Magnetized Draco Malfoy

Chapter 28: Harmonic echoes

Erica folded laundry, and Hailey tidied up their room. The air held unspoken questions, and Erica's concern cut through the silence. "Why didn't you show up to astronomy last night?" she asked.

Hailey hesitated. "I just didn't really feel like it," she replied, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Erica sat on Hailey's bed, her eyes probing. "Hailey talked to me," she said. "So, spill. What's really been going on?"

Hailey sighed. "Nothing," she said softly.

Erica leaned in. "Well, if you really want to know..." Hailey hesitated, then blurted out, "I was with Draco."

Erica raised an eyebrow. "Last night or all week?"

"All week," Hailey admitted, her cheeks flushing.

Erica's eyes narrowed as she studied Hailey. "You were with Draco?" she repeated, her voice a mix of curiosity and amusement. "All week?"

Hailey shifted uncomfortably on her bed, her fingers tracing the embroidered pattern on her quilt. "Yeah," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "We've been spending time together."

Erica grinned. "Are you guys like...a thing?"

"Maybe," Hailey replied, her heart racing.

"Are you dating?" Erica pressed.

Hailey blinked, feeling clueless. "Oh, dating? No."

Erica studied her. "So, are you guys romantically involved at all?" Erica said getting impatient.

"We kissed," Hailey blurted out, her words tumbling over each other. "A couple of times. But it's not like we're a thing or anything. Draco isn't really into that sort of stuff... at least I don't think he is"

Erica raised an eyebrow. "Isn't he? Because it seems like he's into you."

"We're just casual, that's all." Hailey blushed. "And I suppose the way he looks at you in class and at meals is just casual too?"

"Yes," Hailey said awkwardly.

Erica laughed, rising from the bed. "You're cute when you get all worked up," she teased, then left the room, leaving Hailey lost in her thoughts.

Hailey lay back, staring at the canopy above her bed. Erica's words lingered. Now that she thought about it, where did she and Draco stand in this offbeat, staring relationship they had?

_____________

The next day, Hailey found herself back in the Room of Requirement, where Draco was once again engrossed in his work on the vanishing cabinet. The room felt familiar—the worn-out couch, the dust-laden air. Hailey, however, was restless. She rose from her seat, her footsteps echoing in the quiet space.

"Where are you going?" Draco's voice held concern.

"Just walking around," Hailey replied softly. She sifted through the clutter, her fingers brushing against forgotten objects. And then she saw it—an old, worn guitar. Despite its age, it still held promise. Hailey knew how to play; it had been a while, but muscle memory kicked in. Hailey sat back down on the couch, as she strummed the chords.

A rhythm emerged, and she began to hum, harmonizing with the guitar. Draco paused, drawn to the sound. Hailey motion for him to sit down next to her, so he did. He watched her, mesmerized—her focus, her calm. How could she be both passionate and serene at once? It was beautiful, and Draco felt the stress that had plagued him melt away.

Hailey wasn't singing; she was merely humming, yet it was the most exquisite melody he'd ever heard. Talented musicians had crossed his path, but this was different. She played for herself, lost in the flow of the music. When she finally stopped, Draco found himself staring at her.

"You're amazing," he said, his voice soft.

Hailey blushed. "Why thank you!"

Draco's curiosity got the better of him. "Where did you learn to play so well?"

Her smile faded. "I wasn't properly taught," she admitted. "I kind of just taught myself. I was lonely as a kid."

"Been there," Draco said, understanding her more than he cared to admit.

"Do you play anything?" Hailey asked.

"Piano," he replied.

She mumbled, "Of course you do, you're just perfect in that way."

Their proximity intensified. Hailey's heartbeat echoed in her ears. Erica's words resurfaced, and adrenaline surged. Hailey pulled Draco closer, her lips meeting his. Tongues tangled, and the world narrowed down to this moment—their stolen glances, their shared secrets.

Draco reveled in her hunger, the urgency of her kiss. He'd waited for this, the right moment, the right person. Hailey was everything he wanted. When they finally broke apart, he smirked.

"You shock me every time, Hailey Groves," he said.

She giggled. "I shock myself sometimes too."