Nyctophilia ➳ Draco x Reader

XV;

IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS since Draco last encountered (Y/N) Phoenix. It was odd how she tried to avoid him, even after the Yule Ball. Didn't she enjoy herself? They weren't enemies, were they? How could they be enemies? There was absolutely no doubt that she was happy that night.

Draco didn't know the answer to any of these questions, but something inside him couldn't care less. It was a little thing called pride.

She's just a typical girl. Confusing, complicated, and... Useless. He didn't need her, he shouldn't care about her. He only used her for the Yule Ball, which was over and done with now.

Although, there was the other side of him that absolutely hated how much she looked down upon him. It was just natural for a Malfoy to try to prove himself, wasn't it? There it was again, that little thing... pride.

Perhaps Draco had too much pride.

However, even if she wasn't exactly talking to Draco, the whole school was talking about them. He was thankfully no longer teased for the ferret incident, and actually gained some of his better reputation back. People went back to fearing him and respecting him. Everything was absolutely perfect in Draco Malfoy's world, except for the fact that there was still one Slytherin who didn't fear or respect him at all. Of course it had to be her.

But earning the respect of most of his fellow students wasn't the only thing floating around. People were actually talking about them romantically. Rumors were flying around left and right, some shocked that the girl even went with Draco. Others were not too surprised...

Draco wasn't too sure about how he thought about these rumors, but he decided it would be best to just leave everyone in wonder. He wasn't one to give people what they wanted.

If everyone wanted to believe rumors like a bunch of fools, then he would let them.

He decided not to think about these things as he made his way to the library. Break was over in five days and he had forgotten about all the homework he received. Even though it was break, he had to complete a couple essays and a few small reading assignments. Otherwise, his mother would have a fit if she ever heard her son was behind in school.

Which reminded him, he needed to write to his parents about the Yule Ball. His father would surely favor the fact that he took Phoenix as a date.

Draco sauntered into the library, a few of his own books in hand, and spotted Zabini at a table not so far away. Not wanting to be alone to do his work, Draco proceeded to sit right next to him.

"Malfoy." Zabini greeted, scratching his quill on a piece of parchment. "Decided to finally do your homework, did you?"

"Well now that there isn't anything else to do..." Draco said and dropped some of his books on the table. "Why did we even get work to do over break?"

"The professors are probably taking advantage of the fact everyone stayed here for break."

"Which assignment are you doing?" Draco sighed, getting out some parchment and quills.

"Transfiguration essay," Zabini answered.

Draco nodded and decided he would do that essay first also. Soon the two were sitting quietly across from each other, the only sounds being the pages flipping and the quills writing. Neither talked, other than occasionally asking about a certain topic or page number. Until Zabini interrupted the silence.

"So you and Phoenix aren't getting along so well anymore?"

"What?" Draco stopped writing and looked at the Slytherin.