Forever Home | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 4-16: The Talk

It had been about a week since Desiree sat in her room, crying in Pansy's arms. As each day went on she felt as though a weight pressed down on her chest. She knew only one thing would relieve her of this weight; talking to Draco.

Though she knew it had to be done, she also felt a sense of fear. She feared that talking to him would only push him away more. But, she also knew that with each day he slipped further and further away.

Cedric had even noticed a shift in Desiree's mood. It was quite shocking to her that he had noticed with all of his preparation for the third task that was coming up in a two weeks.

"Desiree are you ever going to talk to him? I mean it only gets worse with more time," said Pansy as the two girls began walking to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"I know, I know. I'm going to talk to him. I just need to figure out what I'm going to say first," said Desiree.

"Why don't you do it today?" Pansy asked as the two girls walked into the classroom.

"Because if I do it without knowing what I'm going to say then I could make things worse than they already are," she sighed.

"Desiree, there's never going to be a perfect thing to say in a situation like this. You're just going to have to do it. Rip off the bandaid," said Pansy.

"Everyone take your seats," Moody called out from his desk. Desiree quickly made her way to her seat, next to Draco, thinking of what Pansy told her. As she sat down next to Draco the weight seemed to press harder against her. Of course that's how it had been for the past week. The weight would press harder against her the closer she was to him. She hated to admit it but Pansy was right; there would never be a perfect thing to say.

After the long lesson about Hex deflection, Desiree made her way to the Great Hall for a quick lunch before she had Potions. As she walked into the Great Hall she saw Cedric sitting at the Hufflepuff table, surprisingly alone. She felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach as he greeted her with a smile at the door.

"Well look who's alone," she smiled, sitting down across from Cedric.

"It's a bit shocking isn't it?" he chuckled.

"That's an understatement," she giggled. "So, what have you been up to?"

"I've just been planning for the third task when I'm not with the boys. You know, I have a really good feeling about this task," he smiled.

"Yeah no kidding," said Desiree. She however was distracted by Draco entering the Great Hall and a new sense of worry bubbled up inside of her as Cedric talked about the task. She still had a bad feeling about the Cedric in the Tournament.

"Is everything alright?" asked Cedric as he turned his head to look where Desiree had been looking. "Did something happen between you two? You haven't mentioned him as much recently."

"We just haven't talked in a bit," Desiree turned her attention back to Cedric.

"What happened?" his tone was caring.

"We just had a bit of a falling out," she began playing with her hands nervously.

"Have you tried to fix things?"

"Pansy keeps telling me to try to talk to him but I don't know if I should," she looked to Draco and Pansy then back to Cedric.

"I think Pansy's right," Cedric paused to look at Desiree's reaction. It was surprisingly calm. "I think if you don't do it soon you'll look back one day and hate yourself for not fixing things sooner. We only have one life after all."

Desiree took a deep breath knowing he was right, "I'll try to talk to him today."

"Good," he smiled. "Now let's eat before the next classes start.

After a lovely lunch with Cedric, Desiree walked happily to Potions alone. She sat down at her table before Draco had gotten there. She knew in the back of her mind that if she didn't try to speak with Draco in class she never would. And so, after Draco sat down next to Desiree and the weight seemed to bare twenty more pounds on her chest, she took a deep breath and began to open her mouth to speak.

"Quiet," Snape emerged from the back of the classroom. "Since the end of the year is approaching quickly and we have covered all of the expected potions I will be giving you today to start studying for exams. Though all of you had the excitement of the tournament this year I expect nothing but exceptional results on your exams. Now, I expect you to use your time wisely today," he glared at every student in his view.

Desiree watched as people began to take out their books. Most opened the books and began writing notes to each other. Draco however, seemed to be actually reading his textbook. Desiree knew deep down that he really didn't need to. She had made him learn all of the things from this year earlier than they went over them in class. She knew that he would do fine on the exam. He was merrily using it as a way to avoid speaking to her. With each glance she shot over to Draco a pinch of guilt would shoot through her causing more weight to press against her.

As the end of class approached Desiree knew she needed to act fast if she had any hopes of speaking to Draco today. Everytime she opened her mouth to say something to him nothing came out. It wasn't until Snape had announced that class was dismissed and Draco began to walk towards the door that she had finally found the words to speak.

"Draco," she paused waiting for him to make any indication that he heard her.

He stopped walking for a moment and looked to her, "Yes Desiree?"

Desiree, though it was her name it felt like a knife cutting through her skin when he said it. "Can we talk?" was all she managed to get out as she felt a lump in her throat forming.

"Why?" he looked to her with a cold expression.

"I want to talk. Please Draco," her voice seemed to grow quieter with each word.

He exhaled deeply for a moment before turning to her again, "I suppose. But only if we walk as we talk. Less people will hear us."

Desiree felt slightly relieved, "Deal."

The walk was silent for a few short moments before the pair walked outside and along the grounds.

"So, you wanted to talk?" his tone was icy.

Desiree exhaled deeply as she collected her thoughts. "Draco I don't like the way things are between us. I can't bare watching you slip away," she looked into his cool grey eyes. The eyes she hadn't looked in for what felt like an eternity.

"Desiree-"

"Draco please--just listen," she paused as she watched his body relax from the tense stance that had taken over him. "Draco I need you to be there by my side. I want you there. But I need you to know that I'm still with Cedric. And of course I don't know how long it will last but I do love him." It was true she did love Cedric but she also seemed to care deeply about Draco. She wasn't sure how the two differed but she knew one was stronger. "Just please don't leave."

Draco exhaled deeply again. Clearly thinking of what to say. "If he makes you happy then I guess I can't stop you. Ally, I'm not going to walk away." It was clear that he struggled to get the first part out. It was no secret that he still cared deeply for Desiree.

"Thank you," she smiled sweetly before throwing her arms lightly around Draco. She felt the immense weight lift off of her chest. She knew she was safe with him. He wouldn't leave.