Drip. Drip. Drip. I roll over in my bed and rub my temples and gaze out of the window. It's my first week back at Hogwarts, and lately the weather hasn't been very pleasant to us. I scan the room to check if anyone else is struggling to sleep, but I'm relieved to see that all the girls are fast asleep. The sound of tired sighs and shifting around in the bed covers is so loud yet so quiet. I let my blanket slide off my shoulders, put on my slippers and reach in my bag. The room is so dimly lit that I can only just see the outline of the objects in there and I search for some time before I find what I've been looking for. Chocolate frogs! I zip the bag, sigh to myself and tiptoe across the room and silently close the door to the dormitories behind me and lean my back against it and rest for a second. I tuck my silky raven hair behind my ears and sigh again before hurrying down the stairs and rushing into the common room. My heart skips a beat and my smile widens. There he is.
"What have we here?" I intone. The tall, dark and mysterious figure spins their head around only to reveal the most familiar and darling person I've ever known. Draco Lucius Malfoy. He smiles and greets me with a hug, one so warm and welcoming that I simply melt into his arms. He runs his hands through my hair and slowly releases me and laughs.
"What have you got there in your hands?" he questions.
"Why of course, chocolate frogs Mr. Malfoy. Now what sort of friend would I be if I didn't spoil you with your favourite sweet treat?"
His eyes soften and he reaches out to get one out of my hands, his hand touching mine. For a second, it's like I can feel elecricity spreading to every inch of my body, but I quickly snap back to reality and sit on the couch in front of the fireplace. The Slytherin common room would be expected to be cold and lonely, but the truth is that it's one of the warmest and safest places for me. Draco looks at me while opening his chocolate frog and looking at the card.
"I got Krum!" he exclaims.
"Pfft, no biggie, I've got about 20 of him, loser" I snap back playfully. He slightly shoves my head and laughs.
"Showoff." He runs a hand through his gleaming golden waves and looks into the fireplace.
"You know, summer was pretty boring without you. Mother and Father made me practice Seeking almost everyday, as if I'm not already the best player Slytherin has ever gotten." He keeps looking back at me and his crystal clear blue eyes gleam. I wrap my arm around his shoulder and giggle.
"Why of course you are. Summer was boring without you too. My little brother has been trying to steal my cat from me multiple times, little rascal. I don't suppose you'd want to spend next summer together? I mean after all, our parents should really get to know each other, you know, since we've been friends for almost 3 years." Draco looks lost in thought and then slightly nods.
"Yes, I suppose." I cross my legs and rest my head on his shoulder. Being Draco's best friend feels like such a huge achievement. In our first year, Snape paired us to work together on a Potions homework task. Slowly, we realised we were so much alike than we thought we'd be. Ever since, we have been inseparable. I am the first person he comes to when something has happened to him and he's the first person I go to. Draco feels like home. When I'm with him, I feel safe, protected, happy. We are now one week into Third Year and every night we have been sneaking into the common room to tell stories and laugh together. I admire his sharp jawline and his long eyelashes. Slowly, my eyes drift to his lips and I stare at them, but quickly look away and tuck my head into my jumper. Yes, I am his best friend, but sometimes I wonder what it'd be like to be more than that.
