DRIPS OF FANCY - draco malfoy

↳ 𝑐ℎ𝑝．28

The last week at Wylt Manor had been a blur of late nights, endless conversations, and chaotic fun with Blaise, Mattheo, Sage, and Stormy. It was strange, really, how much had happened in just a short span of time. But now, it was time to go back to Hogwarts. The train awaited them, and the usual rush of anticipation—the thrill of returning to the castle and its familiar chaos—had started to settle in. The group had already sent their things ahead to the train station, and now, as they gathered in the large entryway of Wylt Manor, a strange silence hung between them.
"Ready to go?" Mattheo asked with his usual grin, though his eyes flicked toward Draco and Alvena, sensing a weight that still lingered between them.
Alvena nodded, giving a tight smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They made their way to the carriages and off to King's Cross Station, the journey quiet from the sleepiness of the early morning. Alvena found herself deep in thought, her gaze often drifting to Draco, who was quieter than usual. Her hand subconsciously reached for her wrist, where Draco's bracelet rested.
When they arrived at the station, it was bustling with the usual flurry of students, all rushing to catch the Hogwarts Express. The group made their way through the crowds, managing to find their compartment on the train. It was quiet, just the five of them for now. They settled in, lounging across the plush seats, and as the train began to pull out of the station.
But that silence was short-lived.
The door to their compartment slid open with a soft thud, and in stepped Theodore Nott.
Alvena's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. After all that had happened over the summer, seeing him again in person felt strange. She had avoided him the thought of him throughout the break and, despite everything, part of her wasn't quite sure what to make of him.
"Alvena," Theodore said quietly, his voice carrying an edge of uncertainty. "Could we talk?"
Immediately, the boys in the compartment—Mattheo, Blaise, and Draco—stood, their protective instincts kicking in. Draco's jaw clenched as he looked from Theo to Alvena, but Alvena held up a hand, signaling them to stop.
"It's fine," she said, her voice steady but soft. "I'll go with him."
Draco's eyes darkened, but he didn't argue. Blaise and Mattheo exchanged a look, their concern obvious, but they didn't push it.
"I'll be right back," Alvena assured them as she followed Theodore out into the narrow hallway.
They walked in silence. She wasn't sure if it was the weight of the past or the fact that she was still sorting through her feelings, but it was hard to focus on anything other than the fact that this felt... wrong.
When they reached the bathroom at the end of the train car, Theodore hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door. The two stepped inside, the cramped space offering little room for the tension to dissipate.
"I'm sorry," Theodore began, his voice quieter now. "For everything. For how I treated you. How I... I've wronged you. I never should've done that."
Alvena stared at him for a moment, searching his face for any sign of insincerity. She saw none. Only the same vulnerability that had been there all along.
"You're right," she said after a long pause. "You shouldn't have. But... I can look past it. I think." Her voice wavered just slightly, and she let out a slow breath. "But that doesn't mean I can just forgive everything and act like it didn't happen."
Theo's face tightened, a mix of regret and understanding in his eyes. "I know. I don't expect you to."
Alvena nodded, letting the weight of his apology settle between them. It didn't make everything okay, and it didn't fix the hurt, but it was a start. "I can forgive you, Theo. I think... I think I've already forgiven you, but that doesn't mean we can just pick up where we left off. I can't be your friend right now. Not yet."
Theodore's face softened, and he gave her a small, almost relieved smile. "I understand. Really, I do."
They stood there for a moment longer, the noise of the train outside muffled by the small, enclosed space. There was so much unsaid, so much left in the air between them, but it was enough for now.
"Thank you," he added, his voice gentle. "For hearing me out."
Alvena nodded, the tension slowly draining from her shoulders. "Just... give me some time."
As she turned to leave the bathroom, she glanced at the time on her pocket watch. Panic surged in her chest. She had to get to the prefect compartment, and quickly.
"I have to go," she said, her voice a little more urgent now. "They're expecting me."
Without another word, she rushed out of the bathroom, her heart beating faster as she made her way toward the front of the train. When she reached the prefect compartment, she paused at the door, taking a steadying breath before stepping inside. To her surprise, Draco was already there. He was leaning against the window, his eyes fixed on something outside, though he seemed to sense her presence the moment she entered.
Also in the compartment were Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, sitting across from each other, their faces neutral but still unmistakably awkward.
Alvena stepped inside, offering them a faint smile. "Hey," she greeted them, though the tension in the room didn't dissipate.
Hermione gave her a tight smile in return, but it was clear she was trying to restrain herself.
Ron, on the other hand, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Had a great summer... ?" he asked, his voice casual, though his eyes flicked between Alvena and Draco in hesitation.
Alvena sat down across from them, her fingers absently twisting Draco's bracelet around her wrist. "It was fine," she replied, not quite meeting anyone's gaze.
Draco's eyes flicked down to her wrist, and his expression lightening slightly when he saw the bracelet. He moved as if to reach for her wrist, but before he could, Alvena pulled her arm away just enough to toy with the bracelet and to keep her wrist away from eye sight under her robe.
He looked at her for a moment longer before turning back to the window with a heavy sigh.
Hermione, watching from across the compartment, caught Alvena's eye, and for a moment, their gazes locked. Alvena quickly looked away, feeling the weight of the exchange, unsure of what to make of it.
The silence in the compartment stretched for a long moment before Ron cleared his throat, attempting to cut through the tension. "Right, then," he said, his voice light. "Anyone else ready for the start of the term? Or are we all just going to sit here brooding?"
Alvena forced a small smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.