Ravenclaw HoH, Drabble for Round One. Prompt: New Year's Eve. WC: 437. Muggle AU.

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A night sky filled with bright, glittering lights, and I can't take my eyes off of her. She's smiling at him, her wrapped in sequins and him wrapped in her arms.

Granger and Weasley. Like Rachel and Ross, it was apparently always meant to be, while the rest of us stand by and watch them together. There's no escaping it, either. They stand in the middle of the room, talking about something secret, sharing the only private moment in a room filled with prying eyes. She whispers something in his ear, and he grins back at her. A cold settles over me, but I'm unable to turn away.

Maybe it's just me that feels this way, but I guess it was my own damn stupid fault for falling in love with her. My own fault for thinking, for even a second, that there might be a possibility of her falling in love with me too.

Of course, I was wrong. Murphy's Law, isn't it?

One. Working with Granger. Productive until I started to enjoy her company.

Two. Befriending Potter. Thought it would be a good idea, but it meant that Granger and I spent more time together. Which was miserably nightmarish.

Three. Agreeing to go to this party to feel better about myself.

Potter suggested it, actually. You know, as a way to relax and forget about things. A great party with plenty of people around to be a constant and effective distraction. There's no way to get around things though. Even with the thrum of music, conversation coming in regular stints, she is still at the forefront of my mind. It's bad enough that she's standing several feet from me, dancing with another man.

I've got no one to kiss at midnight, which would ordinarily have been totally fine. Draco Malfoy - that's me, by the way - generally prefers to be alone. He just does not prefer to be lonely, which is what I am feeling right now. Lonely. I guess that happens when you fall (unrequitedly) in love. Loneliness is just there, no matter how many people you surround yourself with.

"We could make out if it would make you feel better," Potter says, having returned from the bar. He passes me a drink. He knows all about my situation - you know, the one where the blond idiot falls for the beautiful, frizzy-haired brunette. Sometimes he laughs about it, but not in an altogether unkind way.

"Nah," I reply, sighing. "Thanks for the offer though. Another time maybe."

I can practically feel him smiling.

We clink beer bottles.

"Happy New Year, Malfoy."

"Happy New Year, Potter."

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Thanks for reading!