Sylva

It’s only some anxiety. It’s fine.

You stood up, slotting your wand in your pocket, and left your dorm. Moments later, you opened up your common room door and found your boyfriend waiting with a smile. He seemed excited. A faint smile laced your lips.

“And what’s that grin for?” 

“Just excited to see my girl before the big day,” he replied, taking your hand. He gave you a small twirl before kissing you on the head and leading you towards the Great Hall. 

Your eyebrows furrow slightly in questioning. “You’re really excited, aren’t you?”

“Just imagine it: my hands clutching that cup, everyone cheering, and a huge party afterwards. It’s gonna be a great evening,” Cedric finishes.

The feeling settled again in your stomach, except this time, heavier. The more you thought about the cup and Cedric in the third task, the more nauseous you became. It got to a point that, by the time you sat down, you couldn’t fake your smile anymore. Anxiety filled your eyes as you bit down on your lip. What if something is going to happen at the tournament? What if it’s too dangerous and Cedric goes too far? They called these tasks fatal for a reason. 

“Hey, what’s going on? You seem out of it.”

You snapped out of your trance, looking over at the Hufflepuff. You took in a breath.

“Yeah, everything is good.”

His voice dropped to a whisper, careful not to draw attention. “You know you can talk to me. What’s on your mind, love?”

You hesitated. It’s just overthinking, right? You didn’t need to worry him about it. It was fine. He’d be fine.

You shook your head. “It’s just— I’m scared. Every time I think about the task tonight, I just get nauseous. I really don’t have a good feeling about it.”

His face faltered. It wasn’t from disappointment, but from concern and understanding.

“I’m gonna be okay. I’m gonna get that cup and come straight back to you. You’ll be the first person I look for once that task is done,” he claimed as he wrapped his arm around you, running his hand up and down your arm.

You didn’t push, not wanting to create something that you wouldn’t finish, distracting Cedric. You leaned into him, taking in another breath. 

“Just— be careful, please. If something doesn’t look right, you promise to turn back,” you said as you looked back at him. 

He tilted his head. His brunette hair fell ever so slightly in his face. His bright grey eyes locked onto your own. 

The twins had made it big! They were constantly working on new ideas for the shop, coming up with new candies that made feet swell, vials that steamed in the shape of an ugly face, and so much more. 

Even after graduating, growing up, becoming independent, and now training to become an Aurologist, you still had a certain ginger boy on your mind. You figured it was just some schoolgirl crush that would have faded after the reality of the real world hit you. However, the same boy you thought you would forget about became a part of your weekly routine. Who could blame you? The Weasley twins constantly had a lineup of girls waiting on hand and foot for one of the twins even to look their way. 

Rain thudded against the windows of each shop in Diagon Alley. New first-years were seen scattering around the cobblestone roadway to get the essentials for the new year at Hogwarts. You smiled softly as you watched, reminiscing on the times you had in the same shops. 

As you made your way through the shouting kids and confused parents, you walked into the shop you now knew best. Every shelf was engraved in your mind, and you knew the entire catalog by how often you showed up. 

You would typically come in on Thursday mornings when training was about an hour later than the rest of the week. It’s not exactly that you wanted to shop there. I mean, their products were genius, don’t get me wrong. However, no matter how hard you tried to pretend to read various labels and act confused about certain charms just to linger a bit longer, all that information went in one ear and out the other when you could be listening to Fred instead.

The familiar ringing of a bell rang through the shop. Giggles were heard from every direction, even some squeals of children figuring out the products.

You walked through, eyes scanning the shop. Your eyes settled on the front counter, the familiar tall red-headed boy restocking some candies. A faint smile laced your lips as you walked towards the counter. 

“George got you doing the restocks now?” You teased lightly. 

Fred looked up, the faint annoyance on his face turning into a soft smile.

“Well, isn’t it our most valued customer?” He teased back. A mischievous grin laced his lips as he placed an elbow on the counter, setting his chin on top of his closed fist. If it weren’t for you keeping it in the back of your mind that you and Fred were merely friends, you would’ve melted right on the spot at his stupid little face.

“Got anything new yet?” You asked back, head tilting slightly.

“Not yet. We have been working on a new product. Should be ready next week if our favorite girl wants to come back into the shop for a little look and maybe a test?” He laced the question with a faint hint of puppy dog eyes, almost begging for you to test it out.

“You’re too desperate that it’s concerning,” you shot back. “You’re probably gonna turn my hands purple with sprinkles or something.”

“Well, now we have to think of a new product.”

A faint snort of laughter left your lips, shaking your head and your hand lightly covering your mouth. 

Before you could reply, you heard a crash of boxes to your left. You and Fred both turned your heads to look for the noise. As if he knew too well how good you and Fred were getting along, it was George. He had managed to knock over an entire display of Puking Pastilles, splaying them across the floor. A sheepish grin laced his lips before he performed a charm, cleaning up the mess almost instantly. 

“Fred, why didn’t you tell me our favorite customer had walked in? Got me looking like a terrible owner.”

“Co-Owner,” Fred corrected. 

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever pleases your pretty little head.”

“Aw, you think I’m pretty?” Fred teased, poising his hands beside his cheek like a prissy little schoolgirl. 

A faint giggle left your lips as you looked to George. “I heard there’s a new product in the works. Blow anything up with it yet?”

“No,” he shot back. That was a one-time thing!” George defended as he looked to his brother. “You can’t tell this girl anything. One wrong move and she will hold it against you even in your grave.”

“She makes us look busy. I think it’s worth it,” he replied with a shrug laced with a faint wink.

George rolled his eyes playfully. “Anyways, Sunshine. You looking for anything or just another visit?”

You simply shrugged, eyes glancing around. “Mainly just a little visit before I go on for training. Wanted to see if the place was still holding up or if it was on stilts.”

“Fred, we’re banning her for life,” he joked.

A small smirk laced your lips before you heard the bell ring once more, signaling more customers coming through. You glanced at the clock on the wall, numbers displayed chaotically. If it weren’t for the twins teaching you how that clock worked, you would’ve guessed it was 4 pm.

A small sigh left your lips. “I think I have to head out. I have to be at training in forty minutes, and who knows if the train decides to show up on time,” you said with a reluctant smile.

George picked up some more boxes from behind the counter, smiling as he slowly started walking off.  “Good luck!”

Now, it was just you and Fred again. The nervousness bundled back up into your body as you both looked at each other. A small breath left your lips, trying to find words again. 

“So, you’ll be back next week?” Fred seemed to ask hesitantly.

“Where else would I rather be?” You asked with a small smile.

A small smile laced Fred’s lips as he gave a faint nod of approval. He hesitated before bednign down, grabbing something behind the counter. Curiosity filled you before he popped back up, holding a small bag of chocolate chip cookies. A faint smile laced your lips. 

“What’s with the bag?”

“Mum said I should give you these on her behalf. She says hi,” Fred mentioned a bit nervously. 

Your smile widened ever so slightly. Molly truly was one of the most thoughtful women you had met in your time at Hogwarts.

“She remembers me?”

Fred hesitated, the back of his neck creeping pink. “She loves to hear about you and what you’ve been up to.”

A faint rose covered your cheekbones. 

They talk about me…?

You reached over and gently took the bag. His slender fingers ghosting yours for a moment before pulling away abruptly. You noticed his eyes dart away, glancing over a small paper on the countertop. The boy across from you cleared his throat before speaking again. 

“Yeah, so, I’ll see you next Thursday.”

You gave a faint nod, cookies now in your bag. 

“I’ll be ready to test the new famous product.” You said a bit playfully, hoping to return the earlier mood.

Fred’s lips grew wide with a nod.

“I’ll have them ready for our favorite.”

Fred and george pov

George made his way towards the counter once more, wiping his hands with a cloth.

“You're good for business, yknow?” George nudged Fred with his elbow, still glancing at the front door.

“What do you mean?” Fred’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his eyes finally tearing from the door you had left through.

“You know she only comes in here to see you.”

“No, she doesn't. She just likes settling down before going into training,” Fred defended. You only ever thought of him as a friend, right? I mean, if you were ever going to make a move, it would have been the countless times Fred practically forced you to be his partner in potions whenever George would skip class or be sick.

"Why can't you just leave it alone?" Draco hissed.

"Because you're acting like a complete jerk to everyone!"

His gray eyes narrowed. "Oh, so now you're keeping score?"

"No, Draco, I'm trying to help you!"

"I don't need your help."

"Clearly you do!"

A few third-years nearby exchanged nervous glances.

Draco stepped closer. His voice dropped dangerously low.

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

y/n felt weeks of frustration boiling over. Every ignored conversation. Every cold shoulder. Every rude comment. Every time he pushed her away. And before she could stop herself, the words flew out.

"Just because you have your daddy issues doesn't mean you get to drag everyone else down with you!"

Silence.

The entire hallway froze. Even the portraits seemed shocked. The color drained from Draco's face. For a split second, y/n saw something she'd never seen before. 

Not anger. 

Not arrogance. 

Pain. 

Raw and immediate. 

His jaw clenched. His eyes flickered away from hers. And then the walls went back up.

Cold.

Sharp.

Untouchable.

"Fine." 

The word came out flat. Empty.

Without another glance, he turned and stormed away. The crowd quickly scattered as he passed. Nobody wanted to be caught in the path of an angry Draco Malfoy.

"Draco!"

He didn't stop.

"Draco, wait!"

Still nothing.

Within moments, he disappeared around the corner, leaving y/n standing alone in the middle of the corridor. And feeling absolutely awful.

The rest of the day felt like torture. She expected to see him in Potions. He wasn't there. She expected him in Charms.

Nothing.

Even during lunch, she kept glancing toward both ends of the Slytherin table.

No Draco.

Every missing sighting made her stomach twist tighter. By the time classes ended, anxiety had settled heavily in her chest. Maybe he hated her. Maybe she had crossed a line she could never uncross. Maybe they were over. The thought made her feel sick.

Draco wasn't perfect. Merlin knew he wasn't. But neither was she. And despite every argument, every sarcastic comment, every dramatic disagreement… she loved him. More than she'd ever admit out loud.

The worst part wasn't even the argument. It was knowing she'd seen that look in his eyes–that brief flash of hurt. And she had been the one who put it there.

Dinner arrived far too quickly. y/n walked into the Great Hall alongside Pansy Parkinson. Behind them followed Blaise, Daphne, Crabbe, and Goyle. The usual Slytherin group.

y/n immediately scanned the table. No sight of Draco, and her heart sank.

"Maybe he's just late," Daphne offered.

y/n nodded. She wanted to believe that. Five minutes passed. Still no Draco. Ten minutes. Nothing.

Around her, conversation continued normally. Forks scraped plates. Students laughed. Teachers chatted. But all y/n could hear was the growing panic in her own head.

Pansy finally sighed. "y/n."

"What?"

"You're staring at the entrance like a widow waiting for her sailor husband."

Normally, y/n would've laughed. However, tonight she couldn't.

Pansy's expression softened slightly. "You really upset him."

"I know."

"Then go talk to him."

y/n blinked. "What?"

"You're miserable. He's miserable. Go fix it."

For once, nobody argued. Not even Blaise.

Daphne nodded. "He hasn't spoken to anyone since the fight."

That was all y/n needed to hear.

She stood so quickly her chair nearly toppled over. Without waiting for a response, she practically sprinted from the Great Hall.

The journey to the Slytherin dormitories felt endless. Every step made her more nervous.

What if he doesn't answer?

What if he told her to leave?

What if he broke up with her?

By the time she reached the boys' dormitory corridor, her heart was pounding. She stopped outside his door, took a deep breath, and then knocked.

Nothing.

She knocked again.

This time she heard movement. A chair scraping. Footsteps. Shuffling.

Relief flooded her.

He was inside.

The door opened slightly and Draco appeared. His blond hair was messy while his eyes looked tired. The second he saw her, his expression hardened.

"No."

And he started closing the door.

y/n immediately shoved her foot into the gap, the door hitting her shoe.

"Ow!"

"Move."

"No."

"y/n,” he warned.

"No."

His jaw clenched. "I'm not doing this right now."

"Too bad."

He stared at her. She stared right back. And neither moved. Finally, Draco sighed heavily and stepped away from the door.

"You're impossible."

"Good."

y/n slipped inside before he could change his mind. The room was dimly lit. A book sat abandoned on his bed. Draco crossed his arms.

"What do you want?"

She swallowed. An apology suddenly felt much harder than she'd imagined.

"I came to talk."

"I don't want to talk."

"Well, I do."

"Congratulations."

"Draco,” she practically pleaded

His gaze shifted toward the floor. For the first time all evening, he looked exhausted instead of angry.

y/n's chest tightened. "Look at me."

He didn't.

"Draco."

Slowly, he lifted his eyes.

"I shouldn't have said that."

Silence.

"I was angry."

Still silence.

"I wanted to hurt you." That finally got a reaction—a small flicker in his expression. "And I did."

His jaw tightened. "Yes."

The honesty stung. y/n nodded.

"I know."

A long moment passed. Then, she took a careful step closer.

"I know things with your father aren't easy."

Draco laughed bitterly. "That's one way to put it."

"I shouldn't have used it against you."

"No."

"I was wrong."

His eyes softened slightly. Just slightly. But it was enough.

y/n continued. "I don't care how angry I am. I shouldn't throw your pain in your face."

Draco looked away. For a moment, she worried he'd shut down again. Instead, his shoulders sagged.

"I've been awful to you."

She blinked.

"What?"

"I know I've been awful."

His voice was quieter now—less guarded.

"I've been angry about everything." He rubbed a hand over his face. "And you didn't deserve it."

y/n felt some of the tension leave her chest. "Why didn't you just tell me what was wrong?"

Draco laughed humorlessly. "Because talking about feelings isn't exactly a Malfoy family tradition."

Despite everything, she smiled. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, too. Progress. Finally.

y/n stepped closer again. This time he didn't move away.

"I'm not leaving just because things get hard."

His gray eyes met hers. "You might someday."

"I won't."

"You can't know that."

"Maybe not."

She reached for his hand. "But I know I'm not leaving tonight."

The room fell quiet. Draco stared at their intertwined fingers. Then, very gently, he squeezed her hand back. The knot in y/n's chest finally unraveled.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I'm sorry too."

For several seconds, neither moved. Then, Draco rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Merlin, Pansy is going to be unbearable when she finds out we made up."

y/n laughed. A real laugh this time. The first all day.

"Oh, absolutely."

"She'll probably demand credit."

"She'll definitely demand credit."

Draco shook his head. Then, before she could say anything else, he pulled her into a hug. A real one. Not the awkward side hugs he pretended to prefer. y/n immediately wrapped her arms around him. The tension from the day finally melted away.

When he spoke, his voice was muffled against her hair. "Don't ever say that again."

She winced. "I won't."

"And don't start arguments in crowded hallways."

"That one was kind of your fault too."

Draco groaned. "You're impossible."

y/n smiled against his shoulder. "Good."

This time, he laughed.