"I'm ready now." Draco says, taking both your hands in his as you both take a seat on a couch in the Slytherin common room. You simply nod and wait for him to continue on. "My father knows you're not a pure-blood. And he wants me to break all ties with you." You gasp slightly and Draco notices. "But I won't. Not on my life. You are my everything Sarafina, I would never do that to you." You exhale a sigh of relief.

"But," Draco continues. "We won't be able to be near each other until my parents leave." He says. "Oh. Yeah, I remember you telling me that, but I didn't realize it was so soon..." You sigh. Draco places a soft kiss on your forehead. "You'll be alright. I'll still be here, just...20 feet away from you," He says, trying to lighten the mood. You smile at him, but even that is shortlived. "So how long are they staying, exactly?" You ask, the sadness evident in your voice. "For the next two tasks for the tournament. After the third task, they're leaving." He replies.

You nod, not saying a word. You lean your head onto Draco's shoulder, closing your eyes. "So, when are the next two tasks again?" Your voice barely above a whisper as you open your eyes again, brushing your fingers along the fabric of his shirt. Draco thinks for a moment. "If I am correct, the second task is tomorrow, February 24th. At...9:30 am I believe." He says. You sigh. "Guess we should go watch...20 feet away from each other," You say, as you start to feel tears forming on the brink of your eyes. "I'm sorry," You try to laugh as small tears roll down your cheeks.

"Hey, it's alright." Draco says comfortingly, rubbing your back soothingly. He lifts your chin to face him with his other hand. "You're going to be okay. We are going to be okay." You exhale softly and smile at him as he wipes your tears. "Don't cry, darling. I hate seeing you cry." He says as he runs a hand through his hair. You sigh and smile at him. "Okay, I won't." You say, taking his hand in both of yours. You raise your head from his shoulder and lean it against his forehead.

"What did I do to deserve you?" You ask, searching his eyes. Draco sighs and shakes his head lightly. "Nothing. The question is what did I do to deserve you? You have been nothing but kind to everyone around you. And I...I've done some things that I deeply regret. And yet, I end up with someone as amazing as you. And sometimes I question myself: how did this happen? Why did you choose me?Hell, you could've been with Potter! But no, you chose me. Of all people."

You smile at him. "And I'm the happiest I've ever been when I'm with you. There's just...something about you. I don't know what it is, maybe it's your charm, your looks, your loyalty. It's something that only you have, that brings me back to you. I chose you because you're unique, and smart, and charming and handsome...and arrogant. Arrogant as hell." You laugh. "You may have some bad qualities, we all do. It's what makes us human. But the best qualities will always show through all that darkness. All you need is a light to guide you."

Draco smiles at you. "I guess you're right. We all do have some bad qualities. There have been some...things that I have done in my past. I...I regret them now. All of them. I hurt so many people, and there's no way I can change what's happened. But then, through all that darkness, there was a light. She was smart, and beautiful, and strong, and courageous. She was special, and very clever. I hadn't realized it but she changed me. She made me a better person. She taught me what is right. I used to be so terrible, I followed in the footsteps of my father, treating everyone except those who were 'my own' like dirt. I never disobeyed him. Not a single time, until now. Now I know what's right. All because of her. The light. You are my light, Sarafina."

"God, this is so sappy," You laugh lightly. "It's sappy in the best way," Draco says he kisses your lips softly. You move your position so you straddle his lap and you wrap your arms around his neck. He gently places a hand on your back and another tangling in your hair. He traces his lips away from yours and down your neck, across your shoulder. You lean your head onto his shoulder and inhale his scent. That sharp and spicy cologne you found all those days ago on his nightstand.

"So, um...Draco?" You ask. "Hm?" He hums, still kissing your jawline. "Draco." He stops and raises his head to look at you. "Yes?" He replies. "I've been thinking about this, and I've been wanting to know for a while..." You start. "Go on," Draco nods. "When did you start liking me?" You ask. Draco looks away and you see a light blush rise to his cheeks. "I, uh...the first time I saw you, met you, actually. You were just this, beautiful, innocent looking girl. And I, ah, I was still a terrible person back then. I'm sorry I talked to you like that, but I remember, seeing you, thinking what an easy prey you were, just like all the rest of the pathetic people at this school. But then, you, you stood up to me, like no one ever has. You had this strong, unbreakable, powerful, words-can't-hurt-me aura. And I believe that's when I fell for you. Hard. You're just...so amazing Sarafina."

You both smile and enjoy the silence between you before someone bursts into the common room. "Sarafina!" You immediately recognize the voice as Cedric's. "Cedric? What are you doing here?" You turn to face him, jumping off of Draco as your cheeks flush red. "Uhhh, am I...interrupting something?" Cedric asks warily. You immediately shake your head no. "No! Nothing! You interrupted absolutely nothing!" You smile at him and you hear Draco facepalm himself behind you. Cedric darts his eyes between the two of you. "Oooooookay? Anyways, it's Daphne. She's missing!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♡ Miki