The Half-Blood Princess- d.m

XII*

hey y'all, what's good? anyways, i try to get chapters out since I've been updating but hey, whatever

TW: mentions of violence and smoking

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Serena's pov:

"What the hell is going on?" Pansy muttered beside me as we both stared around the smoke-filled common room. It was like something out of a nightmare. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and sulfur, the same chaos as when the Madman was on the loose. I could feel my heart racing as I scanned the room, my eyes burning from the acrid smell. It was as if the very walls were closing in on us, suffocating us with fear.

I walked out of our smoke-filled common room to see empty, eerily silent hallways. Was it only the Slytherin common room that had been smoky? I left to get outside, desperate for some fresh air, but as I stepped out into the cool night air, my eyes scanned the grounds, searching for any sign of what was happening. But instead of finding relief, I spotted a familiar face - Draco Malfoy, standing frozen in the darkness, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.

His face was the same as the day I ran into him at Kings Cross, his piercing eyes gleaming with a sinister intent.

"What's got you out here, Snape?" Draco ran his fingers through his hair.

"Common room is all smoky; figured I would catch my breath out here. How about you, Malfoy?" I mentioned his last name as he did mine.

"Oh, just the usual Death Eater shit," he said.

He knew that I knew because our fathers were close due to this cult. I'd seen him at the most recent meeting, much like the one the Dark Lord had summoned me to previously.

We sat in an awkward silence for the next few minutes, occasionally exchanging glances. He eventually cleared his throat, prompting me to turn and meet his gaze.

"So about this ball, if we're going together," he cleared his throat, "what color is your dress so we can... match," he said, as if the idea had just occurred to him. His attempt to change the topic was evident in his tone.

chuckled, "It's black, but we don't have to match if you want. I'm sure anything you wear would look good," I said, blushing at the thought of whatever his outfit might be.

"Oh, thank Merlin's beard. I don't think I look as ravishing in black as I do in my signature emerald, but it'll do" he said, winking at me. His relief at sticking with black was evident.

I admired him at his finest. He didn't always put up this front, but he chose not to show it to anyone else. He wasn't vulnerable, yet he exuded comfort. My gut feeling urged me to lean on his shoulder, but he would not seem receptive to that. Eventually, I yawned and got up.

"Rena? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Draco," I said, mid-yawn.

"You ever just want to go out to eat or whatever, just you and I? It's cool if you don't," he said, looking down at the ground, his tone casual and nonchalant.

"I'd love to, Malfoy," I replied, getting up and purposefully ruffling his hair before heading back inside the dormitory.

I trudged my way back to the common room, only to be stopped by Filch. He had warning tape in front of our door.

"Miss, ye're not to set foot into this Slytherin common room, or else ye'll be in for a whirlwind of the ol' punishments," he cackled.

"Well, where are the other students then?"

"I believe they're in the Great Hall, but don't count on me," he said, walking away and whistling as he held Mrs. Norris.

I entered the Great Hall to find it filled with either green clothes or pajamas. Yes, Filch was right for once. Spotting my friend group, I noticed Dumbledore standing at his podium immediately.