Limelight

vii. the quill

Naomi entered the room. Almost half of the students have occupied the seats. Chris and Naomi looked at each other, communicating with their eyes.

Suddenly, they both nodded.

Both of them walking straight to the back seats. A perfect seat in this class, or so they say. Students can sleep and talk while the dead professor continuously drones about the class topic, sometimes inserting the history of goblins before continuing the discussion.

Chris and Naomi sat together -- coincidentally at the same time -- before pulling out the required book. Books that are mostly used for hiding while sleeping.

She also placed her favorite quill beside the book. The quill is in the shade of blue with a specks of silver. She loved this quill. It was given to her by her mother. She said that the quill was once owned by her grandmother, who were also a ravenclaw in her days at Hogwarts. In addition, it is in a large size, making it easier to grip whenever she writes a very long essay.

In her opinion, this quill is beautiful. A tint of ancient-y vibes. Naomi considered this as an heirloom because her mother also used it once she entered Hogwarts and was placed in Slytherin like her father, Naomi's grandfather. Then, she gave it to Naomi once she received her Hogwarts' Letter.

"Professor's not here yet." Chris started. Side-eyeing Naomi. The ravenclaw smirked at him and puffed her chest in pride.

"Shall we?" She asked teasingly, handing out her hand like a gentleman would for a lady, a smirk still etched on her face.

"We shall." Chris said with a squeaky voice, imitating a girl's voice, at least that's what Naomi think. He accepted the hand before adjusting his seat. Naomi adjusted her's too. Both of them now facing each other.

Their intertwined hands changed, thumbs at a standing position.

"Ready, Harwin?" She asked, cocking her eyebrows at him.

"Always ready, Scott." He answered with the same tone.

And the game began.

Two thumbs clashed, both of them determined to defeat the other. Naomi's eyes focused. She tried baiting her thumb and avoiding Chris' attack and tried to pin his thumb. Chris' avoided her thumb swiftly. With Naomi's strategic mind and Chris' strength, the game seems to be not ending anytime soon. Whenever Naomi pinned his thumb, Chris would defend it with force, breaking out in her hold. Whenever Chris would pin hers, Naomi's thumb would loose its strength and Chris would pin a cooked noodle-like strength resulting with Chris' thumb lessen its strength and Naomi leaving the Gryffindor's grip.

The duo was too focused to notice the professor entering the room. With his cough, the two broke apart and arranged the seats on there proper places. Naomi sighed with a grin on her face. She looked at Chris and both of them broke in silent snickers.

The class started. Naomi could feel her eyes closing. Naomi calmly placed the book in front of her and placed herself behind it before closing her eyes.

Draco Malfoy looked beside him just to see the famous ravenclaw sleeping. He smirked at the sight. She tried to hide herself but being sleepy and on guard is not a duo. The book keeps slipping from her fingers whenever she tried to sleep. Her fingers had no force to keep the book up. She sat straight after being annoyed and balanced the book. When the book starts to stand on itself, she placed herself behind it and slept.

Draco watched in amusement. He was so sure that the ravenclaw had no idea she had a seat mate. Seat mates with Draco Malfoy.

He heard from his friends that Naomi Scott laughed at him after the Hippogriff incident. He had to admit. He was embarrassed. But he couldn't stop the act that he already started.

Naomi's head tilted. Now facing the slytherin. Draco watched the sleeping form of Naomi. He was confused. Intrigued. How is it that this ravenclaw got so much attention? Does she even know about her popularity? 'Cause from the looks of it, she doesn't. She would do whatever she wants and not caring what anyone would say. Salazar's beard, he even witnessed how she played that stupid game that involves thumbs with her Gryffindor friend!

Yet again, maybe that is the reason why she's popular.

Draco tilted his head to look at her clearly. Brows furrowed. She looked too peaceful. Her eyebrows calm as she slept. Draco noticed how long her eyelashes are. She had a pale skin, much like his. Her cheeks would turn red with pressure or temperature, he noticed. She only slept for what felt like minutes but a redness on her cheeks were already forming. He was sure that she would have red cheeks whenever the first drop of snow appear. She had red lips. Button nose. He was sure that most girls would envy those kind of traits or features.

Draco would say that these exact features looks good on her. It made her look more doll- like.

Suddenly, Naomi's head touched the balanced book. The book swayed slowly and Draco had to catch it so that it wouldn't make any noise. Naomi moved a bit before finding a comfortable position. Draco watched as she settled on the position where the backside of her head would be his point of view, a book still in his hands.

The ravenclaw was raven-haired. A bit on the wavy side. It looks soft and bouncy. Draco would like to touch it but he learned a lot in his etiquette class back home to know that no gentleman would touch a lady without her consent. His mother would make sure that he attended each class. He respected his mother's wish and learned to love the class. Mostly, it is because the one who teaches him is no other than, Lorenzo's father, Mr. Lawrence Berkshire.

Mr. Lawrence Berkshire was one of the most kindest people he knew, or what he showed. Draco was sure that Mr. Berkshire also believed about pureblood witches and wizards being higher than any other bloods but he was too talented at concealing the disgust whenever he sees muggleborns or muggles. He would not say it verbally. He would smile at them and making them feel comfortable around him. But that is his way to get to the top. No wonder he's a slytherin.

He was sure that if Lorenzo's mom was not a kind hufflepuff, Lorenzo would just be like his father. Nevertheless, Lorenzo's father, Mr. Berkshire, is a great etiquette teacher. He learned a lot from him and he was patient and kind and understanding, yet again, maybe that is what he wants Draco to see. Draco doesn't know. Fake or not, at least he let him see the good side of him.

Draco continues to balance the fallen book, letting it go once it stood on itself. He watched the girl as she changed position, facing him again. She scrunched her nose before sneezing. Naomi opened her eyes slowly. Draco immediately looked forward, snatched the quill right in front of him and gripped it tightly.

The ravenclaw sat straight, eyes still hooded. She looked around before stopping at Chris, sleeping at his desk. She sighed and watched the professor blankly.

Professor Biggs started talking about the goblin war, again.

Naomi licked her dry lips and observed the class. It was obvious that no one is listening. The professor didn't notice. Either that, or he doesn't care.

Finally, the professor bid his goodbye to everyone and flew away. Naomi bumped Chris' shoulders to wake him up. Chris bolted and looked around before stopping his gaze at Naomi. He glared at her.

"Don't look at me like that. We should go." Naomi said and started cleaning her desk. She noticed that they were the only ones left.

Chris followed her and started cleaning his books that he used to cover himself and placed them in his bag. He arranged his seat and pushed it inside. He caught sight of Naomi crouching on the ground.

"What the hell are you doing?" He questioned.

"My bloody quill is missing!"

Happy Christmas!