The dress nearly flamed in a red shade. It was breathtaking as always. Like every other dress he'd gotten her, it was absolutely stunning.

Isla couldn't take her eyes off it even if she wanted to. It was mesmerizing to her, seeing how the red silk fell beautifully to the floor. All the other dresses he'd ever given her were black ones, but not this one, no.

This one was red, red as the entirety of his house, red as the crimson color of blood, red as the shade of cherries, red as the dark color of wine. She gasped.

''Mhm?'' Draco smirked, raising one brow, and he leaned his shoulder onto the doorpost. His towel hugged his waist loosely, ''Best one yet?''

''Draco...'' Isla spun around, her towel following, ''This is too much. You can't keep—'' She shook her head, ''You can't keep doing this, it's too much.''

He sucked his inner cheek in, still smirking at her as he began striding toward across the floor, making his way up to her. She tripped back, her spine striking the closet door in the process.

''I can't what? Buy you dresses?'' His voice was low and intimidating, pearls of water dripped down his hair, landing on his flexing chest, ''Buying you something and knowing that I can rip it off whenever I'd like?''

Isla let out a vague breath, her hands shaking as she gripped his upper arms, holding herself steady, ''I can do whatever I want, Clarke, and you'll take it because below all that denial you keep yourself so buried under, you enjoy it as much as I do. You want what I give to you.''

''Draco—''

''Yeah?'' He said, leaning forward so that the droplets of water fell to her skin, ''What is it with you and not being able to speak when I'm close, yeah? A bit nervous, Clarke, are we?''

She was. Oh, how she was nervous around him. She couldn't breathe. She simply stood there with her hands around his arms and her face so close to his. He huffed out a low chuckle, rolling his eyes at her silence, ''You better get ready, Clarke. Don't want to make us late... do you?''

Isla took a deep breath, feeling his hand as it dipped between them and slowly, at a painfully slow pace, traced up along her inner thigh, right where the towel edged, ''No,'' She choked out, weakly, ''I don't want to make us late.''

Draco smirked provokingly before he ripped their bodies apart, and he stepped back. His eyes traveled to where he'd carved his name in, and he could burst at the sight of it. While Isla took a quick look at the mark she'd caused him, and she smiled.

Her name looked shockingly good on his waistline, right where his v-mark cut through his toned muscles. Another shaky breath trembled from her chest, watching as he fell onto her bed behind him, propping himself up on his elbows.

''Am I the only one getting dressed?'' She crossed her arms, looking at him.

Draco rolled his tongue over his bottom lip, narrowing his eyes in hers, ''You are one beautiful girl, Clarke,'' He teased, shifting a bit in his position as his whole self angled for her to watch him, ''Don't mind if I watch while that dress slips on, do you?''

Isla looked away, her skin burnt, her cheeks growing red, ''You should get dressed too, Draco.''

''Mhm, in one....'' His eyes hungrily followed her every move, and he threw his head back, groaning lowly to himself as her towel dropped to the floor and she got dressed in her underwear, ''Fuck you.'' He muttered, inhaling sharply, ''You know what, Clarke? Fucking fuck you.''

''You already did,'' Isla didn't dare to look at him as she tried to mock him. She reached for the dress, threading it over her arms, ''Twice if I recall.''

''What is it they say, Clarke?'' Draco pushed off the bed. His hands found her waist, gently helping her drag the silky material over her body, ''Third time's a charm, isn't it?''

''It is, but there won't be a third anything unless you get dressed,'' She smiled shyly to herself, feeling her heartbeat as it swelled in her ears. There was something about the tension between them, something she couldn't explain.

''Fine,'' Draco gripped her flesh tighter, slightly slamming her spine into his chest as he muttered into her ear, ''Putting this on isn't half as fun as taking it off anyway.''

_____

Draco walked next to her. His black suit strained around his shoulders as he had one of the driest looks Isla had ever witnessed. He was portrayed as so smug, so pleased with himself that he didn't even greet the people walking past him as they welcomed him.

It almost caused her to feel embarrassed as they walked through corridor following corridor with their arms linked. Her sight was grounded, her feet rapid in pace with his, ''Draco—'' She whispered, lightly stopping in her tracks, ''Wait.''

''What?'' He nearly snapped at her, visibly stressed, ''What is it now?''

She swallowed, her arm withdrawn from his as she met his frantic stare. He looked mad, upset almost, ''Should I go back to school?''

''What?'' Draco frowned, his tone gentler, ''Why would you say that—''

''Because ever since we got here, you have been acting—'' Isla dropped her sight to the floor again, looking down at the heels she was wearing, ''I just feel like this was a bad idea.''

Draco pushed his lips together, feeling disappointed in himself. He didn't mean for her to feel that way. He didn't want her to believe that he didn't wish for her to be there because he did. If it weren't for Isla joining him, he would most likely stay home, ignoring the duties he had.

His movements were hesitant as he pathed his hand up to her jaw, cupping it and bending her chin back to look at him, ''Clarke,'' He said, silently, ''I wouldn't have asked you here if I didn't want you to come.''

Her jaws clenched. He could feel the muscles in them as they ticked against his palm, ''This has nothing to do with you. I just—'' He sighed, dropping his hand from her face and rushing it through his hair instead, ''It's hard being at things like this without them. It's hard. It has been hard, and it will always be hard to do all of it without them here to help, but Clarke....''

Isla tilted her head. Her breathing calmed in bearing with his confession.

''You make it easier. You just standing there makes it easier.''

She smiled softly.

''I don't know why,'' He mumbled, looking down at her, ''And I won't say it again, Clarke, so don't flatter yourself, but it's not... as hard when you are here.''

''Are you enjoying my company, Malfoy? Is that what I hear?'' She mocked, pushing her palms into his chest, ''Because you might have to say it again for me to believe you.''

''Piss off, yeah?'' Draco grunted, snatching her wrists in a sudden move, and he brought her closer, his lips brushing against hers, ''But fine... I like you being here, Miss Clarke.''

Isla smiled. Her breaths tasted so sweet as he caught them, ''There you go, wasn't that hard, was it?''

Leaning back from her, he reached his arm out, offering for her to take it, and she did. Linked once again, he dragged her with him.

Draco showed her everything that mansion had to offer, all the paintings covering the walls as he explained to her what was drawn and who the people on them lived to be. He didn't stop talking until they reached the ballroom, and it was like his whole self shifted again. He became tense, bothered.

Isla peered out over the crowd, seeing how people were dancing elegantly. Cheering and talking filled the room to the brim. The orchestra playing left a soft trail of notes along with the chatter.

She'd never been to a gathering like this one, and it was astonishing to her, watching how bodies of both men and women moved in sync. The lightening was bright yet so warm. The air was thick in happiness. It was happy here. She liked it.

''I guess...'' Draco said lowly. She barely caught it, ''This is where I offer you to dance, isn't it?''

''Is it?'' The taunting tone was back in her speaking, but she quickly felt how he wasn't pleased with her mocking at all.

His stare was bored into the other end of the room, ''Or perhaps not?'' He gritted his jaws, ''I think I proved how bad of dancer I am at the masquerade ball—''

''Don't be foolish, love,'' He froze at the name she spoke, but she didn't let it delay her. Isla let her hand slip down his arm, her fingers wrapped around his as she took steps forward, pulling him with her till they reached the crowd, and she led his touch to rest on her waist, ''There you go, not too difficult, is it?''

Draco locked his icing eyes in hers, holding her soul pinned as he moved with her, slowly, intimately, ''You'll make a fool out of me, Clarke. That's certain.''

''Don't be mean,'' Pouting at him, playfully. Her hands splayed out on his chest, fiddling with the pocket of his suit, ''You're always mean to me.''

''I am,'' He said, his voice harder than before, but his hold was soft, gentle. He was sorry, she could tell, ''I am mean to you.''

She was silent, almost waiting for an apology to come, but it didn't. He didn't speak more. He just looked at her.

''Perhaps I should start being mean to you too then,'' Isla tilted her head, looking over his shoulder to scan the surroundings, but he didn't. His intense stare stayed on her. He always seemed to look at her.

''I'd like to see that,'' His chest rose and fell heavily, nearly feeling anxious about being in the middle of the room, holding her and dancing. He wasn't much for those things. He'd rather stand in a corner with a drink in his hand, pretending to listen while being spoken to.

''I'm proud of you,'' She said, out of the blue. He almost flinched by the comment, ''I know it's not my place to be proud of you, but I am. I think you're brave for being here.''

Malfoy swallowed, remaining hushed.

''It's not easy... being the one who's left behind. It's hard, and it's painful, but you are doing well, Draco. Better than you think you are.''

''Diggory?'' He asked coldly.

''Partly,'' Isla huffed, the side of her head leaned against his chest, feeling his arms gripping around her tightly, ''I had this person in my life, a relative — I lost him during the war.''

She shouldn't. She knew that. She shouldn't be opening that door when she was more than certain she wouldn't be able to close it. That was a conversation she and Draco could never have. She knew that.

''You had?'' He sounded puzzled, confused, ''Who?''

''No one you knew,'' It was a heavy feeling taking over in her chest. Oh, how she wished she could tell him, how she craved for him to know her deepest secret, but she couldn't. He'd never look at her the same, ''But I miss him, that's all, and I dealt with his death in horrible ways, so when I say that I am proud of you, I mean it. I admire you for handling this so well.''

He wouldn't let her see it. Never would he let her see that curl as it arched on his lips, but it did. He smiled against the top of her head. His chest filled with warmth, ''You're not too bad yourself, Clarke.''

''Draco!''

All the warmth in the world faded. He winced at the voice calling out for him.

''Is that you?''

Isla looked up at him, furrowing her brows in question. She tried to spin around, but he didn't let her. He held her there, steadily in front of him.

''Mrs—'' He cleared his throat from making a mistake, ''Pleasure to see you again.''

Isla's eyes flickered, her heart beat a little faster, but he still didn't allow her to turn around. They had stilled now. He refused to let her move.

''It's been a year, dear.'' The voice giggled out, sounding polite and mature, ''And you haven't come to visit yet?''

''No,'' Draco breathed, nervously, ''I haven't found time between school and the work I've done for father—''

''I heard, Draco....''

Isla gripped at the flares of his suit jacket. Discreetly showing him that she was right there. If he ever needed her, she'd be right there, comforting him. His hand on her waist tensed, replying to what she showed.

''I am truly sorry for your loss. I hoped you would have come visiting the—''

Draco cleared his throat, harsher this time, ''I will. Whenever I find the time, I'll stop by. I promise.''

It hushed for so a second, until he sighed out, bothered, ''If you'll excuse me—'' He began to pull Isla with him, his body holding hers protected, covered.

''Not so fast, dear. I'd like to see who the lucky girl is.''

''This is...'' He shot a swift glance through the room, making sure that no other member of her family was attending, and when he failed to notice anyone else, he let her spin around in his arms, ''Miss Clarke.''

''Miss Clarke?'' The lady smiled. She had a warm smile, a sparkling persona. Her hair was curled, beautifully so. Dressed in a dark green gown, she carried jewelry that glimmered. She looked kind. Isla smiled back, studying her, ''That has to be something more to that name than just the last one?''

Draco tensed again. His arm crossing her lower back hardened. He tried to avoid it by just spilling her last name, but to no good. The lady was more than curious, ''Of course—''

He didn't want to. He'd rather make a fool out of himself than put Isla through this. She had confided a bit in him, telling him how Theodore's family wasn't approving of her and how it hurt her to know that she wasn't good enough for him in their eyes, simply because of the purity of her blood.

He didn't quite believe her to begin with. He'd known Theodore's family for years. They weren't anything like what she explained them to be, but he didn't question her. He was thankful that she finally let him in more. A bit at the time, but now he regretted it.

Draco didn't want to do this to her, but he didn't have a choice.

''Isla,'' She reached her hand out, holding onto Draco with the other one, ''I'm Isla, and you?''

It was as if something cold dragged in over the room. Something that caused her face to fall, her sight flickering between Isla and Draco until it settled on the blond altogether, ''Isla? Theodore's Isla?''

He shut his eyes, sighing out deeply, and he shook his head, ''I... We got the same choice.''

It didn't come clear to Isla what was passing until Draco didn't look at her anymore, until that brown hair the lady had, reminded her of someone. It was his mother.

Suddenly, she turned scared. Isla was terrified. She didn't want to cause trouble for Theo by saying the wrong thing, ''I—''

''I am so happy to finally meet you!'' The lady burst out in a joyful smile, stretching her arms out, and she heedlessly wrapped them around Isla, ''I've heard nothing more than good things about you, dear! I have been trying to make Theodore bring you home over a weekend, but he's never— wait.''

''What?'' Isla took a step back, her spine stuck Malfoy's chest, ''What are you—''

''Where is he....'' His mother looked around eagerly, ''He was right... there! Theo, dear!''

Isla's gaze followed to where the lady was pointing, and it felt like her heart had been ripped out. Like someone had forced their hand through the cage of her chest and ripped the entirety of her heart to pieces.

Because there he stood, the boy who always left her to go home and be with his family, now moved in sync with someone else. His hands around her body. His smile glued to his lips — that was until he saw her.

He lost his breath.

He halted completely.

''Damn it, Clarke....'' Draco mumbled into the back of her head, sensing how her knees were weakening, ''Let me take you out of here.''

''I—'' She shook her head, and she tore her sight from Theo, forcing a smile in his mother's direction without really looking at her, ''I'm sorry, but I have to—''

She turned in her heels, and she marched out. Nearly running her way through the corridor as she looked for the fastest way out. Out. Isla just wanted out. She just wished to get out. She wanted to breathe, to not feel like she was suffocating.

''Isla!''

She heard his voice, but she didn't want to listen. Ignoring it as she kept storming down the hallway, ''Isla, for fucks—''

Draco stood with his hands shoved into his pockets, looking as Theodore ran after her. He should do something. He wanted to stop Theo from striding after her, but at the same time, he couldn't. This wasn't his fight to battle.

Just like Theodore respected their relationship, he had to return that favor. Even if all he wished was to take her away from it, he was familiar with Isla fleeing the first chance she got, but this was different.

This hurt her.

He could tell because she never ran from Theodore. They reasoned. They talked. They communicated, but not now. That was how he knew that she was truly hurt by what he'd done.

''Isla, wait, please—''

Theo was closing in on her, and she didn't want to. She didn't want to talk to him. She didn't want to do anything. She just wanted to breathe, but she couldn't because he was everywhere. No matter where she went, he was there, and he lied. He lied, and Isla lost it.

She completely lost it as she turned around with tears in her eyes, ''What? What do you want?''

''Can you just—''

''Just what? Listen to you? Believe you when you say you need to go home for family business when you're really going to things like these instead?'' She was breathing heavily, her chest tightened, ''So what can I do, Theodore? What can I do?''

''Isla...'' He took a step closer, and it made her throat close in on her because she missed him. Isla missed him so much that she left Draco to be in school when Theo returned. Isla truly missed him, and it ached within to see him be dishonest with her, ''Please.''

''What?'' Her shoulder sunk, gasping out the words, ''What, Theo? Just say what you need to say and let me go.''

She was so tired of it. Of all of it.

''I wasn't—'' He stuttered, his hands nervously grasping at his own jacket, ''I didn't—''

''Your mom doesn't hate me,'' Isla blinked, staring right at him now. And how that hurt him, seeing the tears in her eyes and slight breaking as she talked, ''Apparently, she wants me to visit, but that's not what you told me, is it?''

''Isla,'' His voice unsure, he didn't want to hurt her more than he already had, ''It's not what it looks like. I promise. You know that I will tell you all of it when I can. I wouldn't lie to you without a reason to do so.''

She couldn't hold the tears back. They fell. They streamed. They leaked down her skin. She didn't want to cry. She'd rather walk away than cry, but there was something that didn't let her. Something deep inside that knew that Theodore wouldn't hurt her on purpose. He was in love with her, and he wouldn't scar her this way. Still, it hurt. It hurt her tremendously.

''Isla, please. Listen to me,'' He said, his fingers combing through the messy curls, ''I will tell you. You know I will, but I can't do it now. You know I can't, but I will—''

''Just...'' She whispered, looking down, ''Just go, please. Just let me be mad. Go and let me be mad, and we can talk when you come back to school—''

It hurt too much to look at him. He was so handsome. It robbed her of her breath. She missed him. Oh, how she missed him. 

''Isla—''

''Please, Theo. Just go—''

''I don't—''

''You heard her.''

Draco's voice made her look up, and his jaws gritted the second he watched the pearls of tears roll down her chin, ''Nott, leave now.''

''Stay out of this, Malfoy—''

''She asked you to leave. So I'd suggest for you to do as she asks.''

''You can't—''

''Fucking hell—'' Draco nearly shouted before he spun around, his head snapping, his sight scanning until she caught what he was looking for. A man. Draco marched his way up to him, whispering something in his ear and shaking his hand. It didn't take him more than half a minute until she was back.

Isla merely stared, so confused that she didn't know what to do anymore.

''There,'' Draco narrowed his eyes at Theodore as he stepped to stand behind Isla, ''I own this Manor now, so again, Nott — I'd suggest for you to listen and leave.''

She looked up at him over her shoulder, but he didn't meet the gesture. He was furious. She could sense it from miles away. Still, she couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that he just purchased a house, this house for Theodore to leave. Malfoy bought that Manor for her. It made her head dizzy, ''Draco....''

''No,'' He said, threateningly now, ''She asked you to leave, she asked you to leave and—'' He sucked in a harsh breath, and he let his gaze drag through the room.

''You know what?'' Malfoy continued, raising his voice, ''Why don't you all get the hell out of my house? That's right. Every single one of you — out right now.''

He didn't want her to do this anymore. He didn't want her to hurt. She'd been pained enough.

Isla gulped, meeting the heartbreak Theodore held in his eyes, and then — then he did as she asked of him. He walked away.

_____