Coming Undone

Amortentia

Malfoy's platinum hair becomes ruffled as he whirls on me, a mix of anger and confusion twisting his face.

He hadn't come to be too far ahead of me, maybe a couple feet, but he makes it seem like an inch with how quickly he's in my face.

Merlin- why must he be so close?

"Do I have to drag you to bed?" His voice is laced with some sick pleasure, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

"Okay, look, Malfoy, that flirting earlier, not at all a reflection of my feelings for you. Don't talk to me like that, and don't look at me like that." I push his chest with just my finger, and surprisingly, he steps back.

His face falls in.. disappointment?

No...

Embarrassment. Sadness.

"Just- come on. You can't be out at night." He hides his face, turning around, and motions for me to follow him.

"Fine. You don't have to walk me though, so just go to bed, we're almost to Ravenclaw." I brush past him, tightening the fold of my arms across my chest.

I stop as I notice the silence.

He's gone.

Good.

***

"Good morning Eden." Ron mutters through a mouthful of food.

"Morning." Harry and Hermione utter in unison.

"Morning everyone."

I sit beside Harry, as he was the only one with space beside him. He offers me a plate full of sausages, scrambled eggs, and a couple of pancakes.

"Oh, thanks Harry." I say softly, smiling brightly at him as I accept the plate, and search for a fork. He whips one out as if he had just conjured it.

"Ha, thanks. How's everyone doing?"

"I'm alright, how about yourself?" Ron says, the other two muttering similar responses.

"Eh. Kinda creeped out by Malfoy." That draws all three's attention, Ron even pausing his chewing. "What?"

"What did he do?"

"Nothing in particular, just like- I dunno, getting close, looking concerned when I was writing those bloody words. Not so Malfoy things." I shrug, taking a bite out of a sausage.

The three exchange knowing looks, Hermione drawing a breath to say something.

"I think he likes you Eden."

"PFFFFF- no, believe me he does not. Have you seen how he's treated me for the past six years? It's worse than how he treats you three. He hates me the most." I resume my eating as my friends continue to stare at me. They all begin to giggle quietly, but I don't take the bait and ask what they're laughing about. I simply continue eating.

***

I managed to avoid Malfoy all day, but when it comes time for detention, he catches me before I can sneak off to the library. Classes have all ended, and the sun is setting, I was hoping to read under the whomping willow.

"Detention, remember?" He smirks, tightening his grip on my arm.

I roll my eyes, and allow him to drag me to Snape's classroom, tucked in the back of the school near the Slytherin dorms. The stench of potion ingredients stings my nose, but it's only moments later that the smell turns to subtly pleasant.

"Hello, miss Hargreaves. Here for detention I suspect?"

"Yes." Malfoy answers for me, leaving my mouth hanging open. I shut it with a snap, glaring at the pale snake.