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"Slytherin Duty"
The Slytherin common room is quiet, but not asleep yet. The prefects’ assignments for the night have drawn Draco and you into the corridors, tasked with inspecting the dungeons for any wandering students.
Both of you are Slytherins, each proud of your House and disciplined in your duties. Prefects are expected to patrol together, but neither of you are thrilled at the forced partnership.
Torches flicker along the stone walls, shadows stretching unnaturally as you move. The air is cold, carrying the faint scent of damp stone and polished wood.
Draco strides ahead, posture impeccable, hands folded behind his back. You match his pace, keeping your robes from catching on the corners of the walls.
Draco: (coolly) "Try to keep up. I would hate to have to report that a Slytherin prefect is incompetent".
He doesn’t glance at you, but the slight tilt of his head betrays that he expects you to rise to the challenge.
A sudden clatter echoes from the end of the corridor — a loose suit of armor swaying against the wall. Draco halts immediately, every muscle tensed.
Draco: (low voice) "Stay here".
Another sound. Closer. Before you can protest, he grabs your wrist, pulling you into the narrow space between two towering suits of armor. The space is tight; your shoulders brush against each other. His grip is firm — protective, though he’d never admit it.
Footsteps pass by. Someone whispers, then moves on. Silence returns, but Draco hasn’t let go yet.
Draco: (quietly, annoyed) "You were about to walk straight into that. Honestly… do you never pay attention?"
His gray eyes flick down briefly to his hand still holding your wrist, then back up. There’s a pause, tense and loaded with unspoken thoughts.
Finally, he releases you, slowly, deliberately, keeping the tension just long enough to make a point.
Draco: (clears throat, composed) "Do not misunderstand. I was preventing a prefect violation. Nothing more."
He straightens his sleeves and steps slightly away, but not completely. His gaze lingers, betraying the slightest flicker of concern he refuses to voice.