𝐴𝑅𝑅𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝐷 | 𝐷𝑀

~ T H I R T Y ~

i highly recommend listening to this violin cover throughout the whole chapter on repeat! this is the song i imagine them dancing to. anyways, enjoy this long awaited chapter!

Draco led Lilith to the center of the sitting room, where it was now empty since everyone had stepped to the side to watch them dance. He slightly squeezed her waist to reassure her she had nothing to be worried about.

"Do you still remember the steps from fourth year?" Draco asked her as they approached the center and they turned to face each other.

"Yes, but that was different," Lilith looked around the room.

"Just look at me," Lilith turned to look at Draco, "Eyes on me, alright? Just focus on me and breathe."

Lilith nodded as her heart starting beating faster. Draco stepped closer to her, placing his hand around her waist once again and raising his arm to the side. Lilith extended her own hand to meet his as she brought her body closer to his. She placed one hand on his shoulder as her other intertwined with his fingers. Lilith never broke eye contact. Their eyes stayed on each other and they started dancing to the orchestra's beat.

'1 step forward, 1 step to the right, 1 step backwards, 1 step to the left, and repeat,' she kept thinking to herself as their movements moved along with the pace of the violin.

"It's ironic, isn't it?" Draco asked, trying to make her concentrate on him and not the steps.

"What is?"

"That you're wearing black while I'm wearing white. When we get married it's going to be the other way around," he smirked.

"I suppose, but what I think is more ironic is that we're getting married in six months and we still haven't gone on a single date," she chuckled.

"Who said I wasn't ever going to take you out, Jones?" In one swift motion Draco picked Lilith up by her waist and, as instinct, Lilith held unto his shoulders and looked down to him.

She stared into his grey hues and saw the walls he had built up for seven years breaking down. It had all started seven years ago with a coincidental encounter inside the Hogwarts Express and had led them to this. At that moment, while she replayed every practical joke they pulled on each other in her head, every contest they had beaten each other in, every Quidditch game they had to try to work together in, every tease they said to each other, Lilith thanked every god she could possibly think of for the chance to know him.

If it had been months ago, Lilith would be cursing his name, but the timing could not have been better for her to rethink everything she thought about him.

She didn't know whether it was the music, or the decorations, or the champagne, or their attire, but Lilith could only be sure of one thing as she stared at the platinum-haired boy who never failed to stun her. Lilith Jones had fallen for Draco Malfoy.

It used to be a doubting feeling but there was nothing she could deny anymore. She was all too sure about how she felt; she could only hope he felt the same.

She smiled as he put her down and their dancing steps changed. Draco placed his hand on her jaw and near her neck while she did the same. They started walking around in circles and their steps slowed, but never strayed from the flow of the music.

Lilith felt the fear and nervousness die down as he felt his hands on her face. They were usually cold, which made him appear distant, but this time they were radiating warmth. What she had told Draco a couple of days ago was all true and this was all proof enough for her—she felt at peace with him.

The music finally ended and Lilith hadn't noticed how much time had passed. She looked around the room and found dozens of people clapping. "Congratulations, Jones. You managed to stay balanced," he chuckled, earning a light slap on his chest from Lilith.

"Right on time," Narcissa spoke from the front center of the room, "The countdown is about to begin."

People all over started to cheer as they walked to the center of the room. They stood next to Draco and Lilith, waiting for the usual speech of the hosts.

"What a strange year this has been," Lucius said, "But through all the chaos and trauma, Narcissa, Draco, and I have stood by each other and along every single one of you. When we were awaiting trial and expecting to be thrown in Azkaban, every single one of you stood by our side, always believing in us. My family and I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you've shown us. I wish you all a prosperous new year and a wonderful future. May we stand strong together forevermore."

Everyone raised their glasses and clapped, "Let's welcome the new year with open arms," Narcissa cheered, "20!"

Draco pulled Lilith away from the crowd and towards an open door that overlooked the garden.

"18!"

"What are you doing?" Lilith chuckled as they stepped on the balcony.

"Do you remember the dare I gave you?" Draco asked suddenly.

"Yes, but what does that have to do with anything right now. The countdown has started and we're missing it, Malfoy!"

"13!"

Draco looked back at the crowd of people cheering, "Well, you never completed your end of the dare, did you?"

"Because I'm supposed to wait for you to tell me when you want the kiss," Lilith rolled her eyes.

"Exactly. I'm cashing in the dare."

"What?"

"8!"

"The kiss, Jones."

"Now?"

"Well I'm not talking about tomorrow or next week, am I?"

"4!"

Lilith smiled at him, stepping closer. She wrapped one arm around his neck while he wrapped his arm around her waist, slightly lifting her body.

"2!"

She leaned in, delicately kissing his lips. And almost as if it was meant to be, there were loud sounds of explosions in the sky next to them. Lilith turned her head. There were dozens of fireworks going off.

She turned back to look at Draco and kissed him again. When she finally pulled away, she knew she had found the one thing she was always jealous Harry and Ginny had.

Did she dare say what it was? No, because perhaps it was only an illusion of the moment. Rather doubtful.

"Happy New Year, Lilith," he whispered against her forehead, placing a kiss on her temple.

"Happy New Year, Draco," she whispered back, hugging him while still staring at the fireworks.