Entranced (Draco Malfoy)

•thirty-six•

Draco Malfoy watches out of the window, eyes narrowed. Dove Taylor and Harry Potter sit together at Dobby the Elf's grave, conversing lightly. He doesn't trust Harry, especially with his Dove. 

He sighs, shaking his head and turning around. He can feel the danger coming. He knows that if Harry is here, their time is running out. The bubble of safety and happiness they've been living in over the past few months is about to be over. He looks at his girlfriend once more, watching her speak about something animatedly, clearly trying to cheer Harry up. They've been living in perfection for the past nine months. 

They've been able to ignore the impending war, come to terms with their failure from last year, and mourn for those they lost. But now, he knows they will have to face the fact that one of them may get hurt or even die in the war.

He winces, closing his eyes. The pain in his heart is almost unbearable. He can't lose her. And he definitely won't make her go through the pain of losing him. But with Death Eaters and maybe even the Dark Lord himself gunning for them, how can he be so sure they will both survive? 

He can't.

The thought echoes around his mind, bouncing around, taunting him. He doesn't know how he can protect himself and Dove. Or maybe he does. But he won't do it. He could not ask Dove to not participate in the war. And he knows deep down he couldn't ask that of himself. 

"Draco?" Dove's worried voice reaches his ears. He opens his eyes, noting she's alone. "Are you alright?"

"I am now."

Draco stands in front of the Great Hall, Pansy Parkinson next to him. She talks animatedly to Blaise Zabini, only stopping now and then to give a look at her date, squeezing his arm to show she is not ignoring him. He looks around boredly, his grey eyes seeking out the one person he gives a damn about in this school. Maybe that statement isn't true, maybe he does truly care for others in this school. But he won't say it aloud, for only she makes him feel. 

He finally spots her as she is coming down the steps. His eyes widen, and a surprised breath leaves his mouth. Pansy follows his gaze to the fourth year Hufflepuff, and she too, looks surprised. Blaise, however, simply grins, as if he already knew just how beautiful the girl could be.

"Wow," Draco whispers, unable to stop himself. 

"She is stunning," Pansy admits grudgingly, unable to be mean.

"Look at her date," Blaise offers.

The stunning girl in green takes the arm of Seamus Finnegan, smiling fondly at him. He says something to her that causes a light blush to spread across her cheeks, no doubt a compliment. The unexpected couple walks towards the throng of people simply waiting to go into the Great Hall, attracting much attention.

"S'pose there's a reason she's called the Hufflepuff Princess," Pansy sniffs. 

"Actually, right now, don't you think she's the Slytherin Princess?" Blaise counters, shooting a wicked look at his friend.

Draco stumbles for a response, unable to lift his eyes from her, "Then she's my equal." 

"Think you'll ask her for a dance?" His date asks curiously, not jealous, which surprises both boys a bit.

"Doubtful," he admits. "I've told Diggory once and I'll tell him again: she's too good for me."

And for once, the raven-haired girl gives him some solid advice, "If you keep rejecting all the good from your life, you'll be left with nothing but heartbreak. Give yourself a chance, Draco."