LONG LONG CHAPTER AGAIN

VICTORIA NOTT

The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, far too bright for my liking after the late night at the Yule Ball. I groaned, pulling the duvet over my head, but it was no use—Daphne was already perched on the edge of my bed, practically vibrating with excitement.

"Victoria, wake up!" she whispered loudly, shaking my shoulder. "Come on, I need details. What happened with you and Malfoy last night? You disappeared, and then you were dancing, and then—"

"Daphne," I mumbled, my voice muffled by the duvet. "It's too early for this."

"It's never too early for gossip," she countered, tugging the covers off me. "Spill. Now."

I sighed, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. "Fine, but only if you let me brush my teeth first."

"Deal," she said, following me as I shuffled to the bathroom.

By the time I was running a comb through my hair, trying not to ruin my curls from last night, she was back at it, firing off questions like a journalist on a deadline. "So, what happened? You were with Theo one minute, and then you were dancing with Malfoy. And don't think I didn't see Pansy limping off the dance floor. Did you do that?"

I couldn't help the smirk that crept onto my face. "She needed to be taken down a peg," I said casually, reaching for my uniform.

Daphne gasped, delighted. "You hexed her, didn't you? Oh, that's brilliant."

"She'll be fine," I said, shrugging as I buttoned my shirt. "But that's not the point."

"So, what is the point?" Daphne pressed, leaning against the doorframe as I tied my tie. "What's going on with you and Malfoy? Because, honestly, the tension between you two is thicker than Professor Slughorn's potions."

I hesitated, fiddling with the knot of my tie. "It's... complicated."

"Complicated how?" she demanded. "Victoria, you can't leave me hanging like this. Did he kiss you again? What did he say?"

I glanced at her, knowing there was no getting out of this. "Fine. We danced, and then he... he said he couldn't stay away from me."

Daphne's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "He said what?!"

I rolled my eyes, brushing past her to grab my bag. "Keep your voice down."

"But that's huge!" she whispered, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "What did you say back? Are you two together now?"

"No, we're not," I said firmly. "And I don't know what's going to happen. All I know is... I can't stop thinking about him."

Daphne's expression softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. "You've got it bad, haven't you?"

I sighed, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Maybe."

"Well," she said, linking her arm through mine as we headed out of the dormitory, "whatever happens, you know I'm on your side. Even if it means dealing with Malfoy and his ridiculous smirks."

I smiled, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Daph."

"Anytime," she said brightly. "Now, let's go before Theo starts interrogating you again. You know how he gets."

I nodded, but a flicker of worry passed through me. Whatever was happening with Draco, I had a feeling it was only going to get more complicated from here.

***

The Great Hall buzzed with its usual morning chatter as Daphne and I walked in, weaving through the tables to find our usual spot. The scent of toast and bacon filled the air, but my appetite was nonexistent—not when I could already feel his eyes on me.

I slid into my seat, grabbing a piece of toast more out of habit than hunger. Sure enough, when I glanced up, Draco was sitting at the Slytherin table, his gaze locked on me. His silver eyes sparkled with something unreadable, and the corner of his mouth curved into the faintest smirk.

I pretended not to notice, spreading jam onto my toast with an exaggerated air of indifference. But two could play that game.

I slowly brought the toast to my lips, taking a delicate bite, and then let my gaze flick to him for the briefest of moments. He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as if to say, Is that all you've got?

Daphne nudged me, leaning in to whisper, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," I murmured, though my cheeks warmed under her knowing look.

Draco, apparently deciding to up the stakes, picked up his goblet and took a slow, deliberate sip, his eyes never leaving mine. The heat in my cheeks intensified, and I quickly looked away, biting my lip to stifle a smile.

But before I could revel in the moment for too long, Theo's voice cut through the din.

"Victoria. Draco."

I looked up to find him standing over me, his arms crossed and his expression set in that infuriatingly knowing way he had.

"Come with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Draco and I exchanged a quick glance before reluctantly getting up and following Theo out of the Great Hall. He led us into an empty classroom, closing the door behind him with a sharp snap.

"What's going on with you two?" Theo demanded, his piercing gaze darting between us.

"Nothing," I said quickly, crossing my arms. "Why do you keep asking?"

"Because I'm not blind, Victoria," he shot back, then turned to Draco. "And you—what's your excuse? You've been acting strange for weeks. Is there something you're not telling me?"

Draco shrugged, leaning casually against a desk. "You're imagining things, Theo."

"Don't give me that," Theo snapped. "You're my best friend, Draco. If there's something going on with my sister, I need to know."

Draco's jaw tightened, but he didn't say anything. I could tell he was weighing his words carefully, and the tension in the room was almost suffocating.

"There's nothing to know," I said finally, my voice steady despite the rapid beat of my heart. "Theo, you're making a big deal out of nothing."

Theo studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, running a hand through his curly hair.

"Fine," he said, though he didn't sound convinced. "But if I find out you two are lying to me..."

"We're not," I interrupted, forcing a small smile.

Theo narrowed his eyes but eventually stepped aside. "Go on, then. Get to class."

Draco and I didn't waste a second, slipping out of the classroom before he could change his mind. As we walked down the corridor, I glanced at Draco.

"Think he bought it?" I asked.

Draco smirked. "Not a chance."

Despite myself, I laughed softly, and for a moment, the tension lifted. But as we parted ways to head to our respective classes, I couldn't shake the feeling that Theo wasn't going to let this go.

DRACO MALFOY

Charms was one of those classes that I usually coasted through without much thought, but today, I was far from focused. The moment Victoria sat down beside me, her delicate scent of vanilla and something sweeter filled the space between us, and I was done for.

She tucked a stray curl behind her ear, her quill poised above her parchment as she scribbled notes. The light streaming through the classroom windows caught the soft waves of her hair, making her look almost ethereal.

Merlin, she was beautiful.

I should have been paying attention to Flitwick's lecture on non-verbal spells, but instead, my gaze kept drifting to her hands, her lashes, the subtle way her lips curved when she concentrated.

"You're staring," she murmured without looking up, a hint of amusement in her voice.

I cleared my throat, looking away quickly. "I'm not."

"You are." She glanced at me then, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I smirked, leaning slightly closer. "Maybe I am. What are you going to do about it?"

She rolled her eyes, but I didn't miss the way her cheeks flushed. That blush—it drove me insane.

"Meet me after class," I said in a low voice, leaning in so only she could hear.

Her quill paused mid-stroke, and she turned to me, her brows knitting together in question. "Why?"

"The abandoned bathroom on the third floor," I continued, ignoring her question. "Don't make me wait."

She looked at me like she was about to argue, but something in her eyes softened, and she nodded ever so slightly.

The rest of class passed in a blur. I couldn't focus on anything except the thought of her meeting me. When Flitwick finally dismissed us, I lingered just long enough to watch her gather her things and leave the classroom, the sway of her robes making my chest tighten.

Beautiful wasn't a strong enough word for her. She was a storm wrapped in silk, and I was hopelessly caught in her pull.

As I headed toward the third floor, my thoughts were a chaotic mix of anticipation and nerves. I had no idea what I was going to say to her, but I knew one thing for certain: being close to her wasn't enough anymore. I needed more. 

VICTORIA NOTT

I leaned against the sink in the dimly lit abandoned bathroom, my arms crossed as I watched Draco pace in front of me. The soft light from the cracked window made his platinum hair glow, and the determined set of his jaw told me he was serious about whatever he was about to say.

"Victoria," he began, stopping in front of me. His gray eyes met mine, and I felt that familiar pull, the one I couldn't seem to resist no matter how hard I tried. "I don't want to keep pretending. I want us to be together."

I raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance even though my heart was racing. "And what about Pansy?"

"She doesn't matter," he said quickly, shaking his head. "Not to me. She never has."

I studied him for a moment, tapping my fingers against my arm. "If you're serious about this, Draco, then prove it."

His eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a flicker of intrigue in them. "What do you mean?"

I smirked, straightening up. "I'll make a list. Five things. If you can do them, maybe I'll consider giving us a chance."

Draco's lips curved into a lopsided grin, though there was a hint of wariness in his expression. "Alright. What are they?"

I stepped closer, lowering my voice as if the walls themselves might eavesdrop. "First, you have to break up with Pansy."

His grin widened. "Done."

"But not just any breakup," I added, stopping him in his tracks. "It has to be mean. Make it hurt."

His smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of surprise. "Mean? Why?"

"Because she deserves it," I said simply, meeting his gaze with unwavering confidence. "You've let her hang on to you for too long, and she's made my life miserable. If you want me, you'll show her she's nothing to you."

Draco stared at me for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. What else?"

I tilted my head, pretending to think. "The rest... I'll tell you as you go. But trust me, they won't be easy."

His gray eyes sparkled with a mix of challenge and determination. "You underestimate me, Victoria."

"Maybe," I said with a small smile. "But this isn't about underestimating you, Draco. It's about seeing if you're willing to do what it takes."

He stepped closer, closing the distance between us. "I'll do it. All of it. Just wait and see."

For the first time, I felt a flicker of hope—hope that maybe, just maybe, he'd be willing to fight for this. But as I watched him walk out of the bathroom, his shoulders squared and his head held high, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd made a mistake.

Because if Draco Malfoy was determined to prove himself, there was no telling how far he'd go.

***

I found Daphne lounging on her bed, flipping through an old issue of Witch Weekly. When I told her what had happened in the bathroom and Draco's willingness to agree to my conditions, her face lit up with a mischievous grin.

"Well," she said, tossing the magazine aside and sitting up. "If he's serious about this, we can't make it too easy for him. Let's come up with the rest of the list."

We spent the next hour brainstorming, and by the end of it, we had four additional demands to add to my original one.

He had to break up with Pansy in the harshest way possible—something that would leave no doubt in her mind that it was over.He had to tell Theo everything about us, no lies, no sugarcoating.He had to buy me my own library—a real one, with bookshelves, rare editions, and everything I could ever want to read.He had to swear an Unbreakable Vow to never lie to me or keep secrets from me.And finally, he had to admit to everyone in Slytherin that he'd rather be with me than anyone else, no matter the fallout.

"You're evil," Daphne said with a laugh as we finalized the list. "But if anyone can handle it, it's Malfoy."

I smirked, folding the parchment we'd written everything on and tucking it into my pocket. "Let's see if he really means it."

Later that day, I made my way to the courtyard where I knew Draco and Pansy usually spent their afternoons. I arrived just in time to see them standing near the fountain, Pansy's voice carrying over the chatter of other students.

"Draco, why are you acting so strange?" she whined, clutching his arm. "Is this about Victoria? Don't tell me she's gotten into your head—"

"She's got nothing to do with this," Draco interrupted, his tone cold. He yanked his arm away from her grip and fixed her with a glare that could freeze fire.

"I'm done with you, Pansy," he said, his voice sharp and biting. "I've been done for a long time, but I was too bored to bother ending it. You're clingy, annoying, and you embarrass yourself every time you try to act like you matter to me. Everyone makes fun of me for dating you, I regret being with you."

Pansy's eyes widened, her face flushing with anger and humiliation. "You don't mean that," she stammered. "You're just upset—"

"I mean every word," he snapped. "You're nothing to me. You never were."

The courtyard went silent as Pansy's lip quivered, and then she turned on her heel and stormed away, tears streaming down her face.

I stood frozen behind a pillar, watching as Draco ran a hand through his hair, clearly unbothered by the scene he'd just caused. He turned slightly, and for a moment, I thought he might have seen me, but he didn't say anything.

Part of me felt bad for Pansy—just a small part. But the rest of me couldn't deny the satisfaction I felt knowing Draco had actually done it.

As I walked back to the common room, my heart raced. He'd passed the first test, but the next ones would be even harder.

DRACO MALFOY

Draco hadn't held back during his breakup with Pansy in the courtyard. She'd clung to him, pleading for answers, but he was as cold as ice. "I'm done with you, Pansy," he'd said with a cutting edge to his voice. "You're nothing to me. You never were." The words sliced through her protests, leaving her standing there, humiliated and tearful, as he walked away without a backward glance. It was cruel, but it was exactly what Victoria had demanded, and Draco knew he had to prove he was willing to do whatever it took.

Later that day, Draco found Victoria in the library, tucked into a quiet corner with her books. He slid into the seat across from her, his expression unreadable.

"It's done," he said simply, his voice low.

Victoria didn't look up immediately, but he saw the faintest flicker of satisfaction cross her face. "Good," she said, finally meeting his gaze.

"What's next?" he asked, leaning forward.

She placed her quill down and folded her hands neatly. "You have to tell Theo everything," she said matter-of-factly.

Draco tensed, his jaw tightening. "You're not making this easy."

"It's not supposed to be easy, Draco," she replied, her tone firm. "If you're serious about me, you'll do it."

He exhaled sharply but nodded. "Fine. What else?"

Victoria leaned back, her lips curving into a small, teasing smile. "You're going to buy me a library. A proper one, with rare editions and everything I could ever want to read."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "A library?"

"You said you'd do whatever it takes," she said with a shrug. "And I've always wanted one."

His lips twitched in a faint smirk. "Alright. What's the fourth thing?"

"You have to swear an Unbreakable Vow," she said, her tone serious now. "No lies, no secrets. Not ever."

Draco stared at her, the weight of her demand sinking in. "You're really not holding back, are you?"

"No," she said softly. "Because if we're doing this, I need to know I can trust you."

He nodded slowly. "And the last thing?"

Victoria's smile returned, sly and confident. "You have to admit to everyone in Slytherin that you'd rather be with me than anyone else. No hiding, no excuses."

Draco leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You're ruthless."

"And you like it," she replied with a smirk.

Draco chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, Nott. You've got yourself a deal."

As he left the library, Draco couldn't help but feel a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. The tasks were daunting, but he was determined to prove himself to her—no matter what it took.

***

The moment I stepped into mine and Theo's shared dorm room, my stomach tightened. Theo was lounging on his bed, flipping through a Quidditch magazine, completely unaware of the storm I was about to unleash.

I closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment to gather my thoughts. I'd already done the hardest thing I thought I'd ever have to do—breaking up with Pansy in front of half the school. But this? Telling Theo everything? That felt impossible.

"What's with the brooding face?" Theo asked, not looking up.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I stepped further into the room. "We need to talk."

That got his attention. Theo put the magazine down and sat up, his sharp eyes narrowing. "What about?"

I hesitated, sitting on the edge of my bed and staring at the floor. "It's about Victoria."

His expression shifted instantly, his posture stiffening. "What about her?"

I looked up, meeting his gaze. "We've... been seeing each other. Kind of."

Theo blinked, his confusion quickly giving way to anger. "Seeing each other? What the hell does that mean?"

"It means exactly what it sounds like," I said, trying to keep my tone calm. "We kissed at the Yule Ball. And... before that."

Theo shot to his feet, his face a mixture of shock and betrayal. "You kissed my twin sister? Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm not—" I started, but he cut me off.

"You're supposed to be my best friend, Draco! And you went behind my back to mess around with Victoria?"

"It's not like that!" I snapped, standing as well. "I care about her, alright? It's not just some game."

Theo laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "You? Care about someone? That's rich."

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. "I know how it looks, but I mean it. I'm serious about her, Theo."

"She's my sister," he said through gritted teeth. "Do you have any idea what you're getting into? What you're dragging her into?"

"I know exactly what I'm getting into," I replied firmly. "And I'm not going to hurt her. That's why I'm telling you this. I don't want to lie to you."

Theo stared at me for a long moment, his jaw tight. Finally, he exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. "If you mess this up, Draco... if you hurt her..."

"I won't," I said quickly.

"You'd better not," he said, his tone low and dangerous. "Because if you do, I'll make sure you regret it."

I nodded, knowing he meant every word. As he sat back down on his bed, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Telling Theo had been one of the hardest things I'd ever done, but I'd done it.

Now there were only three more things standing between me and Victoria.

VICTORIA NOTT

Theo cornered me in the common room, his arms crossed and his expression hard to read. I had been trying to slip past him, but my twin wasn't one to let things slide.

"Victoria," he said, his voice low but firm. "What exactly are you making Draco do?"

I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play games with me," Theo snapped. "He told me he's doing things to prove himself to you. What are these 'tests'?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "Just... things that will prove he's serious," I said, keeping my tone light.

Theo's eyes narrowed. "You're playing with fire, Vic. Draco's not the kind of person who takes challenges lightly."

I crossed my arms, matching his stance. "And I'm not the kind of person who trusts easily. If he wants me, he'll have to earn it."

Theo sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Just... be careful. Both of you."

I didn't respond, but his words lingered as I left the common room.

***

Later that night, the cool breeze of the Astronomy Tower welcomed me as I climbed the final steps. Draco was already there, leaning against the stone railing, his platinum hair shining under the moonlight.

"You're late," he said, turning to face me with a smirk.

"You're early," I countered, walking over to him.

We stood there in silence for a moment, the stars above us casting a soft glow. Then, without warning, he reached out and pulled me into his arms. The warmth of his embrace was both surprising and comforting, and I found myself melting into him.

"You're making me crazy," he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.

I tilted my head up to look at him, and before I could respond, he kissed me. It was softer this time, less desperate than before, but still filled with the same intensity.

When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his, my heart pounding. "Why do you make everything so complicated?" I whispered.

He chuckled softly. "Me? You're the one with the impossible list of demands."

"You agreed to them," I pointed out, a teasing smile playing on my lips.

"Because you're worth it," he said, his voice serious now. "You're worth all of it, Victoria."

My breath hitched, and I searched his eyes for any sign of insincerity. But all I saw was honesty and something deeper—something I wasn't sure I was ready to name.

"You're not making this easy, Malfoy," I said softly.

"I don't want it to be easy," he replied. "I just want it to be real."

I nodded slowly, and he pulled me into another hug, his arms wrapping around me tightly. For the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of calm.

Whatever this was between us, it was real. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.