DRIPS OF FANCY - draco malfoy

↳ 𝑐ℎ𝑝．22

Alvena was sprawled out on one of the couches in the Slytherin common room, Sage and Stormy similarly lounging beside her, all three of them nursing a deep sense of boredom. The flickering firelight cast shadows across the room, but it was hard to focus on anything in the warmth. They had been up until the early hours of the morning, working tirelessly on the History of Magic assignment that had been handed out weeks ago. It was one of those essays that seemed to drag on forever, the words too dry and lifeless to hold their attention. The exhaustion was tangible now.
"I swear, I think my brain is melting," Sage groaned, burying her face in a cushion. "How can Professor Binns expect us to do this and still be alive by the end of it?"
Stormy yawned loudly, stretching her legs out in front of her. "I think we should petition for a better teacher. History of Magic should be a required subject, not a punishment."
Alvena, ever the realist, sighed and leaned back into the couch. "I feel like I could sleep the entire day away." Her voice carried a hint of playfulness, but the weariness behind it was unmistakable.
Just as they were settling into their lethargy, the door to the common room creaked open. Mattheo and Blaise entered, their footsteps a little heavier than usual, clearly having just returned from a long day of classes. They stopped when they saw the three girls slouched on the couches, looking utterly defeated.
Mattheo raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "What are you all doing? You look like you've just been through a war."
Blaise rolled his eyes but couldn't help but grin. "Let me guess—you've been holed up writing that History of Magic essay too? And now you're barely alive?"
Alvena barely raised her head to look at them, her voice dry. "You could say that. We spent the entire morning in the library, then had a long nap, and now we're just existing." She gave a dramatic sigh. "I feel like an ancient relic."
"Sounds like you're all in a right state," Blaise teased, though his expression turned more serious as he glanced at Mattheo. "Have you heard the news? They found the Minister... dead. In the forest."
The room fell silent at the weight of the statement. Alvena's brows furrowed in confusion. "Dead? But—how? What happened?"

"Nobody knows," Blaise continued, his voice low, "it's all hush-hush. People are talking, though. Some say it was more than an accident. Something sinister. The game will still go on, but the atmosphere's changed. People are scared."
Sage's eyes widened in shock. "That's... terrifying. Why would they keep something like that quiet?"
Stormy shook her head. "We can't afford to think about it right now. We've got enough on our plates with the assignments and everything." But her eyes held a trace of fear nonetheless.
Just then, Pansy and Draco walked in, the sound of their argument filling the room. Pansy's high-pitched voice was almost drowned out by Draco's exasperated tone. "I told you, Pansy, this isn't about us anymore! You've been acting like it's all some grand romantic gesture when I've got other things to focus on!"
Sage, Stormy, and Alvena exchanged amused looks, the tension in the air forgotten for a moment as they turned their attention to the drama unfolding before them.
"She really is a piece of work," Sage muttered, her lips curling into a grin. "I'm honestly amazed they lasted this long."
"I'm just waiting for the explosion," Alvena added, resting her chin on her hand. "It's bound to happen."
A few moments later, Draco's voice rang out clearly. "I'm done, Pansy. This isn't working. I don't want to deal with this anymore."
The room went quiet as Pansy's face twisted in anger. "Fine, Draco, whatever. I'm not going to beg." She turned on her heel, her boots clicking sharply as she stormed out of the common room.
Draco stood still for a beat, taking a deep breath as though trying to regain composure. Then, with a glance at the group of friends lounging on the couches, he walked over to join Mattheo and Blaise.
"Finally done with that," Blaise said, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. "I'm honestly glad she's gone. Took her long enough to realize it was over."
"I just don't get how she stayed around this long," Mattheo muttered. "She's always been a bit much."
Alvena chuckled. "Yeah, but at least the drama was entertaining."
Blaise's grin widened. "Speaking of entertaining, how about we go skinny-dipping in the Black Lake? You know, like we used to."
Alvena raised an eyebrow. "You want to go now? At this hour?"
"Why not?" Blaise shot back with a grin. "We could all use a little fun after everything that's been happening." He turned to Draco, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You in, Draco? Come on, it'll be fun."
Draco raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "Skinny-dipping? I've never—"
"Oh, you will," Mattheo cut in, already on his feet. "Come on, it's just like old times. You'll thank us later."
Alvena, Sage, and Stormy exchanged glances, and then the three girls leaped up as well, eager for the distraction. Without waiting for Draco to protest any further, they practically dragged him toward the door.
The moonlight cast a silver glow across the lake's surface as the group made their way down toward the water, their laughter and excited chatter echoing in the cool night air. They swiftly disrobed, leaving their clothes in a pile behind them, and plunged into the refreshing coldness of the water in only their undergarments.
"See? Told you it wasn't so bad," Blaise said, his voice muffled as he swam effortlessly.
"Yeah, yeah," Draco muttered under his breath, his eyes darting between Alvena and the others as they swam together, creating ripples in the moonlight.
As the group splashed around, the others began to climb out of the water one by one, satisfied with their midnight swim. Alvena and Draco, however, lingered, still floating in the calm water.
Draco swam closer to her, his movements slow and deliberate as he approached. Alvena turned, her hair floating like a dark halo around her, and grinned.
"What are you doing?" she teased, her voice light.
He didn't answer at first, instead pulling her gently closer. "Don't want you to drown like last time," he murmured, his voice soft. His hands found her waist, steadying her as the water lapped at them both.
Alvena laughed, the sound light and carefree. "I'm not going to drown, Draco. I'm fine." She leaned back, floating for a moment before looking up at the stars. The water felt soothing around them.
He held her gaze, his fingers brushing her damp hair from her face. "I missed you," he said quietly, his voice almost lost beneath the soft splash of the water.
Alvena smiled, a warmth blooming in her chest. "I missed you too," she replied, her words sincere.
"You have no idea," Draco murmured, his tone soft, and before she could respond, he pressed a kiss to her cheek.
A loud shout echoed from the shore, interrupting the moment. "Look, there are shooting stars!" Blaise yelled from the bank, his voice full of excitement.
Draco and Alvena shared a glance, both smiling slightly as they turned their attention back to the sky. As the others lay on the shore, gazing up at the stars, the two of them remained in the water, floating in each other's presence, each stealing glances that said more than words ever could.
The stars above twinkled, and for a brief moment, everything seemed to fall perfectly into place.