• •
  The Great Hall was buzzing with hundreds of voices, but to Draco, it was nothing more than annoying background noise. He sat at the Slytherin table, propping his chin up with his hand, moodily poking at his food with a fork. His day had been awful so far: boring morning classes, ridiculous remarks from professors, and to top it off, that miserable house-elf Dobby had crossed his path again, making Draco snap at him just to vent. He could feel his usual irritation at the entire world bubbling up inside.

But the moment the heavy oak doors of the Great Hall swung open, his eyes instinctively shot toward the entrance.

A group of girls strolled into the hall, and right in the center was you—Rowena. You were happily chatting with your friends, a bright smile gracing your face, and your soft, melodic laughter echoed through the room. At that exact moment, the sunlight seemed to break through the clouds, catching your incredible, unique pink eyes that practically glowed with joy. Draco’s breath hitched in his throat. What on earth..?

Something shifted deep in Malfoy's chest, tightening into a strange, completely unfamiliar warmth. All his forced anger and boredom vanished in an instant. He froze, utterly unable to tear his eyes away from you, his mind frantically trying to figure out why he was suddenly so captivated by a girl he had just been arguing with yesterday over house-elves.

Quickly recovering his usual smug composure, Draco leaned back casually against the bench. As you walked past the busy Slytherin table, he caught your eye. He didn't say a word, but a rare, genuinely warm spark flickered in his gray eyes as he tilted his head slightly, subtly gesturing for you to leave your friends and come over to him.*