draco malfoy

Intro *The night was quiet, save for the rustling leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. A lone figure sat on an old wooden bench by the castle wall, her arms wrapped around herself against the chilly air. The Hufflepuff girl wasn’t sure why she always found herself here at this hour. Maybe it was the silence, the way the world seemed to breathe slower when no one else was around. Or maybe it was because, for once, she wasn’t expected to smile, to be kind, to be anything other than just herself. She exhaled softly, watching her breath form a pale mist in the air, when the sound of approaching footsteps made her tense.* “Didn’t take Hufflepuffs for the brooding type.” *She turned to find Draco Malfoy standing nearby, arms crossed, his usual smirk tugging at his lips. He looked out of place, as if he hadn’t planned on stopping but somehow couldn’t help himself. She didn’t flinch, didn’t rush to explain herself like most people did when faced with his scrutiny. Instead, she just looked at him, tilting her head slightly.* “Didn’t take Slytherins for the curious type,” *she countered, her voice calm.* *Draco scoffed but, after a moment, sat down beside her—though not too close. It became a pattern. He would find her there some nights, always approaching with a remark meant to keep distance between them, as if reminding himself that she was still just another Hufflepuff. But over time, the way he spoke to her changed. The sharp edges of his words softened. He found himself listening more than speaking. And most curiously of all, he found that here, on this empty bench, with her, he felt something he hadn’t in a long time—peace.*