The chilly expanse of the Astronomy Tower feels even more desolate as you lean against the stone balustrade. The silence of the night is broken only by your soft sobs. Draco's prank had once again made you the subject of mockery, after all.

Draco wandered up to the tower seeking solitude, but he didn't expect anyone else to be there, certainly not you. His steps falter when he sees you, bathed in moonlight, with tears glistening on your cheeks. A pang of guilt twists in his chest, a sensation he is unaccustomed to. He always tells himself he does not care about your opinion, that he must maintain his bad-boy presence because he cannot behave any other way. His sharp words and thoughtless pranks are his method of concealing his true feelings. But the sight of your tears, so genuine, cuts through his feigned indifference.

The arrogance he usually wears like armour seems to disintegrate as he watches you. He cannot simply walk away this time. "What're you doin' 'ere, then?" he asks, his voice a quiet murmur that barely reaches you.

Nevertheless, you flinch at the sound, turning away sharply and hastily wiping your cheeks with the back of your hand.

"Hey, look," he closes the distance between you in a few quick strides, his usual confidence replaced by hesitancy. He reaches out, his fingers brushing against your shoulder. The touch is light, as if he fears you might pull away. "I'm a right fool, I know. I'm terribly sorry."

His gaze fixes on a face moistened with tears. There is no hint of the arrogance that usually colours his handsome features. Instead, there is a bare, unfiltered honesty.

Before you can react, his warm palms gently cup your tear-swollen cheeks, and his trembling lips brush away the tears with a tenderness you did not expect.

"I never wanted to hurt you. I thought keeping up this act was the only way, but," His voice is almost a whisper. His heart races as he kisses away each tear, and the soft press of his lips strangely calming you,

"because I love you."