𝑆𝐴𝑉𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝐷𝑅𝐴𝐶𝑂 𝑀𝐴𝐿𝐹𝑂𝑌

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟗 - 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝

Maya smirked.

"I just want to thank you that you've been so generous over the last two months. You've tolerated my sleepovers for way too long. I think lending you my nice boots is the least I can do," she said with a faint smile. She walked to the nearby mirror and started brushing her blonde hair and then applying all kinds of spells to create voluminous curls. "And anyway, you're not exactly reaching the top-shelf at the moment, sweetie," she said, letting out her naturally sarcastic self.

"For the last time, I am not short – I am average."

"Well, in any case, Malfoy is coming today and you need to be your tallest self if you want to reach him."

She put her stilettos on and walked away, leaving me with my mouth agape. During our short-lived friendship, I thought that Maya never suspected a thing. She was too busy dallying with Blaise. Now, I was somehow under the impression that both her and Blaise were not only aware but also encouraging some kind of connection between Draco and me – which was definitely not possible anymore.

I felt naked and exposed at that moment but put on the boots none the less.

We were ready at around the same time, so Maya and I walked downstairs to the sitting area of the Common Room. Blaise and Malfoy were already waiting for her to appear.

"Hello, gorgeous," said Blaise and approached Maya for a kiss, a loud and provocative one.

With my peripheral vision, I caught the shadowy figure of Malfoy. He was standing with his hands sunk into his pockets as usual. A black leather backpack was hanging from one shoulder as he was leaning against the stoned wall. His clothing hadn't changed much. He was wearing his black suit as usual but had added a snake pin on his black tie, one that was shining and staring with an emerald green eye.

It was odd seeing Malfoy lingering near the couple on the night of their anniversary. Was he becoming a burden to both of them? Yet, he didn't seem to be enjoying his night so far at all. He was as grumpy as always as he rolled his eyes to the sight of the couple snogging. Maybe he was being dragged to this party.

He watched me as I walked up the stairs, already getting a head start on my way to the party. The coincidence of us crossing ways was one that had to be remedied.

"Come on. Stop snogging already. We will be late," I heard Malfoy snapping hurriedly.

There was a very specific process in order to get into the Room of Requirements for the party. First of all, the entry of all the attendees had to occur before 11 o'clock to avoid getting caught in the corridors after hours. Still, the students ought not to attract any attention to themselves. Anyone who wished to enter had to wait in the 7th floor toilets opposite the tapestry of the Room of Requirements. A designated Hufflepuff would be waiting next to the entrance of the Room. When given the sign that the corridor was empty, the students had to quickly approach the doorman, say the password and then enter the party quickly.

The three Slytherins were not far behind me. I could hear Maya's heels hitting the stone beneath us as she was trying to hide behind the two boys. She looked like she was going to the Oscars and if a member of staff saw her, her clothing would definitely attract some unwanted attention. Malfoy told her to take off her shoes and make less noise.

As for myself, I didn't look conspicuous. I was hardly dressed for a party, so I mindlessly walked to the seventh-floor toilets. The three of them arrived a few seconds later.

I waited by the door and peeked outside to the vacant corridor. Next to the tapestry opposite me, a Hufflepuff in his uniform was double and triple-checking right and left to give us the all-clear.