you and i drink the poison from the same vine

Festive Muggle music drifted from your record player, the needle floating lazily atop the spinning vinyl. You were rocking your hips to the beat and placing ornaments strategically throughout the fir tree Draco and Theo had dutifully bought from the lot down the road. You wished you’d been here to revel in them struggling to drag it up the stairs to your third-story flat, but you’d unfortunately had to work a shift at the boutique. With the holidays just around the corner, Muggles were shopping like mad and your boss had asked everyone to pick up extra shifts.

But now you were home, freshly showered and dressed in a silk, gingerbread patterned pajama set. Theo was in the kitchen cooking his famous gnocchi cacciatore soup. At least, it was famous between the three of you and all your friends. And Draco—who had strung the lights throughout the tree for you and hung all of one ornament—was sat back on the sofa with a glass of Old Fashioned and contently watching his girl decorate. A smirk danced its way to his lips every time you stretched up on your tippy-toes to reach the higher branches, the shorts of your pajamas riding up to show off the delicious curve of your ass.

You were currently trying your damndest to reach one of the highest branches, getting nowhere close to the top of the eight-foot tree. Draco, unable to control himself at the sight of over half your ass on full display, decided it was in everyone’s best interest to help you. Especially his. He silently pressed against your back, sliding a warm hand around your stomach where your shirt was lifted. “Need some help, darling?” 

You startled for a beat before melting into his embrace. “Yes, please,” you sighed sheepishly.

Still holding you against him, he took the glass ball and held it to a high-hanging branch. “Here?”

“Mhm..” you answered, not even registering where he was holding the bulb. He was leaning into you to reach the tree and his boner was poking into your lower back. The mere pressure of it made your mind go blank and swirl with desire.

“Darling, is there something on your mind?” he asked lowly against your ear, trailing his fingertips along the hem of your shorts. The fiend knew exactly what was on your mind.

“Dray-” is all you breathed, angling your lips towards his. He softly pressed his mouth against yours, tugging you against him. His hand slid into the waist of your shorts and he wasted no time before he slipped a finger into your already wet folds. You moaned needily against his lips, tugging him closer with a hand on his shoulder.

“Oh my, what have we here, amorina?” [Sweetheart] Theo was perched against the doorframe from the kitchen to the living room, his arms crossed smugly. A tent was forming in the front of his slacks, pulling the material taunt around his cock. Your mouth watered at the sight. Were you about to have both of your boyfriends at once? It wasn’t unheard of, but they usually enjoyed you in turns.

“Thought we’d have a light snack before dinner,” Draco drawled, beginning lazy circles on your clit. You jumped at the sensation before melting into his arms, your eyelids drooping in pleasure.

“Hmm, suppose it couldn’t ruin our appetites too much.” They shared devious grins before turning their ravenous gazes to you. Theo slowly trailed his eyes down your body, taking in every curve and inch of skin on display while he began unbuttoning his shirt.

“Where do you want us, darling? The couch? The bed?” Draco mumbled against your ear, never faltering his onslaught to your clit. Your legs were beginning to numb with pleasure and if it weren’t for his strong arms around you, you’d very well be on the floor. A satisfied hum vibrated in his throat, “Or how about right here next to the tree?”

Your head swam at the idea, your lust growing tenfold as you imagined them laying you down on the plush rug with the christmas lights twinkling above you—pleasing themselves with your body to their hearts’ content. “Yes,” you gasped, growing ever closer to your climax.

“What was that, cara? [Dear] Use your polite words like the good girl you are,” Theo ordered, coming up behind you and moving your hair to the side so he could place kisses along your neck.

“I- I want you right here. Please..” you begged, gripping onto Draco’s shoulder to ground yourself as waves of release began surging through you.

Draco stopped the pressure to your clit. “As you wish, my love.”

You whined at the loss of his touch and your impending orgasm, but obediently allowed the boys to lay you down beside the tree. Draco resumed kissing you while using his hands to discard you of your pajamas. Your breasts ached once they were freed, arousal and the chilly air of your old apartment delightfully hardening your nipples. Theo ran painter-calloused thumbs over the hardened nubs and you arched your back into his touch before he pulled away, leaving you feeling deprived once more.

Remotely, you were aware of your dark-haired boy digging through a box of christmas decor—but your attention was quickly overtaken by Draco, who had abandoned your mouth to trail kisses and licks to your uncovered skin. He swirled his tongue around one of your nipples before sucking it into his mouth, the pleasurable pain caused you to mewl and squirm underneath him, desperate for him to touch you between your legs.

“You’re so pretty when you’re begging for our cocks, amorina,” Theo drawled. He was holding one of the giant red bows you usually tied around the pillars on your balcony. Confusion briefly overtook your arousal, what was he doing with that? You weren’t left to wonder for long though—Draco helped you sit up and Theo aligned the bow with your breasts, pushing them up towards your collarbone when he wrapped the strings around your ribs and securely tied them at your spine. The somewhat rough texture of the bow’s velvet scraped your hardened nipples and you moaned with satisfaction.

You were their present, and you couldn’t wait for them to unwrap you.

“Sei bellissima.” [You’re beautiful] Theo smirked and grabbed your chin, angling your lips up to his. He kissed you with pure dominance, gripping the nape of your neck and slipping his tongue into your mouth. You kissed him back eagerly, getting lost in the taste of ingredients on his tongue and the warmth of his spit spilling into your mouth. You whined once again when he finally pulled away, your mind whirling with arousal too much to form any verbal protest. 

“I believe it’s time to open an early Christmas present, don’t you Draco?” You pulled your bottom lip between your teeth at the dark lust swimming in his eyes. The coppery tang of blood mixed with the taste of them in your mouth, and you pressed your thighs together for any friction it might grant your aching cunt.

“I believe so, Theo,” Draco agreed, his large hands grabbing at your sides to guide you how they wanted you. “Get on your hands and knees, darling.” You gladly obeyed, wanting to please your boys so they would hurry up and please you.

“Brava ragazza,” [Good girl] Theo breathed, kneading your ass and dutifully lining up behind you. You could hear his belt jangle as he removed his slacks and you arched your back to give him better access to your swollen cunt. You were no better than an animal in heat—you needed them inside you. In front of you, Draco already had his pants off, his stiff cock standing proud against his toned stomach.

“Dray–” You leaned forward to lick up his shaft. His cock twitched at the sensation, and you proudly looked up to find his eyes lidded and his mouth parted with pleasure. Draco bundled your hair into a makeshift ponytail, loosely holding it out of your face with one hand. Leaving a kitten lick to the head of his cock, you sucked the tip into your mouth and moaned as the saltiness of his pre-cum danced along your tastebuds.

Suddenly, you felt Theo run his cock along your folds, quickly lubing himself before pushing into you in one solid motion. Your walls protested as the size of him stretched you out gloriously, before the pain turned to sheer ecstasy and a long moan escaped your lips. The force of his thrust forced Draco’s cock deeper into your mouth and the two boys bottomed out at the same time. They both groaned with pleasure, pulling out slowly before slamming back into you. Their rhythms soon synchronized, Draco thrusting into you whenever Theo’s onslaught to your cunt pushed you towards him.

♪ Ba-boom Ba-boom ♪ 

Theo’s fingers dug deliciously into your hips, guiding you onto his cock and filling the air with the sounds of skin slapping against skin alongside the festive music still playing across the room.

♪ Santa baby, just slip a Sable under the tree for me ♪

♪ Been an awful good girl ♪

Draco had your head pulled back by your hair, creating the perfect angle to hit the back of your throat and causing saliva to drip down your chin. You weren’t sure how much longer your quivering arms could hold you upright with Theo repeatedly pounding against your g-spot. The pressure in your core was becoming too much and your eyes were beginning to roll back from the intense pleasure.

♪ Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight ♪

As though he could sense your impending orgasm, Theo slid a hand around your thighs and began rubbing his forefinger against your clit. Their thrusts became sloppier as their own orgasms grew closer and the force of them slamming into you was causing the bow to slip from your boobs. You felt them bouncing back and forth, the velvet knot falling around your stomach and freeing your painfully full breasts.

“Merlin, you’re so fucking hot when you’re being fucked, F/n. Like our own little sex doll,” Draco growled, letting go of your hair to grab both of your tits like handles. Strands of your hair fell in your face, sticking to your spit and tears.

“Such a brava ragazza, letting us do whatever we want with her,” Theo agreed, landing a hard smack to your ass cheek. You gasped around Draco’s cock, feeling the pressure in your core finally coming undone. “That’s it, cara. Milk my cock. I want to fill you up like a pasticiotti.”

They were pulling you back and forth like a game of tug-of-war, chasing their own climaxes as you shook and turned to putty in their hands. Finally, Theo stilled and your cunt warmed as he released deep inside you. Draco pulled out of your mouth soon after, jerking his hand along his length until his cum showered your face and tongue—which you had stuck out in the hopes of tasting him.

Both men sagged back on their heels, appreciating the view of their girl fucked and painted in their release. “You’re such a pretty whore, amore mio,” [my love], Theo praised, kissing you endearingly once you’d slumped to your back. 

Draco pulled the big red bow back over your tits, placing a kiss to your stomach. “Definitely my favorite present under the tree, I might have to use it again.” Despite feeling absolutely spent, his words resparked the desire in your core. They could use you all they wanted—you loved being their pretty bow wrapped present.

It was the season, after all.

♪ Hurry down the chimney tonight ♪

♪ Hurry, tonight ♪

Hogwarts

Monday, May 5, 1997

“Who’s there?” Slughorn’s voice boomed as soon as you all piled into the empty classroom. Knowing it would be suspicious to close the door now, Hermione motioned for everyone to stand against the wall adjacent to the door. It was notched to accommodate built-in bookshelves, and one would have to enter the room to see six students standing there. 

“Are there others, Harry?” His voice strained with his temper. You could understand his hurt; his most valued student was pointing fingers and throwing around the Dark Lord’s name. 

Slughorn stood in the doorway for a moment, his shadow casting long across the floor. You half wanted to hold your breath. Draco wrapped his pinky with yours. Your heart skipped at the touch, but you swallowed the sensation. “Hm, suppose you’re being paranoid Horace,” Slughorn mumbled, finally slipping away and down the hall.

Several of your friends released breaths. “I’ve never seen Slughorn mad before. That was bloody terrifying,” Ron squeaked.

“Come on, let’s catch up with Harry. That was worth a try, but we have to think of a whole new plan now,” Hermione complained, and you all moved to follow her from the room.

Draco grabbed your wrist, and you watched everyone leave before turning to face him. You looked at him expectedly, not saying a word. His eyes were wide, like he’d surprised himself and now wasn’t sure what to say. “F/n..”

“Draco,” you replied softly, a gentle smile on your lips. Things might be awkward between you now, but he was still one of your best friends and you wanted him to know he could speak his mind.

“I– I’m glad to see you doing better. I missed you.” His words were rigid, like he was actively picking and choosing his words. But he didn’t need to spell it out for you, his unspoken sentiments were clear in his eyes. He’d been worried you were gone from him forever. That he’d never see you smile at him or feel your skin against his again.

His thumb trailed across the inside of your wrist, his mouth parting slightly as he watched his own hand like a spectator. Heat rushed to your cheeks at his lowered eyes and you found yourself swallowing hard. This moment was so intimate you almost felt like you were intruding. “Draco,” you whispered again, your head swimming with desire. For the first time in the two weeks since you and Cedric broke up you were craving his lips on yours—craving the passion and heat of his hands on your body. It felt so wrong, but that made you want it all the more.

“Fuck, F/n..” Draco growled, catching the desire in your eyes. Grabbing your waist, he pushed you up against the bookshelves. Your stomach fluttered with the show of dominance, turning to putty in his arms. This isn’t right, a nagging in the back of your mind told you, something’s wrong. But you didn’t want to listen, you only wanted Draco.

A pleading whine escaped your lips when he cupped the back of your neck with a hand, tilting your mouth up to his. He’d just slipped your bottom lip between his teeth when someone cleared their throat in the doorway. You gasped, jerking away from Draco to look at Theo. Only it wasn’t Theo. It was…Draco? How on Earth- You jerked your head back to the Draco holding you. What in Merlin’s beard was going on?

“F/n?” the Draco in front of you asked worriedly.

“Is something the matter? You look as if-” started a new Draco leaned against the desk on the opposite wall.

“-you’ve seen a ghost,” finished the first Draco in a hiss, gripping your chin. The boy in front of you was still your blonde friend, but his eyes had turned an emotionless shade of red.

You gasped and tried to yank your chin away, but he only dug his nails deeper into your skin. Crying out from the sting of your wounds, you stilled as Voldemort’s voice hissed from Draco’s mouth: “Try as you might, you’ll never hide from me, girl.”

“F/n? F/n, what’s wrong? Please, answer me..” Draco begged, tugging at your wrists.

You lowered your hands from your face, blinking as if you’d only just woken up. Book spines dug into you back from where you were sat against the shelves and you groaned achingly when he helped you to your feet. “Draco, what..”

“I was touching your wrist and you whispered my name and then you just…slumped to the floor. At first I thought you’d fainted or something but you had your hands over your face and you kept whimpering. Like something was hurting you. And-” He lifted a thumb to your chin, making you flinch. “You have little cuts on your face now. They’re crescent shaped, like-”

“Finger nails,” you croaked.

“Yeah.” He let his arm fall. You stared at each other for a second, dumbfounded.

“I didn’t faint. Draco, I- It felt like I was still here, but then things weren’t right. There were three of you and your eyes were the same as Voldemort’s. I think it was like my dream. He was in my head again. Only this time I was awake.”

Draco’s wide eyes searched your face as if he was looking for any lingering sign of the Dark Lord. “Did he say anything?”

You supposed telling him about your phantom make-out session was pointless and would only bring up emotions that you didn’t want to address right now, so you only said: “He delivered a message. That no matter what I did or how hard I tried to hide, he would always find me.”

· · ─────── · ✧ · ─────── · ·

Harry leaned his forearms on his knees. “I just don’t understand. Why is Voldemort targeting F/n?”

“Question of the century, Potter,” Theo deadpanned. He was lounging on a worn brown-leather sofa, his arms and legs draped over the side and back. The epitome of relaxation, though worry swam in his eyes.

Harry shot him a glare. “I only mean she’s never been around Voldemort. There’s no reason he should even know who she is. When he was targeting me it was because he believed I would be his downfall and he’d already failed to kill me once before. F/n has no ties to him, no prophecies; nothing to offer him.”

Draco shook his head. He was propped up on the arm of your chair, his arms crossed in a disgruntled fashion. Voldemort’s attack on your mind and ability to harm you physically appeared to be his last straw. “We might never know why or how he’s getting into her head. What I do know is that I’m going to do everything I can to keep him away.” He looked down at you and grabbed your hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “You’re going to ask Dumbledore about those Occlumency lessons. And when you’re not in class or eating, you and I are going to continue our own training. Voldemort isn’t going to hurt you again. Not if I can help it.”

Theo rolled his eyes. “Alright, Prince Charming. What should the rest of us do?”

“We should definitely start by getting that memory from Slughorn. It seems like a decent start and if I’m being honest I think it’s our only choice,” Hermione answered.

You tuned out their voices while they discussed ways to possibly get the Professor to cooperate. How had you gotten into this mess? Voldemort was supposed to be gone and you had nothing to link you, as Harry had said. Perhaps this was all simply your punishment for being selfish. Whatever God or Goddess was in charge of karma was delivering your due.

Sulking into your chair, you simmered in your self pity and surveyed the room. The Room of Requirements had taken up the form of a moody sitting room. Two identical leather sofas sat across from one another in the middle of the space, separated by a dark, rectangular coffee table with curved legs. Your own chair had a twin—one on either side of the flickering fire. The spot above the mantel caught your attention—the dark paint was slightly lighter there, as if a picture had once been hung and was now missing. It was odd. Wasn’t the Room designed to its pursuer’s needs? Why would there be indication of something missing if the space hadn’t previously existed?

“Dray-” you began, but paused when you caught Theo staring at you. He lowered his lashes, then returned his attention to the discussion. Your face warmed with a blush. How long had he watched you for?

“Everything okay, L/n?” Draco asked, leaning closer.

When you turned towards him you discovered his face a breath away from yours. You swallowed hard and tried your best not to shy away from his presence. “Y- Yeah I’m fine. I just thought it looked as if a painting was missing from the mantel.”

He scrunched his brows at the mentioned wall, then gave you a sly smile. “It seems that way, doesn’t it? Think the Room was having a bit of fun? To see if any of us noticed?”

You snorted quietly. “The Room isn’t alive. It’s just animated with magic, right?”

Draco grinned, his eyes dropping to your lips briefly before jumping back up. “Well, maybe someone’s used this room before and took the picture, or they were hiding it here.”

Your heart fluttered. He could look at you like that a million times—like he was under the influence of a love potion and could think of nothing but you—and your heart would flutter from the intensity of it every time.

“Maybe,” you said breathlessly.

“Alright, it’s decided, then,” Harry announced, standing and retrieving a vial from his robes. “I need to have another talk with Professor Slughorn.”

“What’s that?” you asked as he uncorked the potion. A molten gold droplet leapt from the opening before falling perfectly back down with a tiny plonk.

“Felix Felicis. A good fortune potion Harry won for brewing a perfect Draught of Living Death. Even though he cheated.” Hermione explained, rolling her eyes at Harry’s rule-breaking.

“For the last time ‘Mione, it’s not my fault my textbook has notes in it.”

“It’s your fault for not turning the book in, Harry!” Hermione countered, exasperated.

He waved her off, and you shared an amused smile with Blaise. Your friend groups were a lot more alike than you’d thought. Even the Golden Trio bickered with one another, but their love stayed clear to anyone watching. “I was lucky to have help winning it, and I’m lucky to have it now. A bit of luck might be the only way Slughorn will hand over that memory.”

“Go on then, mate,” Ron said.

Harry tipped his head back and drained the entire bottle. 

“Well, how do you feel?” Hermione asked, almost inching off her seat.

He stared off momentarily, a dumb smile dancing on his lips. “Excellent. Really Excellent!” You and Draco quirked a brow at each other. The Liquid Luck seemed to have made Harry even goofier than normal.

Hermione jumped to her feet and blocked Harry from leaving. “Remember, Slughorn usually eats early, takes a walk, and then returns to his office.”

“Right.” He took a deep breath. “I’m going down to Hagrid’s.”

“What-” Hermione asked as Harry brushed past her to the door. “No! Harry, you’ve got to go speak to Slughorn! We have a plan.”

Harry stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “I know, but I’ve got a really good feeling about Hargid’s. I feel it- it’s the place to be tonight. Do you know what I mean?”

“No..” Hermione and Ron—who had come up beside her—said in unison.

“Trust me, I know what I’m doing. Or, Felix does!” And with that he left, the door clicking shut softly behind him.

“That was…interesting,” Theo stated.

“What do we do now?” you asked, darting your gaze between everyone.

Hermione sighed and gathered up her bag. “All we can do is wait. I’m going to the library to get some work done. It could take Harry the rest of the day to obtain that memory.”

Draco nudged you with his arm. “How ‘bout you and I have a little lesson, then?”

« Chapter Nine || Masterlist || Chapter Eleven »

Author’s Note: This chapter is like a year late but we’re going to ignore that okay 😃

“Oh, Theo..” You moaned, sinking deeper into the warm, bubbly water.

After hearing your endless whining about how you needed a good bath to relax your tense shoulders and how the school showers just didn’t do the job, Theo—your longtime best friend and partner in crime—offered you the password to the Prefect’s bathroom. How he’d gotten the password to begin with was beyond you. The day Theodore Nott became a Prefect would be the day all of Hell froze over.

Speaking of afterlife destinations, you must have died on the way here because there was no way this bath wasn’t Heaven itself. It took up over half the room, and several luxurious soaps flowed from the faucets. You couldn’t remember the last time you were this relaxed. Most of the furniture in the castle was old and stiff and the dormitory beds weren’t the worst, but they definitely weren’t the most comfortable mattresses in existence. The only relaxing time in your bed was when you knew your roommates would be gone for a while and you could release all your stress by masturbating, and you hadn’t even been able to do that for a good while now.

You supposed it wouldn’t hurt to have a go at it now, seeing as there was no one around and this was meant to be a de-stressing. Biting your lip, you pinched your right nipple between your fingers, rolling them slightly. Pleasure shot through your core, and you felt yourself getting soaked despite the water encircling you.

Throwing your head back against the tiles and closing your eyes, you trailed your hand down between your legs. This was dirty. You shouldn’t be touching yourself in a shared bath, but you supposed it was also dirty that every time you pleased yourself you thought about Theo. And really, both of those things being so wrong made them so much hotter.

Pumping two fingers in and out of yourself a few times, you arched against the bath’s wall. The bite of the cold tiles only added to your pleasure and you allowed yourself to let out a moan. Still squeezing and groping your breast, you moved on to circling your clit, which only served to hinder your self-control. “Theo, please..” you moaned, imagining his tongue on your heat instead of your own fingers. Mewling and writhing on the bath’s bench, your legs began shaking from your impending orgasm. It grew stronger and heavier deep in your stomach…you were almost there—

“I came for a show, but nothing could’ve prepared me for this, L/n,” growled a voice from behind you.

Startled, your head shot around to meet eyes with your intruder. “Theo, what are you-” There was absolutely no way you could miss the bulge in his trousers, and you had to swallow roughly before returning your gaze to his eyes. Realizing you were still groping yourself, you lifted your other hand to cover your breasts from his view and sunk a little deeper into the water.

Theo hadn’t missed your attention and a smug smirk was already plastered to his mouth. “You know, I came here because I couldn’t get the thought of you naked in this giant bath alone out of my head.” He was pulling at his tie, and all you could do was tell yourself to keep breathing. “It sounded so perverse; the thought of being in the bath with you, L/n. But I couldn’t help myself. And besides.. I expected you to be covered in bubbles and scolding me to get out. Imagine my surprise when I found my best friend touching herself and moaning my name.” His shirt was off now—discarded on the floor—and you somehow grew even wetter at the sight of his v, trailing deliciously beneath the waist of his trousers.

“Fuck, Theo..” you moaned without even thinking. You wanted him. You’d never allowed yourself to think of him in this way; other than in your perverted fantasies, of course. He was your closest friend, and you never would’ve wanted to jeopardized your friendship. But now he was in front of you, half naked and throbbing to be with you and you knew there was no going back. And you didn’t want to go back. You wanted him, and he better hurry the bloody hell up with it.

You must have said as much, because the boy let out a low chuckle. Unbuttoning his trousers, he stepped out of them and his briefs in one smooth motion, leaving his member on proud display before you. The breath rushed from your lungs. Godric save you, he was massive and oh so ready for you. When he prowled towards you and the bath you were reminded of a predator stalking its prey. And what a willing little bunny you were.

He slid into the water beside you, not hesitating to lift you into his lap. His cock grazed your folds and you swore the room spun around you. This couldn’t be real. You had to be dreaming…perhaps you’d been so relaxed after your orgasm you’d passed out for a bit. Yes, that had to be it. There was no way Theo—your Theo—was beneath you, willing and ready to make you his.

“You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined kissing this pretty little mouth, L/n,” he growled, running a thumb across your lips before gripping your throat and tilting your head back. “Putting my cock down your throat, in your tight little pussy. Feeling your ass against me with every thrust.” Grabbing your ass, he ground you against his hard member. You gasped, your brain swimming with pleasure and leaving you speechless. “Do you want that, doll? Do you want me to fill you up and fuck you ‘til you can’t stand?”

Doll. The pet name made you groan and grip onto his forearm. “Yes. I’m yours Theo,” you whispered erotically, “Use me, please.”

“I had no idea you possessed such manners, L/n.” Theo grinned and pulled your lips to his. “Though, I had no idea you were such a slut for me either.”

Not being able to wait any longer, you lurched forward and kissed him. He removed his hand from your throat and pulled you closer with his hands on your back. The kiss became sweeter as the taste of lemon tea drifted from his tongue to yours. As he roved his mouth over yours and became drunk on the taste of you, he slid a hand between your legs and slipped two fingers inside you. Gasping, you opened your eyes to find his overflowing with desire. “Fuck, L/n, if I’d known you were so goddamn sexy I would’ve done this sooner.”

“An oversight on your part,” you retorted breathlessly, trying a shot at your normal banter.

He chuckled and you swore that all on its own would be your undoing. He must have sensed how close you were getting to release again, because he pulled his fingers away, leaving you feeling empty once more. That is, until he lined himself up at your entrance. You’d forgotten how big he was until that moment, and you held your breath until he pushed his way into you, filling you fuller than you’d ever been. “Fuck, Theo-” you breathed, digging your nails into his shoulders to ground yourself. It’s all you could do to keep your eyes from rolling back with pleasure.

“F/n- Holy Fuck, you’re so tight..” he moaned, fingers digging into your waist to move you farther down his cock until you were seated to the hilt. His use of your first name had your walls squeezing around him. That’s when his control seemed to snap, and he gripped your throat again, squeezing slightly in the most delicious way. With his other hand he helped you lift up his length and slam back down. The head of his cock rubbed your g-spot better than your fingers ever had, and the noise you let out echoed through the empty bathroom. His savage movements continued over and over until you were both gasping for breath and your legs were shaking uncontrollably. 

Suddenly, he pulled you fully off his cock and positioned you over the wall of the tub, your fingers digging into the floor tiles. Grinding his hips into your ass, he leaned over and whispered in your ear: “You’re mine L/n. Got that? You’re mine and I’m going to use you until I’m satisfied.”

“I’m yours,” you repeated obediently. You swore you could feel him smirking against your ear, then he guided his member between your legs again and inserted himself with one thrust. “I’m yours, Theo. I’m all yours,” you gasped again, releasing all over his cock. He let out a shuttering breath and filled you with his cum shortly after, his onslaught to your pussy never faltering.

This had to be the dirtiest bath you’d ever taken, and it was so deliciously sinful.

Be notified of future fics!

Hogwarts

Sunday, May 4, 1997

There’d been a pride shimmering in Draco’s eyes that you’d successfully hidden a memory on your first try. It’d made your chest swell with your own sense of satisfaction. Until he told you that was only the first step. Hiding the memories was one thing, disguising them and redirecting Legilimens to a different part of your brain was another entirely. You needed to distract them with a false memory to whatever they were searching for.

Now, sat on the hill overlooking Hagrid’s hut, you were trying to do just that. You’d always adored the plump little building, and looking down at it and the forest was a great place to relax and clear your head. The cream-colored blooms on the Hawthorns scattered across the ground gave you a whimsical feeling. A mundane Magic, different from the kind swimming through your veins. A childhood Magic.

“Hey..” a smooth voice said uncertainly. He had his hands stuffed into his pockets, shoulders drooped out of awkwardness. He was the same as he’d always been, but a hollowness had taken residence behind his gray eyes.

You gasped, “Cedric-” Avoiding his existence had become a big part of your daily routine. Don’t sit at the Hufflepuff table at meals, don’t look towards the back of the room when you walk into Potions, don’t return to the dorms until after 8 pm. In the blink of an eye, this boy had gone from your every waking moment to rules for every room you entered. It was a wonder you still recognized every line of his face like an old friend.

“I just- I saw you sitting over here and I couldn’t just walk away…You look well.” He stumbled over his words, his normally confident voice dripping with doubt. It strangled your heart.

“So do you,” you said, your voice barely over a whisper.

The breeze drifted between you, russling his caramel hair. You merely looked at one another, and you knew he was studying you the same way you were him. Studying the changes that had taken place since you’d last spoken. And, looking at him, you realized there was a distinct place in your heart that ached for him. It was near the bottom—as if the weight of the heartbreak had been too heavy to be anywhere else. The heaviness of knowing every crook and cranny of someone now turned strangers.

You swallowed a lump in your throat and motioned to the grass beside you. “Do you..?”

A faint ringing appeared in your ears as he took a half-step backwards. Ambivalence rested in the crease of his brows. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea F/n…It was good seeing you though.” And then his back was to you, and he was walking away. Just out of reach, forevermore.

Staring at the spot where he’d vanished from view, you thought about how light the pain was now. Where it was once unbearable, the sadness had transformed into a slight stinging—an acknowledgment. “I’m sorry, Ced,” you whispered into the wind.

“F/n?” someone asked. It was Hermione, climbing the hill up from Hagrid’s hut. As usual, her satchel was full of books and seemed to be dragging her down.

“Oh, hey Hermione.” You gestured to her bag. “Do you.. need some help?”

“Oh, no, no, I’ve got it. Just a bit of light reading.” She chuckled as she plopped down beside you, the books landing with a thud. “I don’t mean to pry but, was that Cedric Diggory I saw walking away?”

You took a deep breath and pushed your intwined hands into the Earth, one on top of the other. “Uh, yeah. He was just saying hi I guess..” You looked again to where he’d vanished. A hello followed by yet another goodbye. “Maybe it’s best that’s all it was. You don’t rip off a bandaid just to put it on again.”

“Unless it was crooked the first time,” Hermione remarked, a gentle uptick to the corner of her lips.

“It wasn’t.” You plucked a strand of grass and mindlessly ripped it. “It was perfect, until it was time to take it off. So, maybe, it’s time for me to learn that the sting doesn’t need another one.”

She smiled, and the two of you sat there peacefully for a few minutes. Smoke was rising from the hut now, and in the distance you could hear students chattering and laughing. And you realized Cedric was probably at Quidditch practice—that’s where he’d been heading. And you wondered if he was thinking of you too. And if he was bandaid-less.

“Hermione! F/n!” Harry Potter waved his arm in the air as he walked from the castle; followed by Ron Weasley, Draco, Theo, and Blaise. Now there’s a scene you never thought you’d see.

You and Hermione hurried to your feet. “Did you get to talk to Dumbledore? What did he say?” you asked.

“I did. He wanted me to assure you that the castle is heavily guarded by spells—so you’re safe here—and some Occlumency sessions are at your disposal if you want them. And then he um, he showed me a memory. It was Professor Slughorn’s. He was talking with Voldemort—when he was a student here, I mean—and he was asking Slughorn about a form of rare Magic. But Dumbledore said the memory he showed me was tampered with, and he asked me to get the true memory.”

“How does he expect you to do that? I mean, if Slughorn changed the memory in the first place then it’s something he doesn’t want Dumbledore finding out. He’s not just going to hand it over if you ask,” Hermione said, exasperated. You were beginning to realize this might be her normal state, especially when it came to Harry and Ron.

Harry shrugged. “Dumbledore tasked me with getting close to him and I’ve spent all year doing just that. I guess asking isn’t the worst place to start.”

· · ─────── · ✧ · ─────── · ·

Monday, May 5, 1997

The next morning when Potions was over, you all hid outside the classroom while Harry stayed behind. The other students gave you odd looks on their way out, but once they spotted Hermione and Ron they seemed to understand. ‘Always something with those three,’ some of them mumbled, shaking their heads. 

“Is there something you needed, Harry? Or do you simply enjoy my classroom that much?” You heard Slughorn joke. With your backs against the wall, you could hear all of their conversation without being seen.

“Actually Professor, there is something I was wanting to ask you about. You see, the other day I was in the Library, in the Restricted Section. And I came across something rather odd about a…very rare form of Magic.”

“And what would that be?”

“Well, you see Sir, I can’t quite remember what it was called. But I guess it got me wondering…are there some kinds of Magic you aren’t allowed to teach us?”

“It seems to me, Harry, that your question would be better answered by Professor Snape,” Slughorn dodged. You heard him gathering his things, and your heart began racing. What would he do if he found you all out here, eavesdropping?

“Yes, but um, you see, he and I don’t exactly see eye to eye…well, about anything.” Harry chuckled nervously. “What I mean to say is, well, he’s not like you. He might misunderstand my intentions.”

That was sure to charm the Dark Arts Professor, all he’d wanted all year was Harry’s high regard. Anyone could see that.

Slughorn paused for a moment, then quietly said, “Yes…there can be no light without the dark, and so it is with Magic. Myself, I always strive to live within the light. I suggest you do the same.” His heels clicked on the floor—closer and closer to the door—and every muscle in your back tensed with dread. What you didn’t notice, however, was Draco watching your back and thinking how nice it was to be part of this. To be next to you again.

“Is that what you told Tom Riddle, Sir? When he came asking questions?” Harry asked, and the footsteps stopped abruptly.

“Dumbledore put you up to this, didn’t he?” There was a pause where Harry didn’t answer, then Slughorn raised his voice: “Didn’t he?” His steps sounded again—angry now—and your heart plummeted. He was really leaving this time.

“Fuck, we’ve gotta go. Now,” you said under your breath. Grabbing Draco’s hand and pulling him with you, you ran to the closest door as quietly as you could. Hopefully the others had the right mind to follow.

« Chapter Eight || Masterlist || Chapter Ten »

Author’s Note: I really am the worst I’m sorry 😭 adulting is kicking my assss

Hogwarts

Sunday, May 4, 1997

“Voldemort’s gone, F/n,” Draco said stiffly. Those were his first words to you since you’d ended things with Cedric. Apparently, the possibility of the most powerful dark wizard of all time coming back superseded any resentment he still felt. Though his attention stayed fixed on picking at his comforter—the one you’d all been perfectly content on by the lake not even a month ago.

“I know, but he’s come back once before. What if somehow he survived that night during the Tournament?” You knew it sounded crazy. There was no proof that it had been anything but a dream, but you knew it was more than that. You just did. All you needed was for them to believe that, too.

His gray eyes finally flicked to where you were sat cross-legged on Theo’s bed. You focused on breathing. “Let’s say he did survive; why did he enter your mind? Why would he be targeting you?”

You merely blinked at him. You had no clue.

He quirked a brow when you opened your mouth and closed it again. You should smack him.

“It doesn’t matter why he did it,” Theo snapped, “We need to focus on doing something to prevent it from happening again.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “Four sixth-years blocking the most powerful dark wizard from my mind; just another Sunday morning.” Your voice edged on hysterical. You were seventeen years old, why were you being faced with something like this? Though, to be fair, Harry Potter had dealt with Voldemort at much younger ages. You were starting to understand him a bit more. “I think we should ask Harry for help.”

Theo and Draco were watching you with creased brows. You couldn’t really read their thoughts. “I agree,” Blaise said, “Harry dealt with You-Know-Who for years under the school’s noses. He’s bound to know something to help.”

“Well, the Chosen One can work on getting rid of Voldemort. F/n and I are going to work on keeping him out of her head.” Draco’s voice was stiff and determined. No matter how much you’d hurt him and he tried not to, he cared about you and your safety. His eyes darted up to yours. “You up for some Occlumency lessons?”

A few hours later, you and Draco were facing a blank wall. Harry had been distressed by the news of your so-called ‘dream,’ instantly deciding the best thing would be to go to Dumbledore. He’d also agreed it’d be best for you to learn how to block Voldemort from your mind, for the safety of plans as well as your own.

“So, where’s the door then?”

Draco let out a humored breath. “It’s the Room of Requirement, the door only appears if you require the room.”

You looked at him with your brows raised. “And we do require it, so where’s the door?”

He simply nodded his head towards the wall, and when you turned back to it a tall double door stood where there were formerly bricks. He was such a smart-ass sometimes.

When you crossed the threshold, you were met with a room softly lit by narrow windows and a lambent fire. The cream colored walls were filled with serene landscape paintings; the kind you’d study and imagine yourself dozing happily in the grass. 

“Does it always look like this?” you asked, plopping down on one of the two caramel leather couches sat across from each other.

“No, the room designs itself based on the needs of the user. We needed a space where you could clear your head, and it provided.” The magic had followed the assignment to a t; this room was the definition of minimalistic. No clutter, no distractions.

“Alright, let’s get to it, then.” You crossed your knees, looking at him expectantly. His pale hair and complexion contrasted handsomely with his black t-shirt. Like day and night. Maybe there was one distraction. “What do I need to do?”

He was completely unaware of your internal ambivalence. “Well, the main goal is to be able to shut down your mind so there isn’t anything to find when Legilimens force their way in.”

“Oh, yeah, piece of cake.”

Draco looked unamused by the sarcasm dripping in your voice. He paced in front of the fire. “Occlumency is one of the hardest branches of magic to master, F/n. I want you to take this seriously. Voldemort’s power is no joke, and his Legilimency is no exception.”

Your heart raced at the thought. Voldemort had been terrifying enough in your ‘dream,’ you couldn’t imagine the crushing weight of his presence in person. “Where do I even start?” Your voice was small. Scared.

For a split second Draco seemed caught off guard before his steel armor reformed. “To start off with, you should try visualizing your thoughts and emotions being locked away. The most common visuals would be doors, vaults, even books. It doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as it works.”

“What about you?”

There it was again, the armor crumbling before repairing itself. He cleared his throat. “What do you mean?”

“Someone’s taught you this, haven’t they? What do you visualize?”

Draco turned towards the fire, hands stuffed into his pockets. You couldn’t see his face, but you knew he wanted it that way. It was easier for him to open up if he wasn’t looking at you. Just like the night he kissed you in the Astronomy tower. “My Aunt Bellatrix taught me before I started school. She was one of Voldemort’s most devoted followers. As you know, it cost her in the end..” Bellatrix Lestrange had jumped in front of Harry’s spell at the very second Voldemort was casting the Killing Curse. She lost her life to the very Wizard she’d lived for. “But her devotion makes it mean so much more that she wanted to protect me from him. When I was learning to close off my mind I- I shut the pieces of myself behind doors identical to the door of my father’s office. It was what my adolescent self considered an unreachable place.”

You imagined a young Draco, craving the attention and praise of his father. Only to be kept from him by a mere door. It made your heart ache.

Saying nothing, you silently crossed the room to stand in front of him. His head was bowed, his eyes scrunched shut with pain. His hands were bunched into fists in his pockets. Reaching up, you ran your thumb over his cheek. His subtle flinch quickly turned to him leaning into your touch. You were uncertain if you imagined the quiet whimper that escaped him. It broke your heart regardless.

Wrapping your arms around his neck, you pulled Draco’s head next to yours. He held you tight, breathing in the scent of your hair. And just standing there holding him, you could feel the tension and emotions roll off his shoulders. No words were needed. It reminded you of your mother—how she would hold you in this same way and just being in her arms made it feel as if the world and it’s worries had slipped away.

“Candles,” you whispered.

“Hm?” Draco hummed in question, pulling back enough to look at you. His eyes were droopy with a sense of ease.

“You know how my mother owns a candle shop? She’s made candles and been fascinated with their properties since before I was born. It’s her own magic in a way. I want to use candles for my Occlumency.”

One might say it’s selfish that you were sharing a loving sentiment about your mother right after Draco opened up to you about his strained relationship with his father. But they wouldn’t know what they’re talking about. To the two of you, that way of thinking is what’s selfish. You were both there for each other, and sympathy needn’t be expressed to be sensed.

“That’s a great idea, F/n.” He smiled. “Form candles out of your memories and hide them among the shelves. Being formed from a powerful emotion will make them even sturdier.”

“Like…now?” Your voice was just over a whisper. That was easier said than done.

Chuckling, Draco took your hand and led you to one of the couches. “Get in a comfortable position and relax your body and mind.” You did as he said, laying on the plush leather and doing a few deep breathes. In through the nose, out through the mouth. “Now, visualize yourself in your mind-space. Build up your mother’s shop and leave the shelves empty for your use.” His voice was soothing and quiet, it remind you of a yoga instructor you once saw in– F/n. Focus.

Taking another deep breath in through your nose, you imagined yourself. At first, you stood in a blank space. It reminded you of your ‘dream,’ but the space was made of light instead of darkness. Then, at your will, the shop started materializing from the floor up. Soon, it was like you were truly there. The Ebony wood floors transitioning into the ceiling-high shelves awaiting your creations. The work table—a circular counter with materials taking up every inch—stood dead center atop a plum colored rug. You wondered how no one looked twice at your mother, her shop had a very Witchy vibe.

“Got it.” Your voice sounded distant, echoey.

“Good, good. Try something small first.” Draco’s voice was much like your own, far off in some other place. Like disembodied Gods of this dimension you’d built inside your head. “A small, meaningless memory.”

You were in the backyard of your family home, picking Dandelions so your mom could weave them into a crown for you. Imagining the memory as a marble, you willed a yellow candle to form in the container. A hole was left at the top of the already dried wax, and when you dropped the memory into the center of the candle it sealed itself off with a wick. Definitely not how candles are actually made. But efficient.

« Chapter Seven || Masterlist || Chapter Nine »

Author’s Note: I’m sorry for the gap between updates I’m the worst ahh

Hogwarts

Sunday, May 4, 1997

True darkness engulfed you. You could feel it shifting and swirling on some unknown wind. No light penetrated the empty space, but when you held out your hand you were able to see it. The black air slithered around your fingers like water. As far as you could tell nothing but you existed in this space.

“F/n?” a voice asked from all around you. It had a dreamlike element to it, almost like all at once it was there and not. And it was warm, reminding you of–

“Cedric?” you called back, frantically spinning and searching the void for any sign of another being. Your head was swimming. What was this place?

“I’ve missed you so much, my sunshine. You have no idea how lost I am without you.” Knuckles grazed your cheek gingerly, and you flinched at the phantom touch. No one was there.

“Ced, where…where are we? Where are you?” You couldn’t settle the rising panic in your voice.

“I’m right here, F/n.” Frustrated, hot breath washed over your face. You should have been able to see him. He was right there, dammit. But your vision remained blank, and if you hadn’t just seen your own hand you’d be positive your eyes were closed. He gripped your shoulders, nails biting into your skin enough for a whimper to escape you. “I’m tired of these games, F/n.”

“You’re hurting me. Ced, that hurts!” you cried. You moved to rip his arms away from you, but your hands met nothing but empty air.

He only clenched harder, roughly shaking you back and forth. “Why did you do it? Why did you throw away our love—our future—for them? They’re nothing. They’re filthy Slytherin snobs. We were going to have a future together, F/n. A family. Why did you ruin it? Why did you ruin it? Why did you–” Suddenly, an intense wind billowed past, gone as quick as it came. Cedric gone with it.

Left shaken and panting, you ran your fingertips along the pain burning in your shoulders. They came back wet. Confident you knew what the substance was, you licked it. Copper. Blood.

“Like what you taste?” a smug voice asked from behind you. Whirling around, you were met with exactly what you expected: nothing.

“Not particularly,” you whispered, your skin prickling alongside his presence as he circled you.

Stopping behind you, Theo roved his mouth over your ear. “That’s a shame, I’ve always sort of enjoyed it. It can be...comforting.” He pushed a finger against the small cuts, making you wince. You felt him lift it to his own mouth, a pleasured groan following. Then, his hand on your jaw, he forced your face towards him and brought his lips to yours. His tongue slithered between your teeth and spread the metallic taste into your mouth. Grimacing, you tripped over your feet as you broke away.

“What’s the matter, F/n? I thought that’s what drew you to us. The wickedness dwelling underneath. The Death Eaters our fathers raised us to be.”

“Isn’t that why you destroyed your perfect life for us? You know deep down a part of you is just like those little boys we’re trying desperately not to be,” Draco whispered against your hair, pulling your back against his chest.

Your chin was gripped with dreadful strength. “But you can only love one of us, L/n. So go on, who is it? Hm? It sure as hell isn’t that dumb Hufflepuff.” Theo’s dark chuckle made your veins run cold. “You destroyed that boy’s heart in the most admirable way. It would have been more merciful for you to rip it clean out and wear it on a chain around your neck.”

“Shut up.” You willed the tears in your eyes not to spill.

“Oh? Are you not proud of the way you wrecked poor Cedric Diggory? I hear he’s been awfully careless with his wand lately. Poor bloke is bound to blow himself up.”

“I said shut up!” you shrieked. 

The words continued to echo seconds after you sensed Draco disappear into thin air. You were left standing face to face with a red-eyed creature. It resembled a man and had its boney fingers pressed bruisingly into your jaw. He had replaced Theo, and in your sinking gut you knew exactly who this was despite never having seen him.

Lord Voldemort gave you a rotten-toothed grin. “I’ve been looking a long time for you, girl.”

Gasping awake, you laid completely still out of fear while you took in your surroundings. You were in the Astronomy Tower, rain from a storm pelting the floor mere feet from where you lay. Beside you, Theo was snoring softly, completely unaware of you or the nightmare previously tormenting you. Quills, parchments, and textbooks littered the floor where you’d spent most of the night studying. Final exams would begin next month and now was the time Professors encouraged students to start revisiting the material.

Lightning flashed across the moody sky, and the last thing on your mind was passing your finals. Because there was no doubt in your bones that nightmare wasn’t just some bad dream. Voldemort had been in your mind. And he wanted you for something.

« Chapter Six || Masterlist || Chapter Eight »

Hogwarts

Monday, April 21, 1997

Shuffling into your dorm, you were briefly relieved Hannah and Susan weren’t there before finally letting the grief rip through you. You let out a loud sob that echoed through the empty room, gripping the sleeves of your shirt. Whether it was to comfort or ground yourself, you weren’t quite sure. All you knew was that you were alone and it felt like no one was ever going to be here for you again.

Wood pressed uncomfortably into your knees. You hadn’t noticed you’d fallen to them, but you welcomed it, the pain. The dull ache of the floor against your bones and your nails digging into your skin. The burning of your throat as wails and sobs ripped from it. The tightness of your heart that had you convinced any second it would implode or simply stop beating altogether.

You deserved the misery of it all. For hurting Cedric. For being so selfish.

And when you couldn’t handle it any longer, you crawled into your bed and willed sleep to whisk you away.

It was a fitful rest. Mother Nature personified the unsettled feeling aching in your bones, flashes of lightening and booms of thunder waking you just as often as your dreams. Though, at some point in the night you finally found peace, drawn into a deep sleep by your mental exhaustion.

By the time you woke the sun was high in the now calm sky. The beams of light filtering through the window did nothing to thaw your woeful state. You’d slept through breakfast and probably lunch—but you didn’t have the will to go to class anyway. Melting into your pillows, you stared thoughtlessly out the window. Your eyes were heavy and your face felt tight from their fallen tears.

When the door creaked open, your hand froze where you’d been rubbing the sorrow from your eyes. Classes must have been over for the day.

“Look who’s finally awake,” Susan said, settling on the edge of your bed. The empathy in her voice made a lump lodge in your throat. They knew.

You rolled over to face her, and she started petting your hair with a soft smile adorning her lips. If only she started humming, it would be as if you were once again a child balled up in your mothers lap. “I did it,” you croaked, “I hurt him.” 

“But you’re hurting too, and all we care about is if you’re okay.” Hannah frowned, laying next to you with her head on your shoulder.

Surrounded by your friends there was no doubt you’d be okay in the end. The only question burning in your mind was whether or not you deserved it.

· · ─────── · ✧ · ─────── · ·

Friday, April 25, 1997

You’d somehow gotten by with skipping classes all week. Something told you that on Tuesday when you’d gone to Madam Pompfrey about your headache she’d held a bit of sympathy for you. On your way out—a jar of Feverfew tea leaves in hand—you’d overheard her mumbling, “Might ask Minnie about..” And when you’d passed Professor McGonagall on your way to your dorm, she’d offered you a Ginger Newt biscuit and a quick squeeze on the shoulder.

Despite the urge to spend yet another day in a cocoon of self-hatred, you decided the only way to avoid bad grades—and then the impending discussion with your parents—was to study all the things you’d missed. It was just before dinner, and as you weaved through the tables and shelves of the library your heart began to race the clearer a certain haughty voice became.

“No, that’s not what he taught us at all.” Draco was scoffing at Theo, pulling the other boy’s textbook across the table. “Let me find the section.”

Hesitantly stopping a few feet short of the table, you drew Blaise’s attention. A relieved and pleased smile found its way to his lips. “Hey, F/n.”

“Hey, guys..” you offered weakly, starting to wonder if this was a bad idea. Did they even want to see you?

“F/n.” Theo breathed your name like someone coming face to face with a celestial being. You couldn’t help but notice his grin seemed somewhat forced. “Glad to see your beautiful face today.” He was trying at least. Cedric wasn’t the only person you’d hurt. Shutting everyone out was the only thing you thought to do, but perhaps it wasn’t the best way to go about the whole situation.

Forcing a smile of your own, you motioned to the seat next to him. “Mind if I study with you guys? I seem to have found myself a teensy bit behind.”

“Never fear, my office is always open to you.” He patted the chair.

“Oh, thank you Professor Nott,” you tried your best to be humorous, “I’d be completely lost without your guidance.”

The slightly lifted corner of his lips was not forced in the slightest. “Well then, what can I help you with?”

“Erm..” You flipped through the stack of textbooks you’d placed on the table. “I was able to finish the homework for Muggle Studies since it’s straight out of the book. But Arithmancy gave me a headache and you know how Snape is.” Professor Snape’s lectures and homework were categorized by a specific subject, but the information was scattered across the book rather than from a single section. If you missed class, you wouldn’t know what pages to look at.

Theo grabbed Numerology and Grammatica from your stack, laying it open between you. The presence of his shoulder against yours thawed your sense of loneliness ever so slightly. You’d missed him. “I haven’t taken Arithmancy since Third Year so bear with me. I might not be smart enough for your Advanced Arithmancy Studies.”

You quietly snorted. “It’s not that hard, Draco’s in it.” Draco hadn’t acknowledged your presence this entire time, and your snide remark did nothing to change that. He continued flipping through Theo’s textbook. Your heart and the smirk on your face dropped and you averted your eyes back to the table. Clearing your throat, you pulled out the assignment tucked between the pages. “We’re on substitution ciphers. Vector wants us to create a cipher and then show our work encrypting and then decrypting it. We also need to provide the equation for doing so, such as ‘D(x) = (x - n) mod 26’ for decrypting the Caesar cipher.”

Theo’s mouth hung open in horror when you looked to him hopefully. A small gasp erupted behind you. “That’s F/n L/n, she’s in my Arithmancy class. I loved that project, I finished it the day after it was assigned. Maybe I’ll do another just for fun..” You turned to see the source of the whisper, and found a bushel of black, curly hair disappearing around a bookshelf alongside a shorter, almond skinned boy. Hermione Granger and Harry Potter.

Theo—who had followed your gaze—said, “Maybe I’m not the one you should be asking for help.”

You scoffed. “As if I could just stroll up to Hermione Granger and ask her for help.”

He shrugged. “You never know until you find out.”

· · ─────── · ✧ · ─────── · ·

When you came around the bookcase they’d disappeared behind you were met with a secluded corner of the library. Other than the shelves lining the walls, a lone table took up the blocked-in space. Stopping abruptly, your feet shuffled against the rug, causing the three Gryffindors sat in the space to turn to you. 

You silently cursed Theo. This was a horrible idea.

“Erm, hi..” You gripped the textbook in your hands like it was your life force. “I’m sorry to intrude like this. Hermione, I- I heard you talking about the Arithmancy project and was wondering if you wouldn’t mind helping me out?”

“What, Malfoy didn’t have a problem with his Hufflepuff pet coming to us?” Ron spat from behind Hermione.

“Ronald!”

Blood rushed to your face. Is that what the school viewed you as? “I don’t need his permission for things. I’m not his pet,” you mumbled, backing away from them. “Sorry for bothering you.” Turning on your heal, you rushed through towards the doors.

Were you ever just F/n L/n to your schoolmates? Or did they only view you as either Draco’s or Theo’s pet? Or Cedric’s?

“F/n, wait a minute.” Hermione rushed out of the library behind you, eyes frantic. “I am so so sorry about that. Ron thought they’d sent you to ridicule us. He’s still not sure if Draco really is good now. He’s convinced any second things will go back to the way they were.”

“And you? What do you think?”

Hermione took a deep breathe and smiled gently. “I think Draco Malfoy hasn’t been the same rotten pureblood since his father was locked away. And I think if a genuinely kind girl like you can see that, then the rest of us should too.”

You knew you didn’t need to say anything, the look of gratitude on your face said it all. Thank you. Thank you for having faith in me and the boys I love. Standing there sharing this moment with her, you wondered why you’d ever been intimidated. Hermione Granger—as far as you could tell—was the most well-disposed Gryffindor you’d ever met.

“Now then.” She beamed at you, reaching for your textbook. “What’s stumping you?”

« Chapter Five || Masterlist || Chapter Seven »

Author’s Note: long time no see! no but seriously, i haven’t updated this fic in an embarrassingly long time. this story is like my baby at this point so i plan on working on it but no promises that updates will be quick xx