Scorched and Bruised ; Draco Malfoy

☾｡✩˚𝓐𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝔂˚✩｡☽

Star hummed a familiar tune to herself as she scribbled notes for Arithomancy. It was a difficult class with only a few students—which included the dreaded Hermione. She allowed her mind to drift to Draco as she found it uncharacteristic for him not to be in possibly one of the hardest classes at Hogwarts. He'd always been an overachiever at Hogwarts, driven by a relentless desire to impress his parents and secure a prestigious career in the Ministry of Magic, complete with lofty status and influence.

It was truly unusual for him to be absent from such high-level classes, let alone many classes in his sixth year. His attendance record had become poor, raising questions that Star was determined to unravel once she caught up with her studies.

Cas twirled one of Star's curls as he mumbled something she barely acknowledged. Blaise was also in Arithomancy. Today, however, he was conspicuously absent, off pouting and drowning his sorrows in Firewhiskey while Theo and Draco attended to him. Pansy and he had gotten into a nasty fight that everyone knew—regardless of the dramatics—would be resolved in a matter of hours.

"By the look of it, Cas, the girl could care less of what you have to say," Silvanus Verlice muttered snarkily. He still hadn't gotten over how Star jabbed him in the throat.

"Stop trying to cause problems, Cye. We don't want the little fiend going rabid," Osias Yaxley said coldly. He, similarly, hadn't gotten over how she blasted him into a wall.

Star finished scribbling her notes and met Cas' loving eyes. "Cassy babe, are you sure your friends aren't polymorphed reptiles? They're pretty cold-blooded. Well—on the other hand—my lizard Mango is more cuddly than they are. You think we've discovered a new species?"

Cas laughed and kissed her cheek. "Don't worry, gorgeous. I'll get them under control." His friends appeared poised to make more snide comments, but one look from Cas had silenced them.

The door swung open with a sudden thud, revealing the figure of a lean, sun-kissed boy. His tousled curls framed a face lit by a permanent mischievous grin. Marcello Bozzelli, her favourite out of Cas' friends—and not just because he was Hispanic too.

He was twenty minutes late this time. Marcello slipped Professor Vector an excuse note (something he always seemed to have endlessly) and made his way over with his trademark bright smile.

Marcello blew a loose curl out of his face and leaned down to give Star a cheek-to-cheek kiss. It was a cultural thing, but something Cas very obviously wasn't fond of. The first time Star had met Marcello, she'd grown excited and largely excluded her friends—and Cas—from the conversation as they conversed in Spanish. During their second encounter, they exchanged cheek-to-cheek kisses, igniting a visible spark of jealousy in Cas.

"What's the excuse this time, Mars?" Yaxley asked.

"I was needed by Professor McGonagall," Mars gave a cheeky smile.

Marcello had mastered the art of evading consequences for his poor attendance, a skill honed through experience. He knew which professors he could be tardy with, how long he could push his luck, and which classes to steer clear of altogether. Star knew he was as attentive to details as she was; something that she loved about him.

Star twirled her wand and a copy of her notes flew his way.

"Gracias, mi reina."

"Claro, princesita."

Cas grumbled as he hugged Star closer to his body. He'd grown to learn more than just the basics of her native tongue. Star rolled her eyes and resumed scribbling her notes. A tapping at the window caught her attention—a raven locking eyes with her.