friends with benefits - draco malfoy

chapter twenty eight

i rocked back on my chair, tired of defence against the dark arts class already. umbridge hadn't been so bad with punishments lately, but her lessons were still stupidly boring. always just some form of comprehensive essay, or questions from a textbook. she still hadn't budged on her teaching methods, insisting that practical teaching of the dark arts was far too dangerous to take place. draco caught my eye from across the classroom, putting his hand up to his head in the shape of a gun before sticking his tongue out and going cross-eyed, playing dead. i looked around to make sure nobody was looking, sticking my tongue out back at him, before shaking my head and putting my head back down to finish my work. i badly wanted to be with draco after this lesson, and i knew we both had a free, but i'd promised the DA i would go to the library and read up about some new spells. the younger years were up to speed with us now, and we were running out of things to teach them, so i had a feeling the next few sessions were going to be as much teaching ourselves as teaching them.

the bell rang, and i refrained from looking over at draco. i knew umbridge would be looking around the class right now, and i didn't want to give her any reason to be suspicious. i picked my textbook up, attempting to put it in my bag and completely missing. i watched like an idiot as it fell to the floor, creating a massive smack. 'whoops' blaise remarked like an idiot 'i'll get that for you'. he grabbed it, presenting it to me with a flourish. i smiled at him, trying to look as thankful as i could possibly manage. i took the book from him, trying not to cringe as my hand brushed his. 'so y/n' blaise commented 'doing anything later?'. i rolled my eyes at his obvious attempt to be smooth. even though i'd tried to make excuses to myself for what blaise had said, it didn't mean i was prepared to suddenly become best friend's with him. 'yes actually' i huffed 'i'm going to the library'.
'i'll come with you' he offered.
'no thanks' i replied, forcing myself to smile at him 'i prefer to study alone'.

i picked my bag up, the book now safely inside, and walked quickly out of the classroom, not even stopping to talk to hermione, ron and harry like usual. i just wanted to get away from that awkward conversation. i headed down the corridor to the library, pushing open the door to see draco was already sat at one of the tables in the back. he had his back to me, so i figured i could just get the books and dip, so i walked quietly over to one of the shelves. i found the section i needed without too much hassle, and had to fight the urge to cough when i reached it. there was so much dust here it could be considered a health and safety hazard, it was obvious that nobody had used this section for years. i pulled a book off the shelf about dark spells that looked promising, stuffing it in my bag and starting to scour the shelf for more. i grabbed a couple other books, realising that like an idiot, i hadn't fetched a big enough bag. i clutched the extra few books to my chest, getting ready to head out the library. the hard bit would be getting back out the library without being caught.

i kept as far from his table as i could, all too aware that he was the only one in there so any noises i made would be painfully obvious. i felt like every footstep squeaked more than usual, every breath i tool sounded like a great gasp for air. i was nearly past his table now, grateful for how close the doors were. suddenly my foot got ripped out from underneath me, i flung through the air, somehow managing to grab the corner of a table and stop myself from falling. i turned around at the massive pile of books i'd dropped on the floor, surrounding the chair leg i'd somehow managed to get my foot caught on. i'm such an idiot. draco was looking at me from across the library, turned around in his seat and giving me a bemused glance. 'came down with quite a bang did you?' he asked cheekily and i rolled my eyes, attempting to play off the fact i was avoiding him. 'i didn't realise you were in here!' i exclaimed and draco shook his head. 'oh yeah sure, just like i didn't realise crabbe could read' he scoffed and i smiled sheepishly. he walked over to me quickly and i started to gather up the books of the floor, trying to be as discreet as possible about the panic i was grabbing at them with. 'come on then, let's see' he laughed 'what are you reading that is so shameful you didn't want me to see you'. he reached over, picking one of the books up. 'the darkest spells and their many uses' he read, frowning slightly, 'what did you want this for?'.
'uhhh' i replied, trying to think of an answer 'no reason'. he picked up the next one, frowning at the title again. 'y/n, i know you told me a while ago you weren't part of the group potter and his friends have supposedly made, but if they've somehow forced you to join since then, now would be the time to leave'.
'no!' i protested 'it's not that! i'm not part of some group, there isn't even a group! well there might be, but i wouldn't know because i'm not part of it'. he raised his eyebrows at me, clearly trying to decide which part of his statement had unlocked my inner eminem. i paused, trying to slow down my speech. 'it's just that, i'm failing defence against the dark arts, so i wanted to do some extra credit to try and get my grade up'. draco smiled at me, looking relieved. 'you could have just asked me for help' he said, passing me the books he was holding. 'i was embarrassed' i replied, trying not to show on my face that i was lying through my teeth. he laughed, obviously amused that he thought i was ashamed to admit i was failing a subject. 'i'll tutor you' he told me, 'don't worry, i won't tell anyone if you don't'. he winked at me, clearly thinking he was doing me a favour and helping me. i smiled back at him, trying to look grateful. now i had to find time for tutoring sessions i didn't need, as well as the DA meetings and normal schoolwork.