Draco Malfoy paid no attention to Calan Williamson and Miles Urquhart as they talked strategy for the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw next week. Something about extra practicing and booking the pitch for a mock game, but Draco didn't really care. He couldn't take his eyes off of the new girl sitting at the far end of the table with Pansy and her friends.

She had just transferred into Hogwarts from Beauxbâtons and had been sorted into Slytherin, not that he would've mind if she had been sorted elsewhere. Draco was being more lenient towards students of other houses, even some of the Gryffindors. All save for Potter and his lot, he still hated their guts.

However, even though Potter was a few seats from him at the next table, he didn't take this opportunity to keep up with his evening ritual of insulting him. No, he just sat there and watched the beautiful new girl.

She had very short blonde hair, just a tad shorter than his. Her skin was pale but seemed to illuminate when she smiled or laughed. Draco had been watching her as Dumbledore gave a toast and had been very embarrassed when she had seen him staring at her. He thought she would look at him like he was crazy, but she had smiled and waved at him. A sweet and sincere smile, and that one had been just for him.

He was wondering what Pansy was telling her. Probably all of the stupid things he's done. Great, she HAD to pick Pansy for a friend. He hoped that when they finally spoke that she knew him as Draco and not as the "Amazing Bouncing Ferret". Last year was horrible and he'd never live it do-.

"DRACO!"

He jumped at the unexpected shout in his ear, almost falling off the bench in the process. He turned to Calan and Miles, who both had slightly annoyed looks on their faces.

Draco shrugged, "What?" earning him a slap on the head from Miles, "OUCH! What the bloody hell was THAT for?"

The Slytherin Quidditch Captain narrowed his eyes at Draco, "For not paying attention! We are talking about new strategies for Quidditch so that we can win the Cup this year instead of Gryffindor, and you're daydreaming!," his irritation turned to curiousity, "Just who is so interesting down there?" He pulled the blonde back and peered down the table.

After scanning the other end his eyes widened, then he rolled them as he turned to Draco, "Oh for the love of-! Please tell me you're not drooling over Pansy Parkinson?" he started to laugh, "I know she's your friend mate, but she's not exactly your type, is she?" Calan was holding back a laugh that was coming out in tiny snorts, which only made Miles laugh even harder.

Draco stared at his friends, and wondered why he chose to sit next to them instead of Pansy. Annoyed at their obnoxious laughter he flung peas at both of their faces. The two looked up in surprise.

"You idiots! I wasn't looking at Parkinson! What are you, daft?", he rolled his eyes and pointed down the table, "I was looking at HER!" Calan and Miles followed his finger and their eyes widened once more. They both turned back to Draco and after glancing at each other once more, burst into laughter once more.

Before Draco could speak, Calan grabbed his shoulder, "Okay, we laughed about Pansy because she is a walking body of hormones and likes EVERYONE, but," he looked back down the table and then turned his brown eyes back at Draco, "The new girl? Malfoy, she is way, WAY out of your league. I mean, what makes you think a hot, French girl is going to take a fancy to YOU?"

Draco sat silently and stared at his plate. Suddenly he wasn't so hungry. He put his head on the table and sighed. Calan patted his back before excusing himself. Draco lifted his head to see him walking hand in hand with his girlfriend, Tabitha. She was a Hufflepuff, and a seventh year like Calan. When they started dating, Draco didn't think he'd like her hanging out with them, but she started to grow on him.

Calan turned back and waved, Tabitha also waved, her strawberry-blonde hair whipping Calan in the face. She turned back quickly and her worried expression turned into a smile as Calan just laughed. They kissed, a modest yet sincere kiss, then headed out of the hall.

Miles got out of his seat and turned to Draco, "You know if you miss one more practice I have to kick you off, right?" Draco nodded quietly. Miles opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind. He gently punched Draco's arm and headed out the door towards the dungeons. Draco closed his eyes and put his head down once more, not even noticing the soft clicking of heels coming up to him.

"Hello, you're Draco, right? Pansy has told me so much about you! You seem like a wonderful person, I was hoping we could chat and be friends!" Draco's eyes shot open and he whipped around in his seat.

His grey eyes found themselves looking into the deepest pair of blue eyes he had ever seen, accompanied by that sweet and sincere smile that made his cheeks hot. There she was, the French girl. She was standing right in front of him, and he couldn't think of what to say.

She laughed at his expression and plopped down next to him. She extended her hand to him, "My name is Cliodne, but you can call me Clio if you like," she smiled that smile again as Draco shook her hand. Her skin was soft and warm, and after a few moments he realized he was still holding her hand. They let go and Draco felt himself blush again. He glanced up to see Clio was blushing as well, the bright pink standing out on her pale complexion.

After a moment of staring at each other they both started laughing. Draco smiled at her and laughed again as her face turned another shade of pink. Clio covered her face and peeked at him through her fingers.

"I'm sorry, I hate it when people see me embarrassed," she took a deep breath and after a few moments, exhaled, dropping her hands into her lap. Her face was back to its normal ivory colour. Her eyes turned curious as she leaned in closer to him. Draco froze as she was so close he could almost feel her nose touching his. He held his breath and watched as she studied him.

She was looking at his eyes. They were the perfect shade of grey. Not to light, and not to dark. She had only ever seen one boy with eyes like Draco's. They had belonged to Franz. Clio felt a sting of homesickness in her stomach and quickly pulled away from Draco's face.

"Pardonnez-moi, I was--um--your eyes--it's just--err, they are very nice. That shade is one of my favourite colours," she glanced back at Draco and smiled, "Sorry if I freaked you out. A new girl you don't know gets in your face and then tells you your eyes are pretty," she laughed, "you must think I'm crazy or something."

Draco took her hand, leaned in so close their noses almost touched and whispered, "Not at all."