Coming Undone

Restricted Section

Rather than heading to bed, I go to Gryffindor, then the library, lucky to have not been spotted on my way.

Or so I thought.

Before I could sneak my way into the Restricted Section, I hear steps walking aimlessly around the entrance, pausing from time to time.

"Come out Hargreaves I know you're in here!"

Malfoy.

Good Lord- bug off you prick!

Harry's invisibility cloak had only dropped to my shoulders, so it was no struggle to re-conceal myself.

And just in time. Malfoy had just stepped into view after I covered the last bit of my head.

But it seems he saw me, because I notice his attention catch in my direction.

"Hargreaves, come on, you can't be in here." He says sternly, strutting straight towards me. I float like a whisper into the aisle of bookshelves to my right, watching as Malfoy searches for me.

He considers going in my direction, but settles on searching the opposite aisles. I heave a sigh, and I almost sigh again, in relief that he didn't hear me.

I follow him around for a while, my bare feet growing cold on the stone. I have to restrain several laughs as he fruitlessly searches the massive library, lane by lane. Seeing him annoyed, and growing angrier by the minute, is hysterical. I almost want to jump out and scare him.

But I refrain, my desire for a moment of peace stronger than my desire to scare the shit out of him.

Finally, when he's sure he's checked every square inch of the room, he sighs, and leaves.

He has a certain grace in his bouncy strut. As ridiculous as he looks, it's as if he knows everyone is watching, as if there's some invisible fog trailing him that only he can control. There are times when he seems to bend the air itself, as if it belongs to him. His robes definitely add to that effect, puffing like clouds then flowing like smoke when he walks.

Instead of sighing loudly and throwing off the cloak, I follow Malfoy out the door and make sure he's actually left.

But before I even make it to the door, I see him stepping back into the library.

Bloody- just leave!

He mutters a final "hm," and stalks away.

Draco's POV

I know I'm supposed to hate her, but good lord, Eden Hargreaves happens to be the most brilliant woman I've ever met.

I've managed to keep up my act for six years, but with graduation approaching, my time running out, it's a struggle to decide what steps I want to take.

It was an even greater struggle to watch her etch those wretched words into her hand. The sight of her bleeding was sickening, I wanted to rip Umbridge's head off just for making her do that.

And when I had to escort Eden to detention, I couldn't send her to that nauseating pink prison. Instead, I gave her to Professor Snape, hoping he would offer some kind of peace for her. To make sure, I remained beside the open doorway, careful to stay hidden and quiet.

A few Slytherins tried to ask me what I was doing, but I quickly hushed them.

When it had started to get late, I contemplated going to bed, but—even though I trust Snape—I couldn't leave until I saw her to her House safely. And that was when she started to sound distressed. Muttering, "Merlin's beard no." I almost rush in to see what the matter is, but it's only a moment later that my heart skips a beat.