Title: Moment of happiness

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x Female!Reader

Word count: 1.6k

Published: 22 December, 2020 

Author: Heloise Daphne Brightmore

Notes: This is part of Heloise's Christmas Calendar.

Draco Malfoy was a lot of things. An arrogant bully, an exceptional student, a loyal friend, a proud teenager, a boy who wished to prove himself to his father even if he didn't necessarily agree with all of his dad's views.

Draco Malfoy was a young man with a troubled background. He was mean, some would say, which earned him a reputation, many hating him for his behaviour. But those who knew him, who were close to him, who mattered to him, knew him to be a man worthy of love. He wasn't just a mean bully who picked on people, he was also a loyal man to those he cherished.

Dark times were clouding the Wizarding world, many seeking refuge, some muggle-borns and half-blood witches and wizards hiding away from the inevitable attack, whilst others preparing to go head on against the Dark wizards.

Draco was conflicted, he always believed his father to be right, he always looked up to him, he was a firm leader in his eyes, but his views, the length he dared to go to just follow his ideology scared Draco. He didn't want to become like his father anymore. He wanted to walk his own path.

He sat at the Slytherin common room, right in front of the large fireplace. Green and silver stockings hung on its frame, golden garlands levitating in the air, evergreens decorating the walls. A rather large Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner of the common room, its decorations consisting of the Slytherin house's colours, freshly cut grass coloured glass balls and shiny, grey ornaments complimenting it.

"You seem troubled." You wrapped your arms around Draco from behind the couch, startling the boy. His grey eyes met yours, a small smile spread across his face at the sight of you.

"I'm fine." He replied as he hinted a small kiss on the back of your hand, before interlocking his fingers with yours, caressing the back of your hand with his thumb. You smiled at the gentle touch, a side of his that not many knew of.

"I really want to believe you, but you are not very convincing." You giggled lightly. You let go of his hand and walked around the couch, flopping down beside him in the least lady-like manner. You placed your hand on his thigh with your palm facing upwards, waiting for him to get hold of your hand. He didn't waste time, he did just like that, missing the feel of your soft skin against his, warming him up from the inside.

"I'm feeling better now." He leaned closer and hinted a tiny kiss on your temple.

"I'm the cure to your sadness. I feel special." You giggled as you laid your head on his shoulder.

"You are." He whispered, leaning his cheek on top of your head, enjoying the feel of you against him.

"I'm glad you think of me that way." You tilted your head back to look up at him, his eyes holding a warm, loving gaze. You left a small kiss on his cheek, a sweet little smile appearing across your face, your cheeks heating up at the tender look his eyes harboured. "You know, sometimes I wish you were more open about what you feel. I know something bothers you and it kills me not being able to help you." You squeezed his hand reassuringly, hoping he would finally open up to you. 

Draco was a proud man, one that had difficulties showing emotions, especially talking about them. But the way he kissed you, the way he held your hand, the way he wrapped his arms around you, looked into your eyes and even the tone he used with you were all enough just to make you feel like the luckiest woman in the world. 

He always prided himself in being capable of anything, not accepting help from anyone, nor relying on others. But since you have come along, he felt like he needed you, as if you were just destined to be together, he couldn't fight the pulling sensation he felt each time he caught sight of you. He thought of you as someone who made him feel like he was capable of anything. You made him feel invincible and he was hoping that you felt the same around him, because he was sure of one thing and that was the need he felt to be around you.

"I don't want you to get mixed up in this." He whispered, his eyes attached to the flames dancing around in the fireplace. "I want you to be safe and if I talk about some of the things that bother me, I feel like I drag you into a world that you should never be a part of." You lifted your head from his shoulder, searching for his eyes, but they were focused on the fire, his gaze holding a great deal of worry.

"Draco, we are at war. You can't protect me forever." You protested. "I am part of this war just as much as you are."

"Can't you just go into hiding?" He suggested with clenched jaw. You lifted your hands, cupping his cheeks, turning the boy towards you.

"You know me more than that, Draco. I will not run from it all. I just can't." You shook your head. "Our future depends on this war and I don't want to let Voldemort win." The heavy sigh leaving his lips, made your chest painfully tighten. "I know about the dark mark. I know you were trying to hide it from me, but I saw it."

"I'm not on his side." He hissed, but you knew the anger wasn't directed at you. "I don't even know what side I am on." He exhaled deeply as if a heavy weight was sitting on his chest.

"I know and I don't expect you to decide it right now. I just want you to know, even if you stand beside him, it won't change my feelings for you. I love you for you, Draco and I'm sure you will make the right decision in the end." You caressed his cheeks with the tip of your thumbs, offering him a warm, whole-hearted smile.

"And how do I know which is the right decision? For years I thought I knew which side I was on, but now, the ideas I stood for feel so wrong, so alien." He tilted his head against your palm, placing his hand on yours, enjoying the warmth your touch provided.

"What do you say we enjoy this Christmas and put all of our worries aside for now? I'm not asking you to forget them, that would be silly of me, I just want you to feel at least a mere moment of happiness. What do you say?" You beamed, waiting for an answer, hoping to just cuddle your man as if there was no tomorrow.

He lifted his other hand, placing it over yours, before gently getting hold of both of your hands, hinting a tender kiss on the back of them. "I would love that." He smiled gently as he placed an arm around your shoulders and pulled you into his side, hiding his face in your neck.

You let out a heavy breath, enjoying his strong arms around you, his warm breaths sending shivers down your spine. "If I could, I would never let you go." You confessed, making him chuckle lightly. You lifted your head and leaned back to be able to look into his eyes. "Don't laugh at me. It's seriously annoying how badly I want to be around you sometimes." You blushed vividly as the words escaped your lips. His laughter grew at your blatant confession, but you knew he didn't laugh at you, he was simply happy.

"If it makes you feel any better, I know exactly how you feel." He smirked proudly, before he placed a hand on your cheek and leaned forward, connecting his lips with yours, showing you just how much he craved to be around you, to hold you in his arms, to touch you even if just for a mere second. His kiss made you feel lightheaded. He was a person of fewer words, but his actions always reassured you.

As you created a small space between you, trying to gather all the oxygen you could get into your lungs, Draco's eyes ran across your dazed expression, your loving gaze, parted lips and heavily blushing cheeks. "You are beautiful." He whispered, his breath fanning your lips, tickling your skin. His hand ran down to the curve of your neck, his eyes hungrily following the path, before it continued down to your shoulder, arm and the exposed skin of your soft hand, linking his fingers with yours.

He tilted his head to the side, a confused expression taking over his face, making you frown. "Is that my sweater?" He asked, studying the piece of green clothing you were wearing.

You blushed once again, scooting closer to him, hiding your face in the crook of his neck to conceal your embarrassment. "Perhaps?" You whispered, but it sounded more of a question than a statement. You never stole his clothing before, but its big and comfortable size, warm material and Draco Malfoy's addictive scent screamed for you to try it on. "Is that a problem?" You mumbled against his soft skin.

A single laugh left his lungs as he placed a finger under your chin and lifted your head to be able to look into your guilt filled eyes. "They certainly look much better on you. I could get used to the sight of you in my cloths." He smirked, a proud feeling taking over him as he watched his woman in his arms, wearing his clothes, completely becoming his. "I love you, darling." He whispered against your lips, making your smile grow wide.

"I love you more." You chuckled as you closed the gap between you, your hands gripping his shirt, pulling him as close to you as you could physically manage.

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