Draco
She was snooty, full of herself, and extraordinary. There was something about her that drew me in. She wasn't like Pansy, who giggled too shrilly, loved to torture 1st years, and was far too pushy. There was a proudness in the way she talked, walked, the fierceness in her love for Cedric. She was different from all the rest, something I couldn't place my finger on. She couldn't be controlled, that much was clear. She was wild and independent; she didn't need anyone to protect her.
She was Cedric's sister, and had Cedric still been alive, that would have made her untouchable. But Cedric wasn't there. I had only to find her weakness. I knew that she was stronger than me, she would be hard to bend to my will. But in time she will fear me and cower under my iron fist. I won't let her simply ignore me and brush me aside. Cecilia Diggory would meet her match, one way or another.
"Draco, Draco?" Pansy trills at me, she was currently stroking my hair.
"Yes, Pansy, what is it?" I say, I wish she would go torture some 1st years.
"Have you been listening?" she asks, twisting a lock of her own hair on her chubby finger.
"No, why?" I'm really not that interested in listening to Pansy go on and on about useless things. It's always, did you see her sweater? or I can't believe she would wear blue stockings with a purple barrette.
"Well," she sniffed, "if you had been you would have heard that Diggory has been suspended. She has to do squib work for Umbridge." I'd figured she would get what she deserved for transfiguring ministry official like that.
"Well, what do you think? Isn't it wonderful that Gryffindor's are getting the punishment they deserve?" Pansy giggles.
"Yes, hopefully Potter gets suspended too." I really want this conversation to end.
"I hope that that Granger gets punished soon. She really is a nuisance," Pansy tells me.
"I need to go see Professor Snape about something," This is a complete lie of course, I just need to get away.
I hurry up to the Owlery to send a letter to my father. He might be able to get me information on the Diggory's. It may help me uncover Cecilia's weakness. And besides, Father expects letters at least every month.
I whistle and my eagle owl swoops down and perches on my arm. I start to attach the envelope when I hear the footsteps. Someone is running, pounding up the steps of the Owlery. Who could be in such a hurry to send off a letter? I turn back to my own letter and finish tying it to my owl's leg.
"What the heck are you doing up here Malfoy?" Think of the devil, it's Cecilia. She's out of breath, more disheveled than I've ever seen her, and is holding some bird feed in her hand. Her cheeks are rosy, and her eyes are bright green. Said eyes turn almost livid, "Well, what are you doing up here? Don't you have some 1st year torture session you need to go to with Pansy Parkinson?"
"No, and I'm sending a letter off. Are Hogwarts students not allowed to use the Owlery now?" I hiss back at her. She seems quite taken aback for a moment, then recomposes herself.
"Right."
"What are you doing up here?" I ask her genuinely curious.
She doesn't reply. I watch her as she goes to sit in the center of the tower, she sprinkles the bird seed all over herself. What on earth is she doing? As soon as I start to ask her this, my question is answered. Owls of all sizes and breed flock over her, they nuzzle her and one even hops into her lap. I start to question her fierceness. Perhaps I had wrong assumptions, perhaps she may be easier to control than I had previously thought.
"Well, you've sent your letter, you can beat it now," her tone is clear, I back away and out the door. The sun is just setting and the owls begin to flock out of the tower. Thousands of black outlines against the orange sky. It is breath takingly beautiful. Just like the girl inside the tower covered in bird seed.
XxX
"Professor, do you have any books on Love Potions?" I know it's a low blow, but how else could I possibly get her to even look at me. What happened in the Owlery was unexpected and is unlikely to happen again, considering the way she glared at me during breakfast.
"Why ever would a young man like you need a love potion?" Snape drawls. His eye brows raise suspiciously.
"I wanted to learn about how they work?" I stammer, I feel ashamed of myself. Normally I am much clever than this.
"The library is available to students, is it not?" Snape looks at me, "Now stop wasting my time." He turns and walks away. I hurry to lunch, where I know Pansy will be waiting. That girl drives me insane.
XxX
"Draco, you're not paying attention again," Pansy whispers in my ear.
"What?"
"Professor Umbridge just asked you what chapter we are reading today."
"Oh," I look up at Umbridge as she walks over tutt-tutting about not paying attention in class. I see Cecilia filing papers behind Umbridges desk, her hair tumbling down her back. I don't notice Umbridge until she is standing right in front of me. She doesn't look happy.
"Young man, could you not hear the question? Or were we simply not listening?" she snips at me. I gulp.
"Sorry Professor, I got a bit distracted. It won't happen again," I rush the words out. Cecilia is smirking.