Entranced (Draco Malfoy)

•thirteen•

Fourth Year - November 1994

A small Hufflepuff girl sits in the library, four open books surrounding her. A piece of parchment sits before her, a bottle of ink to her left. Her head rests on her fist, her eyes closed. Ink smears on her neck, the quill drawing designs on her with every breath she takes.

A fourth-year Slytherin enters the library, returning a book on bloodlines. Observing the nearly-empty space, he spots his friend. He shakes his head at her, walking forward.

"Malfoy," a stern voice interjects before he can reach her. Sighing, the platinum blond turns around. His interrupter is a surprise he hadn't been expecting. "Let her sleep. She's running herself ragged for this next task."

"Diggory, she's getting ink all over herself," Draco points out, waving his hand in her direction. "Besides, she's worried about you."

Cedric Diggory sighs, "I know." He runs a hand over his face, sitting down, "She's more worried about this than I am. She just wants me to do well and not get hurt."

"That's not a bad thing." Draco takes a seat next to the older Hufflepuff, "There are far worse things in life then having Dove Taylor care for you." 

"I see the way you look at her," Cedric says slyly, eyeing the Slytherin. "Why not ask her to the Yule Ball?"

For once, he can't summon any haughtiness. He glances at Dove, finding her fast asleep, the ink all over her neck. A soft smile takes over his features, but he hurriedly changes it to a frown before Cedric notices.

"I can't," he admits. "Can you imagine what people would say?" 

"Your reputation--" Cedric starts, looking mildly angry.

"It's not mine that I'm worried about," Draco snaps. "It's hers. I don't know anyone who has said a bad thing about her. That would change if she went out with me." 

The Hufflepuff, knowing the statement is true, sighs heavily, "I don't think she'd care."

"I care," the blond mumbles. "Besides, I'm sure she'll be able to find a suitable date in no time."

Cedric nods absentmindedly, knowing that to also be true. His cousin is beautiful, and he's not just admitting that because she's family. She is truly spellbinding, and she has no idea. He's been trying to coax her into learning how beautiful she is, but she doesn't seem to be reacting to it.

"Maybe so." There is quiet for a moment. "Draco," he starts, garnering the blond's full attention simply because of the use of his first name, "If there is a time where you decide you're done playing by society's rules and caring about what others think, be with her. Dove is rare."

He can only nod, agreeing completely but not wanting to voice it for fear of admitting weakness, "You should wake her and take her to her dorm at least."

"I'll do that," Cedric agrees. "Have a good night."

"You as well."

Draco turns around and leaves the library without returning his book. Cedric watches him go, eyes narrowed slightly. He sighs a little bit, feeling as if he's aged ten years since his sixth year started.

He turns his attention to his brunette cousin, gently maneuvering the quill out of her hand. He screws the cap onto the bottle of ink, placing it in her bag along with her quill. Standing, he shuts the books and puts them all back for her. 

When he arrives back at the table, he snickers a bit at her appearance. There is ink all over her neck, dripping onto her shirt. He's not sure how she managed to get that much ink on her, but he definitely isn't complaining about it.