A Forbidden Love ➵ Draco Malfoy

ʚ confessions ɞ

Between classes the next day, when I'm able to find Draco alone, I pull him aside into a corner of the hallway. He raises his eyebrows and I roll my eyes, "Don't get any ideas."

"Okay... then what are we doing here?" He asks.

"I saw you at Honeydukes." I accuse and his smirk doesn't even falter one bit.

"Okay. That means you were there too. You can't get me in trouble without getting yourself in trouble too." He says, running a hand through his hair.

"That's not why we're here. I got a gift yesterday." I say slowly, trying to provoke a reaction out of him but his face doesn't change. Draco makes a face as if telling me to continue so I do, "It was anonymous."

"And what do you want me to do about that?" He asks and I scoff.

"Did you give it to me?" I blurt out, not wanting to waste any more time or energy on this conversation. The smirk finally drops from his face and contorts into a scowl.

"Maybe I did. So what?" He admits.

"I...don't...know." I confess, looking up at him. He averts his eyes when mine meet his.

"Do you mind? I mean, that it was from me?" He asks softly, his face tender. I shake my head and he smiles.

Draco places his hands on my waist and leans closer. He looks to me for permission and I nod. Our lips touch, cautiously at first, and then more and more passionately. He pushes me up against the stone wall, pinning my hands above my head, his knee locking me in place.

As I hear the shuffling of feet behind us, I pull away. "I can't do this, Draco."

"Because of Potter." He spits, angry again.

"Yes. It's practically an arranged marriage and I can't betray him now. I'm sorry." I apologise, biting my lip. He shakes his head and walks away, leaving me with moist eyes at the end of the hallway.

Josh spotted me from the other side of the hall and made his way over to me. "Did he hurt you?" He asks, eyeing Draco. I shake my head, wiping my eyes on my robes. He puts an arm around my waist and escorts me to class, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I say plainly.

"No, I mean are you really okay?" He presses.

"No, I'm not, okay? But I don't feel like talking about it right now. Maybe later?" I say, finally dropping my cold front to someone I had met all but four days ago.

"Astronomy tower at 7?" He asks and I nod, giving him a grateful hug before walking into class.

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7 o'clock

I sat on the cool stone floor of the astronomy tower, waiting for Josh. I turn when I hear soft steps on the spiraling stairs.

"Hey, Sophaloph." He says and I laugh.

"Sophaloph?" I smile and he nods.

"I think it has a nice ring to it. Plus, it suits you." He replies as he sits down next to me, "Tell me about yourself seeing as we've only met a few days ago."

"Okay. My name is Sophie Jade Hale, I'm 16 years old, I'm an only child, I'm 5"4' and my favorite color is pink," I say, staring up at the sky, "Your turn."

"My name is Josh Brown, I'm 17 years old, I'm also an only child, and I'm 6 inches taller than the shorty, Sophie Jade Hale." He jokes and I punch him lightly in the shoulder.

"Don't make fun of my middle name. You didn't even tell me yours." I pout and he laughs.

"I will never ever tell you my middle name." Josh replies and this time it was my turn to laugh, "Now, tell me something deeper. Something below the surface."

"I already did. I told you my favorite color." I say, trying to avoid the question. He chuckles and shakes his head. "Okay, fine. Ever since I met Elle's sisters, I've always wanted one for myself. I don't care if they're older or younger or even a twin. I just want someone I know would always be there."

Josh nods and says, "My father left my mother and me before I was born. I'm a half-blood and when he found my mother was a witch and pregnant, he freaked and left. My mother blames it on me, but I guess she's right. I scared away my mother's chance at happiness."

"But it's not your fault. There's nothing you could do." I argue, but he shakes his head solemnly.

"Enough about me." Josh says, glancing over to me.

"Okay. First of all, thank you for trusting me with that and second, I have something I'm going to trust with you. You can't tell anyone. Not Harry, not Ron, I haven't even told Hermione." I say. I need to get what happened earlier today off my chest.

"I swear I will keep this to myself." He says sincerely.

"I kissed Draco." I say, looking to him to see his expression.

"Draco...Malfoy?" He asks disbelievingly.

"Yes." I reply.

"Wow." Is all he manages to say, "Wait, is that what you two were doing this morning?"

"Yes." I nod.

"Then why were you crying?" He questions.

"Because I told him no. That I couldn't do that to Harry." I say softly.

"Do you have feelings for Draco?" Josh asks the unavoidable question.

"I think so." What was I doing? Confessing all of this to a stranger?

"And what about Harry?" He asks.

"I don't know anymore." I admit. He seems surprised at this answer.

"What do you mean by that?" He replies.

"I mean, don't get me wrong. I love Harry and my parents love Harry. For God's sake, everyone loves Harry," I say and Josh laughs, "But he just wants to settle down once we get married..."

"And that's not what you want." He finishes for me.

"Yes, that's not what I want. Draco's different. He's exciting, adventurous. That's what I want and that's what's missing in my relationship with Harry."

"You'll need to tell Harry at some point."

"I know, but I want to be sure of my feelings first."

"Fair enough. Just so you know, I'm always here to talk."

"Thank you, Josh."

"Of course, Sophaloph." He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I burst out in laughter. We head back to the dorms and I hadn't realised how late it had gotten.

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"Where were you?" Harry demands once I return to the Gryffindor common room.

"I was out. Why?" I say, surprised by his anger.

"With who?" He asks.

"Josh. Why are you so upset?" I reply.

"Why am I so upset? You were out with a guy. At night. At a meeting I had no knowledge of." He growls.

"Do I need to tell you everything I do?" I ask, getting defensive.

"No, but it would have been nice to know when you're going to be alone with someone else." He answers.

"We were just talking." I explain.

"Whatever. Just get some sleep." Harry says with a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Fine." I agree, stomping up to my dorm, my mood spoiled by Harry and I's encounter.