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     HERMIONE GAPED AT THE DUO THAT HAD WALKED IN, ALONG WITH THE OTHERS. even draco was baffled, though perhaps he was more livid than anything.

the boy had attended slughorn's party with merlinda bobbin, a half-blood sixth-year slytherin that's a friend of astoria's.

     "well if it isn't my two most outstanding students!!", slughorn laughed, making victoria and harry shine more in the spotlight, as if it were possible.

victoria had cleaned up good, as makeup had successfully concealed her dark mark and under eye bags along with her unruly pale complexion.

     not only was the girl's navy blue gradient-colored gown astonishing, the girl's silver locks accented very well with her lusciously curled lashes that truly brought the girl's twinkling eyes out.

     for once, victoria was able to relax as she latched onto harry's arm, who just wore a simple black tux, though the boy's hair was very nicely combed.

     "thank you professor", victoria's mellifluous voice lightly chuckled as she was proud that the man did not remember the previous events.

     "oh you're too kind ms. noir! you've truly got a good one, mr. potter", slughorn clapped.

     "oh no, sir, we—"

     "a toast to young love!", slughorn cheered as he raised his glass up, making the others follow suit.

     victoria just smiled as she brought the thin glass up to her rosy lips. she could feel the glance of many, but one particular glare had bothered her the most.

     victoria lightly coughed as harry gently patted her back.

"are you okay?", the boy questioned. he knew of how stressed the girl was, but did not know the consequences she bore if she did not manage to kill dumbledore.

"I'm quite alright, thanks", victoria lowly answered as a duo had suddenly approached the two.

     "well, if it isn't noir and potter. the two most excellent students of professor slughorn", draco mocked with a grin, while merlinda just stood beside the boy, holding onto his arm.

     "indeed. at least we both entered this party with our own capabilities", harry casually commented, making draco immediately furrow his brows.

     "I'd watch it potter! wouldn't want you to go crying home to your mother would you? oh right! you don't have one anymore", draco laughed, making harry nearly about to punch the boy, if it weren't for victoria restraining him.

     "harry, don't bother", victoria mumbled.

     "what's this potter? need your new girlfriend to stick up for you?", draco sneered, to which victoria had just coughed, making harry's attention immediately move to the girl.

     "come on victoria, let's go get you some water", harry said as he led the girl towards the table of food,  where glasses of water were placed.

victoria just simply nodded as she leaned her head against harry's shoulder, feeling quite dizzy.

draco scowled as the glass of mead in his hand shook with fury, by how aggressively tight he was holding it.

"are you alright malfoy?", merlinda asked, placing her hand on the boy's upper arm.

     "leave me alone", the boy coldly spat as he walked off, leaving merlinda confused.

once victoria was feeling a bit better, she assured harry as he joined hermione behind the curtains, who apparently was hiding from cormac mclaggen.

victoria smiled as she walked passed many of the other members, exiting the room as her heels clicked with each step she took.

the dark halls engulfed her as she felt herself lean against the slightly rough wall. victoria dragged her feet as she convinced herself to at least make it back to the slytherin common room, though that may prove to be more difficult than expected.

the girl's head started spinning as she stumbled a bit, propping herself up with the mere energy of her will.

"you look absolutely pathetic!", a voice ridiculed, making victoria steadily turn towards draco, who had his hands in his pocket as he strode over with a condescending look.

     "I..suppose", victoria weakly uttered out, feeling more and more unwell by the passing moment.

"what is wrong with you?"

"none of your business", victoria coughed out, making draco flinch.

"plus, shouldn't you be with your girlfriend or something? I'm nobody to you", victoria muttered as she tried to straighten her posture, only to fall more towards the wall.

"can you stop being so stubborn for once?! would it kill just to admit that you need help?!", the boy angrily scowled, inching closer to the girl as she rejected the boy's help.

"I don't need help...especially not from you", victoria croaked out, knowing that she was reaching her limit.

"fine, suit yourself", draco sternly growled as he walked away, to which he immediately stopped as he heard a thud.

turning around, the boy hurried over to victoria's limp body.

"shit!"

•♛•

"how is she?", draco asked madam pomfrey, who held a face of concern.

"her skin's unnaturally pale and she seems she hasn't had proper intake of nourishment in a while. I'm afraid the girl's been quite stressed and it's affecting her eating habits and brain functioning. there's not much I can do unless she forcefully starts eating bit by bit", madam pomfrey explained.

"may I stay?", draco asked, to which madam pomfrey had begrudgingly agreed.

"once she awakes, please convince her to intake some porridge. I'll be back, I'm going to go get some medicine", madam pomfrey instructed as she got up to leave.

draco just sighed as he took a seat beside the girl's medical bed, watching as her breathing was abnormally slower than usual.

victoria lightly flinched as her eyes fluttered open. she turned her head towards the boy, shakily letting a breath out as she had heard all of madam pomfrey's concerns.

"finally awake I see", draco commented as he begrudgingly helped the girl sit up, making the moist towel on her forehead drop onto her lap.

     "thanks", victoria mumbled, making draco somewhat surprised.

     "don't. I just didn't want people to assume you passed out because I did something", draco said as he handed the girl the warm bowl of porridge.

     victoria stared at it as she cupped the bowl, certainly not feeling the appetite.

"eat", draco demanded, to which the girl just lightly sighed.

apparently victoria's reaction wasn't sufficient enough for draco, as the boy quickly snatched the bowl out the girl's hands and fed her himself.

victoria found herself willing to eat a little more as draco continued feeding her, until most of the porridge was drained.

"I'll come back tomorrow for breakfast, you best be up by then", draco said as he hastily stood up, leaving the bowl beside the girl's temporary bed.

"no need. I don't think your girlfrie—"

"she's not my girlfriend", draco interrupted, glancing at the girl one last time before officially leaving.

victoria felt herself sink into the cotton blanket as she unconsciously found herself giving a small smile.

for once, she could sleep peacefully, as even though she externally pushed the boy away, internally, she wanted him more than anything.

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