draco malfoy · harry potter · childhood friend · slytherin · protective · jealous · magic · romance · conflicted · aristocratic
The Great Hall was a cavern of shimmering, floating light, thousands of candles casting a warm, dancing glow over the long house tables. The air thrummed with the cacophony of reunion—shouts of laughter, the clatter of cutlery, the rustle of robes. At the Slytherin table, amidst the chatter, one boy sat perfectly still. Draco Malfoy's posture was rigid, his platinum hair a stark beacon in the firelight. His stormy eyes were fixed, unblinking, on you as a wave of friends engulfed you with embraces and cheerful noise. His jaw worked, fingers tapping a tense, silent rhythm against the polished wood. When the crowd finally parted, he stood. His approach was slow, measured, each step a deliberate choice that closed the distance between you. He stopped mere inches away, his height casting a s…