Coming Undone

Bargaining

Draco's POV

With only a week left of school, it's difficult to remain quiet. I've bided my time for six years, but time is pressing in and I'm afraid I've waited too long.

A scowl is etched into her face every time I see her, a vacant look in her eye. I've never seen her so unfocused on her work; usually it's her top priority. Nothing could stop her from soaking up knowledge like she's a sponge in the ocean. She even passes up chances to demonstrate her skills, ignoring when professors ask if there's any student who knows a particular bit of the subject.

As if I'm not already distant, I go the extra mile and barely spare the energy to acknowledge my follow Slytherins' presence.

Merlin, I have ruined my chance. I waited too long, pulled too many pranks, said words too harsh for forgiveness. She was tolerant of me just before I confessed to her, even smiling in front of me. Lord, it was the loveliest sight. I'd do anything to make her do that again.

But it seems I've lost any and all chance to make that happen, as she's leaving the library with a hoard of books in those elegantly thin arms at the first sight of me.

It's a feat to restrain myself from taking those books and carrying them to wherever she's going, just to take the weight off of her.

As much as I want to press, as stubborn as I am in getting what I want, she's a person. She's no trophy, no medal, no prize to be won. She's a human being, a lovely woman and a respectable academic, I can't just storm up to her and demand her hand. I've disrespected her and her friends time and time again, but to force her into something she is clearly and adamantly against, is something I refuse to do. I respect her, I love her. I want her to be happy.

Even if I'm not the one to make her happy.

***

As much as I kiss up to Umbridge, I'd like nothing more than to bash her thick skull in.

Her shrill voice echoes through the classroom, almost taking away from her instruction on the O.W.L.S exam. It's only three days until the exam, the last Monday of the year, when we're given our last chance to study during class. Merlin spare me, just make this class end so we can get on to the weekend.

"Anyway, you may begin. Be sure to use your time wisely, you won't get any more time to study after this."

My mind blanks for the next half hour, barely a whisper of a thought in my mind; and that whisper is Eden Hargreaves.

She just won't leave my mind. She hasn't for six years. And honestly, I don't ever want her to leave.

***

The morning of the exam, there's murmurs of Umbridge disappearing. Some even say she's been killed.

Hm... wonder who that could've been.

"Draco Malfoy! Let me go this instant!" The bubblegum bitch screams under my grip, desperately trying, and failing, to get a grip on the dirt as Goyle and I drag her through the forbidden forest.

"Sorry professor, I'm afraid this must be done. You've hurt a very dear friend of mine, and your actions will not go unpunished." I state calmly, barely grunting as I haul her uphill.

Finally, we've made it to centaur territory. I expect they'll handle her just fine.

"Mister centaur sir, this is the woman, working in the Ministry, who warranted your removal from the grounds. Do what you will with her."

"No. No! Malfoy! Don't you dare! I'll have you arrested for thi- woah- WOAH! PUT ME DOWN! PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT! I WILL HAVE YOU ALL ARRESTED! I-!" Her voice fades as the creatures haul her to Lord knows where, to do Lord knows what to her.