the chase (draco malfoy)

chapter five

Draco P.O.V

Stupid girl, I think to myself, eyes glued to the ceiling of my private dorm.

I shouldn't have helped her. I should have said nothing and forced her to make her own way out of the mess she made. This girl is not my responsibility. But when I saw her fumbling over her own feet like a fool the words my mum spoke to me right before I boarded the train rang in my ears.

"Be kind to her Draco," she had said. "She doesn't find any kindness at home."

Her mother was a rotten woman. It was well known that Slytherins despised Hufflepuffs, almost as much as Gryffindors. We're essentially the exact opposite. But her mother spoke so coldly about her. As if she hadn't raised her or even loved her at all.

Pity. All I feel is pity for the stupid Hufflepuff. Nothing more.

But the scent of hazelnuts and honey mixed with a hint fire whiskey lingers on my robes and I can't stop myself from inhaling the delicious scent.

How could she say that I had forgotten her existence? Of course that's not the case. I'm the one who has protected her from the taunting of my fellow Slytherins. I made it clear from the start that if she was the victim of any kind of torment, they would answer to me. Didn't she notice that she was the only one? She was once my best friend, possibly the only true friend I've ever had, Hufflepuff or not.

When I saw her outside the castle, after that old git assaulted me, she looked different. Perhaps it was the first time that I had really taken the time to look at her since we were eleven years old. She looked older, mature. She was not the same girl I used to push in the mud. Stripped of her innocence. Except for her eyes of course.

She still had the same golden brown eyes. Full of light. A painful reminder of who I used to be. Who we used to be. Just children, no labels, titles, or expectations. Just two kids who enjoyed each other's company.

Annie P.O.V

Draco and I were having lunch together in our secret spot. There was a small creek where we liked to play during the summers. My mum had packed us some sandwiches and a small blanket to sit on.

It was August 31st. The next day was our first day at Hogwarts. I was anxious.

"What's got you so quiet, Avery?" Draco asked me. I shrugged.

"Just nervous for tomorrow, I guess." I said quietly. "Aren't you?"

"Maybe a bit," Draco admitted. "My father has big expectations for me. I can't let him down."

I nodded. Lucius was usually very hard on Draco, and while we never talked about it, I knew he just wanted his approval.

"Do you think we'll be friends forever?" I asked, changing the subject.

"I don't see why not," Draco said. "I've put up with you for this long already." He smiled.

"My mum has the most rubbish theory," Draco continued. I raised a questioning eyebrow.

"She thinks that you and I will be married someday." We laughed at the ridiculous notion.

And that was the last time we laughed together.

My head is pounding, no doubt from the amount of alcohol I stupidly consumed last night. I glance over at Hannah, who's still asleep, her hair a matted mess framing her face, mouth wide open. Her loud snores make it challenging to try and fall back asleep.

I groan and climb out of bed. I quietly open and close the door so I don't wake sleeping beauty. I pad down the hallway to a thankfully empty bathroom. I step into the warm stream of water and sigh.

My mind slowly processes the events of the night prior.

Why had Draco helped me? I would have eventually made it back to my room. He had no obligation to stop and help me. Why is it that I keep running into him?

A flutter appears in my stomach when I remember what he had said to me in my room. I've never forgotten your existence.

Sure seems that way. Until this year, I could've forgotten he had went to school here. It almost seemed like he was actively avoiding me. In the classes we'd had together, I never once caught him looking in my direction.

I shake the image of the fair haired boy and climb out of the shower, wrapping myself in my towel. It's Saturday, and I've finished my work for the week, so today I could do whatever I pleased. I go back in my dorm to find a freshly woken Hannah and start to get dressed.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. She groaned in response. At least I'm not the only one who drank too much.

I head downstairs to the common room and find Cedric Diggory, another wizard competing in the Tri-Wizard tournament, cradling the golden egg he had captured during the first task. His face brightens when he sees me.

"Hello Annie," he says cheerfully. Cedric is a sweet boy who I've known since my first year at Hogwarts.

"How are you Cedric?" I ask, sitting next to him on the sofa. He shrugs.

"Been trying to figure out what to do with this rotten egg all morning." He sighs, defeated.

"I could help?" I offer. "I have no plans for today."

"That would be great," He smiles brightly. "Every time I open it, the sound is just horrendous. I don't know what the clue is."

Cedric and I exit the common room and make our way to the library. After several hours of reading and making no progress, Cedric suggest we have lunch and take a break.

Cedric uses his charm to convince a few house elves to give us some snacks. We gather our lunch and head down to the Great Lake to have a picnic by the water.

I do find Cedric very attractive, but it seems a bit like betrayal to be having lunch with him, considering my close friendship with his competitor, Harry.

"You know," Cedric says, breaking me from my thoughts, "The yule ball will be held this year. Have you got a date?"

I shake my head. I hadn't even considered going to the ball, I assumed no one would ask and I would spend the night in my dorm. I get the feeling that won't be happening.

"I'd love if you'd go with me," Cedric says, redness creeping up on his cheeks. I smile.

"Of course I will, Ced." I say, reaching over to grab his hand. He beams.

"Perfect, then it's a date." He blushes, awkwardly and wraps his arm around my shoulders. I start to scoot closer to him when my foot accidentally brushes against the golden egg, sending it rolling down the hill and straight into the Great Lake.

I gasp and Cedric is quickly on his feet to retrieve the golden egg. He dives into the water and I stand at the lakes edge anxiously waiting for him to resurface. I chew at my fingernails when he doesn't return after a few moments. Just as I'm about to dart back to the castle to find help, he comes up, smiling brightly.

He quickly climbs out of the water, clothes dripping wet.

"I'm so sorry Cedric-" I start, but he cuts me off.

"Sorry? You're bloody brilliant! I've figured it out!" He exclaims, and before I have time to think, he wraps a soaked arm around my back and pulls me into a kiss.

Shocked, I pull away quickly, but he doesn't seem to notice my apprehension. He raises the egg in the air and the small crowd that's assembled in the middle of the chaos cheers. Among the witnesses stands my pale, blonde neighbor who's child ghost haunts my dreams, arms crossed wearing a deep scowl. I hide my face in Cedric's chest, willing my body to disappear.