Phases (editing)

seven

AN- chapter songs: You're a wolf by sea wolf, Problems by mother mother

6th October 1995

First Quarter

"A moment?" The words drifted into my ears from above and my gaze followed. Draco. Expression tight. Jaw clenched. Fists shoved into the pockets of his charcoal slacks. Without a second glance, he would've looked the perfect image of ease.

I motioned my hand to the open seat beside me, and brought my attention back to the textbook in front of me. My alone time in the library, is now spoiled. Out of my peripheral, I spot Draco removing his messenger bag and seating himself in one swift motion. He props his forearms on the table and leans into them to limit the distance between us. As much as I am aware of his presence next to me, I haven't the bit of desire to move my gaze from the textbook I'm flipping through.

A moment's silence stretched noticeably long. I realize he's waiting for me to acknowledge him. "Malfoy?"

"We have prior commitments to which need tending." He's talking about the potions assignment, I'd assume.

I brought my attention to him, folding my hands into my arms to lean into. "Alright," A sigh left my throat, "get on with it."

He started picking nonexistent lint from his sweater. "Amortentia contains complicated ingredients, that will take up more time than I have to spare. I suggest getting a start at your earliest convenience."

"You chose it." I retaliated.

"If memory serves correctly, I believe the words 'dealer's choice' were said, and not from me." He rolled his eyes.

"Get on with the plan then," we don't have nice Draco, today, "you irritable bloke."

"I took the luxury of already obtaining the potion." He reached into the dragon skin messenger bag, to reveal a palm-sized vial of a pearl-tinted liquid. "For deconstruction purposes." He prefaces with a brow lifted above his right eye.

"Monday, Wednesday, and Friday then?" I request.

"Evenings, after dinner," he specifies beyond my preferred days. "Mondays in the library. Wednesdays in the potions classroom. Then, Friday- whatever it is we need." He set the vial in the middle of the table, between us. "A month's time to work on this, so be punctual."

"Why don't we start now, then? If you're eager." I mirrored his disposition.

Draco leaned his back against the chair and placed his folded hands across his legs. "I have things that require my attention. If I find time I suppose we can start researching at a later hour this evening, but it's doubtful. Don't get your hopes up on my accord, Lewis." He slipped a wink at the end of his sentence.

Malfoy seemed to always have a rather important prior commitment to attend. That fact only added to the puzzle that occupied his existence. "You'll know where to find me." My attention returned to the book and Malfoy left without a word, leaving the vial on the table in front of me.

How did he acquire such a large quantity in two days' time? Seemingly effortless on his part. An hour later and I gathered my things into my bag, sparing a second to look at the vial sitting innocently, an arms-length away.

It seemed that with each piece placed in its rightful spot, another appeared on the sidelines.

☽ ⋆ ☾

I played with the bottled pearl-shaded elixir in my palm. Moving it around. Watching the faint shimmer cloud around as my feet moved through a corridor.