Occulemens || Draco Malfoy

Chapter 5 - Clocks

"Trick or Treat," Cedric said innocently, setting down a package in front of me with Sugar Quills inside. I smiled both at his use of Muggle holiday humor and the quills, which were relatively high on my list of favorite candies. They could only be topped by Honeyduke's Strawberry Cream chocolates—which were only available during winter months.

"Thank you, although Halloween isn't until tomorrow," I murmured back, pushing my hair behind my ear. The same way that Draco Malfoy had done the night before when I violently remembered Severus Snape using a memory charm against me. I had stewed on that overnight, allowed myself to cry into my pillow under the cover of the night, and decided that I was not going down without finding out what happened or why.

And Draco Malfoy was not off the hook.

"Are you nervous for tonight?" I asked to make conversation, suddenly feeling shy with Ced. I'd never had this problem before; he was always just Cedric to me. I couldn't understand how we escalated to being in a relationship.

Cedric took a bite of toast, chewing as he thought about my question. "No," he decided, shaking his head. "I think no matter what happens, it'll be alright."

"Brave. I'd never," I replied, setting my elbow on the table, then resting my head against my hand. My eyes roamed to the side of Cedric's head, watching the other side of the room as Pansy fingers curled around Draco's wrist. They were sitting next to each other; while Pansy looked absorbed in him, but he stared right back at me.

I could almost hear his voice in my head: "What the hell are you looking at, Blake?" I chewed on the inside of my cheek before darting my eyes to Pansy. It was subtle enough that only Malfoy would see—only he'd understand. He raised one brow in response. "What, are you jealous?" He would ask if him and I were still budding a friendship.

But, no longer.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright?" Cedric asked, cocking his head, taking in my appearance for the day. I'd chosen to forego makeup once again after staring at it in complete confusion this morning. "Not that I don't think you're attractive no matter what you do, but..."

I stared in anticipation of the end of that sentence, dropping some egg off of my fork, biting my cheek to keep from smiling. "Let me know when you can finish that sentence, alright?" I let my smile surface as I gathered my belongings. "I've got Divination for first block today." I stood, heading in the direction of the Entrance Hall.

"Rowan," Cedric called after me. I turned around, met with his toothy grin. His eyes roamed lazily from my face down my body, back to my eyes. "I believe I overheard one of the Ravenclaws discussing star charts for Trelawney today. I'll see you tonight."

I rolled my eyes, turning on my heel. "Yes, you will."

*

Professor Trelawney's class was my least favorite. I tended to feel as though I were playing a constant guessing game when I was there; unsure of the answers that she was looking for. I had been relieved to hear that this year, we would be focusing on astronomical themes and planetary divination; it felt more real than the precious year's content.

It was Orin's hand which blocked me from setting down my books at the small round table he was seated at. I had planned to sit next to him, but he shook his head. "Twin interaction twice in one week is too much for me," he said, nostrils flaring.

I stood in the same place, unmoving. "Orin?"

"Listen, I really thought you got over whatever has been wrong with you recently. Hayley told me what happened last night. Fuck me, I guess, right?" He asked, referencing the rude comment I made to Maggie about him.