You laughed as Blaise spun you once, your hair brushing across your face before he let go with a playful grin. “Not bad,” you teased.

“Not bad?” he echoed, feigning offense. “I’ll have you know I’m spectacular.”

Theo smirked from the sofa, leaning back lazily. “You’re decent, at best.”

Mattheo and Lorenzo were by the fireplace, arguing over the next song.

You rolled your eyes but smiled, swaying a little to the beat. And yet, you couldn’t shake the feeling of someone’s eyes on you.

Draco.

He stood near the drinks table, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass loosely.

Blaise leaned close, murmuring, “He’s staring again.”

You didn’t look. “I know.”

“Maybe he’s jealous of my moves.”

You smirked. “Maybe.”

But even as you joked, your heart beat a little faster.

When the next song began, you found yourself alone, spinning lazily near the center of the room. The others had drifted - Theo and Blaise were talking near the sofa, Mattheo was laughing at something Lorenzo said - but Draco hadn’t moved. He was still watching you.

You met his gaze. Just for a second.

And that was enough.

He crossed the room slowly, that familiar calm confidence in every step.

Then someone shouted from the corner - probably Blaise, maybe Lorenzo: “Come on, mate! Just kiss her already!”

The room froze.

Draco froze.

Then, before he could stop himself, he blurted out, loud and clear, without even realising it. “I’m trying!”

Every eye turned to him.

You blinked. “You’re… what?”

Draco’s expression faltered. “Did I… say that out loud?”

Mattheo let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “You did, mate. You definitely did.”

Theo hid a smirk behind his glass. “Smooth.”

Blaise grinned. “Oh, this is brilliant.”

Draco ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath. “Fantastic.” Then he looked at you again, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Well,” he said softly, “I suppose I should finish what I started.”