At the End

IX

It was just another ordinary lunch in the Great Hall when Caleb slid into the seat across from me. The usual buzz of chatter and clinking silverware faded as I tried to focus on the Astronomy chart in front of me. But no matter how hard I stared, I couldn't seem to make sense of it.

"Good afternoon," Caleb said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I sighed, setting the chart aside in defeat. "Hey."

He gave me a smirk, clearly amused by my frustration. "If you'd like, I can help you later. But there's something else I wanted to ask you."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"

"There's a Ravenclaw gathering on Friday night. I'd like you to come with me," he said, sounding casual, but there was a definite eagerness in his tone.

I blinked, surprised. "A gathering? For Ravenclaw?"

He nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, the usual—music, snacks, maybe some games. Nothing too fancy, but it could be fun. You could use a break from all that studying." He pointed at the Astronomy chart still sitting forgotten in front of me.

I hesitated. Social events weren't really my thing, and I hadn't ever thought much about Ravenclaw parties. But Caleb had been a good study partner, and honestly, getting away from the tension with Draco sounded like a nice change.

"Fine, I'll go," I said, trying to sound confident.

Caleb's face lit up. "Great! I'll meet you in the common room at nine?"

"That works," I said, feeling an unexpected flutter of nerves.

Just as I was about to say something else, Draco's voice cut through the air.

"You're going to a gathering?" he asked, his cold, slightly amused tone lacing his words as he stood at the end of the table, eyeing me with that same aloof expression.

I could feel a flush creeping up my neck, the tension between us still thick after the events of the day before. "Yeah, Caleb invited me," I said, keeping my voice neutral.

Draco raised an eyebrow, and for a split second, I couldn't tell if he was surprised or annoyed. He crossed his arms, leaning against the table as though he had all the time in the world.

"How... intriguing," he said, his drawl deliberate. "I didn't take you for the party type."

I shrugged, trying not to feel unsettled. "I'm not, usually. But I could use a change of pace."

He paused, his gaze flicking over Caleb, who seemed more amused than anything. "In that case, I hope you enjoy yourself," Draco said finally, his words layered with something I couldn't quite place. He gave a quick nod to me and then turned to leave, his footsteps echoing in the hall.

Caleb chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "That was... interesting."

I rolled my eyes and let out a breath. "Interactions with Draco are always interesting."

"So, is he the reason you've been distracted lately?" Caleb asked, leaning in a little closer and lowering his voice. "You two are definitely acting... off."

I froze, caught off guard by his observation. "We're fine," I said quickly, probably too quickly. "We're just friends, that's all."

Caleb didn't seem convinced but didn't push further. "All right, if you say so. Anyway, the party should be fun. A nice break from all the schoolwork and..." He gave me a pointed look, "...drama."

I nodded, trying to push my thoughts about Draco aside. But even as Caleb and I talked, I couldn't shake the feeling that Draco's words—"Enjoy yourself"—had carried more weight than I wanted to admit.

When Friday night rolled around, I found myself entering the Ravenclaw common room with Caleb by my side, the atmosphere alive with music and chatter. There were students from all houses mingling, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I could actually breathe. Still, something felt a little off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the sense that something important was missing lingered in the back of my mind.

I scanned the room absentmindedly, and then, as if drawn by some invisible force, my eyes found Draco.

He was standing by the refreshment table, talking to a few students. His platinum blond hair caught the light, and his usual cool posture was there, but when our eyes met across the room, I felt a sharp tension crackle between us. For a moment, it was as if the whole room fell away.

Before I could react, Draco quickly looked away, resuming his conversation, though I could still feel the weight of the moment hanging in the air.

"Everything okay?" Caleb's voice broke my trance as he handed me a drink.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said quickly, trying to refocus. But despite my words, my mind kept drifting back to Draco—why was I still thinking about him?

"Maybe he's just here to have fun too," Caleb said with a teasing grin. "After all, who doesn't love a good party?"

I nodded, though his words didn't quite have the effect he probably intended. For some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that Draco's presence here, and the weird tension that came with it, was more significant than I was willing to admit.

A/N:- I have a feeling this was a little too rushed.

                                                                                       -Nora<3