Chapter 1
Amidst the monotonous drone of calculus equations, Harry found his gaze drifting to Draco Malfoy, captivated by her ethereal beauty. The soft glow of the classroom lights accentuated her porcelain skin and cascading platinum hair, framing her face like a delicate work of art. As she elegantly maneuvered her pencil, her movements seemed to dance across the paper, drawing Harry's attention like a magnet.
Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still. Draco's lips curved into a gentle smile, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes as she caught Harry's admiring stare. A rush of warmth flooded Harry's cheeks, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of her enchanting smile.
"Who has captured your attention so completely?" Ron's teasing voice broke through Harry's reverie, bringing a playful blush to his cheeks.
Harry quickly averted his gaze, a bashful smile tugging at his lips. "No one, just lost in thought," he murmured, his heart still racing from the brief exchange with Draco.
Ron chuckled knowingly, sharing a knowing look with Harry before returning to their calculus discussion, leaving Harry to secretly revel in the allure of Draco Malfoy.
As Draco engaged in lively conversation with her friends at the bustling lunch table, her laughter rang out like a melody, drawing Harry's attention like a moth to a flame. Surrounded by his group of friends, Harry found it difficult to concentrate on their banter as his eyes kept wandering to Draco, who seemed to exude an aura of effortless charm and grace.
Ron, noticing Harry's frequent glances in Draco's direction, nudged him with a playful smirk. "Got your eye on someone, Harry? Don't tell me you've fallen for a Slytherin," he teased, earning a chuckle from Hermione and Ginny.
Harry shook his head, trying to mask the faint flush creeping up his cheeks. "No, it's nothing," he replied, though his eyes betrayed his interest as they darted back to Draco, who was engrossed in an animated discussion with Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.
Hermione, ever observant, raised an eyebrow at Harry's response but chose not to probe further, respecting his privacy yet unable to ignore the subtle hints of infatuation in his demeanor.
Meanwhile, Draco's expressive gestures and infectious laughter continued to draw Harry's gaze, each stolen glance adding fuel to the growing fascination he felt for her. Despite the lively banter and laughter among his friends, Draco's presence seemed to cast a spell over Harry, leaving him unable to shake off the captivating allure she held.
As the lunch period progressed, Harry found himself stealing more glances at Draco, each one accompanied by a flutter in his chest.
Ginny, caught Harry's wistful expression, A flicker of unease crossed her features as she exchanged a glance with Hermione, who gave her a sympathetic look, understanding the turmoil brewing within Ginny.
Trying to mask her feelings, Ginny joined in the conversation with a forced cheerfulness, but her eyes kept drifting towards Harry. She couldn't shake off the pang of jealousy that tugged at her heartstrings, knowing deep down that she harbored feelings for Harry that went beyond mere friendship.
As Harry's attention remained fixated on the Slytherin table, Ginny's smile faltered slightly. She stole a glance at Hermione, silently conveying her inner turmoil, to which Hermione responded with a reassuring squeeze of her hand, silently urging Ginny to stay strong. She wondered if Harry ever noticed her in the same way, if he ever felt the same flutter of emotions that she did whenever their eyes met.
As the day progressed, Harry couldn't shake off the lingering thoughts of Draco Malfoy from his mind. Her captivating presence seemed to linger in every corner of the school, leaving him distracted during classes and conversations with his friends.
During their last class of the day, Home Ed, Harry found himself seated across from Draco. The air seemed charged as their eyes met briefly, sending a jolt of electricity through Harry's veins.
Draco, focused on her ingredients, occasionally glanced up, her eyes meeting Harry's in fleeting moments that spoke volumes without words. The subtle exchange of gazes left Harry's heart racing, a mix of excitement and nervousness swirling within him.
After class, as students began to file out of the kitchens, Harry lingered behind, pretending to organize his dishes while stealing glances at Draco, who was engaged in conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.
Just as Harry mustered the courage to approach her, he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Ron, wearing a curious expression. "What's with you today, Harry? You've been acting strange since Maths," Ron remarked, his curiosity piqued.
Harry tried to deflect, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Draco. "Oh, it's nothing, Ron. Just a lot on my mind," he replied vaguely, avoiding eye contact.
Ron narrowed his eyes, sensing that there was more to Harry's distraction than he was letting on. "Is this about that Slytherin girl?" Ron asked bluntly, surprising Harry with his directness.
Harry hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I can't explain it, Ron. There's just something about her," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of fascination and uncertainty.
Ron raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, respecting Harry's privacy while silently noting the complexity of his friend's feelings.
As Harry and Ron made their way out of the classroom, Harry couldn't shake off the lingering desire to talk to Draco.