Serpent's Veil || Draco Malfoy.

Love is, actually, all around

🎵"Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol

The crisp autumn air fills the stands as a pensive Emily and Matthew settle onto the wooden bleachers, bundled in thick scarves and wool coats. Emily tugs at her gloves, feeling the soft knit brush against her skin, while Matthew adjusts his beanie, pulling it down over his ears to keep warm. Their breaths form small clouds in the cool breeze, visible in the chill. Below them, the Slytherin Quidditch team is in the midst of a spirited practice, their brooms whizzing through the sky in a synchronized dance of green and silver.

Emily sips her coffee slowly, feeling the comforting warmth contrast with the chilly weather. Her gaze follows the players as they dive with precision. Matthew, who's also been watching with keen interest, nudges her and points toward the pitch.

"Regarde Malfoy et Nott. Ils se donnent vraiment à fond aujourd'hui."

Emily had introduced them to Matthew the other day and, to be honest, neither of the two had actually been any nice to him.

Emily herself was still bitter with Theo over him rejecting her as a date to the ball, and Draco and Emily, well, Draco and Emily were Draco and Emily.

They hadn't spoken much since their meeting to discuss their task, and there had been a bit of tension between them. Plus, the blond loved making sure people "knew their place," and he wasn't too fond of Emily constantly being surrounded by some stupid French boy who "probably couldn't tell his ass from his elbow," as he had openly told her. 

Emily had brushed it off at the time, pretending she didn't care what Draco thought, but it stung more than she'd like to admit. She couldn't ignore the strange feeling that crept in whenever Draco made snide remarks about Matthew. There was an underlying possessiveness in his tone, one that unsettled her as much as it confused her. 

It wasn't like Draco actually cared about her... right?

And yet, there was Pansy's comment the other day. 

Her name on his lips during something as private and personal as sex. 

Emily couldn't shake the idea. 

Draco might have been harsh, but why would he think about her in that moment?

The same thing had happened to her a month ago with Theo, and it had sent her spiraling into confusion. 

One quiet evening, wrapped up in the heat of the moment, she had whispered Draco's name, the name she had tried so hard to forget.

But him? Draco? She couldn't comprehend that happening to him.

He was always so composed, so in control, never allowing anyone to see how deeply he felt—or so she thought. For him to let something slip like that, especially during such an intimate moment, felt too raw, too real. It didn't fit the image she had of him, the version of Draco who was calculating, sharp, and detached from anything emotional.

Her mind spun with thoughts, the kind she didn't want to give voice to. 

But here she was, sitting in the cold with Matthew, while her thoughts circled around Draco Malfoy—someone she knew better than to let get under her skin.

The girl glances down at the pitch, where the two Slytherins are both showcasing their skills

Draco is streaking across the sky, his broom gliding effortlessly as he chases after the Quaffle. Theo, equally impressive, is expertly guarding the goal hoops, his focus unwavering as he anticipates every move of the opposing chasers, which in this case are other Slytherins.