Twisted Fate

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Chapter 3: THREE

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After Potions, my hands shook violently; I felt fear mixed with excitement. It took me five minutes to get my roll of parchment inside my bag. Control yourself, you idiot! After I finished packing my things, I got up, breathed deeply, and went out of the dungeon. What if I don't go? It won't be my loss. I mean, I can talk to him tomorrow, or the other day... Maybe if I ran he wouldn't notice me. I snapped out of my stupid thoughts. Who was I kidding? There was no backing out of this. I had to finish this now... or else I may find myself in a deeper pit that what I already am in.

I stopped before the dark corner, where I could faintly see his outline in the dark.

"C-Come out of there."

Slowly, he stepped out and revealed himself to me. My whole world stopped at the sight of him... he looked so gorgeous just looking at me like that. He was smiling at me; he wasn't smirking, he was... smiling. It was a genuine smile. I felt my whole body start to melt before him. I wanted to run to him, embrace him, and lose myself to those wonderful lips of his. I shook my head frantically. What the hell is happening to me?! I looked away from him, trying to restrain myself from this madness that I felt, and stared directly at the ground. I cleared my throat (because I seem to have lost my ability to speak clearly before him) and asked, "What do you want?" I felt him walk towards me, then he stopped; he was barely inches from me. He cupped my chin and raised my face so I once again stared directly at his marvelous gray eyes. He was still smiling softly at me, then chuckled. "I think the person you're talking to is here, not at the floor." I looked away, feeling my cheeks grow scarlet. How I hate you for making me feel like this, I thought. But then again, his chuckle was like music to my ears. Reluctant as I was, I had to admit that wanted to hear it again. His thumb found its way to my cheek, and caressed it gently. "You look so cute when you blush."

"NO!" I jerked my head away from his hand. I've had enough.

"Dammit Malfoy! What the bloody hell do you want from me! Haven't you tortured me enough? Haven't you stayed in my mind for too long? This! This... thing is driving me crazy! Why won't you leave me alone! I don't want this feeling, ok? I was doing fine! I never wanted this! Why won't you go away? Why do you hurt me so? I never wanted this feeling, you hear me? I didn't want to fall in love with you!"

I stepped back and covered my mouth with my hands. I couldn't believe what came out... what I just said. I felt the wall behind me, and there I leaned as I felt my knees grow weak. I never meant to say it. I never meant to feel it.

I had fallen in love with Draco.

Ever since that day when our eyes met... that day that I told myself I loathed him... I loved everything about, in and of him. This was why I couldn't get him out of my mind. This was the reason why I longed to see him, even though I resisted. I had loved him, yet I was trying to fight it. Simply because he was Draco Malfoy. Who would even want to fall in love with him? His cruel laugh, his smirk, his arrogance - who would ever learn to love someone like him?

And yet I have fallen so hard for him. Amidst all his strokes of pride, arrogance and selfishness, I loved him, because somehow I saw the different side of Draco Malfoy. Because I believed in my heart that he has a good side, and I was determined to let it out.

Even though I loved him, I didn't plan to let him know. It was that sort of, one sided love thing, and I never thought I'd blurt it out when I see him. So officially now I am in deeper, more dangerous waters.

"I was... I didn't..."

"W-What did you say?" He approached me, eyes staring directly at me. I shook my head. I didn't want to repeat it. But, deep inside, I knew what I told him was true. He should never know... If he knew... well, now he does... Dammit!

"You said...You said y-you-"

"I... I d-"

"You said..." He was already so near to me. I was still shaking my head. No... I don't... I never...

"Y-You love me?"

I stared into those gray eyes; they were sincerely asking for an answer. Gently, he took my hand away from my mouth. I tried to reply but my mouth just opened and closed... nothing came out. His eyes questioned me... begging me to tell him the truth... the truth that I denied of myself for so long.

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I needed to talk to her. I had to tell her.

After that incident in the hospital wing, I now know why she never left my mind these past few weeks. I now know why I felt weird whenever I saw her, or even when I am near her.

I loved her.

I love her so much, that it was painful sometimes.

She seemed to be staying away from me though, and I know why: she thinks I'm playing at her. She thinks that I'm up to something that's not good - well, everyone thinks that way. But, I'm not. I really am not, because hurting her was the last thing I ever want to do.

That day before I went to Potions, I had decided to talk to her. I needed her to know how I felt for her. I know it's crazy, but even though she doesn't feel the same, it wouldn't matter. I won't force her or anything... I just wanted her to know...

At Potions, I looked around ever so often, glancing at the door whenever it opened: she wasn't there. What if she's still sick? What if something happened to her? I brushed those thoughts away by listening (for once) to Professor Snape's lecture. But, I still felt worried. I raised my hand and excused myself from class. I told the Professor that I needed to attend to something important, and he gave me permission. I strode across the room and yanked the door. It opened suddenly, and my chin bumped on the person who was about to come in. Pathetic brat! Annoyed, I looked at the student in front of me, and I gasped: it was her. She looked at me, surprised as well, but still she looked amazingly beautiful. I wanted to stroke her jet black hair, take her in my arms and drown myself in her lips... but I didn't. Because I respect her. She was the first student here who gained Draco Malfoy's respect. I smiled inside, seemingly lost in my thoughts, when I heard Professor Snape call out to me.

"Mr. Malfoy, why are you taking so long? Is someone there?"

I snapped out of them and called back. "Just a late Gryffindor, sir."

"Well, as pathetic as they seem to be, I still have to teach them. Let him in."

She shook her head and walked towards me; she bumped into me again. She looks so cute. I stepped aside, not taking my eyes off her, titled my head slightly and smiled at her. She looked down and strode inside the room. Was she... really blushing? I was still smiling as followed her, taking a seat at her right and continued to stare at her. She looks so marvelous... But then, I frown because she was blocked out of my view: she drew out her DADA book and buried her face there. Why is she doing that? I still looked at her occasionally, taking care that no one noticed specially Professor Snape, and even though her face was covered with the book. Then, I saw her peek at the side of her book. She saw me looking at her, and she jerked back quickly. I thought for a while, thinking of her peculiar behavior, then tore a small piece of parchment, wrote something in it, crumpled it into a ball and threw it at her. The ball hit her arm. Yes! Then, I saw Professor Snape looking at her; his attention shifted because that idiot boy beside her sniggered so loud. Shit. She picked it up, then looked at me. I pursed my lips and put a finger there, then pointed towards the professor. I quickly straightened up my seat.

"I believe I teach Potions, Miss Arden, not Defense Against the Dark Arts. Now put away that book or I'll throw it along with you out of this classroom. Five points from Gryffindor. Now pay attention."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her put the book away. She glanced once more at me, then looked at the Professor, who continued the lecture.

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After Potions, I almost ran over Goyle as I quickly made my way out of the classroom and into the dark corner of the corridor. I leaned at the wall, clutching my chest. At last... I'm going to talk to her again. I closed my eyes and smiled as I thought of her once more...imagining her beautiful face... which then registered shock, then she laughed. I opened my eyes. What if she did laugh at me? I would make a complete fool out of myself. Or... what if she's angry at me? I shook my head. What was important is that she knows. For once, I didn't think of my pride. I was ready to look like a mad old folk in front of her. I chuckled softly. Maybe that's how love is...you don't mind your pride. After a while, I saw her staring at me outside the dark corner. I smiled as I watched her squint her eyes. She's so cute when she does that. "C-Come out of there," she said. I stepped out and walked towards her. Suddenly, she lowered her head and stared at the ground. "What do you want?" I drew closer, cupped her chin and tilted her face towards me. Her dark brown eyes were staring at me. You'll never know how much I want to kiss you right now. I chuckled. "I think the person you're talking to is here, not at the floor." She blushed furiously, then looked away. "You look so cute when you blush," I told her. Suddenly, she jerked her head away from my hand and stared at me angrily.

"Dammit Malfoy! What the bloody hell do you want from me! Haven't you tortured me enough? Haven't you stayed in my mind for too long? This! This...thing is driving me crazy! Why won't you leave me alone! I don't want this feeling, ok? I was doing fine! I never wanted this! Why won't you go away? Why do you hurt me so? I never wanted this feeling, you hear me? I didn't want to fall in love with you!"

I stared at her, completely lost for words. "W-What did you say?" I shook my head slightly, my mind questioning. Did I hear her right? Did she just say... She shook her head repeatedly, as if denying what she just said.

"You said...You said y-you-"

"I...I d-" She leaned at the wall behind her.

I approached her. There was no mistake: I heard her.

"You said..." I tried to recall what she said... and it was clear. "..Y-You love me?"

She stopped shaking her head. I walked towards her, and took her hand off her mouth. She looked at me straight in my eyes, opened her mouth but nothing came out. Please...Please say yes...Please...

"I never wanted to... but I did."

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He stared at me, mouth opened, still filled with disbelief of what I told him. I waited any reaction from him, but all he did was stare at me. Slowly, I felt tears beginning to fill my eyes. Please say something... anything... I looked up, trying to fight back the already flowing tears. I didn't prepare myself for this.

"I never wanted to, ok?" My voice broke. "But I did. I don't understand why... but I-"

He reached up to my face and made me look at him. My face was already towards him, but I refused to open my eyes. For the first time, I didn't want to see his eyes staring at me... I didn't want to see him smirk or laugh... I don't want those gray eyes to penetrate in my mind and see the truth. He wiped the tears from my cheeks. Then, I opened her eyes. He looked at me so tenderly and leaned forward. He put his lips close to my ears and whispered, "I am so in love with you."

My eyes widened. "W-What did-" But before I could ask, he had already claimed my lips. I was still shocked at what he just said to me, but my hand had already found its way to his neck, caressing it, drawing him closer; my lips returning his kiss. He must have felt me respond, and made the kiss deeper, more passionate, and I couldn't help but reply eagerly. I felt my whole body melt with him; like I could lose myself in him. I've never kissed anyone, but this has got to be the best kiss ever. You'll never know how much I longed for this to happen... I felt so light...so happy... so blissful. I never felt anything so beautiful before. Everything seemed to fit, everything seemed to be in their proper places; my world became perfect... complete.

After a while, he drew away, catching his breath. "Wow," he said, smiling as he looked at me. "That was something."

My eyes were still closed, trying to prolong that blissful feeling. I opened them later and looked up to his smiling face. "Yeah... Wow..."

Draco looked at me for a while, loving me with his stare, then changed drastically. He looked at me like he was surprised, as though he was seeing me for the first time.

"Hey...wait a minute." He stepped back and crossed his arms on his chest.

Ultimately surprised, I rolled my eyes, stared at him defiantly, and exasperatedly asked, "What now?" I shouldn't have known there was a catch...this fumbling piece of- He looked at me seriously, which stopped my stupid thoughts. I looked down, quite embarrassed, then proceeded. "Well, I needed to know why you looked at me that way when I-"

"Oh, curse Merlin!" I waved my hand impatiently. Great. And I thought he was smart. "Hermione's my friend. Of course I'd be angry at you after what you did to her..." Hmm... A little spice wouldn't hurt... "Well," I added, looking at him testily. "That's aside from your arrogant smirk you flash at me whenever I pass you on the corridor..."

"Ok... Hey..." He stared at me indignantly. "I don't smirk at you."

"Oh, yes you do. Loads of times."

He opened his mouth to defend himself, but I narrowed my eyes at him, daring him, then he resigned. "Alright then...a couple of times...oh, ok fine. I smirk at you always." I nodded and looked away. He recovered from his slight fall, paced before me, then stopped. "What about that Saturday? What happened to you?" I hesitated for a while. He knows how I feel about him, but does that mean that he has to know the real reason? Should I tell him that I wasn't sleeping well because I kept thinking of him. Embarrassed of what he might think, I looked down as I answered, "Well, I-I wasn't getting enough sleep lately..." Then, I thought of the kiss. "Why did you kiss me?"

He looked shocked at my question. Now it's your turn to blush, Draco Malfoy. He was actually fumbling in front of me. "Well... Ok, I just wanted to... sort of punish you... But I didn't know it would really have that effect on me."

I smiled. "Why did you have to ask those kids to pick me up and bring me to the hospital wing?"

He looked taken aback for a while, looked like he was thinking fast, then held his chin up. "Well, I thought it was obvious. I don't want others to see me help you... with the rivalry of houses and all that... and that's aside from the fact that you looked too heavy for me to carry..."

"Hey!" I hit him playfully at his shoulder. He grasped his shoulder, pretending that it hurt. "Hey... you should watch out, you know." I stepped up bravely, staring at him with narrowed eyes. "What? What are you gonna do, huh?"

"This."

And he pulled me towards him and gave me another breath-taking kiss. I was quite enjoying it, but he pulled away quickly and gave me a defiant look.

"Hey, I'm not doing anything mean to you. What was that for?"

I looked at him, perplexed. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Everytime I hold you - or touch your skin - I feel like I get burned. No, seriously," he added when I laughed at him. I really didn't know what he was talking about, but when he said burned, a naughty thought came to me. "Burned, Draco? Does this have something to do with-"

"No, not THAT. I mean, burned as... It's like I'm putting my hand over an open stove."

I thought for a moment, but then I shrugged. "What the heck. Maybe it's just you telling yourself you're not supposed to love, and be kind, and-"

"Or maybe," he said, gripping me tighter, "it HAS something to do with-"

"Oh stop it, will you?" Smiling, I hit his head playfully. "Now kiss me before I get too hot for you to handle."