dark daisies // draco malfoy

7. hogsmeade

DRACO MALFOY

The sun peaked from behind the spring clouds that cluttered the pale sky as the trees began to sprout leaves.
The dew on the grass moved with every step as we walked across the meadow to Hogsmeade.
She hung by Theo's side desperately trying to keep up with our pace. It was kind of sweet to be honest but that thought left my mind as quickly as it entered. I don't need anything of the sort right now but a flirt didn't count right?

I watched her eyes flutter as it began to rain ever so slightly, how she blew strands of hair from her green eyes when it flowed in-front of her vision. How a smile of pride was evident on her face when Theo spoke about his quidditch. How she shivered and buried her small chin into the woolly scarf wrapped tightly around her neck. How she actually listened to what was spoken, how she cared and seemed so genuinely interested.
But I don't anyone or anything right now to be a distraction.

The warm hubbub of Hogsmeade gently cocooned us as we walked through the wooden door. We gathered in a small booth in the corner as Potter stared us down, flashing a heroic grin at Daisy who awkwardly smiled back. 4 large dripping butter beers were brought to us quickly as we began to drink them and discuss the week.

 
I watched as she picked it up and took a small sip leaving frothy white foam on her face as she smiled.
"Mm these are really good you guys were right!" she grinned wiping her mouth with the sleeve of her jumper. She practically glowed contrasting against the dark corner of the pub.
A ray of sunshine in the most darkest of storms.
Her eyes met mine as Theo and Blaise were in a heated discussion about how to rightly deal with Potter.

Her presence seemed to leave a mark the first time I saw her, a lingering feeling of concern for her brewed deep in my stomach and nothing I could do despite my attempts could dissolve it.

"Look we need to figure out what to do with him, after the quidditch match I'm not dealing with another up show from the boy who lived." Blaise rolled his eyes staring at Harry standing by the bar.

"Blaise," Theo sighed looking down towards the table, "We don't need to do anything mate. It'll sort out on its own I'm sure of it. They're about to announce the Triwizard tournament and there is no way that he will have any involvement in it, so the attention will be off him for a while."

"What's the Triwizard tournament?" She asked softly picking at the aged splintered wood of the table.

"Merlin, are you a muggle?" I laughed cruelly at her until she met my eyes, "I'm joking." I confirmed as Theo shot me a look.

"It's basically this competition with two other wizarding schools, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. They pick someone from each school and they have to compete in challenges. Whoever wins gets eternal glory or something like that." Blaise continued, "We aren't allowed to do it this year it's a right piss-take but at least we have next year."

We continued to talk and laugh, and drank butter beer until late. She was funnier than I expected, less creepily nice like all the other hufflepuffs. There was something about her, a darkness that creeped through every so slightly at the right times, she must have been sorted wrong. Theo seemed happier around her too like he was whole again, I never want to see him as lifeless and empty as he was last year after his father's death. Blaise sucked up completely to her when Theo wasn't engaged but she brushed it off smoothly turning his flirty comments down.

When we stepped out of the door the coldness enveloped us, with the wind whistling around the buildings, Blaise and Theo walked ahead wrestling one another in a quidditch arguement.

She seemed hesitant to hang back next to me however eased into it keeping up the pace. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, something in me longed to reach out and brush my fingers across her face, to feel her freckles beneath my hand. I heard her teeth chatter and saw her small frame begin to shake.

"Bloody hell, it's not that cold Nott." I remarked as she looked up and started to giggle.

"It's freezing, and I left my scarf in the booth!" She laughed rubbing her hands together retrieving a small pair of gloves from her robe.

"You didn't think to bring a coat?" I rolled my eyes, "Weren't you meant to be smart or something."

"Here." I said, without thinking I took my coat from off my body revealing the black suit I was wearing underneath, and placed it on her shoulders. I turned her to face me and zipped up the coat. It looked almost like a dress on her, I chuckled.

She looked up at me and blushed with embarrassment, "Don't laugh at me Malfoy!" She pleaded giggling, as I began wrapping my scarf around her neck.