Forever Home | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 5-15: New Developments

Desiree awoke the next morning, smiling at the memory of the previous night. Although she really couldn't tell if it had been a dream or if it had been reality. Her fingers slowly made their way to her lips. If it were a dream it was the dreams she hated, the dreams that felt so real they caused pain because they weren't real.

Nonetheless, she got out of bed and put her robes on. Today was just a day for everyone to get ready for winter holiday. Classes had ended yesterday for this term and Desiree was already packed so she basically had the whole day to do whatever she wanted.

She still wasn't speaking to Pansy so she went up to the Great Hall by herself. As soon as she walked in her eyes fell on Draco. His eyes quickly met hers as a grin escaped his mouth. Desiree felt the warmth spread through her and butterflies flutter in her stomach. It wasn't a dream, it was reality, everybit of last night was reality.

But just as she started walking towards him, Hermione stopped her.

"I need to talk to you," said Hermione, her eyes told Desiree it was quite urgent.

"Yeah, okay," Desiree nodded, following Hermione into the corridor. "Hermione what is it?"

"Mr. Weasley was attacked at the Ministry last night," said Hermione, worry clearly plastered on her face.

"Is he alright? He isn't- Oh god Hermione, tell me he isn't-" worry quickly replaced all of the happiness Desiree had been feeling.

"No he's not. Someone was able to find him and take him to St. Mungos in enough time," said Hermione.

"Wait. . . you said last night?" asked Desiree, a shocking realization rushed over her.

"Yeah, why are you asking?" asked Hermione.

"It's just that my father is supposed to patrol the Ministry on Thursday nights," said Desiree.

"Oh," Hermione paused. "Well I'm sure the attack wasn't aimed at him. I'm almost positive it was aimed at anyone in the order."

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was aimed at my father though. Voldemort tried heavily to recruit my family during the first war. I can only imagine he's going to keep trying or try to attack us for not joining his ranks," said Desiree.

"That might be true but we can't worry about that right now. We have to look at the bright side," Hermione paused. "Mr. Weasley is going to be fine and no one else from the order was harmed."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sure they'll be sure to keep an extra careful eye out now too," said Desiree.

"I have to go pack but I'll see you on the train tomorrow," said Hermione, slowly walking passed Desiree.

"Actually, I think I might sit with Draco tomorrow," said Desiree.

"I thought you two were in a fight, why would you-" Hermione stopped as a grin subtly formed on Desiree's face. "Oh, it's about time," she smiled, pulling Desiree into a hug.

"I thought you hated him," she giggled as Hermione pulled back from their hug.

"Well I do but I know you wouldn't be with him if you didn't think there was some redeemable quality in him. Besides, he is absolutely crazy about you," said Hermione.

"Thanks 'Mione," she smiled, waving her goodbye before walking back in the Great Hall.

"Hey, is everything alright? I saw Hermione pull you out into the hall," said Draco, looking to Desiree as she sat down next to him.

"Yeah, yeah, everything's fine," she sat down. "Actually no, that was a lie. Arthur Weasley was attacked last night," she looked up to him.

"Is he alright?" asked Draco.

"Hermione said that St. Mungos said he's going to be fine. It's just scary, you know? That could have been anyone," said Desiree.

"I know," said Draco, subtly pulling Desiree closer to him. "I'm glad he's alright. I know he's kind of important to you."

Desiree was surprised by Draco's sudden empathy but she was grateful for it. He was trying, and that's all she could ask for right now.

They rest of the day felt amazing. Desiree and Draco went on a walk around the castle just as it began to snow then they went back inside and sat by the fire while Desiree read one of her new books to him. As she read to him, he would through occasional glances up to her as he leaned against her legs and smiled. She would smile back down to him before returning to reading.

It was weird, she had read to him before but now, now it held a whole new meaning. It felt special for Desiree. It felt like they were safe when they were with each other.

The next morning she awoke just in enough time to get ready and drop her trunk off before meeting Draco in the entrance hall.

"Hey, are you ready?" asked Draco.

"Yep," she grinned, Draco's hand snaked around her waist as they walked. This was the first time anyone would see them together but Desiree wasn't scared or worried. She felt great, she felt like this was the right thing for her and the warmth growing in her chest only assured her more.

The walk to the train seemed much faster than usual for Desiree, probably because she and Draco had spent the entire walk talking. The two walked on the train, Desiree holding Draco's hand as she pulled him, all the way to the part of the train that seemed to be the least occupied. They then opened the door to what looked as though it was an empty compartment, only it wasn't.

"Desiree," Pansy stood up.

"Looks like this one's occupied. Let's go find another one," Desiree looking to Draco, pulling his hand to another empty compartment.

"Ally, you're going to have to talk to her at some point," said Draco, sitting down next to her.

"I will, when she apologizes but until then I don't have to do anything," she shrugged her shoulders.

"You also said you were going to do the same thing to me but here we are," he looked over to her.

"Maybe, but you're trying to change. Besides, I knew I would never be able to to completely cut you out of my life," said Desiree, looking over to him.

"So you're telling me you can completely cut Pansy out of your life? After five years of friendship?" asked Draco.

"I don't want to but if she continues like she is now then I might need to," said Desiree.

"Just give her time, she'll see the mistake she made," said Draco, placing his cold hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, okay," she nodded. She really hoped he was right.

The rest of the ride went by quite fast, just like the walk to it. Desiree and Draco spent the time talking about almost anything they could think of, mainly random funny stories they remembered from over the years. Before they knew it the train was already pulling into King's Cross station.

"Hey, I see my parents," said Desiree, waving to them as she got off the train with Draco.

"I see mine too," said Draco, looking to his mother and father a bit farther down the platform. Narcissa waved kindly to her son while Lucius stood emotionless. Desiree felt a pinch of anger form as she looked at Lucius, for he was the reason Draco had joined the High Inquisitorial squad. "Hey, before you go I want to give you something."

"What is it?" asked Desiree, turning back to face him.

"It's your Christmas present, I got it quite a while back, but I want you to promise you won't open it until Christmas day," Draco's eyes met hers in a serious expression as he handed her a tiny box.

"Oh fine, I won't open it until Christmas," she playfully rolled her eyes.

"Good," he grinned. "Now have fun on Christmas holiday. I'll see you when it's time to come back," he tilted her chin up a bit, meeting his lips to hers for only a second.

"Bye," she smiled, slowly walking away from Draco and towards her parents.

"Well what was all that about?" asked Mrs. Alcyone, in shock.

"Ayla, don't pry now," Mr. Alcyone chuckled.

"Right, um there's been some new developments," Desiree smiled up to her parents, walking in between them out of the station.