He cups my face and kisses me softly, and I find myself yearning for the intensity that's missing. 

...

It's been nearly three weeks since the steamy kiss I had shared with my childhood friend, and I hadn't spoke to him since. I see him often, but he avoids my gaze. His on and off behavior is giving me whiplash.

The yule ball is quickly approaching, and my parents had written me a letter saying that they'd bought me a dress to wear. It should be arriving today.

When I return to my dorm after breakfast, a two medium sized boxes lay on my bed with a note attached.

I hope this will do, Love dad

I smile and rip open the first box, unfolding tissue paper to reveal a silky emerald green gown. 

I'm slightly disappointed with the color choice. It's blatantly obvious my mother had chosen the color of Slytherin, where she still believes I rightfully belong. It is very beautiful though. 

I slip off my robes to try it on. The material hugs my body and reveals curves in places I didn't know existed. I'm usually more of a modest dresser, baggy clothing suits me well. I don't really look at my body much. Thin spaghetti straps hold up the top, and the backside is completely open. A slit rides from the bottom of the dress to the top of my thigh. I blush as I look at myself in the mirror.

I open the second box which reveals a pair of black heels, too high for my liking, but it's a special occasion and they'll have to do.

"Bloody hell," Hannah nearly shouts, clapping her hand over her open mouth as she walks into the room. "You look like a different person!"

I glance back at the mirror. I suppose I do. This outfit is a far stretch from my usual attire.

"In a good or bad way?" I ask tentatively.

"In the best way possible," she smiles. "There won't be a boy there who can keep his eyes off you." She winks.

I smile and my cheeks turn red when I find myself wondering if a specific Slytherin boy will like the dress. I'd heard he'd asked a Beauxbatons girl, which isn't shocking. Anyone would be lucky to go with him. 

Hannah and I spend the rest of the night in our dorm, gossiping about the latest at Hogwarts. I want to tell her about Draco, but I know I can't. She wouldn't understand, and her disapproval would only hurt me. 

After a while, Hannah's fast asleep and I'm alone with my thoughts. I can't help but wonder what Draco is doing right now, whether or not he's thinking of me, if he regrets the moment we'd shared in the tent... 

I need to shake it off. I can't allow this boy to mess with my head in this way. That's all he possibly could want from me. He just wants to get under my skin, and I'm finished allowing it.

Cedric is a nice boy who treats me well. I need to focus on my relationship with him. 

But there's something missing. Something I found in Draco. A piece of myself I'd long forgotten. Cedric deserves better than only half of my heart, and the guilt is eating me alive.