The Carnival ⌁ Draco Malfoy [1/4] ✔

27

The two, after finishing their butterbeers, moved on out of the Three Broomsticks and over to Honeyduke's, which in Emma's opinion reminded her of something people would describe as heaven. But, along the way there they had passed Pansy, Daphne and a sixth-year who Emma did not know.

"Hi there, Draco," said the sixth-year. Her beady brown eyes had moved over to Emma, and she belched loudly and pulled a hideous face. "You can do better than that."

"Jealous?" Draco had sneered, Emma hopelessly looked back and forth between the two of them, and a triumphed looking Daphne and Pansy.

"Of her?" laughed the sixth-year. "No, not at all."

"Then what are you jealous of?"

"I'm not jealous, Draco," the sixth-year said softly. "Just disappointed."

She walked past with Daphne and Pansy trailing behind her, laughing loudly.

Draco glared before turning to look at Emma's reaction, his face full of concern.

"I'm OK," she'd waved him off with a sheepish smile. "Let's just keep moving."

Excitement bubbled in the pit of her stomach as she filled a basket with some of the weirdest sweets she'd come across so far. Chocolate Frogs, Chocolate Skeletons, Jelly Slugs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Pepper Imps...Emma didn't know if she was game enough to try most of these, but if not, then Draco had himself a late Christmas present.

While reaching over to grab a No-melt ice cream, Draco spoke.

"You know over the past hour I've not learnt a thing about you," he said while bagging Pumpkin Pasties, he turned to look at her. "I already learnt one thing on my own, though. But other than that I'd like to know more."

"What have you learnt on your own, exactly?" Emma questioned, curious yet worried about him being right about something totally mortifying.

"You're great at standing up for other people...not so great at standing up for yourself, though," Draco responded, pursing his lips and raising his eyebrows. "Unless you're telling me off, of course."

Emma laughed quietly, and they moved over to pay for their sweets. The two went into a great argument about who was paying - Draco wanted to pay for everything, Emma wanted to pay separately or she'd pay for everything herself. The bald chubby man at the counter looked annoyed, glowered silently as he summed up the price. Emma and Draco paid separately.

"You're so stubborn, you know?" Draco said idly, smirking at the sound of Emma's light chuckles. "Another I've learnt on my own."

"Well, what do you want to know, then?" she said hastily, switching hands on holding her basket.

"Anything," he said airily, and while Emma stared ahead she could still feel his intense gaze on her. "Anything about you interests me."

And while not expecting it, Emma felt her face grow hot and the discomfort was closing in on her. She must have looked it because Draco said nothing.

"I'm quite partial to seeing the best in people whenever I can sense a masquerade going on," she replied quietly, still feeling his gaze on her as they slowly inched their way out of the High Street. "Let's take you for example. I find you're much nicer when you're in a sad mood. Of course not right away, you were quite snappy when I first started talking to you, but you were OK in the end. And here at Hogwarts you're so much different. You're more confident and seem to be well aware of that ego of yours," Emma paused to nudge Draco. "But I know you mean well."