Unforeseen Bonds || Draco Malfoy

✭28✭

The next few days were the most miserable of my life. Along with Quidditch finals coming up, so were test finals, and with Draco always on my mind, I could not study. Valentines was just the cherry on top, as Pansy and Draco were always practically snogging anywhere they could.

At this point, I'm convinced everything he told me was a lie.

Knowing I was alone for the holiday, Theo asked me to be his date, which I obliged. My heart was too shattered to really express any sort of excitement though. The Slytherin seemed to catch on, and just made sure I was okay for the day.

Poor Theo.

When the holiday ended, we went straight back to classes and our regular schedule. Snape being the usual dick he is, decided to pile a whole notebook of homework we have to study for.

Sitting in my usual seat, I could hear the snickering of Crabbe and Goyle behind me. Draco was not present in the class, which became a new routine for him, as I have yet to see him in any of my classes since the 'break up'.

"I presume you all are aware of the Easter finals coming up?" Snape asked in his boring, monotone voice. "Tomorrow we will have a very important test on all of the potions we have made throughout the year. I have decided to give you a small study guide to complete, which will help you out. It is required, so turn it in before the test, as the packet alone is 30% of your grade." The professor walked back to his desk, where he lifted up a huge pile of papers that stacked up to a couple inches!

Walking over to Harry, Snape dropped the bunch and ordered Gryffindor to hand them out. Slowly getting up, Potter obliged.

As the class drew on, I had become increasingly tired, and Harry seemed to notice. Handing me my 'study guide' he mouthed, 'you, okay?' to which I half heartedly nodded. Sleep had not been a priority for me, ever since these finals started. Besides, even if I did manage to catch some time, Draco would prevent me from ever falling asleep, as for the past couple of days, he's always been occupying my mind.

Finishing, Harry brought the last copy up to Snape to which he snatched it. "Sit down potter."

"Sir?" Hermione spoke up, towards the front of the class.

"Yes, Ms. Granger." Snape asked, practically rolling his eyes. "What do you need?"

"You are saying this is all due tomorrow?" The Gryffindor held up the packet, examining it. "There's no way a student could finish it before your class!? They would get no sleep!"

"Do you question my teaching?" He asked coldly. "Would you like to get up here and teach the class instead?"

"No sir-"

"Then don't argue." He stated, interrupting whatever thought Hermione had left. "Now, class is dismissed."

Packing my stuff up, I left the class as soon as I could. Though, I was not able to get far as Miles stopped me in the hallway, moving us out of the way of the other students.

"Hey Nitara, can we talk?" He asked me to which I nodded. "Are you okay, you've just been acting differently and mum is worried about your grades. What's been going on, you've always been a straight O student?"

"I don't know Miles." I lied. "It's just all the school work is harder this year, and with Sylvia mostly hanging out with Blaise, I haven't had anyone to really talk to."

"What about Cho and luna? Or Ginny or Harry?" He asks me, bluntly, which surprises me. Miles usually likes to try and forget the fact I'm friends with Gryffindors, but the fact he's bringing them up concerns me to see how much he's worried.

"Oh yeah. I guess. Right now, I'm probably just going to skip dinner to study for this test. I'll see you in the common room?" I try ending the conversation but he stops me abruptly.

"Again?! Tara, you haven't been eating dinner for the past three days! The boys are starting to worry about you! And me, I have been worried ever since you started hanging out with that Ryder guy. Please just tell me what happened! You haven't been like this ever since your break up with Cedric, and if you're not eating for the same reasons as you were then, then I might have to tell mum!"

I can't tell him I've been just trying to avoid his best friend.

"No! I promise it's not like that! School has just been so hard, and I haven't had time. You don't need to worry about me Miles. I'm fine." With this, he just looked at me, trying to scan my face for any lies, which hopefully he couldn't. Then, out of nowhere, he just engulfed me into a hug.

"Okay Nitara. I love you okay. Please just don't hurt yourself anymore with the mental toll you are putting on yourself. I know there's something else you're not telling me, but I won't push it if you are not going to tell me. Please..." His voice cracked slightly. "Be safe."

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I dared not to let them drop, since there still are students around. "Okay, I love you too. Please don't tell mum, I'll try and get my grades up." With that, he nodded and walked away to the great hall.

. ┊⋆ ┊ . ┊⋆ ┊.

Back in the library, my books and papers were sprawled out across the table. I had already been there for three hours with barely half of Snape's homework completed. Resting my arms on the table, I absently played with the silver serpent bracelet on my wrist, tracing the intricate metalwork with my fingers. Tears brimmed in my eyes as memories of Draco flooded my mind—his smile, his touch, his voice whispering my name.

Fuck.

Frustrated by the overwhelming emotions, I snapped open the bracelet's clasp, removed it from my arm, and slipped it into my pocket. As I turned back to my work, a sharp pain suddenly erupted inside my head, like an invisible spike piercing through my thoughts. I hastily reached up to investigate, but my hand found nothing to explain the pain.

A torrent of intense, disjointed emotions overwhelmed me—fear, anger, sadness—swirling together in a chaotic storm. I struggled to understand their source, feeling as if my mind was being pried open against my will. My heart raced, and I fought to keep my composure.

Desperately, I retrieved the bracelet and reattached it to my wrist. Instantly, the pain and emotions vanished, replaced by a lingering sense of violation. I looked around the library, my eyes darting to the shadows between the bookshelves, confused and unsettled, wondering what had just happened. The bracelet lay cool and reassuring against my skin.

What the fuck is going on!?