5 – A Hopeless Case?

(3rd week of September - Wednesday)

DRACO

She was sitting at his table again. The nerve of that girl! Well, he wasn't going to let some little girl steal his table. Draco squared his shoulders and took a seat at his favourite table in the library, not bothering with greetings. He certainly wasn't going to make his presence known first. The girl could do that.

"Did you come to get lost in your thoughts again? Or are you actually going to work today?"

Draco crushed his teeth together angrily. Nobody was allowed to talk to him like that! He was going to ignore the girl. Right. That was the best idea. But would she actually leave him alone if he signaled that he didn't want to talk? He should have brought a book. He'd definitely bring a book next time. This was a library after all! Or sit somewhere else? But no, this was his table! She could go sit somewhere else!

"So, did you make up your mind?" Lovegood inquired.

"About what?" Draco asked, before mentally slapping himself. Damn it, he had acknowledged her. Now she probably thought he wanted to talk.

"Well," she mused, playing with her necklace – wait were those Butterbeer caps? "about your thing for Haley Potter."

Draco looked around in alarm. Had someone heard her? He felt the urge to shush the Ravenclaw but he was sure she would just ignore it. She tended to always say what she wanted to anyway.

He settled for glaring. "Could you try to keep your voice down? I'd rather not have people find out about this matter by accident."

"Sure thing," Lovegood said cheerfully, "so should we use a secret name or something?"

Draco didn't think he was expected to answer that.

"Don't worry," the girl said, "I'll come up with a good one!"

"I'm sure you will," Draco muttered darkly. Was it possible to get used to her antics? He really hoped he wouldn't have to find out. He also wished she wouldn't always stare at him with her big marble-like eyes. It was unnerving.

"If you ask me," – Who exactly asked you? – "there are really only two options. Well – three, if you consider melodramatic pining an option. But who would do that?"

Me, Draco, thought defiantly, and it's not melodramatic but – but – totally dignified and – and selfless.

"Oh. I know that look," Lovegood said with her head tilted to one side in a thoughtful manner, "You're considering your pining as honourable and selfless, aren't you?"

"Good point. I forgot about the honourable part," Draco agreed, before actually registering her words. "Wait – how did you know? Do you know Legilimency?" It was a truly horrifying thought. But she wouldn't, right? She was only a fourth year…

"Like the Wampus cats? I had a dream about a Wampus cat once. It told me to come and find it. But dad was against it because I was still so young. They live aaaaall the way in North America you know?" She informed him, drawing out the a.

"Right." It was best to leave it at that.

"Like I said, two options," the girl continued, as if she hadn't just completely went off-topic, "You can either forget about your lion, move on with your predetermined path and forever regret that you didn't even try; or you could," she made a dramatic pause there, like she was about to present him with the most clever solution in the world, "take a chance and then… who knows? It might work out, it might not. But at least you'll have one less regret."

She watched him expectantly. It seemed almost like she wanted to hear his decision right this moment! What even was he supposed to say? It wasn't like she had told him something new. He had come up with similar thoughts himself after all the time he'd been spending thinking about his situation. Wondering if it was even all worth it. Was his family worth making himself unhappy over? Was his infatuation with Potter important enough to risk ruining his relationship with his family?

And if he did take a chance, would it even matter? What if Potter didn't… if she didn't return his feelings? And what if she did? Draco buried his face in his hands in frustration.

He'd never find out if he gave up now.

"Oh, it's Haley! Should I wave her over?" Lovegood suggested.

"What? Where? No, stop it! Are you crazy?" Draco looked up in time to see the Ravenclaw's hand sink to the table. There was a slightly disappointed frown on her face.

"Fine, I won't," she conceded, "but don't call me crazy."

Draco felt bad. It looked like he had really hurt her feelings. So what?, a voice in his head said, It's not like this is the first time you hurt someone's feelings. It's fun, isn't it? But for some reason it didn't feel as satisfying as it used to. Being mean and all that.

What was wrong with him? Was he going soft? Did he actually care about the fourth year? Draco decided it didn't matter either way. He had heard people calling the girl Loony behind her back. And, well… she was kind of loony but she was also sort of his ally. She knew his biggest secret. So he'd make an exception. For now.

"I won't," he said simply. The girl nodded. Then she looked at something to her right.

Draco followed her gaze and well… he wouldn't say his heart stopped but… it kind of did exactly that. And something was definitely fluttering inside his stomach.

How was it possible to feel this much just because of a stupid Gryffindor? But it wasn't just any normal Gryffindor that was leaning against a shelf a few rows away from them. It was Haley Potter and she was leafing through a book absently. And her glasses were sitting low, almost on the tip of her nose. And she was wearing her hair in a ponytail, making her whole face visible. It was like a silent invitation for people to take a look at her. But what was that? A lock had gotten loose from her ponytail and now… now it was just hanging there, taunting him. Wasn't she going to tuck it back behind her ear?

"Where are you going?" Lovegood asked all of a sudden.

"Where am I go-?" Draco blinked. Why was he standing? He didn't remember getting up!

Lovegood was raising her eyebrows at him in amusement. This was so embarrassing!

"I was just – ah, that's the book I was looking for!" He exclaimed, reaching for a random book in front of him to cover up his state of… what was it? Delirium? Craziness? Temporary loss of sanity?

Without meeting the Ravenclaw's eyes he sat back down slowly. What was he supposed to do? Maybe it was too late to turn back… Maybe he was already too far gone… He didn't know. He simply didn't know what he was supposed to do.

"Do you," Draco whispered slowly, "do you think it's too late?"

Luna waited quietly, while he proceeded to sort out his thoughts. It had only been yesterday when he'd last talked to Potter. Inside that empty class room. He had wanted to stay away from her but wasn't this a sign, that he couldn't? Even if he tried not to get involved with her, he always found himself in front of the raven-haired girl again.

"I don't know… how much longer I can take this. Always watching and wondering from the distance," Draco admitted, "Do you think… is there a chance that it could actually end well?"

He heard the hopefulness in his own voice. Damn, now he had allowed himself to actually hope.

Luna frowned at him. "I can't actually see the future, you know? But maybe we could ask Professor Trelawney!"

With a thump, Draco's head fell onto the table. He groaned. What had he done to deserve such an unreliable ally?

…

HALEY

After Care of Magical Creatures on Thursday Haley had decided to stay behind and try to get some information about Hagrid's whereabouts from Professor Grubbly-Plank. But to her disappointment Grubbly-Plank had been of no help in that department. Instead she had instructed her to put away the tables they had needed for their Bowtruckle sketches.

She was standing in front of the tables, wondering which spell was the best to get the work done in the quickest way.

"Do you need help?" A voice asked from somewhere behind her. Haley turned just in time to see a tall figure emerge from behind a tree. This was unexpected. What was he doing here?

DRACO

Potter had stayed behind after Magical Creatures. Again. After everyone else had left, she had asked Grubbly-Plank when that oaf Hagrid would be back. Draco wondered what was so great about the guy. Well, aside from his size. Ha ha.

From his spot behind a tall tree it was hard to understand exactly what they were saying but from the looks of it Potter didn't find out anything new. Instead she was left to clean away the tables. Draco almost snickered. It was kind of amusing. You could almost see the wheels turning in her head, as she tried to figure out how to go about putting away the tables. Maybe he should go and help? Or was that a bad idea? She probably wouldn't let him help. And what would he say if she asked him why he was bothering in the first place?

"Do you need help?"

Draco froze. There was another person near them. Who was it? Somewhere to his left, Draco saw a boy approaching. Had he been hiding behind a tree as well? He was walking toward Potter now.

It was a Hufflepuff from their year. That muggleborn that had been petrified in their second year. They were talking but he couldn't hear the words clearly. Potter was laughing about something.

It was a lovely sight. But she wasn't supposed to laugh with that stupid Hufflepuff! She wasn't supposed to laugh in front of any guy that wasn't him!

It's not like she'd ever laughed like that around you in the first place, Draco thought.

He kicked the tree in front of him angrily. The pain made him hiss. This was stupid.

Potter looked in his direction for a second. He quickly hid his face behind the tree again. Had she heard him? Damn, if she came over now…

But the Hufflepuff was stopping her. And with a hand on her wrist at that!

Draco felt like kicking the tree again. Or punching it. Or burning the whole blasted forest down. But then he'd probably die. Together with Potter and the sodding Hufflepuff. Who wanted that? If he had to die together with Potter he didn't want any old muggleborn present as well. People didn't call him melodramatic for nothing. He wouldn't burn down the forest today. Instead he settled for closing his eyes and trying to calm down.

Huh? He had opened his eyes again and it seemed that had been enough time to make the tables disappear. Potter and the Hufflepuff were making their way back toward the castle it seemed.

It was easier to understand the words they were saying now.

"Thank you, Justin," Potter said, in a voice that was way too sweet for the occasion. Come on, Potter!, Draco thought furiously, That guy is a Hufflepuff! And his parents are muggles! There's no need to thank him for helping you get rid of a few tables!

"It was no problem," the Hufflepuff replied. Well, duh! She could have done that by herself, you idiot!

"Oh," the Hufflepuff had stopped walking all of a sudden. Potter had stopped as well.

The git was reaching for Potter's face. What was he doing? Draco was so afraid, he'd miss something, that he didn't bother properly hiding behind the tree anymore. If one of the two glanced in his direction, they would spot him at once. But he didn't care about that.

The Hufflepuff was pulling a leaf out of Potter's hair.

"Here, there was a leaf in your hair," he said, with a chuckle. Captain Obvious, are we?, Draco thought spitefully.

"Oh, um… thanks, I guess," Potter whispered. Don't thank him!, Draco wanted to yell.

"So… why did you help me in the first place?" She asked. That was something Draco wanted to know as well.

"I um… actually I…" stammered the idiot, "I… I really like you."

What. Was Draco going crazy? Was the Hufflepuff insane? Why did the world hate him so much?

The Hufflepuff put his hand on Potter's arm and looked right into her eyes, that were impossible green and impossibly wide.

"I've liked you since second year actually… You know, after I found out you weren't the Heir of Slytherin," the git chuckled, "I felt really bad about that for a long time… All the mean stuff I said behind your back… well…"

Potter finally showed a reaction at that. Her eyes weren't as wide anymore and she shook her head slowly. Was that a rejection?

"But you already apologised for that."

"I guess… Still... I wanted to make sure you knew that I'm really sorry about that."

"It's fine, Justin. Really," Potter reassured him. She even smiled at the stupid boy.

She had never smiled at Draco like that. They were looking at each other for a moment that felt like it lasted for hours.

"So…" The Hufflepuff said. Well, words weren't really his forte it seemed.

"So…" Potter echoed. Could this conversation get any more awkward?

The Hufflepuff cleared his throat. "Would you like to come to Hogsmeade with me next weekend?"

Oh no, he did not just do that!

"I…" Potter started to answer but the stupid Hufflepuff interrupted her,

"Look, you don't have to answer now. Just… think about it, okay?"

Potter looked like she wanted to protest. It wasn't the first time that Draco wished he knew what the girl was thinking. Then again, perhaps it was better that he didn't know.

"Okay," Potter whispered and made Draco's heart sink like a stone that was trying to reach the bottom of the Great Lake. "I'll think about it," she added.

Wait… That meant, she hadn't said yes. Yet. But she hadn't said no either.

"That's enough for me," the boy answered. Helga Hufflepuff would be proud.

They had another moment where they both smiled at each other awkwardly. The moment was definitely awkward. Draco refused to believe anything else!

"Should we get back to the castle?" The Hufflepuff asked. Potter nodded and just like that they made their way back over the school grounds without a care for the boy that felt like someone had just pulled the rug out from under him. There was nothing for Draco to do but watch Potter leave. Again. He was sick of always watching. How was this fair? How was he supposed to just stand there and watch as a mere Hufflepuff went and did the exact thing he had been wanting to do for a year? He had told her he liked her. Just like that. He had ask her on a date. Just like that. Just like… Damn it all!

He punched the tree angrily, not even registering the way his skin broke due to the impact.

Draco sunk against the tree in frustration. What would they be talking about now? Would Potter accept the Hufflepuff's invitation? He remembered something Lovegood had told him not too long ago.

"She won't be waiting for you to make up your mind forever."

"I remember how disappointed many guys were last year, when she accepted Michael Corners' invitation to the Yule Ball."

It almost looked like she had been right. It was too late…

But he is a Hufflepuff, he doesn't deserve her, Draco thought. Do you deserve her then?, a treacherous voice whispered in his head. Half a year ago Draco wouldn't have hesitated to answer that question with a haughty yes. Now, he wasn't so sure about that. And that scared him.

"I'm not going to lose against a Hufflepuff," he whispered defiantly.

Could he really be someone that deserved to be with the girl who lived?

I am a Malfoy, he thought, and Malfoy's never back down from a challenge. Draco made a decision and he didn't plan on giving up before he'd reached his goal.

HALEY

For a tiny moment she had thought it had been Malfoy who was offering to help her. But it hadn't been him. Of course not. It had been Justin Finch-Fletchley. A Hufflepuff in her year. And she really had no reason at all to be disappointed at the sight of him. He had helped her clear away the tables with a simple Bannishing charm. She had laughed then because it had been such an obvious charm but sometimes even the most talented magicians thought in a too complicated manner.

And then she had heard a noise. But Justin had reassured her that it had probably just been a Bowtruckle or a Kneazle or something equally harmless.

And then… he had confessed that he liked her out of the blue. Haley had been stunned into silence.

He had even asked her on a date! And what had she done? She had said she'd think about it!

Now the poor boy was left to hope for a thing that was probably never going to happen. Why are you so sure about that?, asked a voice in her head as she watched Justin's profile pensively.

They were on their way back to the castle. Justin was talking about something or another but Haley was too lost in her own thoughts to properly listen to him.

Well, for one she didn't like him that way. Not yet, the voice replied.

And aside from that… Haley didn't know why the thought of Malfoy crossed her mind just then.

He was nothing more to her than a nuisance. Why was she thinking of him in that moment? She couldn't possibly still be holding on to the memory of that night at the Yule Ball? It was time to close that chapter of her life once and for all. Maybe this was the perfect opportunity to do just that. Justin was nice. He seemed to genuinely like her and he wasn't too bad on the eyes.

Wasn't that enough? As she looked at him once more, he caught her gaze and smiled gently.

It didn't make her heart pound faster or make her feel butterflies in her stomach.

But maybe it was okay that way. She certainly had enough drama in her life already.

When Haley returned the smile she tried to ignore the feeling of unease that was spreading all over her stomach.

…

A/N: Hello my dear readers! Decisions are being made. How exciting! And there's Luna :) I wonder which name she's gonna come up with. I know this is kind of filler BUT in the next chapter the real stuff is going to go down! And there will be some major plot development! Cool huh? I mean look at Draco, he's in fighting mode now :D
Thank you so much for reading and as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this :)
If you're curious how Draco and Luna first met, you should check out my sidefic "Knight in A Shining Helmet".

And I'm also really excited to announce I'll start posting my new AU Haley/Draco fic soon. It'll be called "Walking on Dreams" and it will have a lot to do with dreaming and basically Haley will take revenge on Draco because he is such a bully. It's fun! And it's an AU where James and Lily are alive. And Haley will also have a cute little sibling (cameo from one of Rainbow Rowell's novels). So check that out if you want to. And once it's posted.

Oh, right , title's inspired from "Sonsick" by San Fermin. An awesome song!

Have fun and keep reading, Feather :)