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"How dumb do you think I am?"

I was struggling to grasp what was going on, eyes still wide as I watched the boy shake his head. My vision blurred, though I was unsure whether that was the poison or the panic flaring up from within.

"You really thought that's how easy it'd be? Slip some of your pretty poison in my drink, and that's it?" He faked a pout, amusement lingering in his features as he looked at me. "And then you didn't even make sure I don't swap the glasses— you made it almost too easy."

How long did it say the Venectu took to kill someone? It surely didn't seem like I had enough time to listen to Malfoy.

My eyes flickered through the room in a panic, regretting not looking up more about the antidote as his voice quickly faded into the back of my head. I swallowed thickly, trying my best not to cave at the burning pain and the scarce airflow.

"Look at me, Hayes."

When I did, it felt like the only thing surging through my veins was adrenalin and poison. And my gaze was as venomous as the venom in my blood as it met his.

Though, my already heavy breath hitched at what he was holding between his fingertips; a little vial, smaller than my own with a clear substance shimmering inside of it.

He followed my gaze, and once more, a victorious smile graced his sharp features. He huffed before he said, "Oh, this?" amusement in his voice. "Just the antidote."

My eyes narrowed, though before I could act on anything he had said, a loud cough rattled through my chest as I heaved for air.

Holding his hand out to me, vial still in it, I eyed the apparent antidote carefully. I didn't think I had any more to lose— something about feeling poison slowly — yet dangerously fast — damage every single organ in my body made me somewhat careless as to what else I poured down my throat.

It couldn't get much worse.

As my eyes met his in yet another glare, he gave me a slick but threatening smile. "Listen to me carefully," He then said, demeanour entirely serious again. There was an edge to his voice, and as he went on with his words, I struggled to stand up straight; struggled to breathe.

Malfoy took a deep breath. "Don't ever try that again, Hayes."

There wasn't a moment of hesitation as he held the vial out to me, and I reached for it in a matter of seconds. Though, as he pulled his hand — and the vial with it — away, my eyes landed on his again in something that could've almost been desperation.

"Tell me," He demanded, his voice husky as he stepped closer to me, his hands clutched behind his back. At my somewhat questioning look, he clarified his words. "Tell me you'll never try it again."

In literally any other situation, I would've loudly protested at his demand; walked away with my middle finger high up in the air. Though, now, when I could barely stand up, never mind take a proper breath, I couldn't care less about his power play.

"Go on," He urged. "Be a good girl and tell me."

With a choked groan — a sound ridden by pain and struggle — I nodded. "I won't," I forced out through gritted teeth. "I won't. Now give—"

I cut myself off as he held the vial out between the two of us, and it took less than a second for me to grab the antidote; The few drops of clear liquid all it took for the air to flow back into my lungs and the pain in my abdomen to calm.

My breath was still heavy; my eyes pointed at the ceiling as I took a deep breath; empty vial breaking on the floor as I let it slip out of my hand.

"Look at you." His voice broke the heavy silence lying in the room.

It made my head snap in his direction, glare still in my eyes as I took him in carefully. He wore a self-satisfied smirk on his lips; black suit like he always did, while its sleeves were pushed up slightly.

"You could've died, Hayes," He continued in a mock. "Is that what you wanted?"

"Well, originally, that was supposed to be you."

He hummed in amusement, eyes fixated on me mere inches away from him.

"That didn't quite work out, did it?" He challenged, head tilting as he took me in, eyes on my lips. "Either way, I must admit—" His eyes flew down to the broken vial by our feet for a split second before his hand found itself by my chin, cupping in just like he had earlier.

Again, he was close enough for his breath to fan against my cheek, and the familiar minty scent had mixed with one of nettle wine.

I swallowed thickly, and my eyes darted down to my own lips as his thumb dragged across them, swiping across my bottom lip to get rid of a single droplet of the antidote still lingering on top of it.

My eyes batted open to meet his, a smirk on his lips when his finger dipped into my mouth.

And almost as if it was instinct, I closed my lips around it; closed my eyes only for a second — maybe two — as my tongue swirled around him.

My eyes open again, I couldn't help the content, muffled hum escape my lips as I  licked the pad of his thumb— carefully observing the way he caught himself from closing his own eyes; enjoying the way he couldn't keep them off of his finger in between my lips.

His breath caught in the back of his throat, and his eyes snapped back up to mine as a smirk grew on his lips. "I always knew you'd be a good girl for me," He muttered, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek victoriously.

His words reeled me back into reality, a scowl immediately finding its way to my face as I cocked my head away from him, his hand falling back to his side as a low chuckle escaped his lips.

"Oh?" Malfoy muttered, the sound making me turn my head back to him. He leaned closer towards me, levelling our eyes as our noses almost touched. "Change my mind, then."

I would.

And I could tell, despite his rather provoking comment, he didn't expect to feel my lips against his only a moment later.

He seemed startled, taken aback for the second it took him to reciprocate the kiss. And it would've been a waste if I didn't use that mere second I had to my advantage— our lips not disconnecting as I harshly pushed him backwards, an attempt to lead him through the row of beds towards my own at the end of it.

Though, the victorious grin against his lips faded as soon as I felt his hand around my throat, Malfoy turning us so that it was he, who pushed me towards it, instead.

His thumb dug into the side of my neck, air scarce again, similarly to how the poison had affected me mere minutes ago. My face fell, eyes wide as he looked down on me, carefully watching my reaction as his eyes flickered back and forth between my eyes and lips.

The latter parted, desperate to take a deep breath as I felt his fanning against them. I didn't think it was fair; his heavy breathing against me making my skin tingle while I couldn't even inhale.

And just as I was about to, he overcame the short distance between my lips and his once more, moving them against mine harshly and knocking the rest of the air in my lungs out of them.

Struggling for breath, I still didn't feel like breaking us apart— thought maybe a temporary death was worth the heavenly feeling of it;

Decided it wasn't, and bit his bottom lip harshly.

A sharp, muffled hiss escaped his lips as he moved back, and I gasped for air, taking a deep breath; The fresh air invading my lungs tingling slightly.

His grip around my neck loosened immediately, hand moving towards his own lips, thumb dragging across it only to withdraw it with traces of blood on it. And he took his time examining his finger, pupils blown wide as he watched a drop of crimson slowly roll down his skin.

My breath was still heavy, and I was watching him as carefully as he did that finger of his; admittingly so, somewhat eagerly awaiting his next move in anticipation.

With a huff, his lips curled upwards into a smirk, grey eyes batting open and almost knocking the air out of my lungs a second time as his finger casually found its way between his lips;

Sucking it clean before placing his thumb and index finger under my chin, tilting my head sideways. I could feel his lips by my ear, his uneven breathing tickling my skin and making a trail of goosebumps form down my neck.

"Was that all?" He whispered, his voice nothing more than a low rasp in my ear before his fingers cupped my face, digging into my cheeks as they turned my head back towards him.

He kissed me once more, harsher this time; more longingly. And it tasted metallic, iron-y.

Strangely so, I enjoyed it.

Malfoy leaned back slightly, smirking devilishly as his tongue rolled on the inside of his cheek. "Because I'm not done with you yet," He stated and dropped the harsh hold of my chin.

My cheeks feverishly blushed, and my breaths hitched in the back of my throat as his gaze fell downwards, studying my body intensely.

"What if I am done with you?" I shot back, narrowing my eyes in his as he once again caught them.

Draco's intrigued exhale fanned against my lips as he leaned close again, nearly too close for comfort yet not close enough.

It feels like a tidal wave—  I, myself, so near to being dragged with it, still, fighting so hard to stay on solid ground.

"Yeah, what about it?" He breathed, and without falter, his lips collided with mine again, groaning something inaudible into my mouth before his hands landed on my waist, dragging me the last longing inches closer.

"What about it?" I whispered into his parted lips, feeling as our tongues battled one another.

He stayed quiet, letting his kisses do the work before he ripped away and focused on my neck instead. Leaving sloppy pecks down my tender skin.

A/N: I think you know where this about to go. hehe

How are we guys feeling? Ready? I'm not.

I hope you enjoyed this!!!

See you. <3