Ruby Dellamark arrived at Hogwarts in year three. There, she met the arrogant, but also torn Slytherin Prince, Draco Malfoy. She learns a few things about Draco, and also herself, as Hogwarts prepares itself for the return of the Dark Lord.
*I...
Ruby had to take a test in herbology the next day, so she had decided to shut everybody out and study quietly at the library. She had books piled up high, and parchments in a scattered mess, but the more she worked, the more she memorized, and the more determined she was to bump up her grade.
Curfew had begun five minutes ago, but tonight was Draco's turn to make the final rounds, and make sure nobody was sneaking out. So far, so good. He passed by the library, then he smelled a familiar scent: candle wax. He looked inside, finding a light emulating from the back. He suddenly got excited, ready to make a bust and present them to Umbridge.
He slipped inside, making sure to be super quiet and followed the glow of the candle. But as he looked around the corner, he was surprised to find Ruby. That fact that she was there wasn't what surprised him:
She was sound asleep.
For a while, he just stood there and watched her. Her shoulders rose and fell with every breath she took, and her arms rested on a messy stack of parchment as they pillowed her head. The wick of the candle was almost out, holding onto its last bit of wax.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Draco found himself stuck; he had a job to do, and he had to do it well. On the other hand, Ruby looked quite peaceful as she slept, and he would never admit this – but she looked beautiful. Perhaps it was just the fact that she wasn't mouthing off, or rolling her eyes, or making petty comments at him and his friends, but whatever it was, Draco almost didn't want to wake her up.
If it were anybody else, he would've made a glass of water appear and throw it over their head; but instead, he crouched down next to her and shook her gently.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Ruby! Wake up, Ruby!" he whispered. Ruby groaned and eventually opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Draco's blue irises staring back at her. She sat up slowly and did a little stretch.
"Oh, hey," she said, her voice has a groggy rasp as she spoke, and Draco found it soothing.
"What're you doing?" he asked her.
"Studying. Well – I was. I guess I fell asleep," she replied, then gave a little yawn, "What are you doing?" she asked.
"Curfew checks," he replied. Suddenly, Ruby was much more awake.
