Description: Violet Ellis is about to have her whole life change in ways she never could have predicted. A story of love, loss, anger, and magic. If you had told 10 year old Violet that she was a witch, she would have laughed. And if you told her that her entire life was a lie? Well, she wouldn’t have believed you. But 15 year old Violet? She doesn't know who to trust or who is on her side. Except for him.
Song Rec.: Violet and Draco's Playlist
TW: Angst, Big Emotions™️, death, abandonment (of child), illegitimate child, mentions of war and death eaters. Bullying (from slytherins). Slowburn. I’m not British, so forgive me if I completely butcher this… If I missed anything, let me know.
Other: Slowburn romance, sort of fast-paced story.
"But mum, do I have to go?" Eleven year old Violet asked for the tenth time that hour. She held a letter in her small hands, pale yellow paper against her tanned ivory skin.
She glanced at it as her mother gave her a warm smile, "We've been over this, dear. You don't have to do anything, but your father and I think you should go."
Violet sighed, an automatic response to her mother's rehearsed response. They'd had this conversation every day for the past month, ever since the letter showed up, courtesy of a beautiful brown barn owl.
As Violet curled up under her blanket, her mother tucking her into bed, she set the letter on her bedside table, leaving it open so she could reread it. No matter that she'd read it several times a day every day, she still wasn't entirely convinced it was real.
To: Ms. Violet Ellis
Dear Ms. Ellis,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Students shall be required to report to the Chamber of Reception upon arrival, the dates of which shall be duly advised.
Please ensure that the utmost attention be made to the list of requirements attached herewith.
We very much look forward to receiving you as part of the new generation of Hogwarts' heritage.
Yours sincerely,
𝒫𝓇𝑜𝒻 𝑀𝒸𝒢𝑜𝓃𝒶𝑔𝒶𝓁𝓁
Professor McGonagall
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13th August, 1991, early morning
It was all very confusing at first. The "list of requirements" attached to Violet's acceptance letter made absolutely no sense. She could reason with robes, but dragon hide gloves? A pointed hat? A wand?! And it only got stranger. Books on magic, on spells and magical herbs and fantastic beasts? She truly thought she'd lost her mind.
Also enclosed was the name of a place, "Leaky Cauldron". Neither her mother or father knew of the place, so it took some searching for the family of three to find it. And when they did, it only proved to be more concerning. Violet could see it, clear as day, but neither of her parents could. They could see the music shop to one side, and the bookshop on the other, but not the pub sitting in-between.
"It must be a magical place. For witches and wizards only," She tried to reason.
She led her family inside, where the gentleman behind the bar took pity on them and explained that yes, in simple terms, it was a magical pub. Muggles, or non-magic folk, couldn't see it, until they were led inside by a person with magic. He then had another man lead them outside to a small back courtyard, where he took out a wand- a wand!- and tapped on a brick in the wall, where a doorway then opened.
The family walked through, feeling sorely out of place. They wore plain clothes, normal clothes to them, simple jeans and t-shirts. But everyone around them, from children to adults, were people in long, billowing robes, slacks or skirts, and dress shirts.
It took nearly the whole day for Violet to collect the things on her list, including several books, magical items, and her very own wand. Ollivander had been very kind when helping her find her wand.
"The wand chooses the witch or wizard, Ms. Ellis." He explained as he continued handing her wand after wand. Some had no response to her flicking it through the air, while others gave over small explosions of sparks. The final wand she tried gave off a brilliant light, almost as if it were happy to be chosen.
"Ah, yes!" Ollivander exclaimed, as if he'd known all along this was the right wand, "Willow wood with a phoenix core, twelve and three-quarters length."
Violet of course had no clue what any of it meant, but she was overwhelmed by the day's events and proof of magic, so she just smiled and nodded.
━━━━━━⊱༻ ༺⊰━━━━━━
1st September, 1991, morning
"Platform Nine and Three-Quarters? Surely that's a mistake!" Violet's father muttered as the family walked through the train station. They stopped between the pillars of platforms Nine and Ten.
"Maybe it's more magic, dear?" Her mother asked, "Surely there's some explanation."
Violet was about to suggest they ask someone, when the strangest thing happened. Someone walked out of the pillar. The very large, very brick pillar of platform Nine.
"Look! Did you see that?!" She exclaimed, pointing at the wall. The person, no, people, who had walked out were talking quietly. It appeared to be a mother, father, and little girl. All with very bright orange hair.
"Oh! Well, I guess... We just, walk through the wall?" Violet's father was dumbfounded. Magic was so entirely new to him that he wasn't sure what to believe anymore.
Violet took off at a sprint, her heart pounding as she neared the wall.
'What if it doesn't work?' The thought was fleeting before she met the wall, the world going black for a moment before she entered the platform. Her parents were right behind her, pushing along the cart with all her belongings that she'd forgotten behind in her haste, but she paid them no mind.
There were more people in robes and formal attire, hugging and waving at the kids climbing aboard the train. It was an old steam engine train, in faded shades of red and black.
Her mother set a gentle hand on her shoulder, "I think this is where we leave you, Violet."
"What?" She turned towards her parents, "Oh, right..." She blinked back tears, the realization that this was all very real. That she'd be going to a new school, far away from home, where she didn't know anyone.
"Well only be a phone call away, okay?" Her mother hugged her tight, then her father, "Try to have fun, alright? Make some friends, learn some magic!"
Violet nodded, staring at her parents. She almost started crying fully when she realized her parents eyes were full of tears. Her mothers blue, her fathers brown, both shining with unshed tears. So she blocked away her own tears, her green eyes shining as she put on a brave face.
Before she could respond, the train whistle sounded. She grabbed her luggage and rushed towards the train, stopping a moment on the stairs to smile back at her parents, before disappearing on board.
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The train was full. All of the compartments were full of kids and teens. Some wore normal 'muggle' clothing, while others wore what she assumed to be Hogwarts uniforms.
She walked slowly towards the back of the train, squeezing between people to find an empty seat. The only compartment not full was in the back, with only two people in it.
She knocked on the closed door before entering, "Hi. Can I sit with you guys? Everywhere else is full."
The two boys stared at her before nodding. She smiled shyly, turning to put her luggage away before sitting across from them.
They sat quietly a moment, staring awkwardly. Violet tucked her hair behind her ear, the brunette strands falling out of the ponytail.
"I'm Violet. What're your names?"
"I'm Ron, this is Harry." The boy on the left spoke. Violet took in his appearance- bright orange hair, round face, wide eyes, a silly smile, and semi-formal clothes. She wondered briefly if the family she saw exiting the platform was his family.
The other boy, who must be Harry, looked a little starstruck. With unruly black hair, wide green eyes, round framed glasses, and muggle clothes, he looked out of place. Which, Violet supposed, she did too.
A knock at the door pulled their attention to the older woman, "Anything from the trolley dears?"
Violet pulled out the few coins she had left from Diagon Alley and sadly shook her head.
Ron replied glumly, holding up a bag of food, "No thanks, I'm all set."
Harry looked between the two, then pulled out a large handful of coins. "We'll take the lot!"
A few minutes later, the three had spread out the selection of candy and snacks Harry bought. Ron explained the different selections, from Chocolate Frogs, to Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
They sat talking and eating candy, having quickly become good friends.
"This is Scabbers, by the way." Ron explained as a giant rat crawled onto his lap and into an empty box, "Pathetic, isn't he?"
"Just a little..." Harry agreed.
"Fred gave me a spell to turn him yellow. Want to see?"
"Yeah!" Harry and Violet exclaimed.
As Ron pulled out his wand, a girl appeared in the doorway. She looked around the compartment, eyeing the three kids. She had to be their age, with her bushy brown hair, brown eyes, and proper Hogwarts uniform.
Her eyes continued to dart around as she asked, "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville has lost one."
Ron was the only one to respond before she turned her nose up at the trio, staring at Ron, "Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see then!"
Ron cleared his throat loudly, "Sunshine, daisies, butter-mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow!"
A yellow light emitted from the end of his wand before the empty box the rat was in flew towards the floor. The rat remained unchanged. Ron shrugged, Harry and Violet returned the gesture.
"Are you sure that's a real spell?" The girl asked haughtily, "Well, it's not very good, is it?"
The trio shared a 'can you believe this girl?' look as she continued, "Of course, I've only tried a few simple spells myself, but they've all worked for me!" She marched into the compartment, sitting to Violet's right, across from Harry.
The girl pulled out her wand and pointed it at Harry's face, "For example, Oculus Reparo. That's better, isn't it?"
Harry flinched back as the tape on the bridge of his glasses flew off and disappeared in a puff of smoke. They all examined his glasses, which had previously been broken but were now fixed.
"Holy cricket!" The girl gasped, "You're Harry Potter! I'm Hermione Granger. And... You are?"
"Ron Weasley."
Hermione made a face at Ron, who had spoken with a mouth full of candy, "Pleasure."
"Violet Ellis."
"You'd three better change into your robes. I expect we'll be arriving soon." Hermione got up and walked out, turning back at the last second, staring at Ron, "You've got dirt on your nose, by the way. Did you know?"
Ron reached up and wiped at the side of his nose.
"Well, alright then." Violet sighed, exhausted from the interaction, despite having barely said three words. She got up and pulled her uniform from her trunk, including a grey skirt, white dress shirt, grey sweater vest, black tie, and black robe. They were quite plain compared to some of the uniforms the older kids were wearing, which had colored patches and ties.
"I'll go change in the toilet. Please be dressed when I come back." She laughed softly as she left, closing the door behind her.
It was nearing eleven at night, and despite feeling exhausted from a long day of studying, she couldn't sleep. She decided to go for a walk, maybe read a bit in the common room, but she found it just as impossible to get comfortable on the couch as her bed. So she did the one thing all students were expressly forbidden from doing- she decided to wander the castle.
It was deathly silent as she walked around, and just as dark, as all the lights had been extinguished. She wasn't sure where she'd wandered to, until she heard a rush of footsteps coming near her.
She pressed herself against the wall, hidden in the shadows, until the footsteps receded. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, suddenly worried about being caught, but she moved down the hall as she heard hushed voices.
She tucked herself against the wall, leaning slightly around the corner to see the group of professors. Movement in the corner of her eye had her jumping back, until she realised it was only Harry and Ron. They shared a wide-eyed look before all leaning around the corner to listen.
"...The Heir of Slytherin has left another message." Professor McGonagall was saying to the group, "Our worst fear has been realised, a student has been taken by the monster into the chamber itself! The students must be sent home; I'm afraid this is the end of Hogwarts."
Violet looked over to the two boys, who had equally panicked expressions.
"So sorry. Dozed off." Professor Lockhart said, joining the group, "What have I missed?"
"A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart." Snape replied, his tone ever annoyed, "Your moment has come at last."
"My m-moment?" Lockhart stuttered.
"Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is?"
Violet had to stifle her gasp, equal parts shocked and annoyed that the professor knew such information but hadn't done anything to help.
It was silent for a long moment, until McGonagall spoke up, "That's settled. We'll leave you to deal with the monster, Gilderoy. Your skills, after all, are legend."
"Very well! I'll just be in my office getting, uh... Getting ready." Lockhart took off quickly, presumably towards his office.
"Who is it that the monster's taken, Minerva?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"Ginny Weasley."
All of the professors left then, revealing more blood writing on the wall.
"Her skeleton will lie in the Chamber forever"
Violet looked over to Ron, his face a mixture of terror and shock.
"Let's go." Harry urged, starting down the hallway.
"Wait, where are you going?" Violet questioned, following after them.
"To find Professor Lockhart. We have to go down into the Chamber of Secrets and save Ginny." Harry responded, glancing behind him at the shellshocked Ron.
"Wait, you can't just go down there!" She tried to plead, "It's dangerous!"
"This whole school is dangerous, Violet!" He responded, finally stopping in front of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, "Now, are you coming or not?"
Violet didn't know how to respond, so she simply stood there as Harry and Ron barged into the classroom. She argued with herself for several minutes on why she couldn't go with them, why she shouldn't go with them, and why she should go with them. She was no Hermione Granger, but she was still well practiced with her wand. By the time she'd made up her mind, the boys were walking out of the classroom, their wands pointed at Professor Lockhart.
"Harry!" She gasped, "What on earth are you doing?!"
"He's a liar and a traitor," He said hotly. Violet wanted to ask for more, but the trio was already walking away. She sighed and followed after them.
They were quiet until they entered the girls' bathroom on the second floor, stopping as they came face to face with Moaning Myrtle.
"Oh, who's there?" She sighed, then smiled and giggled upon seeing Harry, "Oh! Hello, Harry. Oh, what do you want?"
Harry spoke slowly, "To ask you how you died."
"Oh, it was dreadful." She was floating above the toilet cubicles, and she pointed at the one below her, "It happened right here in this very cubicle. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. I was crying... and then, somebody came in."
"Who was it, Myrtle?" Harry asked.
"I don't know! I was distraught!" She huffed and sighed as she floated towards the group, stopping just in front of Harry, "But they said something funny, a kind of made-up language. And I realised it was a boy speaking so I unlocked the door to tell him to go away. And... I died."
"Just like that? How?"
"I just remember seeing a pair of great, big, yellow eyes over there by that sink." She nodded and pointed to the sink, then she left, moaning and whimpering.
Ron kept his taped up wand pointed at Lockhart as Harry moved to examine the sink, "This is it. I think this is the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets."
Lockhart looked at Harry with a wild look in his eyes, but stayed silent. Ron urged Harry to say something in Parseltongue. Harry closed his eyes before murmuring something in the Parseltonue.
The group all stepped back as the sinks began to shift, sliding away from each other as the one Harry had determined to be the 'door' slid into the ground. They revealed a large, gaping hole in the ground; the darkness so black they couldn't see the bottom.
Lockhart sighed in exasperation, "Excellent, Harry. Ah, good work. Well then, I'll just be, uh... There's no need for me to stay!"
Harry, Ron, and Violet all blocked the professor as he tried to run out the door.
"Oh, yes, there is!" Harry huffed as the three students shoved the professor backwards, nearly sending him into the pit, "You first."
"Now, really, what good would it do?"
"Better you than us." Ron responded.
"Um, but... Obviously, yes." Lockhart seemed to accept his fate, though begrudgingly, as he turned and examined the hole, "Sure you don't want to test it first?"
Ron poked Lockhart in the back, effectively pushing him into the hole. Violet felt a sense of satisfaction as Lockhart yelled the whole way down. It took several seconds for the telltale thud to signify he had hit the bottom.
"It's really quite filthy down here." Lockhart said, letting the trio know he was alive.
Violet groaned, "I'm really going to regret this."
When Violet and the rest of the Hogwarts study body returned, it was with very little enthusiasm. They were too worried about what they'd be returning to, fearful of who would be attacked next by an unknown monster.
Violet and her friends departed the Hogwarts express in hushed conversation, discussing the possibility of whatever horror that had been attacking students might have been captured during their Holiday break. An unlikely scenario, they knew, but they wanted to hope.
Violet was pleasantly surprised when she walked into Hogwarts and found a certain blonde boy waiting for her. He stood to the side, leaning against the wall by the stairs that lead down to Hufflepuff house. His arms were crossed and he was staring right at her, a coy smile playing on his lips.
"We'll meet you later." Aimee said, pulling Violet's attention away from the boy.
"Yes, thanks. See you in a bit." She left her friends as they went downstairs, stopping beside Draco as he continued to stare. She dropped her bag at their feet, leaning her shoulder against the wall.
"Hey." He said, "Have a good holiday?"
"Yeah," She nodded, "I enjoyed seeing my parents. I miss them quite a bit when I'm here too long."
He huffed out a dry laugh, his eyes darting away from her, "Must be nice to have someone to miss and someone that misses you."
"Sorry, Draco, I wasn't thinking-" She knew how horrible his father was, and how little he interacted with his mother. He didn't have any real family to return home to.
"Don't." He cut her off, shaking his head, "Shouldn't have said anything."
Violet moved closer, until their arms were pressed together and faces a breath apart, "Please don't, I like it when you're honest with me. Besides, I missed you, for whatever that may be worth."
He didn't mean for it to slip out, but ever so quietly he said, "It means a lot coming from you."
She smiled warmly, then she let her head fall onto his shoulder. They watched the other students milling around, talking to their friends and heading to their separate houses. They stayed like that for a while, until the halls were empty and their legs tired from standing so long.
Finally, she straightened, unsurprised to find Draco already watching her, "So, did anything eventful happen?"
Draco hesitated for a long moment, wanting to tell someone about the odd encounter he'd had but not wanting to sound nuts either.
"What is it?" She prompted.
"Nothing, just... Goyle and Crabbe were acting odd the other day. Goyle was wearing glasses, said they were for 'reading'." Despite the skepticism in his voice, Violet couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Goyle isn't allowed to read?"
"It's not just that!" He argued, "Their voices were... different. They just weren't like themselves. They wanted to know what I thought about Potter being the Heir."
It was Violet's turn to hesitate, "What specifically did they say?"
"They asked if I knew who was behind it. I don't know how many times I have to tell them I don't know before they get it into their thick heads." Draco scoffed.
"Draco..." Violet wanted to tread carefully, a concerning thought taking root, "What sort of glasses was Goyle wearing?"
"Why's that matter?" He questioned, "They were round, I think."
"Oh, dear." Violet sighed. She was worried before holiday that Harry was going to do something dumb, but she didn't think he had it in him to do something so reckless, "Draco, I'll see you later, alright?"
She took off down the stairs, wanting to drop her things off in her dorm before tracking down Harry.
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"Harry Potter!" Violet's voice rang out through the hall as she chased the boy and his friends down. They were alone, all the other students already in the Great Hall for lunch. Harry turned around, eyes widening at the furious look on the girls face.
"Hey, Violet." He waved lamely.
"Tell me you didn't do something as stupid as disguising yourself at Goyle to interrogate Draco?!" She stopped in front of the trio, looking only at Harry. He looked to Hermione for help.
"I don't know what you think you know, Violet, but we would never..."
"Save it, Hermione." Violet took a deep breath to calm herself, "I know you think Draco is the Heir, but why would you do something so reckless? What would you have done had you been caught?" She looked at each of the three Gryffindors, waiting for a response.
"We needed to know what he knew!" Ron argued, "It's not like we can trust anything he says."
"Well trust me when I say, it's not him." She glared at the redhead, who only glared back.
"Violet, it wasn't personal." Hermione reasoned, "Does he know?"
"No, I don't think he even suspects it. After all, how would a couple of second years manage a transformation on themselves?" Violet sighed again, her anger turning to curiosity, "How did you manage it?"
"Polyjuice Potion," Hermione explained, "It took a while to brew, but it wasn't so hard."
"Impressive!" Violet was shocked. The Polyjuice Potion wasn't taught until Fourth-Year potions, so for a Second-Year to do it successfully? Though, Violet supposed that if anyone could do it, it would be Hermione.
"Thank you." Hermione smiled proudly, "Now, if that's all, we have some place to be."
Violet shrugged and turned on her heel to leave, heading towards the Great Hall for lunch.
She contemplated rather she should tell Draco what she had learned. Despite the impressive feat Hermione had with the potion, it still felt like a violation for Draco to not know who he was actually speaking to. But, on the other hand, if he knew he'd been speaking to Harry and Ron, who knew what he'd do in retaliation.
She didn't want to cause any more fighting, especially with how bad the tensions between the houses already were. So she decided not to tell her friend about what she'd learned, or anyone for that matter. If that's what it took for Harry and the others to finally believe Draco wasn't the Heir or the one behind the attacks, then fine, Violet would just let it be.
The following weeks were quiet. Too quiet, many students felt, causing everyone to be tense and guarded. There had been no more attacks, but tensions continued to be high between the houses, especially whenever Harry Potter or Draco Malfoy were around. Harry had taken up the stance of defending himself through constant arguments, not that it helped his cause. And Draco had taken the stance of ignoring anyone that tried to accuse him of being the Heir, though he readily spoke ill of muggle-borns.
There hadn't been any more petrifications, but there had been attacks of other kinds. Many students, all muggle-born, were finding themselves on the wrong end of jinxes and hexes, primarily at the wands of Slytherins. Several students had been sent to the hospital wing with missing appendages, broken bones, boils or warts that wouldn't go away, and other worse things. The Slytherins were getting more creative, admittedly.
Through it all, Violet maintained her distance from any talk of the Chamber of Secrets or the Heir. She knew people still spoke about Draco and Harry behind her back, but at least they weren't doing it in front of her anymore. And, despite their utter contempt for him, her friends were at least trying not to be rude towards Draco.
It was a regular occurrence for Violet and Draco to meet up after meals and classes, whether it was to walk to their next class together or to go to the library. Aimee and Hannah would sometimes nod their head or wave to Draco whenever he would appear, and sometimes he'd acknowledge them. Caroline was still avoiding Violet, which she'd stopped minding, but there was one absence she'd noticed more and more recently- Cedric.
Ever since the incident after the Dueling Club, Cedric had been avoiding Violet. He'd stopped talking to her, waving or smiling. He refused to sit near her at meals, he'd gone so far to leave the common room whenever she would join him and their friends. Violet tried to pretend it didn't hurt as much as it did, but it was difficult. She'd grown very fond of Cedric and their friendship.
Their mutual friends tried to cheer her up. They made excuses for Cedric, but Violet knew that nothing they said mattered. So long as she sided with Draco, Cedric wouldn't want to be around her. She didn't like it, and it hurt, but she told herself that it was time to move on.
When Violet and the other students arrived for breakfast on the Fourteenth of February, none of them expected for the Great Hall to be covered in a flurry of very bright pink.
There were a great many flowers covering the walls, in a variety of sizes and lurid pinks. They draped down and across the walls, creating a sort of wall of pink flowers. The head table also had a variety of the same flowers stretched across the front of it, either attached to something or held in place by magic. Then, as if the pink flowers weren't enough, there was pink and red heart confetti falling from the pale blue ceiling.
"At least it's nice outside." Violet muttered to herself, curious but not excited for whatever was to come.
She knew it was Valentine's Day, but she never expected the whole school to do some sort of celebration. They hadn't the previous year, and as far as she had learned, it had never been done before. Halloween and Christmas, sure, those were big holidays everyone loved... but Valentine's?
"I think it's beautiful," Aimee spoke up once the trio was sat at their table. They had to brush off paper hearts from the food to fix their plates, "A happy holiday for happy people."
"Too bad we're not happy people." Hannah rolled her eyes, only partially joking.
"Sure we are!" Aimee chided.
"Yes, okay." Violet wanted to argue, because really, who was truly happy these days? But her friend seemed so excited about whatever festivities may happen that she didn't want to drag her mood down.
Before their conversation could continue, there was a commotion at the head table. Professor Lockhart was standing, a huge smile on his face as he waved at the students staring. He was wearing robes that were the same lurid pink as the flowers around them. All of the other Hogwarts staff had stony expressions, looking as if they'd rather be anywhere else.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Lockhart shouted, "Thank you to the forty-seven people who have sent me cards thus far! I've arranged a little surprise for you!"
Unsurprisingly, several girls around Violet sighed dreamily and started giggling.
Lockhart clapped his hands once, and everyone turned to the back of the hall as the doors flew open. In marched a dozen surly looking dwarfs, all dressed in golden wings and holding harps. Many students in the hall began to laugh and scoff, but the professor wasn't done.
"My friendly, card-carrying cupids! They will be roaming around the halls today delivering your valentines!" Lockhart was beaming, obviously proud, "And the fun doesn't end there! I'm sure your other professors would love to assist you in your journey of love! Ask Professor Flitwick about Entrancing Enchantments, or Professor Snape about a love potion!"
Professor Flitwick had hurried his face in his hands, trying to vanish from sight, while Professor Snape looked like he'd poison anyone who asked him about love potions.
Lockhart returned to his seat without any further fanfare, but the entire hall had erupted as students started talking about the "card-carrying cupids".
"Oh, I know! Hannah, you could send one to that third-year Ravenclaw you like!" Aimee was nudging her friend, the biggest smile on her face as Hannah's face turned a deep scarlet.
"I'm not sending Thomas anything, he doesn't even know I exist."
"Yes, he does!" Aimee argued, looking to Violet for help.
Violet stared at Aimee for a moment, unsure what she was up to, "Yeah, uh... Hey, weren't you two just talking the other day?"
"Yeah!" Aimee nodded enthusiastically, "After Potions on Thursday!"
Hannah groaned, "He was handing me something I dropped. He called me Mia."
Violet had to refrain from wincing for her friend, but Aimee didn't hesitate, "What better way to make sure he remembers your name than to send him a cupid?"
"I'm not sending him a cupid!" Hannah shook her head, looking at Violet with a pleading expression, "Please, get her to stop."
Violet looked at Aimee, "If she's not interested, maybe let it be?"
This was the wrong thing to say, evidently, because Aimee turned her sights on Violet.
"Okay. Then why don't you send lover boy a cupid?"
There were only two people she could be referring to, and neither of which did Violet plan to send a cupid to.
"Don't deny it!" Aimee cut off Violet before she could say a word, "You two spend all your time together. He might be evil, but we all see how he looks at you. That boy fancies you."
It was Violet's turn to turn scarlet. She simply turned back to her breakfast and shoved her mouth full. She knew she couldn't deny it; she felt the same way about Draco. They never explicitly said it, but they both knew they fancied each other. It was evident in the way they'd obviously become each other's favourite person.
Draco brought Violet violets, and other flowers or plants, from Professor Sprout. He sat as near to her as he could, given any chance. They never touched, Violet learned very early on that he didn't like to be touched, but he was always close; walking and sitting, he had to be as close to her as he could. And that was just when they were alone. He'd always find her in any hallway or classroom, even if he wouldn't go to her, he'd acknowledge her. And the Slytherins had started avoiding anyone Violet was close to, never cursing, jinxing, or tricking them.
Draco wasn't good with words, but he was good with actions. Violet was better with words. She spoke more than he did, about the most random things, and he'd always listen. She learned to pick up on his mannerisms, so she knew when he was comfortable, uncomfortable, sad, happy, angry. She'd learned how to alter his mood; if he was angry, she'd ramble on about things that made her happy, until he started to cheer up. Or if he was upset, she'd sit and listen if he wanted to talk. Sometimes, all it took was her presence to cheer him up, so she'd sit in silence when that's what he needed.
"She's daydreaming about him again." Hannah rolled her eyes, pulling Violet's attention back to the present.
"Sorry." Violet smiled sheepishly.
"Four sickle that he'll send you a cupid." Aimee was a giggling mess when Violet looked at her in shock, "What? Don't think he will?"
"Are we talking about the same Draco Malfoy?" Hannah stared at Aimee, just as dumbfounded as Violet, "Draco Malfoy? Doesn't know affection? Can barely speak two sentences at once?" She flinched when Violet smacked her shoulder, "Sorry, but you get my point. Draco Malfoy would never send a cupid."
Aimee only shrugged, a not-so-innocent gleam in her eyes. Violet and Hannah shared an apprehensive look before returning to their now cold breakfast.
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After a few hours of homework and studying with Hannah and Aimee in the common room, Violet needed a break. She decided to venture around the castle, something she rarely did out of fear of getting lost. Even being a second-year, she found the size of the castle overwhelming. She wished there was a map she could use, something that could track her and say "you are here" and labeled with the different rooms. With all the things magic could do, why wasn't a magic map possible?
Violet was surprised by the amount of cupids she watched throughout her walk. They weren't very nice; they ran after and trapped the students they were meant to deliver a valentine to, going so far as to sit on a few students that tried to run. Their voices weren't very pleasant and they couldn't hold to tune, but they tried to sing out many valentines. Some were silly, some romantic, some embarrassing.
Despite her initial disdain for the holiday, Violet found herself feeling a sense of longing throughout the day. She never fancied herself a romantic, or even someone that considered dating or love or crushes, but something about seeing all the happy couples around her all day made her wish she could experience it. Not the slightly terrifying cupid-dwarfs, but the love and joy the others were feeling.
She was on her way back to the common room when Violet stopped at a small crowd. A few Slytherins were huddled together and making loud, obnoxious comments. The closer Violet got, she realised the Slytherins were surrounding a person.
She didn't hesitate, "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"
As one, the Slytherins turned to face her, sneers on their faces. She recognized a few of them as Draco's friends-- Blaise, Pansy, Goyle-- but not the other two boys. Between them were a familiar blonde, her eyes trained on the floor, where her belongings lay.
Violet stormed forward, pushing between the Slytherins to stop in front of Luna, "Luna? Are you alright?"
"Like freaks to a flock," Pansy scoffed, crossing her arms as she glared at Violet.
Violet paid her no mind as she bent down to pick up Luna's belongings, handing them to the girl who still hadn't spoken.
Violet turned to face the crowd. Blaise, Goyle, and the other two boys were staring very intently at nothing in particular, but Pansy remained glaring.
"Have you got a problem?" Violet matched Pansy's defensive stance.
"Yeah," Pansy spat out, "You. Why don't you mind your business, mudblood? Your presence obviously isn't wanted."
Violet's cheeks heated as she felt a rush of anger. Luna had been nothing but kind to Violet, and vice versa. She wasn't about to let the girl be bullied, whether she asked for help or not.
"If anyone's not wanted here, it's you, Parkinson." Violet jumped back when Pansy tried to rush forward, only stopped by Blaise and another boy grabbing her arms to hold her back.
"Watch it, you freak! You might be protected now, but it won't last forever!" Pansy growled, and for a brief moment, Violet felt fear at what this girl could do to her.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Violet snapped back. She was tempted to get in Pansy's face, but Luna's gentle hand on hers stopped her.
"Yes, what is that supposed to mean?"
All heads snapped to the sound of a new voice. All eyes focused on Draco, who was standing off to the side, the very picture of deadly calm. He stood ramrod straight, arms at his side, his face clear of any emotion, but his eyes held nothing but anger.
"Draco-" Goyle started, but shut up when Draco glared at him.
"What happened?" Draco's gaze focused on Violet, his eyes calming the slightest bit as they searched her expression.
"Nothing, just a difference of opinion." Violet didn't know why she lied. She could've told Draco exactly what happened, it wouldn't have made any difference, except...
His gaze focused on Pansy, who was staring at the floor. His voice was a near growl as he spoke, "Pansy?"
Her gaze slowly met his, "We didn't touch her, Draco. We were just messing with the Ravenclaw when she stepped in, like some little hero-"
"Her name is Luna." Violet spoke calmly, looping her arm through the other girls. She looked over at Luna, who was staring at her with her typical wide-eyed wonder.
"A friend of yours?" Draco asked, despite knowing the answer. Violet had spoken several times about the strange Ravenclaw. Draco nodded, turning back to his friends. A silent conversation seemed to happen between the lot of them before they all took off, Blaise pulling a glaring Pansy away.
"You didn't have to do that," Violet said in way of thanks, "I could've handled them."
"Of that, I have no doubt." Draco relaxed when his friends were out of sight, his lips tipped in a smirk, "I only feared for them, of course."
"Of course." Violet replied as if it were totally reasonable for her to take on five Slytherins.
"You're really alright?" He stepped forward, his eyes searching hers, then glancing to Luna.
"Fine." Violet answered, nudging Luna.
"Oh, yes, quite fine. They found something quite amusing about my valentine, I suppose."
Violet and Draco shared a surprised look. Violet tried not to sound as shocked as she felt, "You got a valentine?"
Luna simply hummed, smiling dreamily. Without another word, she wandered off.
"I'll never understand how you're friends with... her." Draco stared after the retreating girl, who had begun to walk on her toes and twirl around.
"She's sweet, just a bit odd, but aren't we all?" Violet smiled warmly at Draco, "What did she mean?"
"Hm?" Draco feigned ignorance, but one look from Violet had him caving, "There might be a threat out against anyone who bestows any harm to you or your friends."
It took Violet several moments to process what she'd heard, then another several to comprehend it. Her voice was laced with awe, "You threatened your friends if they hurt me or my friends?"
"My entire house." He spoke so quickly that the words blurred together, but once Violet picked them apart, she gasped.
"The entire Slytherin house?! What- Why?!"
She didn't know why she was so shocked. She'd figured as much out, as she and her friends hadn't been bothered by Slytherins in weeks, but to hear him admit it?
Draco's ears and cheeks were tinted pink and he'd begun glaring at the wall, so Violet took pity on him. She wanted to hear his answer, but didn't need to. She already knew.
She changed the subject, turning to begin walking down the hall towards the common room, "So, send anyone a valentine?"
Draco followed without hesitation. His tone was distressed, "Absolutely not. This holiday, if you can even call it that, is for fools."
"Love sick fools." Violet joked, laughing at his appalled expression, "Careful, Malfoy, or I might think you're hiding a girlfriend from me."
Violet couldn't stop laughing when Draco missed a step. His expression read 'I'd rather you killed me' as he stared at her. It took her a couple of minutes to stop laughing and straighten herself, wiping the tears from her eyes. She didn't miss the way Draco was smiling affectionately as he stared at her now. She sighed warmly as she continued forward, Draco walking right alongside her.
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Draco and Violet parted ways at the Great Hall. She hadn't realised it had gotten so late in the day, lunch already halfway through. She was still smiling when she sat at the table between Hannah and Aimee.
"Oh, she must've found Draco." Aimee joked, "Do I get my sickles?"
"Huh?" It took Violet a moment to remember Aimee's earlier bet, "I thought you were kidding about that. Anyway, no. He said he didn't send anyone a cupid."
"Well, obviously he wouldn't tell you if he sent you one!" Hannah rolled her eyes.
Aimee agreed, "Really, why would he ruin the surprise?"
"If you two are done, I'd love to tell you about the run in I just had with Pansy."
"Parkinson?" Hannah sat up, her attention now wholly on Violet, "She's one of the worst Slytherin second-years. What'd you do to get her attention?"
"Who said I did anything?!" Violet threw her hands up, but went on to tell her friends what had happened. When she finally finished, having explained Draco's threat to his entire house, Aimee and Hannah were staring at Violet with wide eyes and open mouths. Even a few of the other Hufflepuffs who had been listening were staring.
"Okay, you're freaking me out, close your mouths." Violet leaned back from the table until her friends' mouths snapped shut.
"I just... I can't believe it." Aimee was still staring, but now at the table.
"He really said that? Word for word?"
Violet nodded. She hadn't thought on it too hard as she'd been busy talking with Draco, but now that she'd said the words aloud, she realised just how crazy it was. There were something like two hundred students in every house, and Draco, a second-year, threatened his entire house? And they took him seriously? And for what, Violet? A girl he'd barely been able to stand a few months ago?
One thing was for sure. Violet owed Draco. Even if he hadn't meant for her to find out about this... protection order? Yes, that sounds right. Even if he hadn't meant for her to find out about his protection order, he'd still done it to keep her safe from people he owed his loyalty to. She'd find some way to show him just how much she appreciated it, appreciated him.
When Hannah, Aimee, and Caroline got up for breakfast, they'd found Violet's bed already made up. Her bag and all of her things were exactly as she'd left them the night before. Caroline brushed it off, while Aimee and Hannah were more concerned.
They'd hoped Violet had just left early for breakfast, but when they got the the Great Hall, she wasn't there either. They grew more suspicious as the meal went on, wondering where the girl could be. Even Cedric had no idea where she was.
By the end of the meal, Aimee had become so concerned that she rushed to the back of the hall, only stopping when she was in front of Professor McGonagall.
"Professor!" Aimee exclaimed, "Violet's missing!"
"What?" The Professor leaned forward, "What do you mean missing?"
"We haven't seen her all morning!" Aimee was quickly becoming a nervous wreck, thinking about what could've happened to her friend, "What if something happened? What if she got petrified?!"
"If I may," Madam Pomfrey moved to stand beside McGonagall, who had sprung up from her chair in panic, "Ms. Ellis came to me late last night not feeling well. She's resting in the hospital wing- Ah, ah!"
Aimee had begun to back away, wanting to run to check on her friend, but Madam Pomfrey stopped her, "Please leave her to rest, Ms. McCall, I fear she needs it. She'll be fine in a day or two."
"Oh," Professor McGonagall sighed and collapsed back into her chair, her complexion oddly pale.
Aimee rushed back to her friends to inform them of what she'd found out. Madam Pomfrey fussed over McGonagall, asking if she was alright or needed anything. McGonagall only waved her off, stating she was just concerned for her student. Madam Pomfrey knew it was more than that; she'd begun having the same thoughts and concerns about Violet as McGonagall.
Pomfrey had spent five year with the boy they knew, patching him up and helping him through some of his darkest moments. She'd seen the way Violet reflected so many of his physical attributes, from her brunette hair to her ivory skin. Even the way they carried themselves was so similar, with their shoulders hunched and head down, but always with a soft smile.
It wouldn't be long before Pomfrey and McGonagall would speak about the girl and their suspicions and what they would mean if they were true...
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Draco didn't know where Violet was. He looked for her all throughout breakfast, he looked for her in the halls between classes, he looked for her at lunch. He didn't know where she was, or why she'd suddenly disappeared. He knew it was likely because of what had happened the previous night, which made him feel worse about himself.
He'd been beating himself up over his behaviour, for how poorly he'd treated her. He felt nothing but regret, guilt, and anger at himself. He wanted to apologize, to make it up to her, but he couldn't do that if he couldn't find her. Not that he knew what to say or do if he did. This was entirely new to him; meaningful apologies and wanting to make someone else feel better? He'd never done that before.
By the time he arrived to Defense Against the Darks Arts that afternoon, he was ready to crawl out of his own skin. His friends had started questioning him, wondering what he was constantly looking for and why he was so on edge. He only dismissed their questions, not wanting them to know about Violet. He was becoming more and more protective of her, and he knew if he'd told his friends about her, she would no longer be just his. Besides, if the Slytherins found out Draco was rapidly becoming obsessed with a Hufflepuff? He'd lose all respect and become the biggest joke of the house.
For the entire three hours of D.A.D.A, Draco contemplated how he could get one of Violet's friends alone to ask what they knew about her disappearance. He hadn't heard a single person talk about another petrification, so while he was terrified something had happened to her, he didn't think it was that. He just wanted to know if she was okay.
When the bell rang to dismiss class, Draco was across the room and gripping Aimee's arm, pulling her away from her other friends before she even stood from her chair.
"Hey- Hey! Let go of me!" She shouted, though it was lost in the noise of the departing students.
Once at the back of the room, Draco dropped her arm and looked around. Her friends were watching them from the front of the room, but hadn't made any move to defend her.
"Malfoy!" Aimee snapped, pulling his attention back to her, "What was that?!"
He stuttered, suddenly realizing what he'd just done was incredibly stupid, "Uh..."
Aimee squinted her eyes at him, scrutinizing every move he made and word he said.
"I just-" He sighed, exasperated at his own anxiety, "Do you know where she is?"
"Where who is?" Aimee's frustration suddenly morphed into confusion, "Do you mean Violet?"
Draco only nodded, avoiding eye contact.
"She's in the hospital wing-" Draco's entire body tensed up, fear shocking his system. Aimee could see the change, so she reached out and grabbed his arm before he could run, "She's fine! Just wasn't feeling well."
Draco tore his arm out of her grip, staring at the spot on his arm as if it had burned. Slowly he looked at Aimee, his voice a near growl, "Don't ever touch me again."
"Oh, for Godric's sake!" She shouted in his face, causing him to flinch back, "You're the one that dragged me back here! What do you even care anyway? She's nothing to you!"
"You're wrong." He snapped, but refused to elaborate further.
He stormed off before Aimee could say another word. She stood there, staring after the boy as if he'd lost his sanity. Perhaps he had, because after he left the classroom, he sprinted across the castle to find the one professor he knew could help him. Whether or not she would, he wasn't convinced, but he had to try anyway.
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The entire castle was quiet. It was well after nine, so most students were in their common rooms or dorms, settled in for the night. Draco couldn't rest, though, too full of nervous energy. After dinner, he'd been able to collect the things he needed, but was told to wait until later in the evening to do what he'd planned to do.
So, when the nine o'clock bell chimed, Draco made his way out of the Slytherin basement and across the castle, not slowing down until he reached the hospital wing.
Madam Pomfrey knew to expect him, so she didn't bother scolding him when he arrived so late in the evening. There wasn't a single other person in the room, aside from Violet. She was laying on a cot at the end of the wing, facing one of the many windows. He feared she may be asleep, as Madam Pomfrey had warned him that she'd been asleep most of the day.
He stopped at the end of her cot, staring down at her. She was staring out the window, watching the stars and moon move slowly across the sky. Even in the dim light, he could tell she wasn't feeling well. Her chest moved so slowly, he feared she was hardly breathing. And her skin was several shades paler than normal, with a slight sheen to it.
He briefly considered leaving, sneaking away before she could notice him, but when her head slowly turned towards him, he was frozen in his spot. Her eyes were so dark and sunken, but even given her poor state, one side of her lips quirked up.
"Hey," Her voice was rough, barely a whisper.
Draco moved to sit on the chair beside her bed, moving to sit as close as he could. He kept his voice low to match hers, "Violet? What's wrong?"
She settled back into the cot, her eyes closed, "Migraine. I get 'em sometimes. Worse when 'm stressed."
"I'm sorry..." His guilt tripled. He'd been part of her stress.
"Don't be." She could barely keep her eyes open, wanting to go back to sleep. The throbbing in her temple had spread down to her jaw, and the draught Madam Pomfrey had given her was wearing off.
"I just wanted to see you. I... Didn't see you today."
She hummed, her eyes taking in his appearance. He was as put together as always, aside from his hair being messy and tie loosened.
She was losing the fight to stay conscious, but she couldn't help her curiosity, "Worried?"
Draco's instinct was to lie, or make a joke, but he was tired of hiding from her. He promised himself he'd try, so he told her honestly, "Yes. Scared you were petrified, or something."
"Didn't think you cared." Draco knew it was time for him to leave by the way her words were being to sound jumbled together.
"I care. A lot, evidently." He stood up from his seat, suddenly remembering the glass vase in his hands that he'd been clutching, "Oh, I brought you these."
Violet's eyes opened then, focusing on the vase, "Violets? Where'd you find those?"
Draco's cheeks tinted pink; he was glad it was too dark for her to notice, "Professor Sprout. She's got all sorts of flowers. I wasn't sure what you liked, so I hazard a guess..."
Her eyes had closed again, but she smiled softly, "I love 'em."
He sat the vase on the side table, his finger brushing the soft violet petals as he turned away. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Violet's temple, murmuring, "Feel better soon." Before he rushed away.
She'd already fall back asleep, but when she woke the next morning, her migraine thankfully gone, the sight of the light purple flowers left her with a permanent smile for the day.
From the moment she sat down, Violet had to listen to her friends ask questions and accuse Draco of things.
"Did he hurt you?" Cedric had asked, looking over her as if she'd been physically wounded.
"Did he threaten you?" Aimee had asked, concern evident in her tone and expression.
"Are you two a thing? Is that why you've been defending him?" Caroline accused, glaring at Violet.
"What has he offered you?" Hannah asked, her tone sharp.
"Stop!" Violet cried out, slamming her hand on the table. She turned to each of her friends as she replied, "No, he didn't hurt me. No, he didn't threaten me. No, we aren't a 'thing'. And what is that supposed to mean, offered me?"
"What's he offered you," Hannah repeated, "You know, to get you to be on his side?"
"Nothing!" Violet snapped, "I'm on his side because he's innocent, because he's actually quite a nice person when you get to know him."
The three other girls all started talking at once, and Violet couldn't stand it. She stood up, not even having eaten a bite, and glared at her friends.
"When you lot have decided to stop being a bunch of pricks to Draco and I, come find me. Until then, just leave me alone."
She stormed out of the hall, her chest heaving as she tried to calm herself down. She barely made it back to her dorm before she broke down in tears, all the anger and frustration rising again.
She didn't know how long she lay in bed, but after some time, she turned to someone knocking at the dorm door.
Violet couldn't bear to look at Aimee as she entered the room. She rolled over, burying her face in her pillow. A moment later the end of the bed dipped, and Aimee sighed.
"Violet, I'm sorry. We weren't trying to be rude-"
Violet huffed, "Caroline was."
"Okay, maybe she was…" Aimee allowed, "But the rest of us weren't. We're just worried. You barely talk to us anymore, and you're always so…"
Violet sat up slowly, pulling her knees to her chest as she looked at Aimee, "So what?"
"So focused on him. I don't think you realize it, but you're always staring at him, or looking for him, and it seems like you're spending time with him now?"
"We're just studying together," Violet argued, feeling defensive yet again.
"You are?" Aimee was shocked, then shook her head, "That's what I mean. We only see you in class, yet you study with him. What's going on between you?"
"Nothing. We're just helping each other with Astronomy. We don't even talk outside of that."
Aimee angled her body to lean back against the bed poster, her arms crossed, "You really don't mind spending time with him? Alone?"
"I told you-"
"He's not that bad. Yes, I know."
"I think…" Violet hesitated. She'd tried not to think about Draco, much less speak about whatever was happening between them, but she wanted to tell someone. Aimee waved a hand for Violent to continue, "I think he's scared. I think the angry, violent part of himself he shows is just to hide who he truly is."
Aimee hummed, "Scared of what, though?"
"I don't know." Violet shrugged, "But when we've been together, he's been polite, maybe even kind. I just don't think he's all bad like he wants people to believe."
Aimee stared up at the ceiling, contemplating a response, "It could be possible. I still don't trust him, but if you do…"
Violet couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her, "I don't know about trust, but I'd say he's growing on me."
Aimee moved to sit beside Violet, wrapping her arms around the girl in a tight hug, "I've missed you."
"Missed you too," Violet rolled her eyes jokingly, hugging her friend back.
━━━━━━⊱༻ ༺⊰━━━━━━
Breakfast the following morning was uncomfortable. Though Aimee and Violet had made up, Caroline was adamant she'd done nothing wrong. Hannah had apologized that morning before they'd left the common room, but she was keeping a distance from Violet. Hannah wasn't sure what or who to believe, so she was keeping to herself more and more.
Cedric had caught Violet before she'd left the common room.
"Sorry about last night," He'd said, "I wasn't trying to argue with you, but… He's bad news, Vi. I don't like the way he looks at you."
"Looks at me?" Violet asked, too tired to argue, "He doesn't look at me any special way, Ced. Anyway, it's fine. Can we just move on? I'm tired of fighting about this."
Cedric had nodded, hugging the girl tightly before they left for breakfast. He didn't want to let it go, but for her sake, he would.
Violet sat between Aimee and Cedric at breakfast, as usual. Violet stayed quiet for most of the meal, only speaking up when someone asked her a question or spoke directly to her. She was exhausted from the previous night, having stayed up well into the morning hours thinking about a certain blond haired boy.
Just as she was getting used to questioning herself about Draco, and to defending him, she was starting to get used to thinking about him. It wasn't every moment of the day, more so fleeting thoughts throughout the day.
Over the next few weeks, Violet fell back into a comfortable routine. Aside from Caroline, she was back to hanging out with her friends, focusing on her classes, and studying with Draco. She didn't know when exactly it had turned into that, when her tutoring the boy turned into them studying together, but she didn't mind it. When he wasn't being a bully, he was actually quite a smart boy. He was passing all of his classes with top marks, and once he was caught up in Astronomy, he and Violet spent most of the study time together reviewing notes and completing homework.
It had happened, too, that she was spending more time with the boy. What started as a few hours a week, turned into almost nightly meetings. It was an unspoken thing, that after dinner every evening they would meet in the library. It had started one Thursday evening, before they had Astronomy, Violet had been studying in their usual spot when Draco showed up too. Neither knew the other would be there, but from then on, they started meeting more often.
Most of the time they'd focus on their studies, but sometimes they would talk. Or, well, Violet would talk and Draco would listen. No matter how many questions she asked him, he rarely answered.
One evening, when she was particularly tired and couldn't be bothered to study, Violet simply laid her head on her arms and closed her eyes. Draco openly stared at her, curious why she was so quiet.
Draco usually rolled his eyes or sighed at her questions. Outwardly he seemed annoyed with it, but he didn't actually mind it. He wasn't used to someone wanting to know him so personally. He just wanted to keep a distance between the two of them, but he was finding it harder to do every day. He would never admit it aloud, but he looked forward to seeing Violet every day; it was one of the only things he really enjoyed.
Most of the questions she asked weren't of substance, as she'd learned the hard way not to ask serious questions, as one night she'd innocently asked about his family, and he'd stormed off without a word. They usually pertained to his favourite this or that, be it music, food, colour, or whatever else she thought of. He didn't often answer, and when he did, it was with one or two words.
Her silence that evening didn't bother him. He appreciated being able to watch her without fear of being caught. His eyes roamed her face, from the way her lips were slightly parted, to the freckles on her cheeks, which he'd never noticed before. He'd reasoned with himself that it was because they blended into her tan skin, and definitely not because he'd been avoiding focusing on her for more than a few seconds at a time.
"I can feel you staring." She mumbled, eyes still closed. Draco's eyes snapped back to his paper, "'S okay, I don't mind."
After a few minutes, he was convinced she'd fallen asleep, so he decided it was safe to look at her again. The ache in his chest turned painful as he watched her, as he wondered what it would be like to reach across the table and brush the hair out of her face. Would she wake up and yell at him? Run away? Would she smile at him in that gentle way she does whenever she thinks he's not looking?
Thinking of that smile, he decided to give it a chance, to give her a chance. Quietly, as if not to wake her, he whispered, "Green."
Of course, she hadn't actually been asleep, though she was rather close. When she heard his answer, the side of her mouth quirked up in that soft smile he'd been thinking of.
"Hm?" She responded, feigning to be half asleep.
He hesitated, unsure whether she was conscious enough to understand. He decided that if she wasn't, that was better, "My favourtie colour. It's green. But not dark green, like… like jade. Or sage. Light green, with a bit of blue to it."
It wasn't until the next morning when Violet was getting ready in her dorms bathroom and had looked in the mirror that she realized he'd been describing the colour of her eyes.
Violet had two choices: die a painful, humiliating death, or deal with the Cupid that was staring her down across the hallway.
She was standing at the top of the stairs, heading towards the library at the other end of the hall. There were students behind her and in front of her, all watching her stare at the Cupid, who was slowly making his way towards her. She knew it was for her because he had shouted her name several times to catch her attention.
She couldn't believe it. It was a prank, right? Aimee, or maybe Hannah? Who else would do this to her?
She wanted to find the humour in it. She wanted to find it sweet. But she was mortified, because she'd spent all day watching the cupids tackle, scream, and sing out of tune. So there was no possible way this would be pleasant.
So, back to her options. Tumble down the stairs behind her and die a painful, humiliating death, or stay and embrace the horror that was coming.
Violet's entire body was hot. She knew her face was as red as the Gryffindor emblem, and that there was no way her fellow students would let her live this down. In the end, she decided that facing it head on was the best choice.
She refused to move a metre as the Cupid stopped in front of her, his withering gaze a stark contrast to the wings and harp he carried.
He cleared his throat, rather loudly, and began,
"With eyes as green as sage,
And a name as soft as the flower,
A heart so kind and loyal,
With a smile that empowers,
There's no doubt that you're
the one I admire"
Violet changed her mind. Falling down the stairs would've been a kinder way to die. Instead, she had to listen to the students around her giggling and laughing, making jokes about the poem.
"Woah, that was... something." Hannah's voice pulled Violet out of her mental breakdown.
"Ha-ha." Violet glared at the other girl, "Very funny. Was it you?"
Hannah genuinely looked hurt by the accusation, "No! Why would you think it was me?"
Violet rolled her eyes, "Who else would send me a Cupid?"
Hannah stared at Violet for a very long moment, "You're kidding, right?"
Okay, now Violet would throw herself down the stairs. She looked around the hall, most students having departed, except for a few that were watching her from an alcove. A few of the Slytherins from earlier, she realised.
She took off towards them, pulling her wand out as she started to shout, "Think you're funny, do you?!"
The Slytherins ran in the other direction, laughing hysterically. Violet pulled to a stop in front of the library doors, huffing as she shoved her wand back in her robes.
"What'd you plan to do with that?" Draco's voice caught her attention as she crossed her arms.
"I don't know, maybe throw it at them?" She expected a chuckle, but Draco only shook his head and turned, walking into the library. She frowned, following after him. He wouldn't look at her, even after they'd been sitting in silence for several minutes. She couldn't get a read on him, on whether he was angry, upset, or just being moody.
"What's wrong?" She finally asked.
"Nothing." He answered quickly. Violet rolled her eyes. She turned fully in her seat to face him, wanting to reach out and grab his face so he'd look at her, but she knew better than to try. Instead, she waited.
After another five minutes, she couldn't take the silence anymore, so she started thinking aloud, "You were fine earlier. Did something happen since lunch?" He shook his head no, "Okay, then what- Oh, don't tell me it was the cupid." The way he tensed up told her she was on the right path, "The cupid is what's upset you? I'm sure someone only sent him as a prank, Draco."
She knew this was the wrong thing to say when he shoved his chair back from the table and stormed off. Violet didn't hesitate to chase after him. She didn't risk shouting, as she'd heard from the librarian enough about being too loud, so she simply jogged until she caught up. They were back in the hall, and she acted on instinct. She grabbed his arm and pulled him into an alcove.
"It was you that sent the cupid," She stated, "It wasn't a prank."
He was staring at her hand that was still on his arm, his expression carefully blank. She pulled her hand back, an apology on her lips as he sighed, "No."
"No?"
"I didn't send the cupid."
Now she was confused, "Then why are you so upset about it?"
Draco didn't want to answer. His entire body had tensed up and his hands shoved in his pockets, "I didn't send the cupid."
Violet huffed out an exasperated sigh, "Yes, you've said that."
Draco looked at her then, his expression almost pleading, but she couldn't figure out what for. She tried to figure it out, she really did. First she thought maybe he was upset that someone he knew had sent the cupid as a prank, but if that were the case, why not say so? Then she thought maybe he had sent it, but just refused to admit it.
"Merlin, girl!" He shouted, reaching up to run a hand through his perfectly styled hair. Violet jumped back in surprise, "I didn't send the cupid, but that poem, it was mine."
Whatever she'd expected him to say, that wasn't it. For whatever reason, her only response was, "You write poetry?"
He was blushing and wouldn't meet her eyes again, only nodded in response. Violet took a small step forward, just enough that it forced Draco to look at her, "You write poetry, but you didn't send the cupid. Someone else did?"
He shrugged, "I don't know how they found it. I'm sorry. I never meant for you to hear that."
It was Violet's turn to blush, "It was really sweet. I'd like to hear more, if you're ever comfortable with it."
His eyes widened, "What?"
"Your poetry. It was really good. Not that I know much about poetry, but still, if you'd ever been willing to share it with me, I'd love to read it." She wouldn't tell him she secretly hoped there was more about her, or that she found it sweet he'd written such kind words about her.
Now it was Draco's turn to be surprised. He didn't think he could ever deny her something she asked for, not even this, something he had hidden so carefully to protect himself. But she was asking, and she seemed so genuine, that he nodded once. It wasn't a 'yes you can read my writings', but a confirmation that perhaps some day he'd share them. Assuming he didn't find his journal from whomever had stolen it and burned it immediately after.
Violet walks backwards out of the alcove, "Let's go."
He frowned but followed after her, "Go where?"
"Go find those Slytherins who obviously stole something of yours and get it back." She spoke with such conviction that he couldn't help but laugh a little.
"Who said it was a Slytherin?"
She rolled her eyes, "I know you, Draco. If that poem was written down, you had it hidden away in a place only someone you know could find it. And considering your social group is limited to me and Slytherins, it's fairly easy to determine who it was.
She wasn't wrong. In fact, he had an idea who had taken it, after the incident this afternoon with Pansy, Blaise, and the others. Still, Draco didn't like the idea that one of his friends had breached his trust so readily. He wasn't surprised by any means, he'd learned long ago to never place his whole heart and trust into someone else's hands. Still, he wished it wasn't true.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Violet had expected the Slytherin common room to be dark, cold and evil. She was partly right.
The Slytherin common room was in the dungeons, not unlike the Hufflepuff common room, but it was different in every other way. It was dark, with pale green lamps sat around the room, and there were only a few windows, which were heavily decorated in black designs that prevented anyone from seeing out. Though, Violet realised, the light coming in from the windows was also tinted green, so perhaps the windows were green and didn't allow much light through.
Several tapestries hung around the walls, with portraits of famous Slytherins. Violet didn't recognize any of them, except for the largest portrait, which was Salavar Slytherin.
To the left was a rather large stone fireplace, to the right a hallway, and straight ahead appeared to be the sitting area. There were several tables, desks, and couches, all dark brown or black.
Draco stood awkwardly beside her as she looked around. It wasn't particularly inviting, not that she had expected it to be. Still, she was only here for one purpose, and she wasn't likely to ever come back.
She glanced to Draco, apologetic as she realised she'd spent so long looking around the space.
He didn't need to look around to know where his target was sitting. He stormed across the common room, Violet right on his heel, as he stared directly at her.
Pansy Parkinson barely had time to jump to her feet before Draco was in her face, practically growling, "Where is it?"
Her eyes widen, slightly fearful as she muttered, "Where's what?"
"Don't play coy with me, Parkinson. Where is it?" His hands were fisted at his sides, and Violet was starting to worry he might get violent. But he wouldn't hit a girl, she knew that.
When Pansy didn't answer right away, Draco took a menacing step forward, forcing the girl back several steps. Violet risked a glance around the room, noticing that most students were pointedly not looking in their direction. The few that were, were more focused on her than the other two. It was probably the first time a Hufflepuff had ever been in the Slytherin common room.
Draco whipped out his wand, shoving it under Pansy's chin before shouting, "Where?!"
He didn't look at her, but Pansy did. Her expression turned loathing, "You brought a mudblood here?!"
Draco shoved the tip of his wand into Pansy's throat, and for the second time that day, Violet took hold of his hand and pulled it back. She didn't care what happened to the other girl, but she didn't want Draco to hurt someone, anyone.
He refused to drop his wand, though. "You best watch what you say, Parkinson."
"Or what?" She spat, "You want to filthy yourself with her, fine, but don't bring her around the rest of us. Some of us actually care about keeping ourselves clean."
Violet tried not to let the words bother her. Really, she did. It wasn't the first time a Slytherin spoke ill about her heritage or blood status, but the way she was so vicious about it had Violet's eyes pricking with tears.
Pansy scoffed, but looked at Draco as she took a leather bound notebook out of her robes and shoved it into his chest. He grasped it tightly, finally dropping his hand and replacing it in his robes, to skim through the journal. Once he was satisfied that nothing had been removed or messed with, he held it tightly against his chest.
"Go through my things again, Parkinson, and I won't be the one you should be afraid of."
He turned and stalked off, only glancing back to make sure Violet was following. They made it out of the common room and up the stairs before the fight drained out of Draco. He sat on the top step, turning his body so he could lean against the wall and stretch his legs out. Violet sat on the step below him, copying his position.
He spoke quietly, as if he were suddenly exhausted, "I wouldn't have hurt her."
Violet matched his tone, "I know."
"Then why?"
She knew what he was asking. Why grab him? Why touch him, when she knew how much he hated it? Why pull him back, when he was never a threat?
She didn't have an answer. She told herself she'd acted on instinct, but she wasn't convinced that was the whole truth. She didn't want to think too hard about what the truth was, though. So she simply shrugged and let the question hang between them.
Draco was just as willing to let the conversation drop. He was afraid of her answer, of what it could mean. So he changed the subject, and pretended that nothing had changed between them.
