Staged Hearts - Draco Malfoy (enemies to lovers)

20. Punched

Aria lay in the infirmary, her face pale against the stark white sheets. The room was quiet, but the tension was palpable.

Draco sat beside her bed, his fingers intertwined with hers, worry etched across his features.

The other members of the Slytherin team stood nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and anger.

Lorenzo paced back and forth, his brow furrowed. “Why isn’t she waking up? She should be fine by now.”

Blaise leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “It doesn’t make sense. She’s strong. She’ll come back to us.”

Pansy broke the silence, her voice trembling slightly. “This was planned. It had to be that obsessed freak, Clarissa. She’s been targeting Aria for ages. This was just the culmination of her jealousy.”

Mattheo looked incredulous. “You think she intended to hurt Aria like this?”

“I know she did,” Pansy replied, her eyes blazing with anger. “She missed in her first attempt but got it right this time. She must be thrilled with herself.”

Draco’s grip tightened around Aria’s hand, fury bubbling beneath the surface. “I’m going to make her pay for this,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Before anyone could react, Draco stood up abruptly, determination etched on his face. “I’m done waiting around.”

“Wait, Draco!” Pansy called, but he was already out the door.

“Let him go,”  Lorenzo said, his tone grim. “He needs to handle this. We’ll stay here with Aria.”

Pansy hesitated, glancing between Aria and the door where Draco had just stormed out. “I can’t let him face her alone,” she said, rushing after him.

Draco stormed through the corridors, his heart racing with anger. He could picture Clarissa’s smug face, and it fueled his rage.

He found her in the courtyard, laughing with her friends, the sound grating on his nerves.

“Clarissa!” he yelled, striding towards her.

She turned, her laughter fading as she caught sight of him. “Oh, Draco! What a surprise! Here to congratulate me on my Quidditch skills?” Her voice dripped with false sweetness.

Without a moment's hesitation, he shoved her hard against the wall, his fingers wrapping tightly around her throat.

“You think this is a joke? You’ve hurt Aria, and I’m not letting you get away with it.”

Clarissa’s eyes widened, but she quickly masked her fear with a smirk. “She had it coming. You should know better than to play with someone like her.”

At that moment, Pansy burst onto the scene, her heart pounding. “Draco, stop! You can’t do this!” She rushed forward and pulled him back, her voice frantic.

“Let go of me, Pansy!” he shouted, but she held her ground.

“Think about Aria! This isn’t the way!” Pansy pleaded, her eyes darting between the two of them.

Clarissa coughed slightly, regaining her composure. “You’re such a loser, Draco. She’s just using you, and you’re too blind to see it.”

That was the last straw. Pansy, filled with a mix of rage and protectiveness, swung her fist and punched Clarissa square in the face. “Don’t you dare talk about her like that!”

Clarissa stumbled back, shock written all over her face. “You’ll pay for that, Pansy!” she spat, wiping the blood from her lip.

Draco stepped forward, his expression fierce. “Stay away from Aria. If you even think about targeting her again, you’ll regret it.”

“I’ll do whatever I want,” Clarissa hissed, her bravado faltering slightly.

“No, you won’t,” Draco warned, stepping closer, his voice low and threatening. “You’ve crossed a line, and I won’t let you hurt her again.”

Pansy stood beside him, her own anger boiling. “This isn’t over, Clarissa. We’re watching you.”

As they turned to leave, Draco glanced back, his resolve firm. “If Aria doesn’t wake up because of you, you’ll wish you hadn’t messed with her.”

With that, they walked away, leaving Clarissa fuming in their wake. Draco’s heart raced, not just from anger but from worry for Aria. He knew he needed to be there for her, no matter what.

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