Chapter 13
December 25th, 1994
Maria’s mind had been restless since dawn. With her palms feeling clammy and her heart pounding fast in her chest, the nerves were evident.
That morning, an owl had delivered the boutonniere she’d ordered for Draco, a small reminder that she would, in fact, be attending the Yule Ball with him tonight. The realization brought a mix of emotions, none being comforting. This wasn’t exactly how she’d imagined it.
Still, there was an undeniable sense of anticipation that something big might happen. After all, the memory of last night in the Astronomy Tower kept replaying in her mind, looping back to a moment she couldn’t forget.
Had Draco known what he was doing last night?
The way he had leaned in, his breath brushing ever so slightly against her skin, his lips hovering so close to hers—it had to mean something. There was no other explanation for why he’d drawn so near, almost as though he were about to kiss her.
But then her thoughts drifted to the spark of magic that had disrupted the moment, crackling against the metal railings. She sighed, frustration bubbling up again as she recalled the unfortunate timing. Both their wands had been tucked safely away—Draco had even casted wards at the base of the Astronomy Tower, ensuring no one could intrude.
It had to have been a stray spell. Surely.
The door to her shared dorm creaked open, drawing Maria back to the present. Hermione peeked in, a soft smile on her face before she stepped fully into the room. Maria gasped.
Hermione’s dress was beautiful—soft pink ruffles cascading elegantly, with light tulle flowing down in a way that matched her perfectly.
“Hermione! Your dress is absolutely gorgeous!” Maria exclaimed.
Hermione looked down shyly, her fingers fidgeting with the fabric. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
Maria shook her head. “No, not at all. It’s perfect.”
Hermione’s eyes drifted down to the small bag in Maria’s hands, her brow furrowing slightly in curiosity. “What’s that?” she asked, her gaze lingering on the unassuming pouch.
“Oh, this?” Maria glanced down at the bag, realizing Hermione had noticed. She smiled softly and adjusted the cloak that concealed her dress. Beneath the heavy fabric, the black tule of her Yule Ball gown peeked through. “I’m actually heading out in a bit,” she explained. “I’m getting ready with Daphne Greengrass.”
Hermione raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. “Daphne Greengrass?” she repeated, though not unkindly. “I didn’t realize you two were…close.”
Maria chuckled. “We’re not really. But she invited me, and I thought…why not?”
Hermione nodded slowly, her curiosity now piqued by the bag in Maria’s hands. “How are you managing to fit everything in there? It looks like it barely holds a quill, let alone everything you’d need for tonight.”
Maria’s grin widened, a glint of amusement in her eyes. “Extension Charm,” she said, patting the bag lightly. “Honestly, it’s been a lifesaver. Dresses, shoes, makeup—everything fits in here. You wouldn’t believe how convenient it is.”
Hermione’s lips twitched into a small smile, impressed. “That’s clever. I’ll have to remember that next time.”
With a flicker of hesitation, Maria tilted her head and asked, “Would you like to come with me? Get ready with us?”
Hermione blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Oh, I—no, I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense,” Maria said with a wave of her hand. “Daphne won’t mind, I’m sure. Besides, it could be fun. You’re already dressed, but there’s still plenty we could do—hair, makeup, whatever you like.”
Hermione glanced at her reflection in the nearby mirror, biting her lip. “I don’t know,” she began, but Maria quickly cut in.
“Really, Hermione, it’s fine,” she insisted. “Come with me. It’ll be a change of pace—and Merlin knows you could use a bit of fun before the ball.”
Hermione hesitated for a moment longer before offering a small smile. “Alright. But only for a little while.”
Maria chuckled before signaling Hermione—who grabbed her cloak, to leave the Gryffindor common room together. As they made their way down the steps of the Grand Staircase, they spotted Daphne Greengrass patiently waiting towards the entrance hall. The girls could see her dress peeking from the ends of her cloak, but other than that, her dress was completely concealed.
“Daphne,” Maria called out.
The blonde turned and smiled upon seeing Maria, but was slightly shocked to see Hermione standing closely behind her.
“Hope you don’t mind, but I invited Hermione to join us in getting ready,” Maria explained.
Daphne shook her head and smiled at Hermione. “Of course not, the more of us, the faster we can get ready.”
Draco grumbled to himself as the tie around his neck refused to sit right. For the third time, he unwound the cloth, stuffing it into his pocket with a scoff. Maria can fix it later, he told himself.
He sighed, catching his reflection in the mirror, the memory of asking Maria to the ball replaying in his mind. He had planned to be confident, but just as he was about to ask, Cho Chang interrupted, needing to send a note off. Flustered, he let the words “as friends” slip out when he continued.
Stupid, he thought bitterly.
“Staring at yourself in the mirror again, Draco?” Theo teased as he strolled into the room.
Draco scoffed and stepped away from the mirror. “Not in the mood.”
“Cheer up. Tonight’s supposed to be fun,” Theo said, sitting down on his bed. “Honestly, I’m glad you and Maria are finally going together. Watching you pine after her for years is kind of—”
Draco threw his blazer at Theo, cutting him off.
“We’re going as friends,” he muttered, digging through his trunk for his dress shoes.
“What?” Blaise exclaimed from the bathroom, head poking out with a toothbrush still in his mouth. He looked at Draco, eyebrows raised. “Mate, did I hear that right?”
“What’s it to you?” Draco shot back as he slipped his shoes on.
“To me?” Blaise said, pulling the toothbrush from his mouth. “You told us last week that you asked her to the Yule Ball, and now you're saying you’re going as friends?”
“Honestly, Draco, are you stupid?” Theo chimed in. “It’s obvious Maria likes you—and don’t even start. We all know she does.”
Draco sighed, walking into the bathroom and pushing Blaise out to avoid further argument. “You lot don’t know anything,” he muttered, shutting the door firmly behind him, signaling the conversation was over.
“Draco! I need to rinse my mouth!” Blaise called out, knocking on the door.
“Use a spell!”
The soft murmur of excited voices drifted up the stairwell as Maria, Daphne, and Hermione lingered at the top of the steps that led down to the Great Hall’s waiting area. The girls stood in a hushed cluster, the anticipation of the Yule Ball thick in the air.
Hermione, peeking around the corner, took in the sight below. Harry and Ron were standing awkwardly with Parvati and Padma at their sides, their faces a mixture of nerves and forced smiles. Near the back of the group, Viktor Krum stood tall, his attention focused elsewhere.
Hermione quickly leaned back, pressing her back against the stone wall as she turned to Maria and Daphne. “I don’t think I can go first,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so nervous.”
Maria glanced at her friend, her own fingers fidgeting with the boutonniere she still held for Draco. “Is your date down there?”
Hermione nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Who is he?” Daphne asked, curiosity piqued.
Hermione hesitated before finally mumbling, “Viktor Krum.”
Both girls stared at her, wide-eyed.
“Viktor Krum?” Daphne gasped, her voice filled with disbelief. “That’s incredible!”
“Yeah,” Hermione said, offering a small, shy smile. “Thanks, but I’m still a bit nervous.”
Without missing a beat, Daphne took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Well, someone has to go first,” she said with a confident smile. “Good luck, you two.” And with that, she gracefully descended the staircase, her purple gown shimmering.
Maria could hear Blaise’s voice as he greeted her, his tone playful. “Lucky me, taking the most stunning girl tonight,” he said, and Theo followed with an approving whistle.
Hermione’s nervous eyes flicked to Maria. “You go next,” she urged. “I’ll follow.”
Maria laughed softly, a little jittery herself, as she continued to toy with the boutonniere in her hands. “Alright, alright,” she relented, adjusting her grip on the flowing skirt of her dress. “Good luck, Hermione,” she added with a warm smile before stepping forward.
As Maria descended the stairs, she quickly spotted Harry and Ron standing off to the side. But her gaze was soon drawn to the small group of Slytherins standing not far from them—Draco, Blaise, and Theo, all dressed impeccably, with their dates at their sides. Theo noticed her first, his expression lighting up with recognition.
“Oi, Draco,” Theo said, slapping his friend’s chest lightly. “Turn around.”
Draco, who had been facing away from the staircase, turned at Theo’s prompting. The moment his eyes landed on Maria, his breath caught in his throat. She was dressed in an elegant gown of emerald silk, with delicate layers of black tulle draped over it, the fabric catching the light in all the right ways. The emerald pendant he’d gifted her rested against her chest.
For a split second, Draco couldn’t form a single thought. She was breathtaking.
Maria, noticing his stunned expression, couldn’t help but laugh as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “Are you just going to stand there, Malfoy?” she teased, stepping closer to pin the boutonniere to his chest pocket. Her fingers were steady as she fastened it into place.
Draco, still reeling, slipped the corsage onto her left wrist, his fingers brushing against her skin. His eyes drifted to the pendant at her throat, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You’re wearing the necklace,” he said quietly, his voice laced with a hint of satisfaction.
Maria met his gaze, their eyes locking for a moment. “Of course I am,” she replied softly.
“I’m glad,” Draco murmured, his hand lingering for just a second longer.
Maria tilted her head slightly, noticing something was off. She looked Draco up and down before her eyes narrowed in amusement. “Where’s your bow tie?”
Draco blinked, momentarily confused, before his hand darted to his pockets. His fingers closed around the forgotten bow tie, and he chuckled, shaking his head. “Still in here, apparently,” he muttered, pulling it out. With a sheepish grin, he added, “It wasn’t sitting right earlier, so I thought I’d wait and have you tie it for me.”
Maria rolled her eyes playfully but smiled as she grabbed the bow tie from his hands. “Of course you did,” she said, then nudged him back toward the group. “Come on, we’ll fix it over there.”
As they walked over, Maria greeted Theo and Blaise, her face lighting up as she waved at them. “Theo, Blaise! It’s good to see you both.” She turned politely to the Hufflepuff standing nearby. “And hello, Hannah.”
Theo grinned at her in that easy-going way of his. “Maria, you look incredible tonight,” he said, before glancing at Draco with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Don’t you think so, mate?”
Draco’s ears reddened immediately at the attention, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. “Yeah…yes, she does,” he mumbled, a little too quickly, trying to keep his composure.
Blaise, noticing Draco’s discomfort, smirked. “Alright, enough of that,” he said, brushing off the teasing. “We should head in soon. The Champion’s walk and waltz will begin any minute.”
Maria nodded, then held up the bow tie. “You can go ahead. We’ll catch up after I tie this properly for Draco.”
The group exchanged glances but agreed easily enough. Theo shot Draco a wink before they turned and made their way into the Great Hall, leaving Maria and Draco standing just outside the entrance.
As the others disappeared into the Great Hall, Maria turned back to Draco with a smile, bow tie in hand. “Hold still,” she murmured, stepping closer and carefully looping the fabric around his collar.
Draco watched her, his heartbeat oddly steady for the moment, despite the bustle of the night around them. Her hands were deft but gentle, and as she pulled the knot tighter, he could feel the warmth of her presence, steadying him in a way he hadn’t expected. Her gaze was focused, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration as she tied it neatly.
Just as Maria finished adjusting the bow tie, something in Draco’s peripheral vision caught his attention. He shifted his gaze slightly to see Potter standing near the entrance, his eyes trained on Maria from behind. The look on Harry’s face was hard to read—something between regret and longing, perhaps—but it made Draco’s jaw tighten.
Without a word, Draco cocked an eyebrow at Harry, his expression a mixture of challenge and amusement. When Harry realized he’d been caught staring, he quickly looked away, nudging Ron’s arm and gesturing toward the staircase just in time to see Hermione’s grand entrance.
Draco scoffed softly under his breath, the idea that Potter might’ve wanted to take Maria to the ball sitting like a bad taste in his mouth. He’d heard the rumors, of course—whispers among the students that speculated about Potter’s interest in her. But none of that mattered now.
Because as Maria gently tightened the bow tie around his collar and stepped back to admire her handiwork, Draco knew he was the one standing here with her. She was his date tonight.
And that was enough.
Maria met his eyes, her smile soft and content. “There,” she said, admiring her work. “Perfect.”
“Thank you,” he muttered, still slightly dazed by how stunning she looked up close. His gaze flickered briefly to the emerald pendant resting against her chest. “I’m glad you wore it,” he added quietly, his voice just above a whisper.
Maria’s eyes softened at his words, and she nodded. “I told you I would.”
For a moment, neither of them moved, the world seeming to narrow down to just the two of them at the entrance of the Great Hall. All the noise and anticipation of the Yule Ball faded into the background.
Just as Draco’s fingers brushed against Maria’s wrist, the clipped tone of Professor McGonagall broke the quiet moment between them.
“Miss PenDragon, Mr. Malfoy,” McGonagall said, her sharp eyes glinting behind her spectacles, “you’d best head inside. All students who are not champions need to make their way inside.” She gave them both a firm look, her lips pressing into a thin line as she gestured for them to move along.
Maria offered a quick nod, a little flustered at being caught in the moment. “Yes, Professor,” she replied politely.
Before she could say more, Draco’s hand slipped into hers, his grip firm and reassuring. He gave her a slight tug, guiding her towards the entrance of the Great Hall. Maria’s heart fluttered at the sudden warmth of his hand clasping hers, and they walked together, their footsteps in sync as the hall buzzed with the low murmur of anticipation for the champion’s entrance.
Inside, the space was transformed into something even more magical than usual—icy blue light shimmered from above, and the tables, draped in elegant linens, had been moved aside to clear the floor for dancing. As they moved further in, the crowd thickened, but Draco’s steady hold kept Maria close to his side.
“Over here,” Draco murmured, tilting his head towards the far side where Blaise and Theo stood with their dates, casually chatting and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Both of them glanced up as Draco and Maria approached.
“Ah, there they are,” Blaise said with a grin, elbowing Theo lightly. “Thought you two might’ve gotten lost.”
Theo smirked, but his eyes sparkled with genuine amusement. “About time. We’ve been standing here forever.”
As they took their place next to Blaise and Theo, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder, signaling that the champions were about to make their grand entrance.
Maria shifted slightly beside Draco, feeling the excitement thrumming in the air. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, still holding his hand, and smiled softly to herself. There was something about this moment—standing together, waiting for the night to begin—that felt just right.
The Yule Ball was in full swing, the atmosphere in the Great Hall vibrant with excitement. After the initial formal dances led by the champions, the band had taken over, transforming the elegant space into a lively concert hall. Students, their gowns and suits, slightly disheveled from dancing, sang along with the rock band, their voices echoing above the pounding music.
Maria wasn’t familiar with the music, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the spectacle. She sat back at the dinner table with Draco, Blaise, and Daphne, laughing as they watched Theo, in his usual carefree manner, making a complete fool of himself on the dance floor in front of Hannah Abbott.
“Oh—there she goes,” Blaise said, chuckling under his breath as Hannah turned on her heel and walked away from Theo, clearly annoyed by something he’d said.
Theo trudged back to the table, his shoulders slumped. “She’s dumped me!” he announced, sounding as though his world had come to an end.
Maria blinked, bewildered. “What? Since when were you dating?”
Theo held up three fingers, looking utterly defeated. “For three hours,” he said with a straight face, as if that were an eternity.
Draco burst out laughing, shaking his head. “You can’t go around saying you’ve been dumped from a three-hour relationship, Theo.”
Blaise raised an eyebrow, still smirking. “Honestly, mate, what did you say to her?”
Theo flopped down into his chair, rubbing his face. “I may have suggested she change her dress color to match mine…Apparently, it wasn’t well received.”
Daphne snorted, taking a sip from her goblet. “Of course it wasn’t, Theo. What were you thinking?”
Maria shook her head, laughing softly as the group continued to tease Theo, the night moving forward in a swirl of music, laughter, and glittering lights. Despite the minor dramas of the evening, Maria couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment.
As the upbeat tempo faded, the band announced they would take things slower for the night. A soft melody filled the air, and students began to pair off for the slow dance. The atmosphere shifted, growing more intimate as couples swayed gently to the rhythm.
Blaise turned to Daphne with a grin. “Would you like to dance?” he asked, his eyes sparkling.
Daphne smiled back, a hint of excitement in her expression. “I’d love to,” she replied, and the two of them stood up, leaving the table as they made their way to the dance floor.
Theo, who had been watching the couple with an expression of longing, turned to Draco and Maria. “I’m off to the drink table,” he declared, pushing himself up from his seat. “Need to drown my sorrows after that disaster.” He winked at them before walking away.
As the music continued to play softly, a comfortable silence settled between Maria and Draco. It was a moment filled with unspoken thoughts, both of them stealing glances at each other. Then, almost simultaneously, they spoke.
“Did you—”
“Are you—”
Maria chuckled, a light sound that broke the tension. “You can talk,” she encouraged.
Draco cleared his throat, shifting slightly in his seat. “Would you like to dance with me?” he asked, his tone sounding earnest.
Maria’s heart fluttered, and she nodded eagerly. “I’d love to.”
He stood up and extended his hand toward her, a gesture that felt inviting. Maria took his hand, and together they made their way to the dance floor.
Once on the floor, the atmosphere around them transformed. The couples surrounding them whispered sweet nothings, their soft laughter mingling with the music. As Draco placed his hand on her waist, Maria sighed, feeling a rush of warmth.
“I’m really glad I chose to stay for the holidays at Hogwarts,” she admitted, glancing up at him with a content smile.
Draco met her gaze, his expression thoughtful. “Me too,” he said quietly, pulling her a little closer. “It’s…different this year. Better.”
As they began to sway to the music, the world around them faded away, leaving only the rhythm of the song and the comforting presence of each other. Maria couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over her as the night continued to unfold.
Maria found herself leaning against Draco’s shoulder, feeling utterly content. The warmth of his presence was comforting, and for a moment, she allowed herself to close her eyes and simply enjoy the peace of the moment.
“Are you okay?” Draco asked.
She hummed in response, nodding slightly. “I feel a bit tired, but I probably just need a drink instead.”
Draco gave her a knowing smile and gently tugged her hand, guiding her away from the dance floor and towards the drink table. They walked together, their fingers still intertwined. As they approached the table, Maria glanced over and noticed Ron and Harry sulking at a nearby dinner table–even Padma and Parvati were slouched over their seats with disappointment on their faces.
“I haven’t seen them dance with their dates at all during the Yule Ball,” Draco commented as he poured punch into a cup and handed it to her.
“That’s awful,” Maria said, taking a sip of the fruity drink. “Ron and Harry should enjoy the night, even if they couldn’t go with the people they wanted to.” She frowned, feeling a pang of sympathy for her friends.
Draco turned to her, a curious expression on his face. “Do you know who Harry wanted to go with?”
Maria shook her head, a thoughtful look crossing her features. “When we talked yesterday morning, he mentioned that the girl he wanted to ask was already going with someone by the time he found the courage.” She sighed, glancing back at her friends. “It’s like…you’ll never have a chance of doing something if you don’t take the shot at trying.”
Draco considered her words, nodding slowly. Her words reminded him of their moment last night. He was close to kissing her–so close. Yet something–or someone–had ruined it. As they stood together, watching the festivities around them, the sounds of laughter and music enveloping them, Maria felt a renewed sense of hope. Maybe not every moment of the night was perfect, but the ones she was sharing with Draco certainly made it worthwhile.
As the music shifted back to a lively rock beat, Maria and Draco resumed their conversation, laughing softly as they enjoyed the energy of the Great Hall.
Suddenly, Viktor Krum made his way over, his tall frame cutting through the crowd. Maria smiled, recognizing him as Hermione’s date.
Draco grinned as the Bulgarian Champion approached.
“Good to see you, Krum,” Draco said, his tone casual.
“Likewise,” Viktor replied, his accent thick but clear. “How are you enjoying the Ball?”
“Pretty well, actually,” Draco said, glancing at Maria. “Though I think Maria is the highlight.”
Maria felt a small blush rise to her cheeks and smiled back at Viktor. “It’s been fun so far,” she said softly. The conversation quickly turned to Quidditch, and she nodded along as the two men discussed the latest matches and the Triwizard Tournament.
As they chatted, Maria’s gaze drifted toward the far side of the hall. She noticed Hermione, Ron, and Harry together, their expressions serious. It seemed as if they were in a heated discussion. She excused herself from Draco and Viktor and her eyes widened after hearing the last bit of Ron’s words before Hermione ran past her and out of the Great Hall.
“Ron, you can’t seriously believe that,” Maria argued, frustration tightening her voice as she arrived at the boys—who were still sitting in their seats. “She went with Krum because he asked her—there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Maria knew that there was tension between Ron and Hermione right now, but that gave him no right to insinuate such a thing with her. After all, Maria did hear a few stories about how Ron admired Krum during the Quidditch World Cup. It was hypocritical of him to call Krum the ‘enemy’ when Ron was the same person who cheered for his team.
Ron glowered, still too angry to listen. “And you’re one to talk, Maria. You came here with Malfoy.”
Maria felt the heat rise to her face, but she remained calm. “Draco is my friend.”
Ron snorted, his voice mocking. “Oh right, friends. As if that makes it any better.” His blue eyes were hard as he leaned forward. “You don’t get to lecture me when you’re cozying up to him. You’re practically on the same side as Krum, the same side as—”
Maria snapped. Before she could think it through, she grabbed her goblet of punch and splashed the contents over Ron’s lap. The bright liquid soaked into his robes, the look of shock on his face almost satisfying.
“That’s for being a git, Ron,” she said coldly, her voice shaking with fury. She didn’t wait for a response, her heart pounding as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the Great Hall.
Outside, the air had shifted with a cold breeze flowing inside from the courtyard’s open doors, but her face was still hot with anger. She didn’t know where she was headed, only that she needed to get away.
Something inside of her cracked. Ron’s words served as a reminder that she did come to the ball with Draco, but only as friends.
“Maria!” a voice called from behind her.
She didn’t stop. Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridor as she made her way towards the Gryffindor Tower, her mind spinning. “Maria, wait!”
The urgency in Draco’s voice made her freeze. Slowly, she turned, her eyes meeting his. He stood a few paces away, concern etched into his features.
“Why do you even care, Draco?” Her voice cracked, the weight of the night pressing down on her. “We’re just friends, right? That’s all we are.”
Draco’s brow furrowed, confusion crossing his face. “What are you talking about? You were okay just minutes ago—”
Maria let out a bitter laugh, tears stinging her eyes. “Why do you care when we’re only friends?”
Draco took a step forward, his gaze softening when he noticed the glistening tears on her cheeks. “Who said something to you? Was it Weasley? I swear, I’ll hex him and Potter both—”
“No, Draco,” she interrupted, her voice faltering as the tears finally broke free, streaming down her face. “This isn’t about them. This is about us.”
Draco stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening as he struggled to understand. “Maria…”
“Why did you ask me to the Yule Ball?” Her voice trembled with vulnerability, the question that had been gnawing at her finally breaking free. “Was it really because we’re just friends?”
He swallowed, his throat dry, a lump forming that he couldn’t seem to dislodge. “Of course,” he said, though the words came out weaker than he intended. “Because we’re friends.”
Maria stared at him, her chest tightening. “Is that really the reason? Just because we’re friends? Last night in the Astronomy Tower, we were about to kiss, weren’t we?”
Draco opened his mouth to answer, but the sound of footsteps from the corridor stopped him. The voices of Harry and Ron echoed faintly from around the corner, heading back to the common room after their confrontation with Hermione.
Maria shook her head, stepping back. “I’m done for the night, Draco.”
But before she could turn away, Draco grabbed her hand. “No. Come with me.”
He didn’t wait for her to argue, pulling her down a narrow side hallway. Maria followed in silence, her heart racing as he led her through a hidden doorway and into the castle’s secluded courtyard.
The snow was falling gently now, blanketing the ground in a soft white layer. The courtyard was quiet, save for the soft crunch of snow beneath their shoes. Draco finally stopped, turning to face her, his expression conflicted.
And then, without a word, he kissed her.
Maria’s breath hitched in surprise, her heart stopping as his lips pressed softly against hers. The world around them seemed to blur—the cold, the snow, the castle—all of it faded as his warmth enveloped her. Draco’s lips were soft but insistent, and the kiss was both delicate and charged with an intensity that neither of them had fully understood until this moment.
Her mind was spinning, trying to process the fact that Draco Malfoy, her friend, had just kissed her. The warmth of his mouth against hers sent a surge of emotions through her that she hadn’t been prepared for. His hand cupped the back of her neck gently, drawing her closer, and she felt herself melting into him despite the cold air surrounding them.
When he pulled back, his breath mingling with hers in the chilly night air, Maria stared at him, wide-eyed, her heart still pounding. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words, neither of them moving, as if both were trying to make sense of what had just happened.
But before she could think too much, Maria closed the gap between them, her fingers curling into the front of his jacket as she pulled him back in. This time, she kissed him. Her lips met his with a tenderness that mirrored her feelings—soft, yet yearning, as though she had waited forever for this moment. His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, and the kiss deepened, slow but full of meaning. It was as if everything unsaid between them had been poured into this single moment, a kiss that carried all their hidden desires.
The snow continued to fall, lightly dusting their hair and shoulders, but neither of them cared. The kiss grew more urgent, a shared longing that seemed to stretch into eternity. Draco’s fingers wove through her hair, gently tugging her closer, while Maria’s hands moved up his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat under her palms. The kiss was slow, but it burned, a kind of need they hadn’t realized they’d been suppressing.
After what felt like hours, Maria broke away, breathless, her lips tingling from the lingering sensation of his. She blinked up at him, her face flushed despite the cold, only to hear a faint sound—a meow.
Her eyes darted to the side, and there, slinking through the snow, was Mrs. Norris, Filch’s cat, her glowing eyes fixed on them.
“Who’s there?” Filch’s raspy voice called from a distance.
Maria’s heart skipped a beat. She grabbed Draco’s hand, her pulse racing. “Come on,” she whispered.
They darted back into the castle, ducking into a narrow passageway just as Filch’s footsteps grew louder. Maria’s laughter bubbled up as they pressed themselves into a shadowed alcove, breathless and giddy.
“That was close,” she muttered, her heart still pounding.
Draco leaned in close, his lips brushing against hers as he whispered back, “Too close.”
Then, with a soft smile, he kissed her again. This time, Maria responded immediately, her hands tangling in his hair as she kissed him back. She lost herself in the warmth of him, the feeling of their bodies pressed close in the quiet, hidden corners of Hogwarts.
For the moment, nothing else mattered but the two of them and the kisses that felt like it had been destined all along.