Chapter 11: Official

The next morning, Hogwarts felt… different. Not the castle itself- it was still cold stone, echoing halls, and flickering torches- but the air around me felt lighter, somehow, like the weight of yesterday had finally lifted. I walked toward the Great Hall for breakfast, and my fingers brushed the small, warm circle where Draco’s hand had held mine the night before. Hermione was waiting for me near the entrance, looking curious but amused. “So?” she asked, tilting her head. “Tell me everything.” I grinned, trying to keep my excitement contained. “We’re… officially together.” Her eyes widened. Then she laughed, loud and bright. “Finally! I was starting to wonder if you’d let him fumble forever.” I shrugged, smiling sheepishly. “He asked properly.” “And you said yes,” Hermione said, beaming. “Good. That’s good. Really good.” Ron appeared behind her, looking half asleep but still noticing. “About time,” he muttered. “You two were practically orbiting each other.” I laughed softly. “Shh. Don’t tell everyone.” Breakfast was surreal. I could feel eyes on me as I walked into the Great Hall, but it wasn’t the usual, heavy sort of attention. It was curious, knowing… maybe even a little impressed. I spotted Draco at the Slytherin table. Our eyes met across the room, and he gave a small, almost shy nod. I waved slightly, and he returned it with the tiniest smirk. It was private and public all at once, and my heart flipped. Pansy Parkinson, of course, noticed immediately. Her eyebrows arched, and she shot him a glare so sharp it could have sliced through steel. Draco ignored it entirely, head held high, eyes only on me. I slid into the seat across from him when the hall cleared a little. Crabbe and Goyle gave him surprised looks. Pansy muttered something under her breath that I didn’t hear. “Morning,” he said quietly, voice low enough that no one else could hear. “Morning,” I replied, trying to keep my grin contained. He leaned forward slightly. “You looked… really upset yesterday. Are you okay?” I nodded. “Better. Thanks to you.” He raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t sure you’d forgive me for the whole ‘smiling and kissing’ thing.” I laughed, shaking my head. “I didn’t need to forgive you. You didn’t do anything wrong.” His lips quirked into a real, small smile. “Good. Because I’m planning to stick around for a while.” I felt warmth spread across my chest. “I’m glad.” For the rest of breakfast, the world felt sharper, brighter, as if simply holding hands with Draco made everything else easier. Even the whispers and looks from other students couldn’t touch me. By the time the morning classes rolled around, I realized something: Hogwarts had not changed. But I had. And Draco Malfoy, the boy who had once made my life complicated in ways I never expected, was now the reason it felt… simple. We walked to Charms together, quietly, hands brushing, smiles lingering. No words were needed. The threads had pulled tight, and for the first time, they held something steady, something ours. And that… felt like magic.