Emerald - Draco Malfoy

11

After I finished my classes for the day, I went to my room. 
I sat there for a few hours as I studied.
 
Draco's owl appeared at my window.

Library, last row, left hand side.  Now. - Mr Malfoy
 
I took a deep breath, as I slipped the note in the drawer.  
I put my shoes on, and began walking there.  

As I entered the library, I passed Cedrick.  He was a new student that this year, a brilliant wizard he is.   He stopped in his place, and turned around. 
Cedrick began walking toward me.  

"Courtney, is it?" He asked me. 

"Yes, hi." I said softly as I gave him a weak smile.  

"Hi, you're friend Ms. Hermione thanked me the other day for letting you use my jacket, and shoes after the dance.  I played along with it of course, but next time.... tell me before hand." Cedrick laughed as he put his hands on his hips. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pull you into a mess.   Your name was just the first one that popped into my head." I laughed nervously. 

"That's alright." Cedrick gave me a reassuring smile, "Well since I'm roped into it, can you tell me what it's about?"  

I swallowed hard and nervously bit my nails. 
Could I trust him?

I thought foe a moment before I spoke.   I didn't really know Cedrick, he was still pretty new. 

But who would he tell?

"Yeah, I gotta go... um... look for something quick.   Wait for me? I'll only be a few minutes?" I asked him.  

"Sure." He said simply. 

I quickly walked to the back of the library, to where Draco told me to meet him.  

His eyes scanned the shelf. 
I stood next to him, and pulled a book off the shelf.   I opened it to play it cool. 

"Glad you're not a ferret anymore." I chuckled. 

Draco shot me a glare. 
He clenched his jaw as he scanned my body up and down. 

"Frankly, I didn't find that very funny.   I didn't like that you laughed at me." Draco, said with a stone face.   He sounded a little angry.  

"Lighten up a little, it was pretty funny." I giggled, as I flipped through the pages of the book.   I nudged Draco softly with my elbow as I smiled. 

Draco huffed, and shook his head.  

"Is that what you really made me walk all the way down here for?" I looked up at him.  

Draco cracked a little smile. 
He took the book from my hand, and closed it loudly, before putting it back onto the shelf. 

"Slytherin party tonight, you coming?" Draco leaned his shoulder against the bookshelf.
The famous, night before Christmas break, Slytherin party. They have one every year.  

"Didn't know I was invited." I crossed my arms. 

Draco rolled his eyes at me. 

"Just show up, for a few minutes at least."

"It would look weird if I showed up to a Slytherin party alone."

"Bring a friend.  Figure it out, just be there. " Draco smiled, and rested his head against the wood shelving of book shelf. 

"Fine," I groaned, "I've gotta get going, I'll see you later."

"Wear something nice." Draco said as I walked away.  

Cedrick was waiting for me at one of the library tables. 
He stood up, and followed me out of the library. 

"So, what's up?" He asked me as we walked.  

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" I asked him as I scanned the hallway for any listeners. 

"Promise, I won't tell a soul." Cedrick smiled. 

"It was Malfoy's." I said much quieter.

"OK, Why does that matter? Why did you tell your friends that it was mine?" He whispered too me. 

"It's another situation.  Long story short, his friends and my friends don't get along." I chuckled.  

"I see," Cedrick smiled, "so you two are like... dating?"

"No, just more like friends....ish.   behind closed doors, I guess." I didn't really know how to answer that.   We weren't dating.  We're we friends?

"Oh, alright. Strange, but cool." He laughed. 

"Hey," I said and stopped in my tracks, "you wanna go to a party with me tonight?"

"Sure, I've got nothing better to do."

"Perfect, I'll meet you at the Slytherin hall at sun down.   Dress nice."

Cedrick extended his hand. 
"All right, it was great talking to you, Courtney.

I took his hand and gave it a firm shake. 

"Same to you Cedrick."

We both walked our separate ways.  

...

As the sun began to set, I got ready for the party.  
I did my makeup, and gave myself a dark smokey eye with some bright red lipstick. 
I put on a little black dress, and had Hermione straighten my hair.  

"Have fun, but not too much fun. " Hermione said, as she finished doing my hair.  

She didn't like to go to parties.  

I've invited her to accompany me at many, she always declined.   She would rather stay home, and read.   She didn't want to get in trouble anyway.  

"I will, I'm going with Cedrick.  He invited me." I smiled.  

"Is he the messenger?" Hermione asked me as she raised an eyebrow. 

"No, hes just a good friend.   He's really nice." I replied. 

"OK, Well if you get back late, be quiet.   Remember, I'm leaving early in the morning. " She said. 
She was leaving for break to visit her family, she does every year.  I stay at the school.  
My family doesn't care to have me around more than I have to be.   

I'm the only one with magic.  

Ever since they found out I had powers, they really don't care to have me around.  

I'm a mudblood like Hermione.  

"I'm always quiet," I stood up and gave her a hug, "I'll see you later."

She hugged me back.  

I waved to her as I left, and made my way too the Slytherin hall. 

Cedrick stood at the bottom of the Slytherin stairs, waiting for me. 

He was wearing a dark blue button up, with some black pants.  

"You look lovely." He smiled, as he extended his elbow to me. 

"So do you." I smiled back, as I linked arms with him.  
We both walked up the stairs, and there stood Crabbe. 

He was playing bouncer. 

"What do you think you're doing here?" Crabbe spat at me. 

"I could ask you the same thing." I laughed at him.   

"She's with me." Cedrick told Crabbe. 

"You can go in, but she can't." Crabbe snarled at us.  

Draco opened the door wide, and held it open as he peaked his head out.

"If she's with him, she can come in.   I told him he could bring who ever he wanted, so pipe down." Draco hissed at Crabbe.  

Draco motioned for us to come in. 

I smiled at Draco, as Cedrick and I entered the Slytherin party.