Intrinsic ▷ Draco Malfoy

TWO

     Hermione took a seat next to Stella, beating Draco to the punch. She was whispering quietly. "You didn't tell me Malfoy was a prefect."

     Stella shrugged. "He's got the grades, Hermione. Might be a prick time to time, but he deserves it."

     The Head Boy and Girl of each house went over the rules of being prefects, and emphasized how important the role was in Hogwarts. They briefly mentioned how cooperating with a fellow prefect was just as important, and Stella glanced at her boyfriend — Draco and her would most likely be kissing instead of patrolling the corridors late at night.

     After they were dismissed, Stella sought out to find Blaise and Pansy, but stopped when she realized Draco wasn't behind her.

     "You go on ahead. I need to find Crabbe and Goyle."

     Stella's eyes narrowed, sensing Draco was planning to do something to Harry. "Draco."

     "Just a bit of fun is all, my love."

     Stella eventually allowed him to leave, searching various compartments for Blaise and Pansy. She found the two seated across from each other, along with Millicent Bulstrode and Theodore Nott.

     "And there she is," Blaise said. "Just speaking about you, we were."

     "Me? Or me and Draco?"

     It was the Slytherins' favorite topic. Apparently, Draco and Stella's relationship was an amusing idea that was brought up in almost every conversation at the Slytherin table. No one understood how Stella, who was practically a Weasley, could date Draco, who was raised to hate people like the Weasley family. When asked, Stella would shrug and say they just did. It wasn't complex or incredibly difficult — she liked being with Draco and he liked being with her.

     "Both." Theodore shrugged, lips pursed. "Talking about you and how you put up with Draco in the first place."

     Pansy was about to let something slip from her mouth, but decided against it. When Stella and Draco were fighting last year, Draco accidentally asked Pansy to the Yule Ball out of spite. He was afraid to admit his feelings for Stella and completely messed up the whole situation. Despite Pansy's feelings, Draco apologized to Stella and took her to the dance. Pansy was still slightly bitter over it.

     Stella occupied the seat next to Blaise. "He's manageable, really. Tune him out most of the time."

      Speaking of the devil, the compartment door opened and in walked Draco, sniggering to himself. Millicent quickly moved aside so he could sit next to his girlfriend.

      "Care to share why you're so giddy?"

     "Messing with Potter's mind, I suppose," Pansy sighed, looking completely disinterested.

     Stella hit Draco's arm and he winced. "You better not have, Draco. Harry's milliseconds away from completely exploding."

     However, as Crabbe and Goyle entered the compartment in a fit of cackles, Stella understood the truth. She huffed and turned to speak to Blaise, sending the message that Draco was going to have to beg for forgiveness once again. Theodore and Millicent began snickering silently.