I sit in the Slytherin common room, my twin brother on my left and Daphne on my right.  Daphne conversed with Blaise while my brother was doing our Transfiguration assignment.  I let him do his thing while I people-watch.  

Pansy is giving goo-goo eyes to Draco, as per usual.  Most Slytherins were sitting around after a long day of school and a hearty dinner.  It was meatloaf today, one of my favorites.  

Mother always made good meatloaf.

"Y/N?" Dutton speaks up.  I glance over.  "Is this what you got for this question?" 

I examine the question, doing the work in my head.  Then nod.  

"Did you memorize your homework assignment?" He asks. 

"No," I look up at him.  "I did the problem in my head."

"You should have been sorted into Ravenclaw," Daphne speaks up.  I chuckle.

"That is not what the hat decided,"

"Well, it decided good," Daphne drapes her arm across the back of the couch.  "I wouldn't have had my best friend without that choice."

I smile at her and give her a friendly nod.  

"Another good reason why you were sorted into Slytherin," Blaise pipes in, putting his glass of water on the nearby table.  "You can stare at Draco all you want."

Daphne chuckles, and Dutton nudges me.  

"We all know it isn't like that," 

"Lies," Daphne remarks, smiling a devilish smile.

"You two exchange letters all the time," Dutton states. 

"I-I know but they aren't romantic or anything,"

"That's why you are so protective over them and don't let us read them," Blaise says with his words clipped with wit.  Daphne's jaw goes on the floor, still smiling.  Dutton chortles. 

I stutter before speaking.  "Draco and I's letters are a private conversation." 

"Sure," Daphne says, elongating her vowel.  

"It isn't romantic, it is amicable and civil,"

"I didn't know Draco could be either of those," My twin states.  

"He can be a gentleman when you get to know him," Blaise says calmly.  "He just has a rough exterior."

I smile softly.  We've been friends from afar even though we attend the same school and have the same classes.   We do talk in person, but it is always short and to the point.  You can't have too much of a good thing.  

My eyes go to Draco.  He's talking with Pansy.  Well, more of Pansy is talking to him and he is gritting his teeth baring it.  I chuckle to myself at the thought.   He doesn't show much emotion, but I can tell he is not having the situation he is in.  

"You're staring," Daphne leans in. 

I snap my eyes away from Draco.  "No, I wasn't.  I zoned out."

"Sure you did,"

I roll my eyes and go back to watching.  Daph can tease all she wants, I've gotten used to it.  Draco stands up, adjusting his robes.  I can see the desperation in Pansy's eyes as she tugs his robe back down.  Draco uses his thigh to push it off, and Pansy slouches in her chair.  

I can't imagine how Draco can handle someone as clingy and attention-seeking as Pansy.  

Draco makes eye contact with me, and I hesitate to look away.   He walks over towards us.  

"Hi," Blaise says to him, turning in his chair. 

"Hi," Draco says, standing there.  

"How's Parkinson?"

He groans. "Fine."

"Are you two official yet?" Daph asks, on the edge of the couch now. 

"No," He says.

"With Pansy, I can see why," Dutton speaks up.

"Is she the one holding back?" Blaise asks.  Draco shakes his head. "Typical."

"What's holding you back?" Daphne asks.  Draco's eyes snap over to meet mine, glazing me quickly then he looks away. 

"It's Pansy, need I have a reason?" 

"That is a fair point," Dutton says.  

"I should go before she drags me over there again," Draco says, then he yawns.  He turns on his heels.

Before I can think twice, I stand up and follow him.  I know Daph said something but I ignore it.

"Draco?" I ask before he reaches the boys' hall.  He turns his head and stops walking.

"Yes, Y/N?"

"Is everything alright?"

He breathes in hard like he is about to speak, but he holds it.  His eyes lower and he exhales.  He slides a hand inside his robe and hands me a thick envelope.  Ivory with my name written on the front in his perfect cursive.  "This is for you."

"Thank you,"

"The answer to your question is in there," He hands it to me.  I take it gently.  We make eye contact.  His light, salty eyes.   "I should get going."

"Y-Yes," I force a chuckle.  "Keep away from Pansy."

He smiles quickly.  "I'll see you in class."

And he's gone, as quickly as he came.  

I look at the envelope.  Smells amazing and feels plump.  I smile and don't look back at my friends as I go up to my dorm to read this letter.