brewing hatred (d.m)

The Library Bet

The library was unusually quiet for a Monday evening. Students were scattered at the tables, some flipping through books, others whispering as they worked on assignments. Sunlight filtered through the high arched windows, casting a golden glow across the room, illuminating rows of shelves filled with ancient tomes and dusty scrolls.

Ariana sat at a table in the back corner, her Potions textbook open in front of her, but her focus was elsewhere. She glanced toward the library entrance, her leg bouncing under the table with impatience. Draco had insisted on meeting her here to work on their joint Potions project, but he was running late, as usual.

Just as she was about to give up waiting, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps and saw Draco saunter in, wearing his usual smirk. He caught her eye and raised a hand in greeting, making his way over with that infuriating swagger she was starting to recognize all too well.

"Keeping me waiting, Malfoy?" Ariana teased as he slid into the chair across from her.

Draco shrugged, his grey eyes glinting with amusement. "I like to make an entrance."

"Or you just don't respect anyone's time but your own," she quipped, leaning back in her chair.

Draco leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze locked on her. "And yet, you're still here."

Ariana rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Lucky for you, I actually care about getting this project done."

Draco chuckled and pulled out his own Potions notes, setting them down with an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. Let's get this over with. We need to finish that paper on the properties of dragon's blood."

As they settled into their work, the library grew even quieter, the only sounds coming from the scratch of quills and the turning of pages. But despite her best efforts to focus, Ariana found herself distracted. Every time Draco moved, she could feel his presence — the way he casually ran a hand through his hair or the slight smirk he wore as he wrote.

After a while, she couldn't take it anymore.

"You're not even working!" she accused, narrowing her eyes at him. "What is that—two lines? We've been here for half an hour."

Draco leaned back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "I work at my own pace."

Ariana folded her arms. "Your pace is terrible. At this rate, we'll be here all night."

He gave her a sideways glance, his lips curving into a grin. "Is that such a bad thing?"

She felt her heart skip a beat but kept her expression neutral. "Depends. I'd prefer not to waste my time."

Draco leaned forward again, his voice dropping to a lower, more teasing tone. "How about we make it more interesting then?"

Ariana raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. "What do you mean?"

"A bet," he said smoothly. "Whoever finishes their portion of the essay first gets to make the other do something."

Ariana smirked, her competitive streak flaring up. "You're on. But you'd better be ready to lose, Malfoy."

Draco's grin widened. "I never lose."

With that, the challenge was set. Both of them turned back to their papers, quills scratching furiously as they worked. Ariana could feel the tension between them grow as they silently competed, each stealing glances at the other while pretending to be completely focused.

Minutes passed, and the race to finish became more intense. Ariana bit her lip, furiously scribbling her notes, but she could feel Draco's eyes on her. Finally, unable to take it anymore, she glanced up.

"Stop staring at me," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed but failing to hide the amusement in her voice.

"I'm not staring," Draco said innocently, though his smirk gave him away. "Just admiring your... determination."

Ariana rolled her eyes again but couldn't help the warmth that spread through her. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here we are," Draco shot back, still grinning.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, Ariana finished her final sentence with a triumphant flourish of her quill. She sat back with a satisfied grin, looking directly at Draco.

"Done," she declared.

Draco's eyes narrowed as he glanced at her parchment, then back at his own, which was still unfinished. He let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine, you win."

Ariana couldn't resist the urge to gloat. "Told you. Now, what should I make you do?"

Draco leaned in, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, enjoying the moment. "I could make you rewrite your entire essay in your neatest handwriting..."

Draco winced. "That's cruel."

Ariana laughed softly. "Or I could make you fetch me books from the Restricted Section for the rest of the month."

"That's even worse," Draco groaned, though there was still a spark of humor in his eyes.

After a moment, Ariana smiled wickedly. "I know exactly what I want."

Draco raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"

"You have to carry my bag between classes for the next week," she said, grinning. "And no complaining."

Draco blinked, then laughed. "That's it? That's what you're making me do?"

Ariana shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I figure it's a small price for my victory."

Draco shook his head, still chuckling as he leaned back in his chair. "Fine. You win this round, Green. But don't get too comfortable."

"I never do," she said with a wink, closing her notebook.

As they packed up their things, the playful tension still lingered between them, but something about their dynamic felt different. Lighter. Easier.

And as they left the library together, with Draco grumbling good-naturedly about his new role as Ariana's "pack mule," she couldn't help but feel that maybe, just maybe, there was more between them than either of them were willing to admit.