Falling for the Enemy||Draco Malfoy Love Story Fanfiction

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Boyfriend

*Merielle's POV*

Hogwarts really was quite good. Much better than my previous school. I soon had many friends, but they all knew to not get on my bad side. Let's just say that I do not let anyone get the better of me, and I have a fiesty temper. Draco and I became quite close, but we would bicker and roast each other quite often. He seemed to let his guard down around me and was quite friendly and caring, but with anyone else he was the same old cold and arrogant Malfoy.

"Why do you even bother hanging out with Malfoy?" hissed Harry to me one day during Charms. Well, I get that the two are practically at each other's throats 24/7, so obviously Draco was horrible to Harry.

"He can be a sweet and open boy if he wants to," I answered.

"Ugh, I know something's up with him, Ella. I know."

"Harry, we've talked about this," I sighed, "Give it a rest."

"How come he's so horrible to everyone else then? He is quite the bully. You know that. But recently, I've had another thought. I'm still sure he's a Death Eater," argued Harry. I almost exploded.

"Oh, shut up, Harry! You and your ridiculous Death Eater theory! Just because you're so against him and the fact that his parents are Death Eaters does not mean that he is one! Besides, why would Voldemort turn Draco into a Death Eater! He's not even of age yet! Now please, just stop. I'm so tired of your 'suspicions' and melodrama."

"Ella, who knows what Voldemort is up to? This is the darkest wizard of all time we are talking about! And I don't know, maybe he wants to use Malfoy to get to Dumbledore! Or Hogwarts! Yes, I think that's it," he nodded, almost to himself. I snapped,

"Keep your thoughts to yourself, Harry. I'm not interested."

*Draco's POV!*

Little did Merielle know that I had heard every word. I felt glad and happy that she had so fearlessly and decisively stood up for me. She really was a true friend, and it made me glow. I've never actually had a true friend. I mean, of course there's Crabbe and Goyle, but they're both witless and more of my henchmen. Blaise comes pretty close, but I know that if it comes down to that, he would save himself first and wouldn't give a finger about me. And I don't think he actually considers my feelings. I am the most popular person, and I'm the Slytherin Prince, but nobody really knows me. But when I'm with Merielle, I feel relaxed and carefree. She makes me laugh and I can just be myself around her. Damn, this girl was really getting to me. After years of building up walls and locking my heart away, she comes into my life and effortlessly brings all of my defenses down, revealing the real me. Even my heart is warming up. No, no. We are friends and it must stay that way. After what happened... I don't want to get hurt like that again. And I would only be putting her life in danger, what with this stupid mission. At that, I felt guilt seep through my body. When Potter had talked about Dumbledore and Hogwarts, I nearly had a fit. He had already brushed the truth. I couldn't afford for that to happen. The consequences... I shuddered. How I hated it all.

*Merielle's POV*

"Hey! Ella!" I turned around to see Xander hurrying up to me.

"Hi, Xander," I smiled. We walked together on the grass. It was our free period and so we were free to do what we liked.

"Well, we have Quidditch practise tomorrow," he noted.

"Yes. I've always loved Quidditch. My auntie is a wonderful Quidditch player and she taught me. It's not her main profession though."

"So what is her job?"

"She works as an Auror. A very prestigious one, too. My parents and her always fought against Voldemort, and always will. I hope that one day I can be as great as them. They only seek to do good in the world."

"I'm sure you will, Ella. You're a fantastic person." I blushed.

"Thanks, Xander. So are you." He stopped suddenly, and I turned.

"Xander? Are you alright?" There was a certain look in his eyes I couldn't quite decipher.

"Ella, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for quite some while now. The truth is, I really like you. You're smart, caring, funny, pretty and a nice person to be around. Look, I completely understand if you don't feel the same way. We've only known each other for a few weeks. I wouldn't want to ruin our friendship over this, but would you-?" I was quiet. Could I go out with him? Xander was a pretty decent guy. It was a bit early, but maybe I could grow my feelings for him overtime? But then I remembered how badly I had been broken last time I loved someone. Yet this would be different, right? It would just be a small thing to begin with, nothing to worry about. It wouldn't be serious to start off, and I guess I could give it a try.

"Alright," I smiled. His face lit up.

"Really?"

"Really." He grinned, clasped my hands in his, and kissed my cheek.

"I'm so happy, Ella." Xander really was ecstatic.

I saw Draco just coming out of his last class and I ran up to him.

"Draco!" I beamed.

"Oh, hi, Merielle. What's this big grin of yours about?" He teased. 

"Draco, I'm taken!"

*Draco's POV*

"Draco!" I saw Merielle running up to me, a happy grin plastered on her face.

"Oh, hi, Merielle. What's this big grin of yours about?" I teased. The answer she gave me was most unexpected.

"Draco, I'm taken!" I froze in place. No, I must have heard wrong. But I hadn't.

"Oh, uh... " I stuttered. She couldn't be taken! I lo- No, Draco, she is just your friend! You two are not anything more. She is free to be with whoever she wants. Then why did I feel as if I had been punched in the gut?

"That's, um... Who?" I finally managed. Yes, who was this guy?

"Xander Hollister," she smiled, and I felt my anger stir. Hollister! Ugh, I should've seen the way he looked at her! They were close friends, and then of course Hollister had to go make her his girlfriend.

"That's... lovely. But, Merielle, surely you must know that he's a player? He's been with many other girls."

"So have you," she answered mildly, and I opened and closed my mouth silently like a fish out of water.

"That's not the point!" I snapped, frustrated, "How do you know he's not going to dump you, or worse, cheat on you? Just be careful, Merielle. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I'll be fine, Draco. I can look after myself. But thanks, anyways." She smiled again. God, I could never tire from seeing her radiant smile.

"He has girls tailing him 24/7 and girls tracking his every step. It'll be simple for him to leave you."

"Oh, come off it, Draco. I'll be fine. Now, I have to get to class. See you later." She gave me a quick hug. 

"See you around, Merielle." I watched as she skipped off. My head was a confused blur. Did I like her? Yes, certainly. But more than that? I didn't know if I was prepared too. And even if I was, with the situation I was in, it would be disastrous. I couldn't let her get hurt. I couldn't be selfish.