Chasing Shadows || Draco Malfoy x OC

Year 3- Ch. 16

As days passed, Céline didn't speak to Draco. She was still hurt from what he said to her, but she was also confused. She would turn red every time she thought of his lips on hers, a thought that popped in her mind too frequently. She decided she would try her best to forget it, and if she could avoid him, she would.

Daphne spoke with Draco asking him to not send the evidence to the headmistress. He thought it was ridiculous, but he knew he couldn't go and ask Céline himself. Daphne explained the reasoning behind it and, much to his displeasure, he agreed to not send it.

Céline nervously approached Harry and his friends one afternoon, she worried that they would be upset with her. Harry and Hermione welcomed her back by engulfing her in a hug. Ron, though a little apprehensive, still welcomed her back.

Céline told them everything that happened, not only from the last five months, but everything that happened at her old school. She apologized for not being honest with them. They were upset that she didn't go to any of her friends for help, but were more upset with the two Ravenclaw girls who did this to her. Ron patted her shoulder calling her parents pricks, which she chuckled at.

In return Harry decided to be honest with her, telling her everything that has been happening with him this year. He told her about Sirius Black, the dementors, and how Professor Lupin had been teaching him how to cast a patronus. He also told her about Buckbeak and how Draco told his father and now the poor Hippogriff is sentenced to be executed after exams.

She looked at them, shocked from all the information. She asked if there was anything she could do, but Hermione told her that they already did as much as they could to help Hagrid with the hearing, but it wasn't enough. Ron added that he didn't think her parents would be all that willing to help, if they knew who the help was for. She nodded agreeing with him.

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A couple of weeks passed and the students were all preparing for exams, despite everything that happened, Céline was still diligently studying and doing her homework. She was one of the top five students. Hermione was in first, Draco being second, Tracey in third, Céline in fourth and Terry Boot, a boy from Ravenclaw in fifth place.

Céline was in the back of the library on the second floor, in a small enclosed area. Not many people came up there and it was hard to spot since it was surrounded by bookcases. She was reading her D.A.D.A textbook, writing notes on her parchment paper. She was so immersed in her studying she didn't notice when someone sat in front of her.

It wasn't until the persons cleared their throat, that Céline was startled back into reality. She looked up in surprise, her expression immediately changed to indifference. Sitting in front of her was Draco with an elbow propped up and his head resting on his hand. He had his D.A.D.A book opened, leisurely writing on his parchment paper.

"Surely this wasn't the only available table for you to sit at." She said.

"It wasn't." He said not looking up, flipping a page in the book.

She furrowed her brows, "then why are you sitting here?" She asked, irritated.

He looked up at her and with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "I am trying to study. But your talking is distracting."

She opened her mouth to say something back, but closed it and puckered her lips grumpily. For a second, Draco's eyes moved to her lips before going back to his book. She noticed this and immediately looked back down at her book without another word.

He glanced over to her and saw her ears red and suppressed a smile, going back to studying. After a moment Céline glanced up at him, he was focused on his book and writing diligently. That's when she noticed the familiar quill in his hand. It was the one she had given him for Christmas. She felt her chest tighten for a moment, quickly shaking off the feeling and tried focusing on her studying.

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The first week of June was here and the exams started, for some easily, others not as much. After the last exam Céline was going to meet up with Harry and the others, but was intervened by Draco.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" He asked with a smug look. She wanted to slap that look off his face, but held back.

"I think you know exactly where I'm going. But if I need to say it, I'm going to meet Harry and see if we can stop Buckbeak from getting executed." She said as she tried to step around him, only to be blocked again.

Draco's lip twitched down at Harry's name, "You won't be able to stop it."

"It wasn't the poor creatures' fault that you were too cocky and didn't do what Hagrid said. You weren't careful." She looked pointedly at him

"That beast attacked me! Broke my arm!" He claimed,

"You provoked it! And I know exactly what a broken arm looks like. You had a scratch, you big baby." She retorted. "Now if you'll excuse me." She started to pass him when he grabbed her wrist. She glared at him, "let go Malfoy."

"You won't be able to stop it. My father will be there." He said.

"So?"

"So, what do you think my father will tell yours if he sees you trying to help three kinds of people they very much dislike?" He argued his tone was stern. Then he sighed, "Greengrass told me what happened...last year I mean, with your parents... shouldn't you be more cautious?" His voice softened. She stared at him for a moment, trying to read his expression.

She sighed in a defeated tone gently releasing her wrist from his hold, "Fine... let me go meet with them an—"

"But you just said—" he narrowed his eyes.

"And tell them I can't be of much help. Merlin Malfoy, you're not the only one who doesn't like to be interrupted." She huffed turning around to start walking.

"I'll go with you." He said before she turned back to him and frowned.

"No, you are not. I know you'll be rude to Harry and the others. Also, don't think for a moment that I'm okay with speaking with you, just because you made conversation with me now." She put her hand on her hip.

He crossed his arms in defiance. "I thought you'd be over it by now."

She looked at him a little surprised before glaring at him again, "You said something very hurtful, after you kis—-" she stopped herself from saying anymore. He looked at her with a calm face and an eyebrow raised. Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, she quickly turned away, "just...go away Malfoy!" She yelled behind her as she hurried down the hall.

He watched her go down the hall, before turning away, his ears had also turned pink.

Céline ran to meet her three friends who were waiting by the bridge by the bell tower. She explained to them she wouldn't be able to help out. Telling them that Draco's father knows her father and if he saw her, he'd likely tell him. Thankfully they understood.

Harry patted her shoulder trying to comfort knowing she felt bad that she couldn't do anything to help. He told her that they would fill her in later. She nodded solemnly and walked back into the castle.