Far Away (Draco Malfoy)

~ 4 ~

     "You'll see," Lila said with a wink, yanking the door open. The music hit us instantly— a pulsing rhythm that made the floor vibrate. Voices shouted over the beat, laughter rang out, and the smell of something sugary and spiced wafted down the corridor.

     The common room was alive.

     When we stepped into the room, the sight was straight out of a party movie. Someone had enchanted green and silver lights to dance across the walls, casting an otherworldly glow over the space. The tables were piled with snacks and drinks— some magical, some very clearly not Hogwarts-approved. A group of students had pushed the couches aside to create a makeshift dance floor, and even the normally aloof seventh years were swaying to the music.

     "Surprised?" Lila asked, leaning casually against the doorframe, watching my wide-eyed reaction.

     "This... is not what I expected," I admitted, torn between awe and sheer nervousness.

     Lila chuckled, grabbing my wrist. "Come on, newbie. You can't just stand here gawking. Let's mingle."

     I stumbled after her as Lila navigated the chaos like she'd done it a hundred times before. A few students turned to look at us, but most were too busy having a good time to care.

     "What's the occasion?" I asked, raising my voice over the music.

     "Start of term," Lila said with a shrug. "We like to set the tone early. Let everyone know Slytherin knows how to live."

     I hesitated as Lila reached for two butterbeer bottles on the table, handing one over with a knowing smirk.

     "Relax," Lila said. "You're one of us now. Might as well enjoy it."

     I took the bottle and sipped cautiously, my tension easing a little with the warmth of the drink. "This is... not bad."

     "See? Told you," Lila said, clinking her bottle against mine. "Now let's find you someone to talk to before you chicken out and bolt back to the dorm."

     "I wasn't going to bolt," I protested, but Lila just laughed, already pulling me toward a group of students arguing over who cast the best Silencing Charm last year.

     I was just starting to relax, the warmth of the butterbeer and Lila's sarcastic commentary easing my nerves. I let myself be led around the room, meeting a few other students and even laughing at a particularly dramatic recount of someone's summer holiday escapades. The party felt almost... fun.

     But, of course, fate had other plans.

     As I turned to follow Lila through the crowd, I collided with something— or rather, someone. Hard. My butterbeer sloshed out of the bottle, splattering all over the front of a perfectly tailored black robe.

     "What the bloody hell—" a sharp, cold voice hissed.

     I looked up and instantly regretted every life choice that had led me to this moment. Standing in front of me, staring down with a look that could freeze fire, was none other than Draco Malfoy.

     "Are you completely blind, or just unbelievably stupid?" he snapped, his pale eyes narrowing into icy slits.

     My heart raced, but instead of cowering, I squared my shoulders. I wasn't about to let him get the upper hand. "Maybe you shouldn't stand in the middle of the room like you own it."

     His lips curled into a sneer. "That's because I do. Unlike you, new girl, who clearly doesn't belong here."

     "Oh, I belong just fine," I shot back, crossing my arms. "Sorry if your little superiority complex can't handle sharing the space."