𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐄

𝟖. 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝

"Bugger off, Dean," Ron scoffed. This would have piqued my interest if I hadn't still been fully engrossed in watching you travel up the aisle.

"Merlin, what I wouldn't do to give her a go," Seamus sighed, leaning against his palm. "She's bloody perfect."

That comment I caught. I hid my sneer a little too well because he glanced my way for a split second and mistook it for an agreeing smirk. "Right?" he chuckled, reaching across the table to sock me in the shoulder. "Say, you think she and Malfoy are shagging on the low?"

"On the low? What's so low about that?"

Attention returned to you, just as it often always did. They certainly had a point, I had to admit. If the rumor miraculously came out that you and Malfoy were more involved than anyone else assumed, the way you clung to each other really didn't help to prove it wrong.

The thought of you shagging up with anyone, especially Malfoy, made me shiver. But I knew you better than that. And even if I hadn't, I knew him well enough to know that he was too much of a coward.

I seek your eye, just like I always do. My blood was thundering in my veins, pumping in rhythm with the streaks of lightning flickering outside. Everyone on the Gryffindor team says I have a keen eye. Good for finding things from long distances. And just as easily as I caught the snitch, I caught your fleeting gaze from across the room.

Clearing my throat, I sat up and smiled, offering a pathetic little wave to coax a response from you. I felt like a court fool, prancing around the hall in a vain attempt to make the woeful princess smile. A smile twitched at the corners of your lips, but then Malfoy bent down to whisper something in your ear that made you bite your lip and nod, turning away from me without so much as a wink of acknowledgment.

I nearly shattered the glass in my hand when you pouted and dutifully took your seat near the head of the table. I felt Ron's concerned gaze without even having to look. 

"Feelin' alright, mate?" he asked slowly.

He was starting to catch on.

"Yeah," I lied, setting down my goblet and running a hand over my mouth before settling it in my lap. "Tired 's all."

"Better not be too tired. We can't let Hufflepuff beat us this Sunday. It'll be an embarrassment," Dean huffed.

"Only if the rain lets up," Seamus gestured vaguely to the ceiling. It was raining over our heads. Enchanted rain that never let a drop hit our skin. "I tell you what, I am not getting on a broom in this weather."

I was only half-listening, as per usual. I didn't care what weather we played in. The rain might actually help wash away all of the mind-racing thoughts you were letting leak into my brain.

I watched the Slytherin girls fawn over you from a distance. Pansy was braiding a small section of your hair, talking your ear off about something. Daphne and Astoria sat directly across from you because Draco always took your left. You were in your own little world, staring down at the empty plate in front of you. But even still, I could sense that you wanted to look up and meet my eye by the way you kept tugging on your skirt as a distraction.

What was stopping you from looking at me? And how do I get rid of it for good?

The sound of wings beating against the air made me look up. The mail owls were arriving. Not as many as there usually were, but an abnormally large package was dropped over Neville's placemat further down the table and stole the attention of everyone from the Quidditch team.

A large, sleek, black barn owl swoops low over your portion of the Slytherin table. It made rare appearances over the years that I've known you, but they always brightened your day, even if just for a few fleeting moments. From what I know about your family, this is your household owl. And this was the first letter you've received from home all year.