the chase (draco malfoy)

chapter thirteen

I wake up in a sweat. The sun is rising and shining through my window. I must have fallen asleep before Draco left last night.

I'd felt so embarrassed after he discovered my inexperience. I knew he'd been with other girls. At Hogwarts, it seems like everyone knows everyones business. I'd heard the stories. Pansy Parkinson loves to kiss and tell. 

It's not that I'm jealous. It's more that I've never felt good enough for anyone in my entire life. My mother had always made me feel inferior, like I had disappointed her and lost her love. With Cedric, I always knew he was too good for me. I felt rotten about spending time thinking of Draco, and I knew he deserved better.

With Draco, the feelings I have for him are unlike anything I've ever felt before. I just want it to be enough. I want to be enough.

A tap at my bedroom window makes me jump. I stand and open the window so an owl can swoop in and drop a piece of parchment on my bed.

                                             Merry Christmas. Meet me at our spot at dark. 

                                                                                           D

My heart flutters at the mention of "our spot". I think of the last time I was there and feel a slight pain in my chest. I shake it off and head downstairs. To no surprise, my family is gone. They always spend Christmas morning at my grandmothers, and I haven't been invited since I was 13. 

"Good morning, Milly," I smile as she finishes icing her homemade cinnamon rolls. Its our tradition. 

"Good morning, Miss Annabelle." she chirps. 

I take a seat at the barstool in the kitchen. Milly places a cinnamon roll on a plate and slides it over to me. I thank her and she sits next to me. 

"Miss Annabelle has a boyfriend?" Milly asks.

"I guess I do," I chuckle and she smiles. Milly has always been my biggest supporter, and while she may be an elf, she is more of a mother to me than my own. 

Milly and I spend the day in front of the fire, sipping hot chocolate while I tell her about my year so far at Hogwarts. I tell her about Cedric, the Triwizard tournament, and my bumpy relationship with Draco. 

"Milly cannot offer much relationship advice," she says "but I can say how happy Miss Annabelle looks."

I blush and focus on the crackling fire before me. As crazy as Draco makes me, the way he makes me feel is indescribable. The truth is, before that day at the lake it felt like a piece of my heart was missing. Draco fills that hole. 

Thinking of how quickly I've fallen for Draco sends me into a panic. I have to protect myself from getting hurt. 

The day goes by agonizingly slow. I'm anxious to see him again. 

When the sun finally starts to set, I thank Milly for her company today and rush upstairs to my room.

I try on what seems like every piece of clothing I own and nothing feels right. I finally settle on a simple gray sweater with a pair of black jeans. I pull my coat over my shoulders and pull the cap that Milly had knitted for me over my head. I leave the house just before the sun disappears over the trees. 

The snow crunches beneath my feet as I make my way to the spot where I'd spent most of my childhood. My heart beats faster with each step I take. And then I see him.

He stands in the center of a circle of floating candles, his hands behind his back. He wears his usual school attire, an all black suit. Suddenly I wish I'd worn nicer clothing.

"You look beautiful," he shouts as I get closer to him, as if he can read my mind. 

I finally reach him and he wraps me in a hug, planting a kiss on my forehead.

"This is so nice," I say, glancing around at the charmed candles that surround us.

Draco pulls a small bag from his jacket pocket and reaches into it. He's put an extension charm on it, so his arm goes shoulder deep. He pulls out a large blanket and hands it to me. He then pulls out a rock and places it on the ground next to us. He mutters a transfiguration spell and the small rock turns to a bench.

"Impressive," I praise Draco. He's always been at the top of our class, but transfiguration is tricky even for experienced wizards. 

"I've been practicing," Draco winks at me and sits on the bench, motioning for me to join him. 

I sit and wrap the blanket around the both of us. Draco reaches into the bag once more and tosses a few logs on the ground in front of us. 

"Incendio," he mutters, and a jet of flames shoots from the tip of his wand and sets the wood on fire. The heat instantly warms us both as we settle into each other.

"How was your holiday?" I ask.

"Wonderful. Father had some business at the Ministry so my mum and I celebrated together." He smiles. "And yours?"

"It was, uh, fine." I say, forcing a smile. "I spent the day with Milly."

As much as I enjoyed the day I shared with Milly, Christmas isn't the same without family.

"The elf?" Draco asks, a confused expression on his face.

"Yeah," I say. "My parents and Alex went to my grandmothers." My eyes shift back to the fire. 

"Had I known, I would've invited you to spend Christmas with us." He says wrapping his arm around me and pulling me closer.

"Next year," he adds.

My heart flutters at the mention of a future with Draco. 

"I have a gift for you," He says, reaching once more into the bottomless bag. 

"I didn't get you anything!" I shout, and he chuckles. I cover my face with my hands. He grabs my wrists and lowers my hands. 

"You've given me the best gift I could ever ask for by agreeing to be my girlfriend." He smiles. 

Draco fiddles with a small box. He opens it, presenting a beautiful necklace with a teardrop shaped emerald hanging from the chain. Even in the dim light, it sparkles.

"Draco, it's beautiful." I say, tears welling up in my eyes.

He takes it out of the box and motions for me to turn around. I lift my hair out of the way and shiver when I feel his cold fingers brush against my neck. He fastens the necklace and wraps his arm around my waist, leaning down and kissing my neck.

"Merry Christmas, my love."