It was the final period of the day, and I was completely drained. Hermione and I began gathering our things. "I can't believe how late it’s gotten," she said with a soft chuckle, clearly surprised.
"I swear, I’m so glad it’s over. For Merlin’s sake!" I exclaimed as I slung my bag over my shoulder. "And tomorrow’s Saturday!" I squealed, nearly bouncing on my heels as I hugged Hermione tightly, making her laugh.
"You really do hate school, don’t you?" she teased, shaking her head with a grin.
"And you absolutely adore it," I teased back, giggling. "Guess we balance each other out."
Still chatting, we made our way to the Great Hall for dinner. As we neared the entrance, I was about to say goodbye to Hermione when she spoke first.
"Bonnie, do you have any plans for tomorrow?" she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Nope, nothing at all. Why?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Well," she started, her eyes lighting up, "Harry, Ginny, Ron, and I are planning to go to Hogsmeade for brunch. Want to join us?"
My face immediately brightened. "Yeah! I'd love to!" I said without hesitation.
"Great! We’ll meet you tomorrow then," Hermione replied with a nod, clearly pleased.
I hesitated for a second, then added, "Oh, Hermione?" She turned to me, and I caught her attention as I nervously held her shoulder. "Do you think Draco could come along? Since it kind of feels like a triple date, maybe?" I chuckled, a little shy at the thought.
Hermione raised an eyebrow but smiled warmly. "Yeah, no problem at all," she said casually. Then, her gaze shifted slightly, and I noticed her looking over my shoulder with interest. Before I could ask what was on her mind, she patted my shoulder reassuringly.
"Let’s meet outside by the fountain at 11, okay?" Hermione said, giving me a playful wink before walking away. I nodded in response, then turned around to check where her attention had been earlier.
"Hi, my love," Draco greeted me, his lips pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.
I smiled brightly at him. "Oh, hey, lovely!" I wrapped my arms around him tightly, enjoying the comfort of his presence.
"Missed me?" he teased, his tone playful as he leaned in closer.
I rolled my eyes and gently pushed him away. "Ugh, you’re really gonna tease me right now?"
Draco chuckled, his arms pulling me back into a warm hug as he rested his chin on top of my head. "Sorry, sorry," he murmured, his voice soft and affectionate. "How was your day?"
I sighed, pulling back slightly to meet his eyes. "Boring and tiring. It’s such a bummer that we only have three classes together."
I heard him chuckle softly in response, his fingers brushing through my hair. "Well, it’s better than nothing, my love," he said with a smile, planting a quick kiss on my cheek.
"Go ahead and sit with your table now, darling," he added gently. "Eat lots, alright?"
I gave him a nod, a content smile lingering on my face as I made my way toward the Hufflepuff table, feeling the warmth of his affection even after we parted ways.
I sat down next to my cousin, Cedric Diggory. He was two years older than me, a 7th year, while I was in my 6th year.
"Hey, kiddo," he greeted, passing me a plate piled high with food.
"Thanks!" I smiled, taking the plate from him.
"You got any plans for tomorrow?" he asked, digging into his own meal.
"Yeah! The trio and I are going on a triple date to Hogsmeade," I replied with a laugh, taking a bite of my food. "We’ll probably just do some shopping and hang out."
"Sounds like fun!" Cedric smiled, clearly pleased as he continued eating.
I raised an eyebrow. "What about you, cuz?" I teased. "You and Cho going on a date or something?"
Cedric suddenly choked on his water, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I patted him on the back, still giggling. "How’d you know—"
I cut him off with a grin. "It’s so obvious, Ced." I rolled my eyes playfully.
He let out a short, amused laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, she wants to check out a library there," he said with a sheepish smile.
I giggled, nodding in understanding. "Classic Cho," I teased.
Cedric nudged my shoulder. "What about you and Draco?" he asked, giving me a mischievous look.
I smiled, feeling a little shy. "I’ll ask him later if he wants to come with us tomorrow," I said softly.
—
As I closed my door, a soft fluttering sound caught my attention. I turned just in time to see Draco's owl land gracefully on my window, a letter clutched in its beak. I smiled, already feeling the warmth of his presence in the form of the owl.
I took the letter from the bird and carefully opened it, my heart racing a little as I read the familiar handwriting:
Dear Bonnie,
Good night, my love. Sleep well, and I love you.
A wave of warmth rushed to my cheeks, and I couldn’t help but smile, my heart fluttering. It was just like Draco to leave me such a sweet note.
I quickly grabbed a piece of parchment to write back. I asked if he would like to join us in Hogsmeade tomorrow. After finishing my letter, I called over my cat, Bibo, a sleek Siamese who had a special place in Draco’s heart. "Take this to Draco, Bibo," I said, tying the note around the cat’s collar before watching her scurry off.
While I waited for her return, I changed into my soft pajamas and settled at my desk to work on some unfinished art projects, the quiet evening helping me relax.
Minutes ticked by, and before long, Bibo came trotting back in, the letter from Draco now securely fastened to her collar. I eagerly unwrapped it, a smile spreading across my face as I read:
Hi love,
I’d love to come with you tomorrow. And don’t worry about them—I don’t mind being with your friends at all. I’ll be waiting outside the Hufflepuff common room. Love you, and please wear lots of warm clothes.
My smile widened, my heart feeling light. I continued to work on my art, the words from Draco swirling in my mind, until the night grew late. Finally, I set down my brushes, stretched, and made my way to bed, the warmth of his message carrying me into a peaceful sleep.
—
After getting ready, I left my dorm and stepped out of the Hufflepuff common room. The cool air hit me as I walked through the hallway, and when I stepped outside, I immediately spotted Draco waiting for me, holding a flower.
"Hi," he greeted with a soft smile, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on my forehead. He then carefully tucked a flower behind my ear, brushing my hair back and adjusting my scarf, making me blush.
"You look so pretty," he said with a tender smile, his thumb lightly caressing my cheek.
"Thank you," I replied, my heart fluttering as I returned his smile. I reached for his hand, feeling the comforting warmth of his palm as our fingers intertwined. "Shall we go?" I asked, my voice tinged with excitement.
He nodded, and together we began walking toward our destination. When we arrived, I saw Harry and Ron standing together, chatting. I waved at them, and they waved back, their faces lighting up when they saw us.
"Where are Ginny and Hermione?" I asked, glancing around.
"They’re still getting ready," Ron answered with an exaggerated sigh, clearly a little impatient, while Harry chuckled at his friend’s antics.
Draco and I moved a little further away from them. The cold made me shiver slightly, and I instinctively pulled my scarf tighter around my neck. Draco immediately noticed.
Without a word, he opened his coat and pulled me inside, enveloping me in the warmth of his embrace. "Did you wear enough clothes?" he asked, his hands gently rubbing up and down my arms to warm me up.
"Yeah, I just get cold easily," I admitted, feeling the warmth from his body radiating through me. He nodded and kissed the top of my head, holding me close as we stood silently together, gazing up at the sky by the bridge.
It wasn’t long before Hermione’s voice broke the peaceful moment. "Come on, you two!" she called, her voice carrying over to us.
Draco looked down at me with a soft smile. "Ready to go?" he asked.
I nodded happily, squeezing his hand as we started walking toward Hermione and the others.
"I’m starving!" Ron grumbled, making all of us laugh as we continued on our way.
We finally arrived at Hogsmeade village, the crisp air carrying the scent of winter as we made our way toward a charming little restaurant for brunch. The cozy atmosphere inside was a welcome escape from the cold, and we all settled down to enjoy our meal.
Once we finished eating, we each began to pull out our wallets, ready to pay for our own dishes. But Harry, Ron, and Draco quickly insisted on covering our bills. "Let us." Draco said with a small smile.
We exchanged amused glances but eventually agreed, letting them treat us. Afterward, we made our way out of the restaurant and into the bustling village streets.
"Let’s meet here at dawn?" Hermione suggested, looking around at the group. Everyone agreed, nodding in unison.
Draco and I wandered off together, taking our time as we strolled through the village. The streets were alive with holiday shoppers and the sound of laughter in the air. As we passed a small shop, my eyes lit up at the sight of colorful keychains, quirky posters, and various accessories in the window.
"Let’s go in here!" I said, pulling Draco toward the shop, unable to resist the charm of its colorful display.
He chuckled softly, his smile warm and genuine. "You always know how to find the most interesting places," he teased, following me inside.
As we stepped into the shop, I immediately began browsing the shelves, picking through keychains and accessories with a grin. After a few moments of searching, I felt content with the items I’d chosen. I turned to Draco, eager to show him what I had found, but my attention was caught by something in his hands. He was holding a new quill, ink, and some parchment, but it was one particular item that stopped me in my tracks.
"A collar?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Draco’s smile was warm and thoughtful as he looked down at the collar. "It’s for Bibo," he explained softly, making my heart swell with affection.
"It’s an enchanted collar," he continued, "so she’ll always be safe, no matter where she goes." The thought of Draco caring for Bibo like his own pet made me feel a rush of emotion. My throat tightened, and I blinked away the sudden tears that welled in my eyes.
"Hey, love, what’s wrong?" Draco asked, his voice laced with concern as he gently touched my arm.
I smiled through the mist in my eyes, touched by his kindness. "Nothing, really. I just feel... in awe. That you love Bibo as your own," I said, my voice soft with gratitude. The gesture meant more than I could express.
He smiled warmly, his eyes full of affection, and we shared a quiet moment before making our way to the cashier. Draco stood behind me in line, his presence comforting and steady.
Once we had paid for our items, I carefully placed everything Draco had bought inside my enchanted bag, which always had extra space no matter how much I stuffed in it.
"So, where do you want to go next, sweetheart?" Draco asked, his voice gentle as he looked down at me, his hand brushing against mine.
I gazed up at him, feeling a little tired but content. "Why don’t you pick?" I said, my voice soft as I leaned my head against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body against mine.
"How about we visit a jewelry store?" Draco suggested, his voice light as he gave my head a gentle kiss.
"All right!" I replied, excited, as we began wandering through the streets to find the store he was talking about. When we arrived, we stepped inside and started exploring the displays. As we walked through the aisles, something sparkled in the corner of my eye, but I quickly snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Draco’s hand settle on my shoulder.
"Love, I’m just going to buy something really quick, okay?" he said, his voice soft but reassuring.
I gave him a nod, watching him as he moved toward the counter. Meanwhile, I browsed the rings nearby, my eyes falling on a design I knew Draco would love—a style similar to the ones he usually wears. As I picked it up, I noticed something special about it: it was an enchanted ring, much like the collar he had bought for Bibo.
I made my way to the cashier and quietly paid for the ring. Afterward, I stepped to the side, leaning against the wall and waiting for Draco to finish his shopping. A few minutes passed, and I heard his voice calling my name.
"There you are," he said, a smile in his voice. "Want to grab some hot chocolate?" he asked, caressing my cold cheek with his warm hand.
I nodded with a soft smile. "Sounds perfect."
Taking my hand in his, we left the store together and continued walking. Soon, we found a cozy café tucked away on a side street. The warmth inside felt like a relief from the cold air. We stepped in, and Draco immediately insisted on paying for our drinks again. I tried to protest, but he just gave me a playful smile, and I couldn’t resist agreeing.
We found a table by the window, and as we sat down, Draco gently took off my gloves and brushed my hair back behind my ear. The simple, tender gesture made my heart flutter.
As we sipped our hot chocolate, I glanced over at Draco, ready to say something, but before I could speak, he let out a soft laugh.
"Oh, my love..." he murmured, his finger gently wiping a bit of whipped cream off the corner of my mouth.
I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed but also amused by the tender gesture. "What is it?" he asked, his voice playful but full of warmth as he cleaned up the mess I hadn’t noticed.
I smiled, my heart softening. "I just wanted to say thank you," I said quietly, my eyes meeting his with sincerity.
Draco’s smile widened, and without hesitation, he pressed a warm, lingering kiss to my cheek. "I should be thanking you," he said, his voice low and affectionate. He placed his hand on my thigh, his touch gentle but grounding, while he continued to eat with his other hand.
The simple intimacy of the moment made my heart flutter, and I leaned into the warmth of his presence, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for him, for us.
After we finished our hot chocolate, Draco broke the comfortable silence. "We still have an hour left, my love. Want to go somewhere else?" he asked, casually tidying up our mess.
I thought for a moment, then smiled. "Oh, can we visit an art store? I need to stock up on some paint and parchment," I said, checking my wallet to make sure I had enough.
Draco noticed my hesitation and immediately leaned closer. "I’ll pay if you’re short on money, darling," he offered, his voice soft but insistent.
I shook my head, smiling. "No need! I still have enough, don’t worry. Besides, you’ve already treated me today," I protested, but his gentle insistence made me relent.
With a final nod of agreement, we left the café and made our way to the nearby art store. I picked out everything I needed and went to pay, feeling grateful for Draco’s company. As we walked to the meeting spot where we were supposed to meet the others, I noticed how quiet it was.
"We’re the first ones here," Draco chuckled, glancing around. He led me to a nearby bench, but as we sat down, we realized it was covered in a thick layer of snow.
Draco smiled to himself and pulled out his wand, flicking it with ease. "Scourgify," he murmured under his breath, and the snow disappeared in an instant, leaving the bench clear and inviting.
We settled down together, the crisp winter air around us, and admired the fading light of the sunset. I leaned my head onto Draco’s shoulder, feeling the warmth of his embrace as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer. We sat in peaceful silence, the world feeling quiet and perfect in that moment, just the two of us and the soft glow of the setting sun.
"You okay?" Draco asked, his thumb gently rubbing my arm as he glanced down at me with concern.
"Yeah," I replied with a soft smile. "I’m really happy."
His smile mirrored mine. "Me too."
We sat there for a moment, chatting quietly, when suddenly we heard someone calling for us. "Bonnie! Draco!" It was Harry. We both stood up and waved, joining the group as we started our walk back to Hogwarts.
As we made our way back, we chatted about the day, but I couldn’t help but notice Draco and Harry talking more comfortably with each other. It warmed my heart to see them growing closer, especially after everything that had happened between them in the past. Their friendship, or at least mutual respect, was something I never thought I’d witness, and seeing it unfold was a pleasant surprise.
When we finally arrived at Hogwarts, we exchanged our goodbyes. Draco, as always, insisted on walking me to the Hufflepuff house.
"Oh, here are the things you bought!" I said, reaching into my bag to hand Draco the items he had purchased earlier. But just as I did, I noticed him reaching into his coat.
"I bought you something," he said, pulling out a small box. "I know you love silver and gemstones, so I thought you’d like this." He opened it to reveal a delicate bracelet, its silver links glistening in the soft light. Gently, he placed it on my wrist, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of affection for him.
"Draco, you didn’t have to!" I said, my voice soft as I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug.
He chuckled softly, his lips brushing against my forehead as he hugged me back. "I wanted to," he whispered, squeezing me a little tighter.
After a few moments, I pulled away from the hug and reached into my bag. I pulled out the ring I had bought earlier and took his hand in mine, slipping the ring onto his index finger.
"It’s an enchanted ring," I explained with a smile. "It’s similar to the collar you bought for Bibo."
Draco’s eyes softened, and without a word, he leaned down to kiss me gently on the lips. I kissed him back, feeling his hand slide around my waist, while mine cupped his face. The moment felt like it could stretch on forever—warm, tender, and full of quiet affection.
But suddenly, the door to the Hufflepuff house creaked open, and we quickly pulled apart.
"Hey, Bonnie! Oh, hello, Draco!" Cedric greeted us, his tone innocent and completely unaware.
"Hello, Cedric," Draco replied, offering a polite smile.
"See you around then!" Cedric said, giving a small wave as he walked away.
As soon as Cedric was out of earshot, Draco and I looked at each other and burst into laughter. He cupped my cheek again, his thumb brushing across my skin before he placed another soft peck on my lips.
"Thank you for today, sweetheart," he said, his voice low and sincere as he hugged me one last time.
"Anytime," I whispered back, savoring the closeness.
We exchanged one last smile, then bid our goodbyes. Draco walked away, waving until I couldn’t see him anymore. I stood there for a moment, watching him go, before I turned and walked inside my dormitory. My heart was light, and a happy smile tugged at my lips. Today had been perfect, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for every little moment.