𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘 . 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐓

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐌𝐍𝐈𝐄.

1993;

In the depths of night, Viola found solace, for mornings were far too bright for her refined taste. At times, she yearned for a reversal of time, where all could embrace their endeavors under the tranquil cloak of darkness.

Yet, tranquility had eluded her throughout the year. Now, she found herself perched upon one of the sofas in the esteemed Slytherin common room. The resplendent glow of the light danced upon the intricately embossed emeralds adorning the walls, casting a mesmerizing green hue upon the sleek, polished black leather couch.

Viola's eyes traced the newspaper she held, revealing a vivid depiction of him in a state of unbridled distress. The sheer intensity of his screams, mingled with a potent blend of terror and fury, sent a shiver down her spine and left her feeling almost lightheaded.

"What are you down here so late?" Draco inquired, coming down the stairs with his hair slightly tousled.

Viola tossed the paper she held into the nearby fireplace, watching as it vanished in the flames.

"Couldn't sleep," Viola confessed, her gaze meeting his. "And you?"

"Couldn't sleep either," Draco echoed, both aware of the unspoken truth.

He plopped down next to her, knowing exactly what was bothering her. She tried to hide it from everyone else, but he saw right through it. He knew that words wouldn't do the trick, and a hug would repulse them both. So, he did what he was taught best when it came to dealing with sadness: he ignored it.

"Are you coming to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Draco asked.

"Not sure," Viola shrugged. "Haven't decided yet."

"You should," he suggested, his tone more like a demand.

"Honestly, I'd rather gouge my eye sockets out with my bare hands," she half-joked, making Draco release a huff of a chuckle.

"My mother insists on us spending Christmas together at the manor," Draco added, hoping to recreate the past. "Like old times."

The thought of spending time at the Malfoy Manor seemed much more enticing than her usual whereabouts. Whenever her grandmother was too occupied, she would leave her at Cygnus Black's Manor, the younger brother of her late grandmother Walburga Black. And, the father to Draco's mother. He was truly dreadful.

"Like old times?" Viola replied sarcastically. "Are we now considering two years ago as 'old times'?"

"Enough," Draco interjected, playfully silencing her.

"I hope you're not planning to bother Weasl-bee and his friends," Viola said, brushing her hair away from her face. "Not that I have any objections. But honestly, you have better things to do than waste your time on them."

"Their faces are just too punchable to resist," he complained.

"Do you have no self-control?" Viola snapped, smoothing her silk pajamas as she sat up. "I'd be happy to lend you some."

Her sarcastic comment earned her a sarcastic smile and a squint from him. Viola mirrored his expression before making her way to her dorm.