y/n pov * ◌༉‧
i was walking to potions with taylor, since we had the class together. the dungeons were cold as usual, and my bag felt heavier than it should've. we slipped into the classroom and dropped our books on the table with a soft thud.
"so." taylor said, nudging me as she eyed the blonde boy across the room. "what's going on with you and draco."
"what do you mean." i asked, not looking up.
"don't you like him."
i sighed. "yeah. but to him, i'm just a filthy mudblood. every time he looks at me, that's all i hear. i'm tired of it."
"you never know." she said with a hopeful shrug. "he might actually like you back."
before she could finish, professor snape slammed a book between us. the noise made us both jump.
"if you two are quite finished gossiping about malfoy, perhaps you'd like to focus on your potion." he snapped, then turned on his heel and stalked off.
we groaned in unison, rubbing the spots on our heads where the book had hit.
"i swear, i'm going to kick him." taylor muttered.
from the table nearby, a familiar voice called out. "chatting about me, are you."
draco. of course he heard us.
"whatever." i mumbled, rolling my eyes.
"you should talk to him." taylor whispered.
i turned to her with wide eyes. "are you insane. i'm not going up to him just to get called—"
another thud. another book. this time, just for me.
"since you're so interested in malfoy, miss y/l/n, you can work with him." snape said. i started to protest, but he grabbed my arm and led me across the room, swapping me with goyle.
great.
"can't keep my name out of your mouth, y/l/n." draco said with a smirk as i sat beside him.
"can we just get this over with." i asked, trying not to meet his eyes.
"or." he said, voice low. "meet me at the astronomy tower."
i blinked. "you're asking me that." he nodded once, like it was nothing. "fine." i said quietly.
"seven o'clock." he replied.
we turned back to our potion like nothing had happened.
ᨒ
after class, i walked to herbology with neville, talking about plants. it was almost enough to distract me—until i heard my name. i stopped mid-step.
"wait." i said to neville, pulling him behind a pillar with me.
"...y/l/n." blaise's voice floated over.
"that filthy mudblood." draco said, laughing with the others. "no way i'd ever like a stupid girl like her."
my stomach dropped. neville glanced at me.
"i'm sorry." he said softly.
"it's fine. could you just... tell me what we're doing in class today. i'll catch up later."
he nodded. i didn't wait—I turned and walked off fast, not even sure where i was going. my feet led me to the astronomy tower.
books in hand, i slumped against the wall and sank to the floor. the frustration hit all at once. i dropped the books and let myself cry, not caring if anyone saw. when i finally tried to pull myself together, a hand reached out—veined, pale, with silver rings—and picked up my books.
"y/n. it's not seven yet." draco said, stepping in front of me.
"just leave me alone." i muttered, reaching for my things. but he held onto my wrist, making me drop everything again.
"tell me what's wrong." he said.
"why don't you go back and tell your friends how disgusting i am." i snapped, pulling away.
"you heard that." he said, voice lower now.
i nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
"i didn't mean it." he said quickly. "i just—i didn't want them to know how much i actually like you. it was stupid. i'm sorry."
i stared at him. "you like me."
"yes. and... no. i mean, you're a muggle, yeah. but there's something about you. i've never felt like this before."
my cheeks burned, and before i could say anything else, he pulled me into a hug. his arms were warm despite the cold air, and without thinking, i hugged him back.
"i knew it." taylor's voice cut through. i looked up to see her and blaise standing at the top of the stairs.
"pay up." taylor said, holding out her hand to blaise.
he scoffed. "bloody hell."
"you guys are so adorable. see." taylor winked at me as draco's arms wrapped tighter around my waist.
