Chapter 4:
Later that evening, Aria was dozily lying in one of the comfy chairs by the fire with Tibbs and Jade in the common room. Everyone else had gone to sleep but Jade was still self-consciously whispering about a Slytherin guy in the year above called Blaise.
'He's got so much better looking recently – don't you think?'
'I guess' Tibbs yawning.
'Argh you guys are half asleep! Might as well go to bed I can't have a conversation with myself!'
The three girls got up to go but Aria noticed her wand wasn't in her pocket.
'Guys I've dropped my wand, I'll be up in a minute' she called and she crouched on the floor looking for it. She couldn't see it and started to feel a little panicky. She stuck her arm under her armchair and soon enough she felt the familiar willow 13 ¼ inch piece of wood. She breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. She turned around and gasped. Right in front of her was none other than Draco Malfoy.
'You scared me!' Aria said accusingly having not heard him come in.
Draco raised an eyebrow and smirked 'Why were you on the floor?'
'Dropped my wand'
'Sure you weren't getting rid of your friends so you could wait for someone…?' he said silkily.
Aria snorted and replied quickly 'something you've tried before?' She looked up at Draco. He was a lot taller than her and as they were close it felt like he was even taller. His chest was inches away from her face. He looked different closer-
'I'll take that as a no then? Good' he said staring down at her.
Aria felt uncomfortable with how close and alone they were – she felt tingly but scared at the same time. She quickly walked past him and headed up to her dorm.
'Goodnight, Aria'.
'Oh so you know my name now?' she retorted remembering how rude he was the first night.
'I've always known your name' he said simply
Aria quickly walked into her room feeling all hot and bothered. Everyone was already asleep and Aria quickly climbed into bed no longer feeling sleepy. 'Good?' she thought? What did that mean? Why was he so close? Why did he sneak up behind her? And he did know her name after all? Aria felt clammy and almost panicky. It was like he scared her but different. She lay awake for ages but there was no sound of Pansy that night.
The next morning Aria was still puzzled but kept it to herself. Jade proceeded to go on about how good looking Blaise was and luckily Aria was often not required to reply too much in the conversation so she spent the day quietly thinking. Even just the thoughts made her feel flushed. But she didn't like him! Aria was confused. Yes he was good looking but he was arrogant, ignorant, rude, a bully – she couldn't think of one aspect she liked about him. It was nothing like how she had felt for Jack. Back then Jack had been perfect, lovely - he had made her feel safe whereas Draco made her feel the opposite. Oh for God's sake! Pull yourself together! Aria told herself.
The next few weeks passed slowly. Aria didn't see much of Draco – apart from occasionally in the corridors being loud with Crabbe and Goyle. Aria tried to put him out of her mind and for once focused really hard on all of her work. It was one afternoon and Jade, Tibbs and Aria decided to sit in their usual place outside, before the weather got too cold. They were lying in the grass when suddenly some silhouettes blocked out the sun. The three girls sat up quickly.
'Evening ladies' said Draco, he was with Blaise and Aria prayed silently that Jade wouldn't make a prat out of herself. Aria noticed Tibbs giving them filthy looks meanwhile Jade looked down, her cheeks slightly pink. For God's sake! She thought.
'Hi' Aria just about managed before they looked like absolute morons incapable of speaking.
'Don't look too enthusiastic' said Draco
'Don't worry we won't' Tibbs said bluntly.
Blaise smirked.
'Hurry up and ask them then' said Draco impatiently 'I didn't come out of here to be glared at' he said sneering at Tibbs.
'What you doing girls doing on Halloween' Blaise asked looking at Jade.
Silence. Aria nudged Jade. 'Oh erm well er I don't think we had anything planned… well not yet' Jade said attempting to appear casual.
'Us lot were thinking of having a little gathering after the feast – you should come – you all should' Blaise said not taking his eyes off Jade.
'Erm – yeah I guess it sounds cool, we'll come' Jade said and at that point Tibbs groaned.
'Don't worry – you don't have to come – no-one will miss you' Draco said to her.
'Oh and bring some firewhisky' Blaise added casually and with that they left and the girls remained quiet until they were out of earshot looking at each other wide eyed in shock.
'What the fuck was that' Jade muttered
'I have no idea' Aria said completely baffled.
'Why'd they invite us?' Tibbs grumbled sulkily.
'It's obvious – Blaise blatantly likes Jade! First time I've heard him say more than two syllables in a row.' Aria said
'You think?' Jade said hopefully 'Oh did you see those cheekbones! They were as sharp as razors!' she said dreamily.
'Ugh' Tibbs said in disgust.
'Oh come on! He is not that bad!' exclaimed Jade 'Okay, he hangs out with the others but he is no way near as bad as like Malfoy. He's all quiet and brooding! He's so fit! We have to go looking our best! Seriously, it has the potential to be such a top night!'
'I guess' Tibbs said still in doubt 'I just hate the way they all go around like they're God's gift to us all. You know what it'll be full of? Pansy slurring all over Draco and other vile couples causing me to bring up the ton of food we'll have just had at the feast. I hope lots of other people are there'
'Yeah' Jade mused 'He said little – how little is little –like will it just be a few – that'd be quite awkward but they're not the most of welcoming bunch like they're so exclusive. And crap! Where on earth will we get firewhisky?'
Aria was nervous. She didn't know how she felt; excited but panicky too.
'Wait – Aria, you reckon you can get some of Fred or George tomorrow in Hogsmeade? – like no-one is going as it's the first quidditch match with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw – no one but quidditch freaks give a shit. Slytherin aren't playing so we can easily sneak out no-one will notice. Please, please, please can you ask them to buy us some?' Jade begged.
'I don't know….' Aria was starting to feel uneasy this was all going too fast – she needed to get her thoughts in order. But eventually Aria gave in due to the fact Jade kept on nagging her. Later that night, the girls were entering the common room when Pansy, followed by Millicent and Daphne, shoved right through the three of them and marched out.
'They're already jealous' Tibbs mumbled grumpily.
'Do you reckon they know we've been invited?' Jade asked
'Probably' Aria sighed. 'Nothing we can do about it now' and with that she went upstairs. For some reason she wasn't in the mood for people.
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