the chase (draco malfoy)

chapter three

My first month at Hogwarts goes by without incident. Well, aside from Harry being chosen to play in the Tri-Wizard tournament, which of course sent the entire friend group into a spiral. Hermione especially. It took hours to calm her down.

But as for me, my time at Hogwarts has been a little plain. Of course the girls are spending every second of the day fawning over the Durmstrang boys, Krum in particular. The same could be said for the boys and the Beauxbatons girls.

Close to the top of my list of my favorite things about Hogwarts is sitting outside on a Saturday afternoon with my studies. I enjoy alone time, and the courtyard provides the perfect background noise for my relaxing afternoon. Without a cloud in the sky, the sun feels wonderful on my skin. I'm just about to doze off for an afternoon nap when I hear shouting from a few yards away.

It seems Moody has caught a rodent.

But must he toy with it? Seems cruel.

McGonagall rushes to the new professor's side. A few harsh words are spoken between them before Mcgonagall readies her wand, pointing it at the blonde colored ferret, transfiguring it into a student. My hand slaps my mouth to stifle a giggle when I realize it's Malfoy.

"My father will hear about this!" He spits, turning and stalking away, in my direction. His eyes lock with mine before I can turn away. I quickly open my book and pretend to read, unable to cover a smile.

"You think it's funny, do you?" He asks when he reaches me. He's much taller than me as it is, but with me sitting and him standing, I feel like a tiny bug he could so easily squash under his shoe.

    "Well?" He impatiently asks when I don't respond. His face is twisted with anger.

    "Oh, fuck off Malfoy." I wave him away. My newfound confidence is showing.

    He scoffs and turns on his heel, stomping angrily towards the castle, Crabbe and Goyle following closely behind.

    I spend the rest of the day in the same spot, enjoying the warmth the sun provides on this autumn afternoon. I return to the castle for dinner, and afterwards head to the Hufflepuff dormitory for some sleep.

...

Back in my dorm, I comfort Hannah after a long day. The Slytherins have spent the first few weeks tormenting hufflepuffs, which isn't uncommon. On this particular day, Pansy Parkinson set her sights on Hannah as the target for her inflicted misery.

Hannah finally calms enough to tell me the story of the public humiliation that Pansy had caused. Pansy had hung Hannah from a tree by her feet, causing her skirt to ride up. Hannah chokes out a sob as she recalls the entire Slytherin house laughing at the sight of her undergarments. Professor Sprout had to break up the crowd and get her down. It sounded horrible.

It seems my Hufflepuff friends are always having run-ins with Slytherins, but I can't remember a time when I've had that experience. Slytherins usually avoid me entirely. Maybe because of my pureblood status.

Hannah finally calms down enough to go to sleep, and I find peace in slumber shortly after.

    I wake in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. Harry's first task is tomorrow, and while he's assured the rest of us he's prepared, I can't fight the overwhelming feeling of dread. Dragons?

    After an hour of tossing and turning, fighting with sleep which so easily evades me, I give up. I roll out of bed, remembering that I have been trusted with the password to the prefect's bathroom this year. A hot bath would do well to ease my anxieties.

    I carefully and quietly gather my soaps and a towel and make my way to the prefect's bathroom, careful to listen for Filch or his cat.

    I fill the large bathtub with bubbles using my wand. I peel my pyjamas from my body and slide into the large tub. I close my eyes and sink into the hot water, allowing it to wash my fears of tomorrow's troubles away.

My eyes snap open when I hear a soft thump. I quickly scan the bathroom for intruders, finding no one. It's an old castle, I think to myself. It was probably just the wind. I close my eyes and settle back into the warm water.

    Cold hands grip my shoulders, and before I have the opportunity to react, my head is submerged. I thrash under the grip of my attacker, but they only push harder. After several seconds, my chest tightens up and I feel like I could explode. Only when I've accepted my fate do they let up.

    I pop out of the water, hands scrambling to wipe my eyes and cover my bare chest only to find the one and only person in this entire school psychotic enough to attempt to drown another student.

    "What the fuck, Malfoy!" I scream. He doubles over in laughter. "You psychotic son of a bitch!"

    "You could've killed me!" I continue, but he only seems to find my frustration comical. I see red, and before I have a chance to think I'm reaching for his arm to pull him in with me, clothes and all.

    He comes up from the water, a look of surprise on his face. That look is quickly replaced by one of anger.

    "You idiot! Do you know how much these shoes cost!" He yells. I roll my eyes. Yes, Draco. I'm so sorry I've ruined your shoes just after my attempted murder.

    "You tried to kill me!" I shoot back, suddenly becoming aware that I am entirely nude.

    He smirks. "I only wanted to scare you. Revenge. Maybe I should've held you down a little longer, done your mum a favor."

    "Revenge for what?" I ask, choosing to ignore the sting that came with the last part of his sentence. "I've never done anything to you."

    "Your smart mouth was rather annoying," he shrugs, like attempted murder in response to mouthing off was the appropriate reaction.

    "Why are you following me?" I ask. How did he know I was in here?

    "Don't flatter yourself, Avery." He scoffs. "You walk like a troll. I could hear your footsteps from a mile away. When I saw it was you, I couldn't pass the opportunity to get you back." He says, proudly, taking a step back and sitting down on the ledge that curves around the edge of the tub. I sink into the water in order to better cover my exposed body.

    "I need you to leave so I can get dressed." I demand, heat rising to my cheeks.

    He rolls his eyes and doesn't move. "Once again, don't flatter yourself."

    I cross my arms and send him a challenging look. I'll be damned if I let this arrogant boy take one more shred of dignity from me. He caves and gets up to exit the tub. He mumbles a quick charm and his clothes are dry with a wave of his wand. He leaves without saying another word.

    When I'm sure he's gone, I duck my head underwater and scream as loud as I possibly can, until it feels as if my vocal chords have snapped. So much for a relaxing bath.