*~ 3 weeks later ~*

domitilla peyton

The weather only got colder and frostier. My cheeks beamed a cotton pink and everyone's faces turned splotchy against the tingles of cool wind. Leaves yellowed as they undressed from their branches and the whole of the castle was practically blanketed in them.

I was watching the boys zoom past the stands on their brooms, in uniform and all. I always admired them playing, their faces concentrating so hard on what they're doing. I remembered how I used to find watching sports boring, but now, with me coming to each quidditch training every day, the interest grew more.

I especially kept my focus on Draco, although it was hard, with the speed he was going at.
I liked to take it all in; his tall, athletic figure, the way his hair flaps over his forehead, in the gust, obscuring his eyes.

It was a long practice today, and my hot chocolate became cold in my hands. I blew out, my breath creating a misty cloud in the air. My legs rubbed together in the freezing temperatures, and I could feel my cheeks become rosy.

I was wearing a thick plaid coat over my hoodie and leggings. To clarify, yes, it was Draco's hoodie.
I tied it all together with a pair of Dr. Martens black boots, which Ron had said made me look like a soldier this morning. He just doesn't appreciate fashion enough.
Although, I must admit, maybe it was too much. I wondered if Draco liked it.

The practice finally ended, and I was running down the stands as he flew down onto the muddy grass. I ran over to him, and he put his broom down, laughing with Graham Montague. He noticed me going over to him and smiled brightly, giving a big wave.
I grinned, walking over and trying to hug him, when he stopped me,

'Sorry, I'm sweaty. I probably smell bad.' he said.

I ignored him, pulling into a bear hug, my arms wrapped round his neck.
He didn't smell bad at all. I loved how he smelled after training. The aroma of fresh cut grass, mint, quidditch, and... Draco. I breathed him in, smiling at the scent.
He chuckled, hugging me back.

I heard Graham whistle teasingly behind us, and I turned to look.
Draco smirked,

'Leave us alone, Montague.'

He put his hands up in mock surrender, grinning in amusement,

'See you next practice, mate.'

'Cheers.' Draco said as Graham walked off.

I smiled,

'You look handsome in your uniform.' I fiddled with the strings on his chest, admiring his wind-flushed face.

'You look extra cute today, too.' he replied, eyeing my outfit, and I felt my cheeks warm up.

He kissed me swiftly on the lips, combing through his messy hair with his fingers, before asking me,

'Can I come over for another study date tonight?' and he planted little soft kisses on my hand, in attempt to woo me over.
I rolled my eyes, giggling as he looked over at me expectantly.

'Fine. But we better study.' I said.

'Mhm.'

'No joke, Draco. I've got an essay due tomorrow.'

'Alright, alright bossy pants.' he smirked, placing his arm over my shoulders as we walked off the quidditch pitch.

-

I lied with my stomach on the floor, with a trail of thick books surrounding me. My parchment scrolls were neatly placed in the middle, with a row of highlighters in pink, blue and green. Plus, I also had a plate of cinnamon pastries I baked after dinner with Luna. She has good recipes. Ollie decided to coincidentally hang out in my room, sniffing around for a pastry. I let him have two, but that was it.
I clapped my hands in delight, stroking Benjamin as he slept lazily beside me.

Draco said he would be here at around 9:00pm.

It had now become 45 minutes, and he still didn't show up.

At first, I thought he was just late, but as the minutes ticked by, I realised he was not coming.

I sighed heavily, lying back down and opening up a book. I decided to just write my essay anyway, but it's hard to concentrate really when your feelings are hurt.

'Who are you waiting for?' Ollie asked me.

I looked over at him. I told myself I was going to tell him about Draco, but was I really? I knew practically all the first years were scared of him, even Slytherin. But I had to. He was my brother.

'Um.' I paused, closing my eyes tightly so I couldn't talk myself out of it, 'Draco.'

His eyes widened in fear, 'Draco...Malfoy?'

'Yeah.'

'Why?'

'Just to...study.'

He narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously, like he had just figured out all my dark secrets. This kid had a reach.
'Is he your boyfriend?' he asked.

My lips pressed together, 'Uh, I guess.'

'Woah.'

'Woah what?'

'Have you kissed him yet?'

'Ollie!'

'Give me the answer!'

I buried my face into my hands, 'Yes, I've kissed him.'

He gasped, running over and slapping me on the arm.

'Ow! What was that for?' I yelped.

'Dad said you can't date a boy until you're all grown up.'

'Yeah, well, he doesn't know. And you're not gonna tell him.' I warned, turning back to my essay.

'Mum said it was better for you to wait, too.'

My stomach curled. She did say that.
I wondered if she would be disappointed in me, if she was still...here.

Especially if I'm dating a Malfoy.

'I still have more questions.' he stated.

I groaned inwardly, pressing my quill so hard on the parchment that the tip breaks off.

'Is he...scary?'

I faced him, shaking my head genuinely,
'No, he's not scary at all.'

'Is he a good boyfriend?'

I paused.

'Yes. He's a really good boyfriend.' before saying, 'You should say hi to him later.'

Ollie nodded, his eyes slightly in fear, but I could tell he wanted to, by the way he kept talking and asking questions about Draco all night.

Draco didn't tell me where he was, but I already knew. He was with Pansy.
During lunch he seemed distracted; he kept glancing over at her friends' table, looking irritated for some reason. I asked once what was wrong, and he just shrugged me off. And then later in the day, I saw them both outside the greenhouse. They didn't see me, but I saw them.
They were just talking, but knowing Pansy, it was never just anything. She had her hand on his arm, and he tried glancing away, but she looked like she was begging for something.
I may be overreacting, but that wasn't just talking.

-

The next morning, I woke up. Still mad.

I kept thinking over the last day.
Maybe he wasn't with Pansy, and I just keep overthinking.
It feels hard to breathe sometimes, when you're in love. And I hate it.

Lyra didn't come last night either, and her bed wasn't slept in this morning. Which means she probably went to another secret party and hooked up with another stranger. Which is fine.

I trudged slowly to the great hall, trying to scan out the golden trio.
I eventually spotted them sitting on the far end of the Gryffindor table. They caught my eye, and waved excitedly, and I walked over to them, trying to act as cheerful as I can.
Of course, I failed miserably, and Harry noticed.

'Are you alright Domi?' he asked.

I gave a weak smile, nodding,

'Yeah, yeah. I'm fine.'

He gave a non convinced look, and Hermione said,

'Tell us. What's the matter?'

I pressed my lips together, and sighed,

'I don't know. Just...stress.' I lied, letting out a little chuckle, then suddenly sat upright. I started to look over at the Slytherin table, trying to find the blonde boy.
I couldn't see him anywhere, he must've slept in.
Harry eyed me curiously,

'Did you and Malfoy have a fight?'

'No.'

He sighed, 'Just...be careful.'

Ron mumbled from his stuffed mouth of toast,

'He's a douchebag. I'm telling you.'

Harry corrected him,
'We just don't want to see you get hurt from him, that's all. He's- everyone in the Slytherin quidditch team are-'

'Douchebags.' Ron interrupted.

I rolled my eyes, poking at my food. I really didn't feel like eating today. I didn't feel like doing anything at all today.

Hermione swatted at them both, shaking her head warningly.

'I have to go to class now.' I suddenly said, sitting up and feeling my head become blurry. They said something behind me as I walked away, but I couldn't hear them through my buzzing thoughts.

-

The day went by like time couldn't be any slower. I ended up just staying with the three all day, because I couldn't bear to face Draco. I didn't know what I would do. Maybe if I just avoided him all day, it would be fine. Maybe if I avoided him forever, it would be fine.

After lunch, I wandered down the corridor, still in a daze, walking through many groups of people as they all made their way to their lesson.
That's when I passed him.
He was talking with his usual mates, Hugo and Goyle, and then he caught my eye, staring as I made my way down.
He gave a wide smile, expecting me to come over, and I wanted to, but instead I pretended I don't see him, continuing to walk down.
His smile turned down slightly, and he had a confused look on his face.

'Doms?' he said, right when I pass him.

I hurried forward, looking down at the floor below me.

'Domi!' his voice grew louder as I took bigger strides away from him.

A firm hand grasped a hold on my shoulder, spinning me around to face him.
We were now both standing alone by a secluded spot in the corridor, his side leaning against the wall. He was inches away from me, and he stared so worriedly into my eyes, that I had to look away. My fingers fidgeted with each other, and I didn't know what Draco was doing now, since my head was towards the ground.

'Hey.' he spoke softly.

'Hi.' I said quietly, so quiet I could barely hear myself.

'I haven't seen you all day.'

'I know.'

I felt him gaze so hard, and I glanced up to look at him.

'Are you mad at me?' he asked concernedly.

I felt myself tense up, and my voice came out wobbly like jelly,
'No. Why would I be mad?'

He seemed panicky, not something I've really seen before.
'Oh-oh, okay. I don't know, I just thought...'

I finally plucked up the courage to look properly at him, and ask,
'Why didn't you go to our study date last night?'

His face fell suddenly, and he looked pained. He stroked through his hair, exhaling.

'I'm so sorry. I-' then he stopped, 'I'm sorry. I completely forgot.'

I gulped, 'Where were you?'

Now he looked frantic. There wasn't really a point in asking, anyway. I already knew. But I didn't want to know. I was too scared to hear him answer.

His brows burrowed in guilt, and he bit his lip anxiously.

'I was...I was just with some friends.' he stammered.

'Were you with Pansy?'

He helplessly held still for a moment, then sighed in defeat.

'Yeah, yeah. She was there.' he said. 'But I was just hanging with them. That's all.'

I felt my heart pang a little. But it wasn't like I could really be mad. He just forgot, people do that all the time. And it's not like I need him to help me study every day. Still, it hurt that he was talking with her. Jealousy. One of the things I didn't want in a relationship.

'You're not angry with me...are you?' he asked sadly.

I sighed, giving the most convincing smile I could.
'No, I'm not angry.'

A small grin revealed on his face, and he brought me into a tight hug, kissing my forehead gently.

A quiet voice spoke beside us, 'Hello.'

I turned around, realising it was Ollie. I quickly untangled from Draco's arms, my cheeks blushing a deep red.

'Hi,' I faced Draco, 'Um, this is my younger brother, Ollie.'

'Oh,' Draco grinned warmly, 'Hey buddy.'

'Hi.' he replied meekly, before asking, 'Why do you hang out with Tilly?'

I lasered threatening eyes at him. Draco chuckled a bit in amusement of this whole situation.

'Uh, I guess I'm her boyfriend.' he grinned cheekily, wrapping his hands round my waist.

I gasped, swatting him on the chest, making him wince. Ollie gaped with his eyes widened.

'What've you got there?' he asked Ollie, who had a tie in his hands.

'T-this. It's hard to p-put on.'

Draco eyed the green on his tie, and smiled, then suggested,
'I can help you.'
He bent down on his knees, at eye level with Ollie, taking his tie and wrapping it round his collar. He knotted it, patting his hair playfully,
'There you go.'

Ollie grinned, now more comfortable around Draco,
'Thanks.' he said, before running off to class.

I nudged Draco teasingly,
'Already found friends more your age?'

He scowled, pouting adorably, that I hug him tight, kissing his cheek multiple times.

He giggled, pulling me in by the waist.

'You-you look very pretty today.'

Improvement.