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No one ever really perplexed Draco Malfoy. At least not to the point of exasperation.
Oftentimes, he would simply shoved people he came across into different labeled boxes in his mind. For example, his earliest occupant was Theodore Nott. Draco tucked him away in a small, mahogany box with intricate carvings of ‘Childhood Friend’ at top right corner. And soon, as they grew into teens together, an addition of ‘Confidante’ settled itself just below the first label.
Another example would be Crabbe, Goyle and several others in Goons-labeled roughed up cardboard box, Potter and Granger in a transparent plastic container of Rivals, and many others in a variety of storage compartments with extensive classifications.
Now back to the point, no one ever really perplexed Draco Malfoy up until the point of exasperation except for this one particular Hufflepuff. No matter how long he stared at her in between meals or in classes they shared, no matter the inevitable conversation they exchanged due to a mutual friend, and no matter the gossip he heard about her from Pansy.
He still could not understand her despite the many things he observed and learnt of her. He first noted her foul mouth– so quick to stab daggers into irritating fools. Then, her lack of general decorum, not a care in the world to how she sat with crossed-legged on the bench when she eats or her dismissive attitude to proper school attire– often seen with her tie hanged loose around neck, her dress shirt rarely fully buttoned up, mismatched stockings, or pants too tight for her own good. Though, she certainly amused Draco with her tendency to wordlessly hex Filch whenever the poor man passed by and did so without getting caught. Draco wondered what was the story behind that. Nonetheless, he took in an uncelebrated pride being the only one to notice that it seemed.
“–and tell me why, again, you refuse to ignore her existence?” a voice cut through Draco’s internal conundrum, the flat tone indicated apparent disinterest.
Of course, it belonged to Theodore after all. He had listened every time Draco had anything remotely to say about the Hufflepuff girl. He leaned back into the leather armchair of their common room, burying his nose further into his book.
Draco’s silence prompted Theodore to continue, “You seemed to be able to do that just fine, right now, to me.”
The blonde boy huffed, “How can I ignore her when simply everything that she does is so loud? I’ll tell you– this morning, I had the most peaceful breakfast in a while, then she walked into the Great Hall– with a yellow stocking on one leg and a black one on the other!”
Theodore peaked from his book, his reading glasses low on his nose brigde. “So? Did the stockings shout at you?”
Another silence from Draco. He turned away as he rolled eyes in chagrin.
However, Theodore managed to get Draco’s attention back when he shut his book close, the sound echoed the empty room and engulfed by the crackling of fire in front of them.
“If you can't ignore her, then befriend her. And if she is still too loud for you, then silence her.” Was what Theo said before he headed into his dorm, possibly to be away from Draco's self-created frustration. Draco watched Theo’s retreating figure as he contemplated his words.
Befriend her? What a joke. A terrible one, at that. Without their mutual friend around, an attempt at friendship might as well be an attempt at murder. Draco had a feeling that the girl would rather roll around in a swamp with dugbogs than be friends with him. Such a notion pricked his heart for reasons he has yet to discover.
Silence her..? In what sense? Draco shook the idea of using Silencio on her for her loudness was not something a spell can fix.
All this thinking exhausted him. He needed some fresh air and possibly a change of scenery. Both he would not find in a teenage boys packed dormitory nor a dimly lit common room.
Time to take a night walk.
Draco had half a mind to circle the entire castle in his walk but decided against it when a long, frustrated yawn escaped his mouth. He began to walk back to the dungeons, battling his drowsiness, but it was quickly forgotten, pushed by a bigger force called curiousity, when he saw the cause of his stress entering their potion classroom. Why it wasn't locked was beyond Draco, though, something about the way she looked around furtively before ducking inside told him that she might've broken in instead.
Not a second wasted as he dragged his body to follow suit, maintaining a few metres gap, featherlight footsteps and mouth airtight to conceal his presence as he slid into the classroom with his eyes trained on her shifty exploits. She rummaged the cabinets, her movements fast yet careful as to not accidentally break any vials, jars, and whatever glassware arranged in it. None of the items seemed to be what she was looking for though as a stifled groan left her, her closed fist slammed the tabletop beside her, louder than intended when the thump! caught her by surprise.
The hiding slytherin tried to suppress a laugh but his shaking body met the door and pushed it slightly, its rusty hinges creaked and gave way to his presence. Hastily, he dropped his laughter and crouched down hoping that the Hufflepuff didn't see him when she snapped her head to his direction. As curious as Draco was about her, he definitely did not want to appear as a stalker– peeking through a door, silently watching a girl in a moonlit room, yeah not a good look.
Though his hope was quickly thrown out of the window along with his breath when the alerted girl hauled Draco up by his collar, dragged him inside before closing the door and pushed his back against the stonewall next to it– her forearm laid flat across his neck, almost choking him, his collar crumpled in her fist.
‘When did she– How did she– Why is she–’ thoughts ran through his mind as he struggled to follow her pace before pushing her off of him. Well, tried to push her off of him. She used her weight against his body to further pin him against the wall as she prodded his rib with the tip of her wand.
“Say so much as a word to the professors, I swear I will beat you up like I’m tapping to the rhythm of Helga Hufflepuff.”
Was it too late to befriend her? Probably.
“Oi, ye hear me?”
Draco wanted to tilt his head down, but he didn't do so in fear the slightest action would cause her to press into him more. And, being in a chokehold simply- and quite literally- limited his options. His eyes fluttered closed with every breath he began to lose, her wand still sharp into his rib that he was sure it pierced him.
Then, her grip loosened and the wand pulled away.
“Sorry,” She said. “But I will follow through with my words if tomorrow I was suddenly given detention, Malfoy.”
With that, she left.
What in Merlin’s name just happened..?
A week went by and neither of the two spoke anything of what happened in the potion classroom. To say anything about it is to acknowledge it happened and that was something Draco did not want to remember. It was not as if he was scared of her but boy, that threat was far meaner than what he had given out to a lot others– typically Potter.
For the first time, he was on the receiving end of someone else’s threat. Most would not even dare to stand up for themselves due to his family name, save for a few particular gryffindors, but the words of that Hufflepuff girl rang in his ears like a broken melody.
Draco touched his jaw and lightly brought his finger down to the fading bruises colouring his neck, craning it a little for a clearer view on the standing mirror. Is this karma? Maybe he should cut down on threatening his peers over petty reasons.
“I am not saying you deserved it–” Theo said as he entered the dorm room “–but you sort of had it coming.”
The blonde slytherin fixed his collar and started to work on his striped green tie. His glare reflected for the brunette to see. The latter shrugged in response.
“I don't think befriending her is a choice now.” Draco said, turning to face Theo who was buttoning up his vest.
“Start with an apology.” Draco scoffed at that idea yet Theo continued, “You did startle her–”
“I didn't mean to.” Draco cut in.
“Well, hiding in the dark, watching her silently. Not exactly the behaviour of a well-meaning person, now is it?” Theo maintained.
Point.
“Very well.” Draco huffed. “But if I come back with yet another bruise, I will–”
“You won't,” Theo asserted. “She may not be the definition of a Hufflepuff, but Hufflepuff she still is. You might be surprised at how kind she could be.”
“You speak as if you know her,” Draco jested. His arms crossed as Theo approached him with a book in his hand– All You Need To Know: Dragons Edition.
Theo, unreadable as ever, paused for a second before replying. “Please. I have a good friend who constantly talks about her.” He said, handing Draco (who rolled his eyes at Theo’s words) the book.
There was a slight hesitation from the blonde, his eyebrow knitted momentarily as he looked at the cover of the book, as he took the item from Theo’s hand.
“For your, and her, secret friend. She might need it for the first task.” Theo stated. “This might also help with your apology.”
Draco nodded.
It didn't take him long to find the Hufflepuff. There she was, in her usual corner of the upstairs library area, slouched over a thick, dusty book– its leather cover peeled and cracked, Draco barely able to read the title; TriWizard Tournament: A History of Tragedy and Championship.
This time, he knew not to creep up on her. He approached with slow and careful steps and stopped ahead of her with enough distance. If she decided to pin him against a wall again, he’d have enough room to run first. Yet, the Hufflepuff remained seated still. Eyes stuck on the cursive letters in the book, not realising his towering presence.
Draco cleared his throat once– and still nothing– then twice, before she looked up from her pages. She scowled at the sight of him.
She opened her mouth to say something but Draco beat her to it. He raised his hand in surrender, hoping she’d take it as a gesture of peace, with the other hand tucked behind his back holding the book and said, “It was wrong of me to stalk you. I should've said something instead of surprising you and I came here to offer a truce— at least until the tournament ends. For Scarlett’s sake.”
The Slytherin revealed the book in his hand and placed it on the armchair as he continued, “First task is dragons. I don't know what they plan on doing with those beasts, but give this to Scarlett and it might help her.”
“Why didn't you just give it to her?” She said, a hint of doubt in her tone as she stared at the book next to her, careful not to brush against it.
Did she think it was laced with something? A jinx or hex enveloping the item?
“She was still mad about the badge–” She snorted which received a questioning eyebrow from Draco “–and has been avoiding me since.”
A few moments of silence passed.
She would've appeared indifferent if it weren't for the subtle quirked lips. Had Draco blinked, he surely would have missed it. Shame she tended to direct a deathly glare to him than a warm gaze, such a smile was an adorable look.
No, not adorable. A fitting one for a Hufflepuff, more like.
She cleared her throat, then stood abruptly snatching the book of the armchair where it just rested. Draco jerked at the sudden movement, his breath stuck awaiting for her reply. The low light, mingled with mahogany surfaces of tables, frames and bookshelves surrounding them, reflected on her face– almost appearing pink, if not red. One could easily mistook that as a blush, were it anyone else who stood in front of her and not the most pompous Slytherin.
“Fine.” Was all she said.
“Fine.” Was all he said, too.
That was unexpectedly smooth. The two of them parted without another word but just an exchange of understanding nod. Draco entered the Slytherin common room with no new bruise and no threat. An accomplishment of sorts. He might not still understand her complex nature, undaring to slot her into one of his boxes.
Least, he was now content with the progress he made– they were not friends yet, acquaintances at best, but a truce might just open up that opportunity.