➵ Choice ➵ {DM and HP)

➵ Chapter 8 ➵

I feel flames of anger flicker in my chest and I set my jaw.

"I said, shove off."

He doesn't move, and takes a breath to say something before I cut him off.

"Did you not get the message? Do I need to say it your way? Fine. Kindly fuck off before I force you to." I growl, my voice icy enough to match his.

I hear Hermione let out a small gasp, and Malfoy quiets a second before taking a step closer to me.

"Oh I see," he hisses, uncomfortably close. "Foster thinks she's all that. Well, news flash, you aren't. You will forever be, a filthy little mudblood."

I open my mouth to shoot something back but am cut off by a dangerously low voice.

"You heard her Malfoy, leave."

I glance to my right to see Harry, now standing, his expression dark. He seems much taller now that he isn't the awkward person he seems to always be. His green eyes are narrowed and his jaw is set in anger.

"Ooh looks like Foster has a boyfriend." Malfoy mocks. "Of course, Foster and Potter. It even rhymes."

"Jealous Malfoy?" I look at Harry in surprise. "Jealous that we actually have friends to hangout with on a Friday while you stalk the corridors, alone?"

Malfoy's eyes flash in anger but I see him pull his attention back to Hermione behind us.

"Aww and look, Granger and Foster are friends. I was waiting for it to happen. The two Mudbloods found each other. But guess what Granger. At least you have parents who care. Did you know that Foster's parents sent her away? She ha—"

Hermione pushes past me, her wand raised to Malfoy's face.

"Malfoy, one more word and I will take you straight to Dumbledore myself," she hisses, her voice no longer high and cheerful.

I see Malfoy eye the wand and his eyes flicker to each of us in turn before he breaks.

"Fine, you three aren't worth my time anyway," he huffs, stalking off down the corridor.

I feel my emotions all fall down on me at once as I absorb what he just said. He just revealed it. The secret I wanted to stay hidden, no matter what. He knows, how does he know? He somehow knows so much about me, how?

"Eloise?" I hear Hermione ask, her voice sounding miles away.

I take a breath and say the first thing that comes to mind, "H-how does he know?"

I hate how my voice wavers, I hate how weak I sound.

I straighten myself up and turn swiftly saying, "I have to go. Bed."

I walk quickly down the corridor but feel someone pull up next to me. I don't stop. That's when I feel a light hand close around my wrist and stop me.

I turn slowly to see Harry, who quickly drops his hand and his eyes.

"Are you ok?" Is all he asks, but for some reason, I find it means worlds.

I feel my breath heavy with tears, but I force them down, determined not to show my sadness.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I say curtly.

"Well, you can tell me, I won't say anything," he presses on slowly.

That's when I remember my previous annoyance with him, and suddenly, my tears turn to anger.

"I'm fine, and how many damn times do I have to tell you, I'm not your friend. I don't trust you, so just stop acting like we're best friends." I snap, and his eyes widen slightly at the sudden anger.

I try to walk away again but he grabs my wrist again. I turn in exasperation but then I see his eyes are not fearful, but annoyed.

"No, Eloise, you can't just blow up at me and not let me respond. I know we aren't friends, but I'm still a human being."

I'm taken aback by his seriousness. He's not awkward, he's determined. I stare at him for a moment before nodding, unsure of what else to do.

"First of all, I'm sorry for getting you more detentions, I'm dumb when it comes to those things, something Hermione has not stopped reminding me since our first year. Second of all, do you hate me? Because it really seems like you do. I don't want you to hate me, I want to be friends, if not friends then friendly."

Uncomfortable silence follows, both of us unsure of what to say. Harry seems to be waiting for me to say something, but I stay quiet, not trusting my voice at the moment.

"Alright, I guess I'll see you around then," he says awkwardly after a long silence, turning on his heel.

I bite my lip as he walks away then I suddenly call after him.

"Hey."

He turns, his green eyes finding mine and it's my turn to look down at the stony ground.

I fiddle with the silver clasp on my robes as I ask, "You have quidditch tryouts tomorrow, right?"

There's a moment of silence before I hear him say hesitantly, "Yes."

"Well," I look up and meet those emerald eyes. "Good luck."

His stony expression drops and a small smile tugs at his lips.

"Thanks."

We look at each other for a moment then something makes me blurt out,

"And I don't hate you." It comes out quickly and without a admission.

Why am I acting like this?

The rest comes out like water from a broken damn.

"I just suck with people, if you can't tell."

This earns a wider smile.

"That's something you'll definitely come to realize if we're going to be....Friends."

The last word earns the widest grin from him and I can't help but let a small smile play on my lips.

"Thanks for the good luck, see you tomorrow then," he says, the smile not leaving his lips.

He turns, walking away down the corridor as I stand there watching him. It's only a few minutes after he's turned the corner that I snap to reality.

As I begin to walk down the corridor to the Ravenclaw common room, I smile at the thought of being friends with this boy.

Friends.

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Author's Note:

*Cardi B laugh*

^^that's it, that's my commentary

Also I promise Eloise won't hate Hermione forever, I could never let that happen.

"Eloise should just turn Malfoy back into a ferret and leave him like that." ➵ Sophie

I hope you're enjoying Choice, don't forget to comment and vote :)

Who's your Harry Potter comfort character?

My top three: Hermione, Cedric, Harry

I SWEAR IF I HEAR ONE DEADRIC JOKE.... THEY ARE SO OVERUSED 

^sry I'm protective

Remember you're unique and worthy, 

 ➵ Natalie