• Poison Apples •

Falling...

(Draco POV)

   I walk down the hallways with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of me. I notice people staring and some rolling their eyes, but I pretend to be above it anyway. I am, honestly, these half-bloods think they have a say in my life? They don't, no one at this school really does. I hear Crabbe throw an insult and I laugh, pretending I was paying attention. Why should I depend on anyone when they'll only come to me when they need something? Crabbe and Goyle are tough, but they're dumb, slow, and they need a leader, hence me. Pansy is so desperate all the time, she practically needs me to breathe.

   "I heard there was a party later today, some Slytherin's birthday," Goyle says.

   "Are we invited?" Crabbe says -- proving my whole "tough but dumb" point. I wait for Goyle to answer but he doesn't, and I realize they're looking to me for answers. Of course they are. I roll my eyes.

   "Of course we are, who wouldn't invite us to a Slytherin's party. Will Potter be there?" I ask, hoping for once they have an answer.

   "Yeah, It's a girl named Amber's birthday. Cedric Diggory is hosting." I hear behind me. I turn around to find Pansy already in her outfit for the party. Her outfit is plain, a green buttoned sweater slightly tucked into her tight grey jeans. She continues to talk but I honestly do not care enough to listen. She's not worth my time.

✧

(Amber POV)

   Cedric is leading me to the room of requirement, his hands are on my eyes, and we're laughing as he almost causes me to trip for the second time.

   "Are we there yet?" I ask with yet another laugh. He answers my question by uncovering my eyes. I see George, no Fred.

   "What-"

   "I know you don't like big celebrations, but this is our one year anniversary and you're turning 16! I wanted to do something special for you!" Cedric interrupts. George moves away from in front of me, revealing a door that I somehow did not notice before he moved. He opens it to reveal a dimly lit room. I already knew it was a party, but not this big. The "room" was practically a house, two floors with spiral stairs leading to yet another floor.  It had been decorated with the coat of arms and Slytherin posters, along with pictures of... me. I completely flush. I look at Cedric, and then George, and I take a step inside. It's still only 7:00, classes only finished a while ago.

   "How many people did you invite?" I ask

   "Most 5th, 6th, and 7th years." He says with an almost blinding smile. I look into his grey eyes. He looks amused. He leans in and I close the space between us by kissing him. We stay like that for a few seconds, until I put my hand on his chest, and push him just far enough to lean my forehead on his.

   "I love you," he says with a smile. The first time he told me he loved me was on this day a year ago. We had managed to sneak into Hogsmeade and we spent the entirety of our day throwing snowballs and drinking butterbeer together. By the end of the day, we had both figured out we had fallen in love, and he decided to tell me first.

   "I love you too, Cedric," I say, smiling to myself.

   "I'm gonna go get us a drink," he says, taking a step to the side.

   "Hey, are you the birthday girl?" I hear from behind Cedric -- who was blocking my view of the door.

   "Yeah, I'm Amber," I say with a warm smile.