Fatal Attraction | D.M. (Soft Rewrite)

Chapter Twenty-One - Exposed

Ophelia had successfully avoided everyone, only having meals on-the-go, or returning to the common room late at night. But on Thursday she knew she would be in the same room as Draco and Blaise for Potions.

She rubbed at her eyes in frustration, after barely getting any sleep between her nightmares. Laying straight, she tried to locate when her life had become a series of upsetting moments.

First, there was guilt over kissing Malfoy.

Blaise had been awful and jealous but things could have been fixed. Now, she was forced to either tell him the truth or keep secrets.

She felt too cowardly for both. That's why it made the most sense to push him away. Keeping her distance meant she didn't have to decide.

He was handsome and had been so caring - so attentive. But none of his apologies had come close to convincing her that he deserved forgiveness.

The problem was his temper and she knew there was no possibility he could change that.

Next, there was disappointment, verging on betrayal.

She felt like Draco had sold her a lie. That evening together, up the astronomy tower, felt less real every time she caught a glimpse of him.

He would avoid meeting her eyes, but she knew the sneers he directed at the walls - or over her head - were really intended for her.

That look of disdain was hard to overcome, as she tried to recall the boy she'd kissed. Sweet - tender - romantic.

Now, everything was a mess because of a misunderstanding.

Lastly, there was fear.

Over her own bodies potential and the necklace. Creating a list in her head, she recalled all the instances where her necklace had burnt her skin.

The first night in the common room, in Snape's office during the meeting, and after their first kiss in the tower.

What was it about him?

While he wasn't controlling her necklace, the two were inseparable.

They are linked... but why?

Fidgeting on the mattress, she twirled the pendant on its chain. Watching the microscopic rainbows it created, when light shone through the cut crystal at different angles. She admired the refractions of colour that ghosted over her green curtains.

It's so harmless.

Maybe it's a delusion I've been entertaining. Maybe it's all in my head.

Sighing, she tried to think of home.

She wanted to visit Shell Cottage as soon as possible. But escaping now would be premature. Things had to be fixed. She couldn't return to Fleur with bad news.

So far she had achieved so little. How have I allowed my time to be so consumed by boys? Ophelia felt like a failure. She had to try. She had to make this work - it's what they would have wanted.

~

She intended to bolt from the classroom, back to the library, before anyone could look up from their cauldrons.

But she'd failed to anticipate that Blaise's plans would stand in her way.

He was desperate to speak with her. After being interrupted by the arrival of Pansy last time, who turned it into another fight, he hadn't been given the opportunity to win Ophelia back.