Delicate

comfort crowd

Draco was nervous again the next day. This time quidditch wasn't why. He was worried about how his sudden departure from her life would affect Delia. He knew she'd be angry, but he hoped she'd realize it was for the best. His day passed by too quickly. Somehow he'd managed to get through all his classes  without letting Delia on to what he was doing. He'd laughed at her jokes, and when Weasley's pathetic excuse for a wand couldn't perform a spell in transfiguration, they shared a look saying we'll laugh later.  He'd managed to escape her to change for their practice and was actively calming himself as the team made their way outside. He noticed Delia in the courtyard sitting with Pansy and Blaise, but didn't have much time to think about it. The gryffindor team was approaching.
"What do you think you're doing? I've booked the pitch for gryffindor today."
"Relax, Wood, I've got a note."
Draco rolled his eyes as Weasley and Granger headed over. And stupid Granger had to open her mouth to insult him.
"No one asked for your opinion, mudblood."
He heard his friends laugh from their bench when Weasley's attempt to defend his friend ended with him vomiting slugs. The slytherins continued on to the quidditch pitch leaving the others behind.
Delia watched the practice making small talk with Pansy and Blaise. Blaise of course had commentary on the game; Pansy, on the other hand, was trying to annoy her.
"You must notice he likes you Dels."
"People don't like me; they respect me. There's a difference, Pans." Her gray eyes rolled as she spoke.
"Oh, Blaise, please tell her that Nott is very much into her."
"Oh yeah, Dels, he is. Never stops about how pretty you are."
She laughed and shook her head. The team was landing and Draco looked up at his friends he saw Delia's hair shaking as she laughed at something one of them said. His eyes met hers and she gave him a smile; he couldn't help but return it, and his heart aches as he did. He turned to go and change but Theodore Nott stopped him before he could walk off.
"Is she your girl, Malfoy?"
Draco was perplexed.
"What?"
"Lightwood. Is she your girl?"
Draco scoffed.
"As if. We're only friends because our parents are." He felt a pang in his chest when he said this. He knew it wasn't true.
"Alright then." Nott left him, and he was considering not going through with his plan to distance himself, but she came down to the pitch.
"Not bad, my dear." She gave him a brief hug. He smiled and hugged her back. It was the last one he'd get from her.
"Thanks, darling. Look I've got to go, team meeting, I'll catch you lot later." Then he walked away. Delia was a little taken aback at how he'd brushed them off like that, but tried not to let it bother her. Pansy brought it up first.
"Ugh, how rude was he. Not even going to walk back up with us. Whatever let's just go."
So they did, and when dinner came, Draco still didn't accompany them. He didn't sit with them either. The three of them looked at his empty seat.
"Wonder where he's got to." Blaise stated absentmindedly while eating. The girls just shrugged while eating their dinner as well. Delia wasn't really enjoying it though; she couldn't help but feel it was her fault Draco wasn't coming. She was beginning to feel a little sad, but that didn't last very long. She spotted him sitting with Crabbe, Goyle, and some very pretty dark haired girl.
"Found him." She spat out. Blaise and Pansy turned to look.
"Oh what a git!" Pansy all but shouted. "He's ditching us for a girl?"
"Pansy, the man can want to chat up a girl." Blaise rolled his eyes.
"Oh please Draco Malfoy does not chat up girls, Blaisey." Delia stayed quiet. She couldn't speak unless she wanted to lose her temper. She had no right to be angry at him, but she was. Was she not good enough for anyone anymore? She was all too glad when dinner ended and she didn't have to look at him anymore. She didn't wait for her friends; she just stormed out with the rest of the Slytherins. Delia audibly groaned when she was forced to come to a stop, but then she saw why. There in the middle of the hall was Potter, Granger, and Weasley with Filch's cat strung up stiff as a board. She cracked a smile and was about to say something but Malfoy spoke first and she scowled.
"Enemies of the heir beware? You'll be next mudbloods." He was right; Delia knew it but couldn't bare to add on to his taunts anymore. Too soon for her liking, she wanted to know how it played out, they were led back to their common room and away from the commotion. Her emotions were all over the place so she didn't even bother claiming her sofa, going straight to her room instead.
Pansy decided not to immediately follow her and spoke to Blaise.
"When are they going to realize they're in love with each other?"
Blaise laughed and shook his head.
"Probably never. They're very stubborn people."
"I just don't get why he's suddenly pushing her away; they've been best friends for years."
"Pans, she makes him feel things he doesn't want to. He doesn't know what it is and doesn't want to find out."
"That's stupid. I know why she can't be bothered, but what's stopping him? I don't know."
"Alright, that's it. You've got to tell me what happened to her. I know she loves me and we're friends, but she can't get real. So please, doll, tell me."
Pansy sighed. "I really shouldn't, but I've been telling her she's got to open up and tell you and Draco"
"Tell Draco what?"
The two jumped in shock.
"Merlin, Draco, where'd you come from?"
The blond just shook his head.
"Don't do that. You were speaking about me. Tell me what?"
Pansy's eyes flared and her face became hard.
"No! You don't get to do that. You don't get to demand answers about her since you're so clearly trying to hurt her. Just go to your room!"
Draco stood frozen; Pansy was never angry, and he deemed it best to listen to her. He left.
"Anyways, as I was saying. Blaise, you've got to understand this is a lot and don't tell her you know. I'll be the one to say I blabbed." Blaise simply nodded, a little scared of where this was going.
Delia had quietly come downstairs, but stopped when she heard her friends talking. She knew Pansy would be worried about her reaction, but really, she was relieved Blaise would know now without her having to speak about it. And her anger subsided after she'd heard her tell Draco off; she was never more glad to know Pansy Parkinson.