twenty : COMING OF AGE

chapter xx : coming of age

"so, I need some advice... about sex."

THE COLD HAD FINALLY SETTLED INTO THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS, a crisp chill had replaced the last lingering warmth of summer. The castle grounds were a riot of red and gold, the ancient trees shedding their leaves in a beautiful, melancholy dance. The cold in the air seemed to mirror a certain gloom that had settled over Harry James Potter. He was distant and withdrawn, barely speaking to anyone, even Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Valerie Raven Potter had seen him sitting alone at breakfast, pushing food around his plate, and she felt a pang of sisterly concern. Her own anxieties about the visions finally at bay, she felt a strong pull to help her twin brother.

It was weeks ago, in Transfiguration class, that Valerie had caught sight of Harry's hand: she saw angry, red letter carved into the back of it. He had pulled away quickly from her worried grip. Harry had confessed, his voice low with shame and fury, that it was a punishment from Umbridge. Valerie had gasped, the pieces of her previous vision clicking into place. She hadn't been seeing a random person's pain: she had been feeling her brother's.

This new, painful knowledge had been a heavy burden on Valerie, and it was a large part of why she felt she had to reach out to him now.She came up to him after leaving the Great Hall, "Hey! I'm heading to the Busy Bean Cafe for some hot chocolate. Wanna come?"

Harry looked up, his green eyes tired and distant. "I don't know, Val. I'm not really in the mood."

            "I know," She said with a gentle smile. "That's exactly why you need to come."

An hour later, they were walking through the cobbled streets of Hogsmeade. The village was bustling with students, but the cold kept most of them moving quickly. The Busy Bean cafe, however, was an oasis of warmth and comfort. They stepped inside, and a wave of cozy heat washed over them, carrying with it the scents of cinnamon, roasted coffee beans, and melted chocolate.

Wooden tables and chairs were scattered about, and a fireplace in the corner crackled merrily, surrounded by plush armchairs. The twins found a small, secluded table tucked away in a corner. The windows were slightly fogged from the warmth inside, blurring the cold world outside. A friendly waitress with a perpetually cheerful smile took their orders for two large hot chocolates with extra whipped cream.

As they waited, a comfortable silence settled between them.

The cafe was filled with the low hum of conversation, the clinking of spoons against mugs, and the quiet hiss of the espresso machine. It was a perfect, peaceful atmosphere, and Valerie could see the tension in Harry's shoulders begin to relax.

When their mugs arrived, topped with a generous swirl of cream, Harry took a long, fortifying sip. "Thanks, Val," He said, the warmth seeping into his hands and his expression softening.

"Of course," She replied, smiling over the rim of her own mug. "So, what's been going on? You've been quiet."

Harry sighed, setting his mug down. "I don't know," He admitted, his voice low. "I've just been so angry all the time. Angry at Umbridge, angry at the Ministry, angry at... at everything. And I've been isolating myself. I don't know why. It feels like I'm a ticking time bomb."

Valerie listened patiently, her expression full of empathy. "Harry, listen to me," She leaned forward. "Voldemort wants you alone. He wants you to be a ticking time bomb. The anger, the isolation... that's exactly what he's feeding on. Your biggest weapon isn't your wand or your temper. It's your heart. It's the people around you."

She paused, letting the words sink in. "He doesn't understand love, or friendship. He can't. He sees you as a threat because of your power, but he'll never see you as a threat because of your friends. Don't let him push you away from them. Stay close to them. That's your real defense. That's what makes you stronger than he could ever be."

Harry was quiet for a long moment, stirring the whipped cream into his hot chocolate. He looked at her, and the gray fog that had clouded his eyes seemed to clear a little. "You're right," His voice barely a whisper. "I never thought of it like that." The advice seemed to resonate with him, a quiet, powerful truth that finally made sense of his chaotic emotions.

He took another sip of his hot chocolate, the warmth now feeling like a real comfort. "How are you, anyway?" He asked. "How have your visions been?"

Valerie took a slow sip of her own drink. "Well," She began, a small, thoughtful smile on her lips. "I haven't had one since the day we found that small treasure chest at the Black Lake." The past few weeks, she, Draco, Hermione, and a few others had tried every spell they could think of to open the chest, but nothing had worked. It remained a stubborn, locked mystery.

"I actually think I know why I haven't had a vision," She  said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Draco and I... well, he's been sleeping in my dorm since that night. Or I've been in his."

Valerie took a casual sip of her hot chocolate, completely oblivious to the sudden, horrified gears turning in her twin's mind.

Harry froze, his mug halfway to his lips.

His entire brain seemed to short-circuit, and a series of frantic, panicked questions fired off in his head.

They what?

Since that night?

Sleeping together?

Does that mean... ?!

Oh, Merlin's beard.

He's a boy.

I'm a boy.

I KNOW WHAT BOYS AND GIRLS DO!

No, he wouldn't ....

Not Draco and Valerie ...

BUT THEY'RE IN LOVE!

OH, THIS IS THE WORST!

The sudden, awkward silence stretched between them.

"—So, um..." Harry stammered, his face turning a deep shade of crimson. He leaned in, his voice barely a squeak. "So, have you... have you two done it yet?"

Valerie almost choked on her hot chocolate. She sputtered, coughing and wiping away a bit of whipped cream from her lip, her eyes wide with shock. "HARRY!" She whisper-shouted, her cheeks flushing a brilliant red. "Why on earth would you ask me something like that!!"

Harry shrunk back in his chair, mortified. "I don't know! It's just... I'm a boy. I have male friends. I'm aware of... you know... how the whole thing happens." He gestured vaguely with his hands, his ears now a fiery shade of pink.

Valerie shook her head, unable to contain a laugh. "Oh, my god, Harry! No! We haven't! I'm still a virgin, okay?" She reassured him, still giggling. "And that's not why I'm not having visions!"

Harry slumped back in his chair, a look of profound relief and awkward satisfaction on his face.

He had no idea why he had asked, but now that he knew, he felt a strange sense of contentment.

"Anyway," Valerie continued, trying to regain her composure, "I think it's just the comfort of not being alone. The visions only seem to happen when I'm isolated and vulnerable, it seems. He's just... he's been my anchor."

The conversation shifted then, moving to safer territory. Harry, now feeling much better and more focused, began to complain about Umbridge's useless Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons. "We're learning nothing. Ron and Hermione and I have been trying to find a place to hold our own lessons. Somewhere no one will find us."

"That's smart," Valerie said, nodding in approval.

As their hot chocolates grew cold, the two of them sat in the warm corner of the cafe, talking and laughing, their bond strengthened once again. The gray, lonely cloud that had been hanging over Harry had finally lifted, and Valerie felt a profound sense of peace. For the first time in a long time, everything felt like it was going to be alright.

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊

WITH SHAFTS OF LIGHT FROM THE GREAT LAKE OUTSIDE, casting an eerie glow to the Slytherin common rom. A fire crackled in the massive hearth, its warmth a welcome contrast to the damp chill that always seemed to seep through the stone walls.

Lost in her own world on a plush leather emerald green sofa, Valerie's tongue was just visible between her lips, a sure sign of deep concentration. Her silver pencil danced across the page of her drawing journal, its tip a flash of light as she carefully outlined the sinuous curves of a snake. The creature's scales seemed to almost shimmer into existence under her hand, its sharp fangs a promise of danger.

She was oblivious to the world, to the low murmur of students studying by the fire, and to Eric Lewis, who sat opposite her, idly scrolling through his phone. He glanced up, ready to crack some joke about her artistic trance, when he noticed something strange.

A tiny bead of water, impossibly, dripped from the tip of her pencil and fell onto the page, spreading a wet stain across the snake's eye. As if on cue, Valerie began to hum a soft, haunting melody. It wasn't loud, but it was clear, a tune that seemed to wind its way through the room, just like the creature she was drawing.

Eric leaned forward, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Val, are you... crying on your drawing?" He asked, his voice laced with a gentle teasing. "And what's that tune you're humming? It's kind of... creepy."

Valerie jumped, her concentration broken. She looked down at the page, her eyes widening as she saw the dark, damp patch. She hadn't even noticed. "What? Crying? No," She touched the spot with her finger. It was cold. "And I wasn't humming anything."

          "Yes, you were," Eric insisted, "A little lullaby for your pet serpent."

She shook her head, trying to dismiss the strange feeling.

The melody felt strangely familiar, like something she'd heard long ago, in a dream perhaps.

But she couldn't place it. "It must've just been a song stuck in my head," She mumbled, closing her journal. "Don't be weird."

Eric just watched her, his expression a mix of concern and confusion.

His phone then buzzed with an incoming notification.

Valerie glanced over and saw him pause on a picture of a handsome wizard with dark, short hair and a confident smile.

Jean-Paul, the caption read.

A well-known wizard model from Paris, his picture had been liked by countless of people.

Valerie smiled, leaning in to get a better look. "You should hit him up, E. Send him a message."

Eric's cheerful demeanour instantly vanished. He quickly scrolled past the picture, a somber expression replacing his usual vibrant grin. "No," He said, his voice flat.

Valerie's eyebrows knit in concern. "Why not? You're a catch, Eric! He'd be lucky to get a message from you."

He shook his head, his gaze fixed on his phone, though he wasn't looking at anything in particular. He looked lost, his usual playful energy completely gone. "There's no point, Val," He replied softly. "People like me don't get a forever."

Valerie was stunned into silence. The words were a heavy, heartbreaking contrast to the playful, carefree person she knew so well. She reached out and touched his arm, her concern deepening. He wasn't talking about being rejected by a cute guy on Instagram. He was talking about something much bigger, and much sadder.

She gave him a comforting side hug, squeezing him gently as she rested her head on his shoulder. "That's not true, E." murmured softly. "You deserve a forever as much as anyone." He just sighed, leaning into her, and the two of them sat in a peaceful, quiet moment.

Suddenly, a voice boomed from behind them. "BOO!"

Valerie and Eric both jumped, startling out of their reverie. Valerie let out a small shriek, her hand flying to her chest. Eric laughed, his mood brightening instantly.

"Draco!" Valerie whisper-shouted, smacking his arm playfully. "Not funny, babe!" But a giggle escaped her lips.

He leaned down and kissed the side of her head, his lips tasting faintly of spearmint and sweat. He was in full Slytherin Quidditch gear, his sweaty, toned figure radiating warmth. His usually perfectly styled blonde hair was damp and tousled, and a few beads of sweat traced a path down his neck, glistening against his skin. His emerald green uniform to his muscular frame, a testament to a hard training session. Valerie's breath hitched in her throat as she took in his gorgeous form, a familiar, intoxicating heat coursing through her.

Far behind him, Blaise Zabini, Miranda Lim, and Theodore Nott also entered the common room, all wearing matching Slytherin Quidditch gear. Miranda was in a deep conversation with the boys, her voice buzzing with excitement. "I'm telling you, I was a blur! I had at least three goals in the last ten minutes of the practice game. The way I handled that Bludger..."

         "—You did alright, Lim," Blaise said with a playful smirk, "But I was the one who scored the winning point. I'm telling you, it was all my masterful strategy."

"I think you'll find it was me who won that game, Zabini," Theo chimed in with a grin.

Draco rolled his eyes at their friendly banter. "Alright, I'm going to go get a shower first," He said, turning back to Valerie. "I'll be right back." He shot her a smile, a flash of pure affection in his grey eyes, and then walked away, disappearing into the dormitory halls.

Valerie's smile was so wide it hurt. She stared after his retreating figure, her eyes following the fluid lines of his back and shoulders, the way his muscles moved beneath the sweaty fabric of his shirt.

Eric nudged her with his elbow, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You're drooling," He teased.

Valerie's face turned a brilliant shade of red, and she buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "Shut up!"

She looked up and saw Millicent Bulstrode sitting alone at a nearby table.

Millicent was hunched over, her blonde hair with her new blue highlights falling over her face as she concentrated. She wore her glasses, which she only ever put on when she needed to focus on something delicate, and a small silver nose ring glinted in the firelight. Her edgy style, all black and silver, was a stark contrast to the colorful tapestry of the common room. She was carefully sewing a tear in her black skirt.

Valerie excused herself from Eric, whose attention had now returned to his phone. "I'll be right back," She said, before heading over to Millicent's table. "Hey, Millie."

She didn't leave her focus away from the intricate stitching, but recognised who the voice belonged to. "Hey, V. What's up?"

Valerie pulled a chair close and sat down, leaning her elbows on the table. She felt a familiar shy warmth creep up her neck. This was a subject she couldn't just casually bring up. "Um... so, I need some advice... about sex." She started, her voice barely a whisper.

This finally made Millicent look up. She put her skirt and sewing kit down on the desk, a slow, wide smile spreading across her face. She leaned in, resting her chin on her hands, her blue highlights catching the light. "Oooh, is someone horny?" She teased.

Valerie blushed a brilliant red, burying her face in her hands again. "No! Not like that! I'm just... I'm a little clueless, and I was hoping you could give me some advice." She peeked up at her through her fingers.

Millicent's playful smile softened into one of genuine kindness. "Hey, it's alright. It's a big deal. What do you want to know?"

Valerie took a deep breath. "I just... I want to be safe, you know? And educated. I don't want to just rely on what Draco says, even though I trust him completely. I haven't even talked to him about it yet."

Millicent nodded, her expression all sympathy and understanding. "That's smart, Val. The smartest thing you can do is talk about it openly, and be in control of your own body." She made the entire conversation feel educational and supportive. When she was done, she reached into her black purse and pulled out a box, placing it on the table between them.

"Here," She said simply. "It's protection, for when you're ready. Better to be safe than sorry."

Valerie looked at the box of condoms, a wave of profound relief washing over her. She picked it up, her cheeks still red but her heart feeling infinitely lighter. "Thank you, Millie," Her voice filled with gratitude. "This... this means a lot."

Millicent smiled. "Anytime, darling."

The Girl Who Lived knocked lightly on the door to Draco Malfoy's prefect dorm, her heart thumping a nervous rhythm against her ribs. She was wearing a light pink sweater that was soft and oversized, paired with her favourite black leggings. Her small, matching light pink purse was clutched in her hand, the box of condoms given to her by Millicent Bulstrode a secret, weighty presence inside.

"Come in!" His voice called out.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside, a faint smile touching her lips. His dorm was a perfect reflection of him: tidy, masculine, and sleek. The walls were a deep forest green, and the furniture was dark, rich wood. A silver Slytherin banner hung over his bed, and books were neatly stacked on a small nightstand. It was a stark contrast to her own dorm, which was full of plush fabrics and light pinks, but a comforting sense of him filled the space.

Draco stood by his dresser, in the process of putting white socks on. He was already wearing his deep green Slytherin hoodie and grey sweatpants. His back, shoulders, and arms were a beautiful display of muscle, a testament to his hours on the Quidditch pitch. He looked impossibly gorgeous, and her attraction to him was a sudden, overwhelming wave.

He turned and saw her, a wide, genuine smile spreading across his face. "Hey, love." He walked over to his bed and sat down, patting the spot next to him. "Come here."

Valerie's knees felt weak.

She returned the smile and set her purse down on the floor, before curling up next to him. Valerie rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, and she breathed in his scent: fresh from the shower, with a faint, underlying smell of expensive cologne.

She moved her hand up to his face, planting a soft kiss on his cheek, then his jawline, then his mouth. He responded with a soft, affectionate smile, and then pulled away slightly. "We should do a movie night," He murmured, his voice a low rumble in her ear. "I'm shattered from practice."

"Yes," Valerie said, her voice a little breathless. "I have a good one." She grabbed his remote and turned on the magical projector, choosing one of her favourite movies. The wall shimmered to life with the opening scene of The Hunger Games, and the room was plunged into a comfortable, dim light. The glow from the screen cast dancing shadows across their faces as they settled in to watch, Valerie's mind racing.

She knew she had to talk to him.

This was the moment.

She took a deep breath. "Babe?"

"Yeah?" He asked, his eyes on the movie.

"Are you... are you planning to wait for marriage?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

He turned his head to look at her, a puzzled expression on his face. "Wait for marriage for what?"

Valerie's face flushed a brilliant red, and she hid her face in his shoulder. "For... you know," She mumbled. "Sex."

Draco's face turned pink.

He blinked a few times, his gaze shifting away from her.

Thank Merlin the room was dark.

This was a subject he had never discussed with anyone, let alone his girlfriend. "Why are you asking?" He asked, his voice a little hoarse.

He was open to it, of course, but it was the first time they had ever talked about it.

His mind, now fully focused on the topic, began to wander.

He thought of her soft pink sweater, the way she was cuddled up against him, and a wave of heat went through him.

He felt a sudden, unmistakable hardness and his eyes widened in panic.

He grabbed a cushion and, with a quick, desperate movement, placed it on his lap.

Valerie, completely oblivious, was focused on her own embarrassment. "I don't know," She said, shrugging her shoulders. "I just... I'm a little nervous about it, and I wanted to know what you were thinking, too."

He squeezed her gently, still holding the cushion tight. "I'm thinking that... this is a good conversation to have." His voice was a little strained, but he managed a small smile. "And a very good question."

Valerie took a shaky breath, trying to be brave. "I guess... I guess I'm a little scared," She confessed, her voice barely audible. "Someone told me that... that it can be painful at first, you know? Plus, nothing has ever been up there... I'm scared to even use a tampon..."

Draco's expression softened completely.

He gently tilted her chin so she was looking at him, his grey eyes filled with a tenderness she rarely saw. "Hey, look at me," He said softly. "The only thing that matters is you. I would never do anything that you weren't a hundred percent ready for. And if it's painful, then we'll stop. Immediately. It's supposed to be about us, not... not about that." He paused, his gaze dropping for a moment before returning to hers. "And for what it's worth, I'm just as nervous as you are. It's a new experience for both of us."

Valerie felt a wave of relief wash over her. His honesty and his kindness were the perfect antidote to her fear. She felt herself relax into him. "So, about that question... waiting for marriage?" She asked again, her voice a little more steady this time.

Draco's smile was soft and genuine, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Valerie," His voice laced with affection. "I'm ready whenever you are. There's no timeline. No pressure. What matters is that we're both in this together, and we're both feeling safe and loved."

Valerie felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the fire in the hearth. "I'm ready too," She whispered, her voice still trembling with nervousness. Her eyes drifted from his to his lips, a silent admission of the desire that lay beneath her fear. "Just nervous."

He didn't say anything, but he leaned in and kissed her softly, a deep, gentle kiss that promised patience and a love that was stronger than any fear. She kissed him back, the world outside the dorm fading away until it was just the two of them, in the dim light of the movie, with a quiet, mutual understanding that had brought them closer than ever before.

˖ . ݁𝜗𝜚. ݁₊

three more chapters until part 2 finishes !!!

how did you all feel about this chapter?! please let me know ur thoughts 🤭🤭

Draco and Valerie have definitely stepped into a new level of their relationship in this chapter!

i really wanted to capture the genuine, sometimes awkward, and deeply vulnerable moments of a first serious relationship.

the conversations about intimacy, fear, and trust are things so many of us can relate to

i felt it was important to show that these feelings aren't always easy to talk about, even when you're deeply in love.

this chapter was also a crucial moment for the twins.

Harry's anger and isolation were finally confronted, and Valerie's perfect advice reminded him that his friends are his greatest strength.

it was a wonderful opportunity to show how their bond continues to be an anchor for them both.

thank you so much for reading along on this journey!

💋 *kiss kiss* 💋

new chapter comes out next weekend !!

i love you all sooooooo much

( authors personal notes ) published — 8:05am august 30th 2025current amount of reads — 61.5kword count — 4,062