Draco's POV
"Hey, Eden." I've been searching everywhere for her, running all over the castle after classes, only to find her pacing in the kitchen. I'm breathless when I happen upon her, pausing to catch my breath.
Merlin, I need to go for runs more often.
"What do you want Malfoy?" She lazily hops up on the edge of a grand table, which stands in the middle of the room.
Her face seems weighed down by a depression, eyes darkened by shadows. Lord, did I do this? Why is she so... empty?
"I- are you okay?" I carefully step up to her, close enough to make out each strand of jet black hair that curls messily around her face.
She's in her night clothes, looking ragged in her oversized t-shirt and sweatpants far too large for her. Her hair is tangled as if she's been tossing around in bed, restless.
"What do you want?" She finally lifts her eyes to meet mine, displaying bloodshot red around her emerald irises, heavy eyelids, a sagging frown, and pale skin. Has she been drinking enough water?
"I want you to drink some water and get some rest, that's what. Eden it's only eight, why do you look like you've just gotten forty-nine hours of sleep?"
"If I got forty-nine hours of sleep, I might not look like shit. Hell, I might look alive for once in my life." Her humor is still intact, that's a good sign. Her small smirk draws one onto my own.
"Too much sleep is a bad thing, Eden. You of all people should know that." I'm careful to present myself as relaxed, slipping my hands into my trouser pockets, and dropping my shoulders just a bit. Eden takes notice of this, scanning my frame with lazy eyes, then casts her focus to the floor. I follow it, watching her bare feet dangle off the edge of the table.
"I know."
"Will you tell me what's wrong? Please, Eden?" I cock my head to the side, crouching slightly in a fruitless attempt to see her face.
She seems lost in thought, vaguely picking her head up, and drawing a sharp breath.
"You're so..."
I brace myself for every savage word in the book, but the breathy confession that escapes her lips almost makes me fall to my knees.
"Intoxicating."
"Pardon?"
"Don't interrupt me." She snaps, exhaustion lacing her voice too thickly for her to sound threatening. I almost smile, but she finally lifts her head to gaze straight through my soul.
After I offer a shallow nod, she proceeds.
"I hate you. I do. And you hate me, I know you do. I'm a mudblood," I flinch at her use of the word, "and you know you're better than me. You're a pureblood, as if that holds any real value... I hate you. You've tortured me in countless ways over the last six years, never ceasing, never relenting, your harassment never faltered, your ambition to be the biggest pain in my ass has never failed you. You hate me. You've called me the worst names in the dictionary, you act like you're so much better than me, than everyone, you act all tough, you act all smart. And I have no issue with somebody faking it till they make it, but my issue with you is that everything you do, everything you present yourself as, it is fake, and you think you've made it. You think you're on top of the world, you think you rule everyone. And in all honesty... you kind of do. You're a prick, a vile snake, a heartless serpent, and yet you command the attention of everyone in the room; whether it's because they think you're a god or just flat out annoying. I hate you, for everything you've done to me, to my friends, everything you've put them through. But what haunts me in my sleep, is the fact that..." her head drops, watching her hands pick at themselves in her lap, "I don't hate you."
"No?"
"Stop interrupting."
"Pardon me, but you stopped talking. Enter, me saying something."
"Just listen, Malfoy."
Noted.
She heaves a sigh, lifting her head once more, but avoiding eye contact, letting her eyes glaze over my chest.
"No, I don't hate you. I- when you dropped me off at Snape's room for detention, I asked if we could brew some things, and out of boredom, just, off the top of my head, I was like hey, why don't I make amortentia. What a genius idea that was, because guess what I smelled?"
I know...
"You." Her voice cracks on the word, cracking my heart along with it.
Her eyes remain unfocused, but they well up slightly, as if she's sad that she loves me. I make a note to break every bone in my body once this is finished to make her feel better about loving me. Maybe if I were in pain myself, she'd feel a bit better.
"Fuck, Malfoy!" She whines, slapping her face in her hands. "I don't wanna." Her voice is muffled through her hands, and I can't help the chuckle that escapes me, melting at how unbearably adorable she is.
"I know."
"Do you though?" She shoots her surprisingly dry eyes through me. "Do you know how aggravating and conflicting it is to know you're subconsciously in love with the one person you've spent six years being tormented by? To know you're subconsciously in love with the person who's made your best friend cry on several occasions, who's broken your best friend's confidence and self image countless times, who's constantly plagued your best friend simply because he was cast into a life he has never once indulged because of the attention it brought him? You think it was his choice, Malfoy? For Harry to have his own parents killed by a total stranger and somehow survive the death curse? He could have DIED! Do you know how terrifying that is? No, of course you wouldn't, because you've never actually had a near-death experience. You're just a dramatic child thinking every minor inconvenience is the end of the world. Don't act like you know how hard this is on me. I don't want to love you, I don't even like you, but.. but I do. And it's taken me this long to realize it, but I've looked back on every time I noticed how your eyes sparkle at just the right angle, how your presence is like a magnetic force, how even your stupid little strut is somehow endearingly prim and kind of childish at the same time, and I realized that no matter how much I hate to love you, no matter how stressful it is to love my enemy, I do."
I remain still in silent shock, waiting for her to continue.
"Goddamnit Malfoy I have principles! I can't date my best friends' bully! I can't love him! You hurt them, I won't stand for that."
I slowly raise my hand, asking permission to talk.
She sighs, "yes?"
"I talked to them, actually. Well, just Potter and Weasley, but the latter said he'd talk to Granger."
"Ugh, figures. Hermione approves of this, actually. Would support me if I decide to be with you."
"So...?"
"What?"
"I- don't really know how to do this." I let out a breathy chuckle, nervously rubbing the back of my neck.
"Then don't. Just give me a little time to think."
"But-."
"I know, there's only two days left at school. Cool your tits, I just need a day."
"Okay, sounds good. Oh-," I jump from where I stood, rushing to get Eden a glass of water.
"What are you- oh. Malfoy, just, go to bed, I'll be fine."
"No, you're pale as death. Drink." I insist, softly shoving the half full glass in front of her.
Her fingers brush against mine as she grips the abnormally shaped cup, and all confusion about the shape leave my mind as thoughts of her skin replace it.
Her face twists in perplexity as she studies my face.
"Malfoy? You all right?" I almost don't notice her hair fall over her shoulder with a charming tilt of her head.
"Y- yeah. Sorry. Um, goodnight, Eden. Get some sleep, you look ghastly." I throw a final retort at her, smirking in triumph as I claim the last word.
~~~
1402 words
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Coming Undone
Fanfiction*timeline is not at all in order. All characters are in their last year, even though Umbridge is a professor. Also, the only character that is mine is Eden Hargreaves, all other characters and settings mentioned do not belong to me. This is my first...
