Three chapters in three days :) If only I had this much work ethic for my actual school work ahaha :'). Please vote and comment, maybe I could turn this into a real book and become rich so I never have to worry about grades again :))

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clem's p.o.v

"Clem," Draco called to me from across the library- we were studying for the herbology midterm, "I have a question." 

"Is it about the Shrivelfig?" I asked, walking up to him with a book on the herb, "Because I just found this." 

"No," He chuckled, gently taking the book from my hand, "But I could use this." 

      Things had been going smoothly between Draco and I for the past few weeks. We had settled into a  content flow. Of course, neither of us really shared our emotions vocally- it seemed we'd done enough of that during our time at the lake after the dragon incident- but the sentiment was still understood. Through little gestures or looks was how we communicated. 

"What's is it?" I asked, taking a seat at one of the tables. 

      As of late, I was happiest when I was around Draco. Needless to say, I still cherished and adored the other people in my life- but with Draco, I didn't have to worry about anything. I didn't need to hide  anything. He already knew about my biggest secret. 

      And though the way he found out wasn't exactly ideal, it still comforted me to know that I had at least one person I could be completely myself with. Janus peaked out of my pocket. Two, I corrected myself. 

"Do you have a dress to the Yule Ball?" 

      I stopped what I was writing, looking up at him with incredulous eyes. 

"I guess that's a no?" He asked. 

"There's too many people there," I explained- not mentioning that I didn't have the money for it, "I didn't expect to be going. Did you want to go?" 

"I guess not," He shook his head, going back to his book. 

"No," I pressed on, gently pushing his book down so I could see his face, "Did you want to go?" 

"Really, I'd rather not go," He assured me, looking rather annoyed, "I was just asking because I didn't want you to already have a dress and then not be able to wear it." 

      I watched him for a moment, only accepting his answer when he huffed in annoyance. Communication was still hard for us sometimes, and seeing as neither of us really knew how to be in a relationship- I often had to go to so called 'love experts' as they deemed themselves. 

"He obviously wants to go," Minnie chimed in when I told them about what had happened. 

"But he seemed annoyed when I pushed him about it," I reasoned, gnawing on my thumb. 

"He was probably just embarrassed," El fought back. 

      I looked to Cedric for his opinion, only to get a shrug, "I don't know what's going on. I'm just here for moral support." 

"It's too late anyways," I huffed, "I don't have a dress- or money." 

"We can hel-"

      I shook my head instead of a verbal interruption to El's kind thoughts. I hated being in debt to others. They knew me well enough to know not to fight back. 

"You could tell Draco," Minnie suggested, "I just know he'd love to buy you a pretty dress." 

      I shook my head again, though I knew she was right. Over the past few weeks, I had figured out that Draco showed his affection by way of buying things for me. I could accept the small stuff, like candy or the new socks he'd gotten me when he realized mine were torn, but a ballgown was a whole different story. 

      I could never pay him back for something like that. 

      For a moment, I thought of working- but seeing as that wasn't permitted while attending Hogwarts, I'd have to find another way. 

      I'd just have to make one. 

"I can see that spark in your eye, Clem," Cedric noted, "What are you thinking?" 

"I could try to make one."

"You're right," Elnora gasped, "There's got to be some books in the library."

"But what about material?" Minnie asked, looking around. 

"I've got it," Cedric exclaimed, running out of the room. 

      There was a second where we just gazed at the door way in confusion. El snapped out of it, turning to me, "Are you going to tell Draco your going?" 

"Not yet," I shook my head. 

      I didn't want to get his hopes up yet if I ended up not finishing the dress. It seemed to be a tall task and I'd rather not let him down. This was all, of course, for him anyways. 

      It made my heart clench to think about the progress Draco and my friends had made with each other in this short amount of time. After the bullying incident, I thought that they would all never forgive him. Luckily for him, saving me from a dragon seemed to change their minds. 

"Here," Cedric came back wielding a big bundle of yellow cloth, "Will this work?" 

"Cedric this is amazing," El nearly shouted, grabbing at the fabric, "Where did you get this?" 

"My mom likes frilly curtains, so I got this for Christmas." 

      I began to fight back, only to be cut off.

"No, no," He shushed, "Don't start all of that. This is the extra. The guy who sold it to me was kind of terrifying so I bought more than I actually needed." 

"Alright, it's settled then," Minnie yelled.

"Let's go to the library," El finalized. 

      I took a moment to look at my three friends and a small smile spread across my face. I, of course, had friends at my old school- but they were nothing like this. For just a moment, I thought it would be okay to tell them about my past. The thought, although momentous, passed. Minnie grabbed my sleeve so as not to touch me and began dragging me out of the common room. 

      As we reached the library, we all froze at once. Draco was coming out of the Library doors, presumably heading back to his common room. Our state of stillness didn't impede Draco's ability to spot us, and a soft smile formed across his face when he noticed me. 

"We'll go look for the books," Cedric whispered in my ear as Draco approached, giving Draco a rough pat on the shoulder, "Good to see you, pal." 

      Draco shook his head as the three walked into the library, rolling his eyes, "I'm really not used to all of that," He admitted, gesturing to the group walking into the library, "If I'm being honest." 

"If it makes you feel any better," I offered, sitting on one of the open windows facing the courtyard, "Neither am I." 

      They were a very caring group of people and though I was glad we were friends, it was true that it still caught me off guard. Draco, on the other hand, wasn't exactly friends with them. It was more of a symbiotic relationship, to him, I suppose. I hadn't pushed it though, knowing how hard it was for me to slowly open up to them. 

"Why are you here?" He asked, looking down and something catching his eye.

"To study," I started, looking down as well when he bent down to tie my shoe for me- I hadn't realized it had come undone. It wasn't a total lie. We were studying sewing, "You?" 

"Same here," He sighed as he got up, sitting next to me.

      We sat for some time in silence. Thankfully, it wasn't that tense, icy silence we'd experienced for the past month. Things were back to the way they were supposed to be, maybe even better. 

     Though what I said to Draco was true- I had opened up immensely because of my friends- I still wasn't a particularly chatty person. The thing was, though, that now I actually enjoyed listening to others rather than using their ramblings as an excuse not to speak. 

      The wind blew my hair around as the sun finished setting. Draco turned to me, gently placing a strand behind my ear before turning back to look at the leaves dancing in the wind. It was like this a lot nowadays, our time filled with soft touches and comfortable silence, and I was happy with that. 

"Clem, we got the-" Minnie screamed as they left the library, noticing that Draco was still there, "The books. We got the books we're studying." 

     I nodded my head at her, signaling that I'd catch up. After they left, Draco stood, helping me up with gentle and cold hands. He walked me to my common room, "I'll see you tomorrow, Clementine." 

      I once again nodded. I could tell that he was holding back as he walked away, every so often looking back to check on me. 

      I wasn't blind to the fact that Draco was actually a very touchy person, when others weren't around. In fact, it had been one of the first issues in our relationship. He tried to grab me by the waist one day while we were studying and I seized up and wouldn't speak for a while after that. 

      He hadn't tried to touch me like that since. 

      Truly, I was okay with little touches like we did now. Our hands skimming across each other or him lightly tracing the curve of my face with his hands. Light touches. But things like grabbing and anything with pressure made me want to scream. It was something I couldn't help, and he knew that- so he didn't push me on it.

      But still, I knew he wanted to. 

      The rest of the night consisted of four sleep-deprived teenagers trying to design a ball gown. It went downhill after Minnie, who was so blatantly the energy of the group, had to return to her own common room for the night. Still, we made some headway. It was a good start. 

      It was the next day when Draco and I had met up at the clock-tower. It was between our two classes, and there weren't many people there. Draco still didn't really like to be seen around people when with me, which had been bothering me for a while. A few things had been bothering me, really- three to be exact. 

      The problem I was currently conscious of was that of Christmas. 

"What are you thinking about?" Draco asked. 

      It seemed like he was always asking that, I smiled to myself. 

"Christmas," I answered. 

"Well that's enlightening," He huffed, leaning against the railing, "What about Christmas?" 

      Without a doubt, I had kept in contact with Mrs. Hadley throughout the months away at Hogwarts. She had made it perfectly clear that if my options were between staying at Hogwarts or going to her home over the holiday, I must choose the latter. She had even gone so far as to say I should invite friends as well. And, though Draco wasn't technically my friend anymore, I still desperately wanted her to meet him. I just wasn't sure how to ask him. So, instead, I chose the option of action instead. 

"What are these?" He asked as I gave him the letters in question. After reading them, he looked up to me in surprise, "Are you asking me to go home with you over Christmas?" 

"You don't have to," I assured, getting a bit self-conscious as I looked at his shocked face. Maybe it was too soon to ask something like this. I wasn't sure, I'd never been in this situation before, "I just thought-" 

"Of course I'll go, Clem," He interrupted me as if I was stupid, shaking his head with a sigh, "My family is on some business anyways this holiday and I'd rather not be there with them." 

      I understood what he meant, smiling as he agreed to go. Draco and I hadn't really spoken about the whole death eater situation since we'd gotten together. I was sure that he was uncomfortable with the idea of it, but he had yet to solidify his plans. It was a bridge we'd have to cross later, I told myself, when we're more stable. 

       One problem down, two to go.

      The next problem was one that I was afraid to solve. It's something that had been on my mind ever since Draco and I had gotten together. It was a problem I'd have to face at the end of the class I was currently sitting in. 

"Are you alright?" Cedric asked as he tried to read his own palm, "You seem off." 

"Just thinking," I excused, pointing at a line he was missing.

"Thanks." 

      I nodded, going back to my inner-monologue. As the class continued, all I could do was watch Professor Trelawney as she dawdled about. It seemed unreal to me that she could either be the solution or downfall to my issues. 

"You coming?" Cedric asked as the class ended, packing up his things, "I can see your boyfriend waiting by the door. He's scaring the class." 

      I looked to check, finding Draco leaning against the door-frame, glaring at passerbys. I sighed, putting up my things as well, "I have to talk to Trelawney, tell him to go on without me." 

"Okay," Cedric agreed with a smirk, "Finally some one on one time with just the boys." 

"Please don't make him uncomfortable," I tried, only getting laughter as a response.

      My heart began to race as I made my way to her desk. I wasn't really sure what I was worried about, really. I never gave much thought to divination- but the timing had thrown me off.

"Professor," I softly called out, grabbing her attention, "I have a question." 

"Oh," She stumbled over her words, "Why, yes, of course. What can I help you with?" 

"We did those tea leaf readings a while ago," I started, causing her face to become somber as she remembered mine, "And mine said I would never find love." 

"Ah, yes," She sighed, "I am sorry about that." 

"But the thing is, Professor," I continued, "I did find love." 

"Oh, oh, oh," She tutted, furrowing her brows, "I see. Well, let's do another reading- shall we?" 

      After going through the motions of another tea leaf reading, she smiled. I looked into the cup, finding nothing of particular interest.

"I see," She hummed, "It's changed." 

"It has?" I questioned, "How?" 

"The future isn't definite dear," She explained, placing her hand over mine, "And though yours was more concrete than I've seen in a long time, it still can change if people defy the odds. Whoever your with dear, is fighting very hard for the sake of your love, and it seems you're doing the same."

"Oh," I voiced, looking again into the cup, "What does it say now?"

"Well, it has definitely changed," She repeated, trying to stall, "But it's not going to be all happiness. This love is going to be hard, and turbulent- there will be a lot of ups and downs. You're both going to face some hardships while in the relationship." 

      I looked to the ground, sighing unhappily. I kicked myself for even asking, I should've just let it be. 

"Don't worry though," She comforted, "It will work out, but you will both have to try very hard. It seems this person your with is fighting against their own future too, so as to be with you." 

      It was bleak, I told myself as I walked to my next class, but there was hope. And that's all I needed. I ended up actually smiling as I spotted Draco in my next class, because there was hope, and that's more than I ever had. 

      Two more weeks passed before the dress was complete- and it was two days until the Yule Ball. I'd gone grievously over schedule, but seeing as Midterms were coming up and the rest of my friends had to study, I was left alone to do the majority of my dress.

      Still, they were there for the final check before I could confidently tell Draco that I was okay with going to the Yule Ball. 

"We're all ready, Clem," El announced from her bed, where her, Minnie, and Cedric were all piled on top of.  

      I walked out of the bathroom and into the girl's common room. Thankfully, no one else was there. All three of them quieted when I walked in, Cedric and Minnie having been previously fighting while El tried to make them stop, and looked at me with such adoration that I nearly ran back into the bathroom. 

"Bloody hell, Clementine," Cedric said, sitting up with Janus in his hand- she often times liked to stay with Cedric for some reason, "For someone who doesn't like people to pay attention to you, you've made quite the dress." 

"It was the simplest to make," I fought, looking in a mirror and realizing that he was right, "Maybe I should change it." 

"No, no, no," Elnora dismissed, "Absolutely not. You look gorgeous."

"You really do, Clem," Minnie jumped in, barely audible with the amount of candy stuffed in her mouth, "Where did you get the beading?" 

      I had added a bit of beading across the middle of the yellow dress to give it texture, which I had gotten from a random, odd but kind raven claw girl that saw me looking at detailing books for sewing in the library. 

"A girl from your house gave them to me," I explained, "She said she was going to use them for an umbrella, but she decided she'd rather enjoy getting rained on." 

"Ah," Minnie realized, "Luna." 

"Luna," The other two of my friends echoed. 

"She seemed nice to me," I mentioned, then looking at my hair.

"Don't worry about your hair," Elnora assured, "I'll do it before the dance. I've been practicing."

"Alright," Minnie said, "Are you going to ask him?" 

"Yes," I responded, going to change back into my normal clothes and grabbing my stuff, "I'm late. I'll be back." 

"Good luck," They called from the common room as I left. 

      Draco and I were supposed to meet up today in a storage room we had found and made into a small hangout that was placed between the slytherin and hufflepuff common rooms. 

"Took you long enough," He jeered, holding the blanket open for me as he sat on the couch, "I thought you weren't coming." 

"Sorry," I apologized, scooting under the blankets with him and facing the small fireplace, "I got caught up with something." 

"It's okay," He waved off, "What were you doing?" 

"That's actually something I wanted to talk to you about-" I started but was cut off.

"Oh, wait," He interrupted me, "I have something to tell you." 

      I waited patiently for him to continue, crossing my legs and turning to him. 

"I am, actually, going to the Yule Ball, I've decided," He said, catching me off guard, "Blaise- for some reason- wants to go. So, I told him I'd accompany him- as a friend, of course."

"So," I tried to comprehend what I'd just heard. I wasn't exactly sure how to press on from that information, "That means-"

"You're off the hook," He finished, picking up a book, "Blaise doesn't have an issue with you, but knowing him- he'd rather it just be the two of us. And I know you didn't want to go anyways, so I figured this would be the best solution." 

"Ah," I voiced, "Okay." 

      I cut our time together short, saying that I needed to get back because Minnie needed my help studying. But, when I went back to the dorms- I was only sent back by my friends, who rather unkindly told me that I should've told him he was going with me instead. 

      But as I approached the slytherin common room, I heard two voices speaking. of which I recognized both.

"You told her what?" Blaise asked and I watched him lean against a wall from behind the corner, "I already have a date Malfoy, why would I need you to go with me in the first place?" 

"I don't know," Draco groaned, "I just didn't her to find out I went without her, but I couldn't tell her that I was going alone. She'd want to come too so that I wasn't alone and I really don't want people to see us together. It would be horrendous." 

      I gritted my teeth, turning around and walking back to my common room. It seemed that, although I'd handled two of my problems rather smoothly, the third was nowhere near being solved.