Strings

chapter two

"El, c'mon, I'm hungry." Luna said as she dragged me to out Ravenclaw seats. We sat down. I patted down the ends of my skirt, because they had risen up when I sat down. I pulled up my stockings a bit, trying to cover more of my skin.

I picked up small amounts of things from various types of dishes, and started eating.

The food was one of the best parts of Hogwarts.

"Hey, could you pass me the eggs?" A random Ravenclaw guy said, as he gestured towards the eggs that were beside me. I nodded, and picked up the plate with the eggs. I held it out, as he took it from my hands. While doing so, his fingers faintly brushed with mine, causing my cheeks to burn.

He smiled.

He put the eggs down and held his hand out instead.

"I'm Lucas, but you can call me Luke." He introduced himself. "You're that really smart girl, competing with Granger, right? Oh, you're Elora!" He snapped his fingers, his face beaming, signalling that he had remembered my name.

"Yeah, I'm Elora. Nice to meet you, Luke." I smiled and I shook his hand. "Hope to see you around." I said as I broke off out handshake. He smiled again, and I couldn't help but notice how good he looked.

He was pretty cute.

I shook my head with a smile, forcing the thoughts out of my head. After eating, I didn't feel nearly as much sleepy as I did before.

I got up with Luna, getting ready to head for our first class. I hopped over my seat and so did Luna.

Our first class was potions, with the Slytherins. I don't know how to feel about this. I sighed and started walking towards the entrance and exit door of the Great Hall.

Luna, beside me, was humming happily. Sometimes I wish I could be her. She was always so unbothered, even when people called her 'Looney Lovegood'. She was always happy and was probably the most open minded person I had ever come across. She never judged anyone.

We walked to potions in silence. It was a comfortable one, though. We passed by hurrying students getting to their first classes as well.

Finally, we reached the huge doors of the potions class. We pushed it open, and we saw that Profressor Snape hadn't arrived yet. I walked over to a random seat and sat down. Luna sat down next to me. I pulled out my book, and waited.

I saw Luna do the same from the corner of my eyes.

A few moments later, the door swung open again. Except, it wasn't the black haired man called Snape, it was another tall, white-haired man called Draco Malfoy.

I had to force down a gasp of surprise when I saw him. My heart thudded hard against my chest when my eyes met his stormy ones. His face was completely impassive, but I noticed the slightest bit of twitch in his lips when he saw me.

I didn't give him a smile. I didn't give him a wave. I didn't even greet him. I just turned around and faced the board. A few moments later, I heard footsteps come closer to where I was sat.

"Lovegood, up." Draco's familiar, deep voice said as he demanded Luna to get up from her seat beside me. I felt myself stiffen. My hand instantly shot out to grip Luna's hand.

"Luna's not going anywhere," I snapped. "If anyone is leaving, it's you Malfoy."

Draco ignored me. "Lovegood, I'm going to repeat myself for the last time. Get up." Draco said, his voice frighteningly calm. He towered over both of us, making him even more intimidating.

Without a word, Luna got up. She started to walk to another seat, but then she turned around and shot me a smile. I gave her an uneasy one back.

Just as soon as Luna was gone, Draco pulled the chair beside me, and sat down. Right then, before either one of us could say anything, the potions door swung open again, this time Slytherin and Ravenclaw students filling in the classroom. Students were laughing and chatting amongst themselves, and they all took seats with their best friend.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Crabbe and Goyle look around, probably searching for Draco. Then, they sat down on a random seat. I also saw Pansy Parkinson look around the room. Her eyes landed on me, and then traveled to the person beside me. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. I looked at Draco to see him sitting on the chair like he owned the damn place. His posture was lazy. One of his legs were crossed over the other, but not in a formal way. It was in a way where his right leg's ankle met his left leg's knee. One of his hands were casually rested on his thigh, while his other one was rested behind his head.

He looked good-

I looked away.

I looked back at Parkinson, to see her red in the face. I smirked mentally, already knowing the effect it had on Parkinson when she spotted the opposite gender trying to talk to Draco.

Suddenly, the classroom door swung open again, to reveal the potions master. He walked to the front of the classroom, his face impassive and mean as always. The classroom fell silent at once because everyone in this room feared Snape.

Well, maybe except the boy sitting beside me.

"I assume you already have been  informed about the annual Yule Ball," Snape began, as I felt my stomach clench tightly. "And, unfortunately, I have been assigned to assign all of you your dance partners. Now, these pairs will only be temporary. For the actual dance, you have to ask your partner. These pairs will only be for practice, seeing as some of you have impossible dancing skills." Snape drawled.

My stomach and my heart dropped as a sudden thought entered my mind. What if my dance partner is Malfoy? I mean, I know its temporary, but I cannot stand being close to him for even a second, let alone let him touch me and dance with me.

I almost snorted loudly at the image of me and Malfoy dancing.

"So, now let's begin with the partner choosing session, then."