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VICTORIA NOTT

Things with Draco had been really weird these past few weeks. We didn't talk, we didn't look at each other—it was like that night in the Astronomy Tower never happened.

I'd catch him in the halls sometimes, his gaze flickering to mine for the briefest second before he'd look away, his jaw tight. It was maddening. He was the one who kissed me. He was the one who said all those things. And now? Now it was like I didn't exist to him.

"Alright, spill," Daphne said, flopping onto my bed one afternoon as I tried to finish my Potions essay.

I groaned, not even looking up. "Spill what?"

"You know what. What happened the night you went to the Astronomy Tower?" she asked, propping her chin on her hand.

"Nothing," I said quickly, too quickly.

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Vic, come on. You've been weird ever since. And Draco's been even weirder, which is saying something. What happened?"

"Nothing happened," I insisted, keeping my eyes on my parchment.

"You're a terrible liar," she said, reaching out to nudge my arm. "You can tell me, you know. Did he kiss you? Confess some deep, dark secret? Declare his undying love?"

"Daphne," I snapped, finally looking up. "Just drop it, okay? It's nothing."

She stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable, then sighed dramatically and sat back. "Fine. But you know you can't keep whatever this is bottled up forever, right? It's going to eat you alive."

I didn't answer, turning back to my essay as if it could shield me from her scrutiny. The truth was, she wasn't wrong. The weight of that night, of Draco's kiss and his words, was something I couldn't seem to shake. And as much as I wanted to pretend it didn't matter, it did.

More than I wanted to admit.

***

DRACO MALFOY

When McGonagall announced the Yule Ball during breakfast, the Great Hall erupted into a mix of excitement and groans. Couples were already forming in hushed whispers, friends plotting matching robes, and house rivalries threatening to spill over into the competition for the best-dressed.

I didn't care. Or at least, I tried not to. But as my eyes instinctively drifted toward Victoria sitting at the far end of the table, I felt a familiar pang of guilt.

The past few weeks had been torture. Ever since that kiss—that moment in the Astronomy Tower—I'd done everything I could to avoid her. Not because I didn't want her, but because I did. Too much. And that scared the hell out of me.

Later that afternoon, the entire year gathered in the Great Hall for dance practice. It was painfully awkward, watching everyone stumble through steps as Flitwick waved his wand, music filling the room. I had no intention of taking this seriously, but Pansy immediately latched onto me, insisting we practice together.

"Come on, Draco, you're not going to embarrass me at the Ball, are you?" she teased, tugging me toward the center of the room.

I went along with it, though my focus wasn't on her. It was on the girl sitting by herself near the back, her arms crossed as she watched the chaos with a bored expression. Victoria didn't even pretend to be interested in dancing, but I couldn't help noticing the way her foot tapped slightly in time with the music.

I hated seeing her like that—alone, detached. And I hated even more that it was my fault.

"Draco," Pansy hissed, yanking my attention back to her. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, forcing myself to pay attention to the steps. But my mind wandered back to Victoria, her laugh, her scent, the way she felt against me that night.

By the time I finally escaped to the showers later that evening, I was a mess. The warm water cascaded over me, but it did little to drown out the memories swirling in my head.

I leaned my forehead against the tile, closing my eyes. The kiss replayed itself, vivid and all-consuming. Her lips, soft and warm, the way her fingers gripped my shoulders, the little sound she made when I pulled her closer.

My hand clenched into a fist against the wall. I hated myself for it—for the way my body reacted, the way my thoughts betrayed me. I shouldn't be thinking about her like this. Not when I'd spent weeks trying to push her away.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop. She was in my head, under my skin, and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it.

***

VICTORIA NOTT

The next day, dance practice continued, but I had no intention of participating. While the others paired up and stumbled through their steps, I sat near the corner of the Great Hall with a book in my lap, pretending to read. In truth, I was only half-paying attention to the words. My mind kept drifting—to Draco, to the kiss, to the way everything between us had shifted into something I didn't understand and wasn't ready to face.

I could feel his gaze on me. Every time I glanced up, there he was, mid-step with Pansy but barely looking at her. His gray eyes would flicker to me, his movements growing stiff and distracted until Pansy barked at him to focus.

It was infuriating. If he wanted to ignore me, fine, but this watching-from-afar nonsense was unbearable.

"Still sulking, I see," Theo's voice cut through my thoughts. He flopped into the seat next to me, folding his arms.

"I'm not sulking," I said, not looking up from my book.

"Could've fooled me," he said with a smirk. "You and Malfoy have been acting strange for weeks. Care to explain why?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said lightly, turning a page I hadn't actually read.

"Sure you don't." Theo gave me a pointed look before leaning back in his chair, his gaze flicking over to Draco, who was now glaring at Theo like he wanted to hex him. "You know, he's been off too. Snappier than usual. A real joy to be around."

"Maybe he's just stressed about the Ball," I said, trying to sound indifferent.

Theo didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. At least, not then.

Later, as practice ended, he caught both of us in the hallway. "Library. Now," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I glanced at Draco, who looked equally annoyed but followed Theo without a word. Once we were seated in the far corner of the library, Theo crossed his arms and stared us down.

"Alright, what's going on with you two?" he demanded.

"Nothing," I said quickly, a little too quickly.

Draco scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Theo. Not everything revolves around your conspiracies."

Theo narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. "You're both terrible liars. And you've been avoiding each other like the plague. So, either spill or I'll start making wild guesses, and trust me, my imagination is much worse than the truth."

"We're not avoiding each other," I said, my voice steady but my palms sweating.

"Really? Because it feels like you're hiding something."

"Drop it, Theo," Draco said, his voice sharp.

Theo raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine. But whatever's going on, you two better sort it out. This tension is exhausting."

As he left, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"That was close," I muttered.

Draco didn't respond. He just stared at me for a moment before turning and walking away, leaving me with the same questions—and the same fluttering in my chest—I'd been trying to bury for weeks.

***

The night of the Yule Ball arrived faster than I expected, and as I stood in front of the mirror in my dormitory, I couldn't shake the nerves twisting in my stomach.

My dress hung on a hook by the bed—a sleek, elegant black gown with a sweetheart neckline and a slight shimmer when the light hit it just right. It was understated but stunning, exactly what I wanted. Daphne had insisted on helping me pick it out weeks ago, and I silently thanked her for her relentless fashion advice.

I slipped it on carefully, the fabric fitting perfectly, hugging my figure in all the right places. The slit on one side added a daring touch, something I wouldn't normally choose but felt right tonight.

Turning to the mirror, I reached for my makeup bag. I wasn't one for heavy makeup, but tonight called for something extra. I kept it simple—a soft smoky eye that made my green eyes pop, a hint of blush, and a wine red lip. The contrast against the black dress was striking, and for once, I actually liked what I saw in the mirror.

Finally, I moved to my hair. I'd spent a frustrating hour earlier with my wand, carefully curling it so it cascaded down my back in loose, glossy waves. I pinned a small section back with a silver clip, letting the rest fall freely around my shoulders.

Daphne entered the room just as I was fastening a simple silver bracelet around my wrist. She froze in the doorway, her mouth falling open.

"Victoria," she said, drawing out my name in a dramatic gasp. "You look... wow."

I turned to her, rolling my eyes but smiling. "Thanks, Daph."

"No, seriously. You look incredible. Like, heads-are-going-to-turn incredible." She walked over, adjusting a stray curl. "Malfoy won't know what hit him."

"Daphne," I groaned, shooting her a warning look.

"What? Just saying." She winked before stepping back to admire her handiwork. "You're ready."

I wasn't so sure about that, but as I slipped into my heels and took one last look in the mirror, I knew one thing for certain: tonight was going to change everything.

DRACO MALFOY

The night of the Yule Ball had finally arrived, and the Slytherin dormitory was buzzing with activity. Blaise and Nott were arguing over ties, Crabbe and Goyle were trying to figure out their dress robes, and I was pretending like I didn't care about any of it.

Except I did.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my robes for what felt like the hundredth time. They were tailored perfectly, of course—deep emerald green trimmed with silver accents, the Malfoy family crest embroidered subtly on the cuff. My hair was slicked back neatly, but a few strands had fallen forward no matter how much I tried to keep them in place.

"Looking sharp, mate," Theo said, coming up behind me. His own robes were dark gray with green detailing, more understated than mine but still refined. "Pansy's going to be glued to you all night."

I rolled my eyes. "Fantastic."

Theo smirked, leaning against the dresser. "You've been in a mood all day. Let me guess—it's not Pansy you're thinking about, is it?"

I shot him a warning look, but he didn't back off.

"It's Victoria, isn't it?" he said, his tone almost amused.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I muttered, focusing on straightening my tie.

"Sure you don't," Theo said with a knowing grin. "Just don't do anything stupid tonight, alright? If you two keep this weird tension going, the entire house is going to notice."

I ignored him, though his words hit closer to home than I'd like to admit.

Theo sighed, pushing off the dresser. "Alright, I'm heading down. Try not to sulk all night, yeah?"

He clapped me on the shoulder and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I stared at my reflection, my jaw tightening. The truth was, I was thinking about Victoria. I hadn't been able to stop since the Astronomy Tower, and tonight was no different. I didn't know what I was expecting, but the thought of seeing her—of watching her walk into the Great Hall, probably looking perfect—made my chest tighten in a way I didn't understand.

With one last glance in the mirror, I grabbed my wand and headed for the door. Whatever tonight held, I wasn't sure I was ready for it. But I'd face it anyway.

The Great Hall was transformed into a shimmering wonderland of enchantment and elegance. The ceiling sparkled with floating lights, and snowflakes drifted lazily above us without ever touching the ground. Music filled the air, mingling with the hum of laughter and conversation as couples danced and friends huddled in groups.

I stepped inside, my gaze sweeping over the crowd without much interest. Pansy clung to my arm, already rambling about something inconsequential, but her voice barely registered. My eyes were searching, scanning the crowd for—her.

And then I saw her.

Victoria stood near the far end of the hall, talking to Daphne. Her black dress shimmered in the low light, hugging her figure in a way that made my chest tighten. Her hair fell in loose, glossy curls, framing her face perfectly, and the red on her lips was enough to make my mind go blank. She looked... breathtaking.

I felt rooted to the spot, torn between staying hidden in the shadows and going to her. I shouldn't, I couldn't, but the longer I stood there, the harder it was to fight the pull.

"Draco?" Pansy's voice snapped me out of my trance, and I realized she'd been talking the entire time.

"Excuse me," I muttered, brushing her off without another word.

I weaved through the crowd, my heart pounding harder with every step. She didn't see me until I was right in front of her, her eyes widening slightly as our gazes locked. For a moment, the world seemed to fall away, leaving just the two of us in the center of the chaos.

"Come with me," I said, my voice low and urgent.

"Draco, what—"

"Please."

Something in my tone must have convinced her, because she nodded. I took her hand, ignoring the curious looks we got as I led her out of the hall and into the cool night air. The carriages were lined up just outside, the snow-covered grounds glittering under the moonlight. I pulled her into an empty carriage, shutting the door behind us as I turned to face her.

"You look..." I trailed off, unable to find the right words. "Merlin, you're stunning."

Her cheeks flushed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Draco, what are you doing?"

"I've been trying to ignore this," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "Trying to stay away, pretend that night didn't happen, but I can't. Every time I see you, every time I even think about you, it's like I'm losing my mind."

She stared at me, her expression unreadable. "You yelled at me. You've avoided me for weeks, and now you're... what? Dragging me into a carriage to confess your feelings?"

"I know I've been an arse," I said, stepping closer. "I didn't know how to handle this—handle you. But I can't do it anymore. I can't pretend I don't feel something for you, Victoria."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, I thought she might slap me. But instead, she sighed, her shoulders relaxing just slightly. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Probably," I said, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "But you're here, aren't you?"

She rolled her eyes, but the faintest smile broke through her exasperation. And that was all the encouragement I needed. I closed the distance between us, my hand cupping her cheek as I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers.

It wasn't tentative or unsure this time—it was everything I'd been holding back, everything I hadn't been able to say. And as her arms wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer, I knew there was no going back.

VICTORIA NOTT

The moment Draco's lips met mine, every ounce of tension that had built up over the past few weeks seemed to dissolve. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer as if he couldn't bear for there to be any space between us. The cold night air outside the carriage was a distant memory, replaced by the heat radiating between us.

I didn't know what I was doing—kissing Draco Malfoy, letting him touch me like this—but it didn't matter. All that mattered was the way his lips moved against mine, the way his hands slid up my back, the way my fingers tangled in his perfectly messy hair.

"Victoria," he murmured against my lips, his voice low and breathless. The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine.

I pulled back for a moment, catching my breath as my hands rested against his chest. "Draco... we shouldn't—"

"I don't care," he interrupted, his lips finding my neck, sending a jolt of electricity through me. "I can't stop thinking about you, about this. Just tell me you don't feel the same, and I'll stop."

I couldn't. I didn't want him to stop.

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine again, more insistent this time. His hands roamed down my sides, gripping the fabric of my dress like he was barely holding himself together. I tilted my head back, giving in completely to the way he made me feel, when—

"Mr. Malfoy. Miss Nott."

The icy voice of Professor Snape cut through the heated moment like a bucket of ice water.

I froze, my heart plummeting as I turned to see him standing in the doorway of the carriage, his expression colder than I'd ever seen. His black eyes flicked between the two of us, taking in our disheveled appearances with a disdainful sneer.

"This," Snape said slowly, his voice dripping with contempt, "is highly inappropriate. You are to return to the castle immediately."

Draco stepped in front of me slightly, his jaw clenched, but even he didn't dare argue with Snape.

"Yes, Professor," he said stiffly.

Without another word, Snape turned and strode away, his robes billowing behind him.

I smoothed down my dress, avoiding Draco's gaze as I climbed out of the carriage. The cold air hit me like a slap, and I felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration rise in my chest.

"Victoria—" Draco started, reaching for my arm.

"Don't," I said quickly, pulling away. "We should go before he deducts points or worse."

He didn't argue, and we walked back to the castle in tense silence. My heart was still racing, but for entirely different reasons now.

What had I just gotten myself into?

***

I stormed back into the castle, my cheeks still flushed and my heart pounding from everything that had just happened. My thoughts were a whirlwind of Draco, Snape, and the undeniable electricity that had surged between us in the carriage.

As I entered the Great Hall, the music swirled around me, and I spotted Daphne immediately, standing near the punch bowl. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

"Merlin's beard, Victoria, what happened to you?" she asked, grabbing my arm and pulling me closer. "You look like you've just run a marathon—or been caught doing something you shouldn't."

I avoided her gaze, biting my lip. "It's nothing."

"Nothing?" She raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze scanning me. "Your hair's a mess, your lipstick's smudged, and you're blushing like mad. Did you—" Her eyes widened as realization dawned. "Wait. Were you with Malfoy?"

I groaned, running a hand through my hair. "Daphne, I can't talk about this right now."

"You were with him!" she hissed, a mixture of shock and delight in her voice. "I knew it! What happened? Tell me everything."

Before I could answer, my eyes caught movement across the room. Draco had returned, and he was on the dance floor—with Pansy.

He held her close, his hand resting low on her back as they moved in time to the music. He leaned down to whisper something in her ear, and she laughed, throwing her head back dramatically. My stomach twisted painfully, and I looked away quickly, but Daphne followed my gaze and saw exactly what I had.

"Oh, no," she muttered. "What an absolute tosser."

"I don't care," I said, though my voice betrayed me.

"Sure you don't," Daphne said, folding her arms. "You look like you're about to hex someone."

I hated how much it bothered me. I hated how smug Pansy looked, how Draco seemed completely unfazed, and most of all, how I couldn't stop the jealousy bubbling inside me.

"I'm getting a drink," I muttered, walking away before Daphne could say anything else.

But before I could make it to the punch table, Draco appeared in front of me, his expression unreadable.

"Dance with me," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

"What about Pansy?" I shot back, folding my arms.

"She's not who I want to dance with," he said simply, his eyes locked on mine.

For a moment, I hesitated, but the pull was too strong. I placed my hand in his, and he led me onto the dance floor. The music swelled, and he pulled me close, his hand settling at the small of my back.

We moved together effortlessly, the tension between us palpable. He leaned in slightly, his voice brushing against my ear. "You're stunning tonight."

My cheeks flushed, but before I could respond, I felt someone tap my shoulder.

"Mind if I cut in?" Theo asked, his expression far too casual.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Theo was already pulling me away, leaving Draco standing there, his jaw tight.

"Theo!" I hissed, trying to pull free.

"You two are playing a dangerous game," Theo said quietly, steering me toward the edge of the room. "Whatever's going on, you need to stop. Now."

I glanced back at Draco, who was watching us with a dark, unreadable expression. My chest ached with frustration, but I couldn't argue with Theo—not here, not now.

The rest of the night passed in a blur, filled with stolen glances and unspoken words. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about the way it felt to be in Draco's arms, even if only for a moment.

I couldn't take it anymore. Theo's grip on my arm felt suffocating as he tried to steer me toward the edge of the hall, but I wasn't going to let him control me—not tonight. Not when everything inside me was screaming to be near Draco.

"Theo, let me go," I snapped, pulling my arm free.

"Victoria—" he started, but I was already slipping away into the crowd.

The music swirled around me as I moved through the dancers, my heart pounding in time with the beat. My eyes searched the room, and then I saw him. Draco.

He was back with Pansy, her arms draped around his neck as they swayed together. She was laughing at something he said, and the sight made my blood boil.

No. Not tonight.

I clenched my fists, and before I could think better of it, I muttered the incantation under my breath. My magic surged without the need for a wand, and Pansy suddenly stumbled, yelping as her heel snapped clean off her shoe. She flailed, grabbing at Draco for balance, but he stepped back instinctively, letting her fall to the floor with an undignified shriek.

"What the bloody—!" Pansy sputtered, glaring at her broken shoe and then at Draco.

"I'll take it from here," I said smoothly, stepping into the space Pansy had vacated.

Draco's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't protest as I slid my hand into his. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath, though there was a flicker of amusement in his tone.

"I know," I replied, smiling up at him.

The music shifted to a slower tune, and he pulled me close, his hands settling at my waist as we began to move. My heart raced, but for the first time all night, I felt at ease.

"You didn't have to hex her," he said softly, his lips curving into a smirk.

"Didn't I?" I teased, meeting his gaze.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're trouble, Nott."

"And yet, here you are," I said, raising an eyebrow.

His smirk faded slightly, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. "I couldn't stay away if I tried."

We danced together for the rest of the night, the world around us fading into the background. It didn't matter that Theo was probably fuming somewhere, or that Pansy was shooting daggers at me from across the room.

All that mattered was Draco and the way he held me like I was the only person in the room.