CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── "Have you been avoiding me?"
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─── Y/N POV ───
As I stood on the train platform at King's Cross Station, I studied the liveliness of the atmosphere that only came with the start of a new school year. Third year. New classes, new expectations, and a whole lot of pressure. I gripped the handle of my trunk a little tighter, trying to calm the anxious flutter in my stomach.
Beside me, my mother was on her third round of interrogation. "Okay, do you have everything? Books? Wand? Clothes?"
"Yes, mother," I assured her with a nod. "Everything's packed. I double-checked last night."
Noticing my slight discomfort, she tilted her head, studying me with a knowing look. "Excited to see Draco again?"
My stomach tightened at the mention of his name, though I kept my expression neutral. Fake relationship. That's what this was. It had been a month since we made this deal, but now, returning to school with this secret, I wasn't sure how convincing we'd be.
"Yes."
"Alright," she finished, planting a quick kiss on my forehead. "Have fun, dearest."
"Thanks," I replied, smiling faintly. I waved at her before turning and making my way toward the train.
The platform was crowded, and I tried to weave through the students when a flash of blonde hair caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat. Draco. He was standing near the luggage trolley with his father, Lucius Malfoy.
Panic flared inside me. I wasn't ready for this, I wasn't ready for our fake relationship. Not yet. Without thinking, I ducked out of view behind a nearby group of Hufflepuff fifth-years, clutching my bag tightly.
"Y/n, what are you doing?"
I jumped at the sound of Hermione's voice and spun around to find her standing there, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
Of course she would notice.
"Why are you acting so weird?" she asked, crossing her arms as she studied me.
"I'm not acting weird," I quickly defended, straightening up and brushing imaginary dust off my robes. "I just...thought I dropped something. It's nothing."
Hermione didn't look convinced. Her eyes darted toward where I'd been hiding, and for a terrifying moment, I thought she might glance over and spot Draco. But she didn't. Instead, she raised an eyebrow.
"Alright," she said slowly. "But we need to hurry. We don't want to miss the train."
