Stuck with a Slytherin

5.1: "It'd be my pleasure."

You blinked your eyes open, adjusting to the light that was shining in the back corner of the room. Sitting up in your bed, you looked over to see Kylie hunched over a piece of paper, squinting in the candle light to read it.

"Oh..." you heard her whisper with a light gasp.

You were about to leave her alone to do her thing, when you heard a sudden grunt of frustration.

"Gosh, I hate her," she muttered.

You swung your feet off of your bed to go over to her, but she heard the motion and turned around. You could see the tear streaks down her face, and bags under her eyes.

"Kylie... are you okay?" You asked in a concerned tone.

She huffed, wiping her cheeks and glaring at you. "I'm fine. Leave me alone."

You furrowed your eyebrows, not believing her for a second, but decided against pressing her. Sighing, you laid back down onto your bed, thoughts clouding your mind before you could fall asleep again.

However, not even 10 minutes later, you woke up abruptly to someone's shrill scream. You got up and rushed over to Kylie, who stood in the middle of the dorm, letting out more screams, shaking, and staring into space.

You wrapped your arms around her, and as soon as she felt your contact, she collapsed, causing you to fall onto the floor with her. Her screams stopped, but she was letting quiet sobs against you as you comforted her.

You held onto her, hoping that she was okay, and wondering what caused all of this.

What was it this year with comforting crying people, like...?

After multiple minutes, her sobs stopped, and she seemed to have zoned out. But she came back to her senses after a few moments, and stood up.

"Why are you huddled on the floor? Go to bed, I'm fine." Her harsh words stung a little, but you got up anyways, and sat on your bed.

You were greeted fairly quickly with her light snores, and you tried to go to sleep as well, but any time you closed you eyes, Kylie's piercing screams rang through your ears in the deafening silence of the dorm.

You sat up again and sighed, deciding that if you were going to be awake, you could at least be useful. You stood up and stepped into the bathroom, throwing your hair into a quick messy bun, and splashing some cold water into your face.

You tiptoed over to the dorm's bookshelf, grabbing your Potions book (you're awful at Potions, so you thought you'd cram for the test in a few days) before heading quietly to the Commons.

As it was around 2:30 in the morning, you expected it to be empty in the Common Room, but a familiar blonde head was already there, hunched over a 'Defense Against the Dark Arts' worksheet.

You rolled your eyes, but decided there was no going back, since you knew you still wouldn't be able to sleep. You stepped within view of Malfoy, and he looked up at you, his gaze surprisingly lacking any hostility, but then flicked his eyes right back to his paper.

You gave him a curt nod in greeting. "Malfoy. Couldn't sleep?"

He gave a tired smile-Draco Malfoy never smiles-and responded. "Yeah, I guess. Figured I might as well study. Defense is my worst subject, and we have this worksheet due tomorr-I mean, today. I haven't done any of it."

You narrowed your eyes skeptically. Why was he acting like this? This is actually really weird.

You shrugged, plopping onto the couch beside him. "I had the same idea, but with Potions. I have a test in a few days, and last year I barely passed without a 'P'."

He smiled-really, what was going on?-. "Well if you need help, let me know. I have an 'O' in Potions. What's your Defense grade?"

You raised both eyebrows, but decided to just give in to this weird new (nice) Malfoy. "Just under an 'O'. I'm hoping the essay I just turned in bumps me up enough to get rid of my 'E'. My class is a few days ahead of yours, right? You're doing the unit on Occlumacy?"

At his nod, you continued. "Well I'll take you up on your offer to help, if you help me with my Potions review. Goodness knows I need it, but Kylie is just as bad, if not worse."

He met your eyes for the second time that night. "It'd be my pleasure."

Your eyes widened. What on earth is going on?? You let out an awkward half-chuckle. "Okay, then."

You both sat there in silence, every once in a while leaning over to the other to ask for advice. ("Hey, can you help me with...", "What's the answer to...", "Wait, how do you do...")

At first, it was kind of tense and uncomfortable, but you loosened up after a while, getting used to his presence beside you on the couch. He was just far enough away to not be touching you, but when he was pointing at things in your book, or you were leaning over his paper, your elbows might lightly brush.

When you were hunched over his worksheet, trying to read over the question again to get a better grasp, he decided to whisper something into your hair.

You sat up, looking at him. "Hm? Sorry, I couldn't hear you, really."

He just looked at you intently, his eyes studying your face. "Nothing. Never mind." You couldn't help but wonder what he'd said, but it must not matter all that much, if he changed his mind about telling you.

At about 4:15, Malfoy finished his worksheet, and you were halfway through your summer review. You both decided to go to bed in hopes of getting 2 or 3 more hours of sleep before breakfast.

You stood up, collecting your book and a stray pencil, and stepped towards the entrance to the girls' dorms. You turned around, looking at the back of Malfoy's head before whispering a few words:

"Goodnight, Malfoy."

He stopped in his tracks, seemingly debating something in his head.

"Goodnight, Y/l/n."

And with an unexplained smile on your face that night, you climbed into your bed, falling asleep in an instant.

•••
Author's Note

Hey guys! Hope you liked this chapter. The next chapter will be the same scene, but Draco's POV. (Hence the 5.1 title.)

Don't forget to ⭐ and 💬!

See you soon!