Veiled Alliances - A Draco Malfoy Love Story

𝟏𝟐 - 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

i now, happily, introduce

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི⋆♱⋆ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

I glanced at Cedric from across the Great Hall, my mind wandering. He was talking to some of his mates, laughing that easy laugh of his that seemed to draw people in without even trying. It was stupidly charming, and it was starting to drive me mad.

"Eli," Draco muttered, sitting down beside me, snapping me out of my stupor.

I blinked, pulling my gaze away from Cedric reluctantly. "What?"

"Have you told him?" Draco's voice dropped to a whisper, and I felt a tight knot form in my stomach.

"No," I snapped a little too quickly. "It's not like it meant anything, Draco." I could almost feel his glare burning into me. Thankfully, Enzo decided that was the perfect moment to interrupt.

"Budge up," Enzo declared, shoving between Draco and me with a grin.

Pansy pranced up soon after, flopping herself onto Draco's lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck, forcing him to scoot over. "Hi," she chirped, before her and Draco started swallowing each other whole.

I pushed my plate away, and mockingly gagged. "I think I'm going to be nauseous."

Pansy didn't even bother looking up. "Hey," she chimed with a shrug. "Don't be bitter because you can't get any action from Cedric. That's what happens when you settle for a Hufflepuff."

I loved Pansy. Really, I did. But sometimes I genuinely considered how hard it would be to strangle her with my bare hands.

Blaise, who had been quietly eating, chimed in, his voice muffled by a mouthful of food. "Are you two a thing now?"

"I... I'm not sure," I said, shifting awkwardly. "We haven't really talked about it yet."

Enzo raised his eyebrows suggestively, leaning back in his seat. "Nothing wrong with casual," he said, with a grin.

Draco groaned, rubbing his temples like he was having an actual migraine. "Now I'm gonna be nauseous," he muttered.

Pansy pulled away from him just long enough to give him a confused look. "What?"

"Slytherins and Hufflepuffs together," Draco quickly added. "Makes me squeamish."

"Oh, sod off," I shot back, rolling my eyes.

Enzo threw an arm around my shoulders with a grin. "I, for one, think Slytherins and Hufflepuffs make excellent power couples."

"That's because you'd shag anything with a pulse," Blaise muttered.

"Not untrue," Enzo admitted, reaching for another helping of mashed potatoes.

"Hey," a voice interrupted, and I turned to see Cedric standing behind me.

"Hi," I said, smiling.

"Fancy a walk before they announce the champions?" he asked with a grin.

"I'd love to," I said, standing.

"Have fun, kids," Enzo called after us, smirking. "Good luck, Cedric."

"Thanks," Cedric replied, his hand slipping into mine.

As we walked, Harry caught my eye from across the hall. He gave a small smile and waved. I didn't bother acknowledging it.

"Still mad?" Cedric asked, his tone light but knowing.