Magnetized Draco Malfoy

Chapter 8: Unfinished Business

The rain tapped insistently against the windows of the Hogwarts common room, creating a soothing rhythm that contrasted sharply with the tension in the air. Hailey sat on the worn-out couch, her fingers tracing patterns on the armrest.

She was still fuming from her encounter with Draco earlier that week. His arrogance and aloofness grated on her nerves, and she couldn't shake off the memory of how he had left her standing there.

After dinner in the Great Hall, Hailey had retreated to her dorm room. The solitude was a welcome respite from the chaos of magical classes and the constant buzz of gossip.

Hailey stepped into the bathroom, and turned on the shower. She stripped off her robes, letting them fall in a heap on the floor. The hot water cascaded over her, washing away the day's frustrations.

She closed her eyes, trying to forget the way Draco's silver eyes had pierced through her defenses. But the memory lingered, haunting her like a persistent ghost.
____________

Just as Hailey stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy towel, she heard a knock at the door. "Don't tell me Grace locked herself out again" Hailey murmur. She hurried to answer, her wet hair leaving damp trails on the wooden floor.

When she opened it her heart skipped a beat. It definitely wasn't Grace.... It was bloody Draco Malfoy, standing there. Hailey's jaw dropped. What the hell was he doing here?

"Malfoy?" she blurted out, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance. "What are you doing in the girls' dormitory?"

He didn't miss a beat. "May I come in?" Draco gestured toward the room, and before Hailey could protest, he slipped past her and entered. She closed the door, her mind racing. Why was he here? And why did he look so concerned?

"Are you all right?" Draco asked, his usual haughtiness replaced by genuine worry. "I heard you passed out the other night."

Hailey scoffed. "Like you care. You're the last person I'd expect concern from."

His gray eyes bore into hers. "I do care. I mean, I was the one who brought you back after all. You were my responsibility."

Hailey's anger flared. "Responsibility? You left me there like a discarded potion ingredient! Besides, I'm the last thing you want for a responsibility, so you said yourself." 

"You remember?" Draco said looking up at her. "I might've been drunk, but I'm not one to forget things."

Draco shifted uncomfortably. "And I apologize."

Hailey's gaze swept over him. His platinum-blond hair was slightly disheveled, and his usual pristine robes were absent. He looked... different. Vulnerable, even She realized he was seeing her in a similar state—fresh from the shower, her skin dewy and her hair clinging to her shoulders.

"What?" she snapped when she caught him staring.

Draco recovered quickly. "Nice outfit" he said, taking a seat on one of the beds. "Very... casual."

"Shut up, Malfoy," Hailey retorted, her patience wearing thin. He glanced around the room. It smelt of pumpkins and vanilla. Books and potted plants cluttered the space, and the four poster beds stood like silent witnesses to countless late-night conversations.

"Look, Malfoy," Hailey said, her voice low, "if there's something I can't assist you with, please just leave."

He hesitated, then spoke softly. "I just wanted to see if you're okay."

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Hailey replied. She placed her fingers on the center of his chest, pushing him toward the doorway. As she finally managed to shove him out, she slammed the door shut. Leaning against it, she took a deep breath. Finally, some peace and quiet.

Hailey then got dressed, In her casual attire a loose white tank top with lease on the edges of the collar, and plain black shorts. 

And then, moments later, there was another knock at the door. Hailey walked over to the door to open it.

"Malfoy, I told you - oh Grace it's you" Hailey stammered, "I swear, it's not what you think. Malfoy—"

"—was at our dorm?" Grace interrupted, her voice dripping with skepticism, while walking in to the room, to put her stuff down. She spun around to face Hailey, "Why? What's his game?"

"How did you know?" Hailey asked.
"It was so awkward. I bumped into him in the hallway as I came up here." Grace's words lingered with embarrassment.

Hailey's mind raced. How could she explain? Draco's unexpected visit had caught her off guard. She hadn't anticipated his concern or the way he'd looked at her—really looked at her—when she was literally half naked, fresh from the shower.

"He just wanted to ask me something," Hailey mumbled, avoiding Grace's eyes. "Nothing more."

Grace raised an eyebrow. "And what did he ask? The secret to brewing Amortentia? Or perhaps the location of the Room of Requirement?"

Hailey flushed. "No, nothing like that. It was... personal."

Grace smirked. "Personal? Hailey, you're a good liar, but when it comes to stuff like this, you're terrible at it. now Spill it."

Hailey hesitated, then blurted out, "He asked if I was okay. Said he was responsible for bringing me back that night."

Grace's expression softened. "Responsible? I thought you came back to the dorm yourself"
"No, I lied he actually brought me back." Hailey hesitated, "but you can't tell anyone" she said starting to panic.

"Well that's not the Draco Malfoy we know."

"No," Hailey agreed. "But maybe there's more to him than we realize."

Grace leaned against the window, her gaze distant. "You know, sometimes unexpected encounters lead to unforeseen intrigues."

Hailey frowned. "What do you mean?"

Grace's eyes sparkled. "Maybe Malfoy isn't the enemy we thought. Maybe he's just... likes you."

"Malfoy? not a chance..."