Draco Malfoy and the Girl from Mahoutokoro (Book 1, Year 4)

8 The Goblet of Fire

8

The Goblet of Fire

Mizuki had had Arithmancy with Draco again later that week, but they were so busy working on numerical assignments and readings that they didn't have much time to talk since the night he had found her talking to Krum in the library. Mizuki spent her entire weekend either in the library or the Ravenclaw common room working on homework and studying. It was hard for her to focus, so she often went for walks around the school, finding new places that she had never seen before, but she always found herself circling back to the seventh-floor corridor. She sat down on the stone step, her forearms resting on her knees as she looked out the window.

The weather had warmed up considerably from the first day she had arrived, but it was still too cool for her to study outside. However, she did enjoy walking around the grounds after dinner, her new ritual.

Mizuki had been unconsciously avoiding him all weekend, but her guilt eventually took over, leading her right back to the seventh floor, hoping that he would show up. He never did. Not that she blamed him. Pansy was probably keeping him busy since she was most likely his girlfriend.

Mizuki sighed, looking down at her hands. She didn't even know why she cared or why she felt guilty. It wasn't as if they were dating, and he had caught her cheating on him. Yet, whenever she recalled the look on his face when he saw her with Krum, she couldn't help but feel guilty. It was as if she had done something wrong, but she didn't even know what. There were plenty of nice people at Hogwarts and within her own house—like Padma, Cho, Luna, and Anthony, but for some reason, she just wanted to spend more time with Draco. She wanted to get to know him.

Sighing yet again, she got up and decided to walk the grounds. She shoved her hands in her pockets as she went out, circling around the courtyard and admiring the fountain. The sun was hidden behind grey clouds, and the sky was steadily growing darker, the wind cold against her skin. She sat along the edge of the fountain, watching the water trickle from the top into the pool at the bottom, engrossed in her thoughts. There were other students about, chatting and enjoying some fresh air. Harry and his friends were passing through the covered pathway near the fountain as Draco, Pansy, and his friends came out.

"Oh, Merlin, she's here," Pansy said snidely, rolling her eyes. They were walking right to her. Harry spotted them and stopped walking, nudging Ron, and Hermione.

"Saito!" Draco called, lifting his chin up. "Still haven't got any friends?" The moment the words were out of his mouth, he regretted it, but he kept the arrogance in his demeanor so no one else would see it.

Mizuki looked up when she heard his voice, realizing what he had just said. She looked down. She had never had friends before, always ostracized because of her lavender eyes. She should be used to it, but somehow coming from him cut her deeper than any other insult, and when she looked back up at him, he could see how he had wounded her. He couldn't help but stand there feeling like someone had just ripped out his insides.

Merlin, Draco! Why did you have to say that to her?

Because she's better off without you. Because you don't deserve her. Because you're poison.

Pansy and Draco's cronies laughed. Mizuki stood up to her full height—even though everyone in front of her was taller than her short five-foot frame—just as Harry and his friends came to help. She looked up at Draco, her legs trembling.

"I'd rather have no friends than ones who pretend to like me because of who I am. Do they know your deepest and darkest desires?" Mizuki pointed right at his chest, feeling anger bubbling inside of her. "You are constantly surrounded by people yet don't you feel so utterly alone?" She lowered her voice slightly, "Because that's how I've always felt. Being alone is much better than trying to be someone you're not." And despite standing up to him and his friends, Mizuki's entire body was trembling with fear.