adiaphoron | d.m

NINE

➸ FINDING OUT THE FIRST TASK

CECILIA SAT ENTHRONED ON THE COUCH, her eyes hypnotized by the dancing flames in the fireplace. Her thoughts were a jumble of tournament strategies and spells, her mind racing with the weight of preparation. She was so lost in her own little world that she didn't even flinch when the group of Slytherins quietly settled in beside her.

It wasn't until one of them gently shook her arm that she snapped back to reality. As she raised her gaze, she was met with apologetic faces from Theodore, Blaise, Daphne, Tracey, and Pansy - except for Malfoy, who seemed to be actively avoiding eye contact.

"What is it?" Cecilia muttered, her brow furrowing in skepticism as she raised an eyebrow at the group.

"We're sorry," they chimed in unison, their voices soft and contrite.

Malfoy, however, was less than enthusiastic. He rolled his eyes and looked away, his gaze drifting to the floor as if he'd rather be anywhere else. The motion was so exaggerated that it bordered on comical, making Cecilia's lips twitch into a small smile before she suppressed it.

"Okay," she murmured, her gaze flicking to Malfoy before returning to the flames. Her expression was distant, already having moved past the situation. The tournament was her priority now, and she wasn't going to let anything distract her from that.

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with a genuine desire to make amends. Blaise pulled out a book from his cloak, its cover worn and mysterious, and handed it to Cecilia. It was a book about very intermediate spells and curses - something she wouldn't find at the library.

Cecilia's eyes scanned the pages, her excitement growing as she saw the intricate illustrations and complex incantations. A small smile played on her lips as she delved deeper into the book, feeling a thrill of anticipation.

"We know you've been putting in a lot of effort to prepare for the tournament," Theodore said, his voice laced with sincerity. "So, what kind of friends would we be if we didn't help you out a bit?" He shrugged, his eyes meeting hers with a genuine apology.

The others nodded in agreement, their faces serious and intent. Malfoy, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. Cecilia's eyes flicked to him briefly, but she didn't comment on his lack of enthusiasm. Instead, she focused on the book in her hands, her mind already racing with new possibilities and strategies.

Cecilia's slender fingers brushed against her ear as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind it, her movements economical and thoughtful. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, the words carrying a depth of emotion that belied their gentle tone.

Cecilia's gaze swept the room, taking in the warm, genuine smiles of her friends as they prepared to depart. But then her eyes landed on Malfoy, who stood frozen, his expression a mask of indifference. Yet, for a fleeting moment, she could have sworn she saw a flicker of relief in those piercing gray eyes, a hint of a vulnerability that he quickly masked with his characteristic sarcasm. His voice dripped with disdain as he uttered the words, "Well, as much fun as this is, I do have to get going." The tone was dismissive, but Cecilia's intuition told her that there was more to it, that Malfoy was hiding something behind his prickly exterior.

As the door closed behind the departing group, Tracey and Daphne settled into the opposite sofa, their eyes locked on Cecilia with a sense of intimacy. The silence was palpable, a warm and cozy atmosphere that seemed to envelop the three friends.

The silence was broken by Tracey's soft announcement: "I met someone." Daphne's face lit up with excitement as she exclaimed, "Shut up, who?"

"He's one of the Durmstrang boys," Tracey said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Name is Marko." Daphne's eyes sparkled with delight, and Cecilia nodded enthusiastically, her curiosity piqued.