Of Finches & Firsts

Just As Requested

Authors Note: A big thank you for the comments & for adding this story to your lists. It's inspired me big time to keep writing and so I've been able to update this like every other day or so. Hope u enjoy this chapter ♡

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After they arrived back to Hogwarts, Ellie went directly to the Hufflepuff common room, deciding that sipping on hot coca while sitting on the couch in front of the fire place (Mauve's suggestion) sounded like the best way to spend the rest of the night.

The two girl's giggled and chatted mindlessly, Mauve determined to cheer her best friend right up. And although Ellie was still upset over what happened with Draco and his friends, she was genuinely still able to enjoy herself,  coming to terms with the fact that there was nothing to go from there. She hung out with him outside of casual run ins and it didn't work out. Now she can just go back to her normal every day life, interacting with Draco once a year.

Just as Mauve began another round of guess-who-did-what-and-where, a first year Hufflepuff student approached them both on the couch.

"Eleanora Finch?" asked the short, blonde boy.

Ellie and Mauve both exchange confused looks with each other. "Umm...yes, that's me," Ellie replied.

The boy shifted so he was mostly facing Ellie this time as he said "Draco Malfoy has requested you to meet him outside in the courtyard. He's waiting for you there right now."

Ellie's eyes go wide at this while Mauve frowns deeply.

"Oh hell no. Malfoy? Listen, you can tell that pathetic white haired rat that there's no way she's going to-"

Before she can finish her aggressive retort, Ellie interrupts her by gripping her shoulder.

"Mauve. Please."

The dark haired girl directs her expression to Ellie, frown seemingly becoming impossibly deeper. "El, you better not be actually thinking about going to meet him now, are you? After what he pulled today and made you go through? Are you insane?"

"Aren't you even a little bit curious about what he wants? Besides, it wasn't even him being a jerk. It was his friends..."

At this, Mauve immediately sits up. "Eleanora Finch, you are more than aware that the people you choose to surround yourself with are a very good implication of who you are as a person. Don't give me that crap. You yourself even said that he was making you extremely uncomfortable. I mean, pressuring you to drink Fire Whiskey?!  Have some self respect girl!"she nearly shouts and the room becomes quiet as everyone turns their attention to the pair.

The first year Hufflepuff boy watches them, clearly uncomfortable and even a tad bit scared.  Ellie looks around the room at the nosy eyes looking their way and swallows.

"Mauve, please...all I'm going to do is talk to him. I'm not going to kiss his feet or buy him a broomstick," she starts, but Mauve immediately interrupts.

"You might as well," she snaps back bitterly.

Ellie flinches at her tone.

She thinks it over for a moment before setting her mug of hot chocolate down on the ground. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to go talk to him. Please don't hate me," she says, getting up from the couch, purposefully avoiding eye contact.

She thanks the first year and grabs her boots, slipping them on and making her way towards the door of the common room. She takes one last look back at Mauve, who is sulking on the couch with her arms crossed, eyes on the crackling fire.

Even before she gets to Draco, she's aware that she's made the wrong choice.

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