The crisp evening air brushes against your skin as you wait near the pitch, the fading light casting long shadows across the grounds. The sounds of brooms cutting through the air and distant shouts echo from the pitch as practice winds down. You lean casually against a stone wall, your eyes drifting toward the players as they begin to descend.

You spot Draco immediately. A small smile tugs at your lips, but before you can step forward, a voice interrupts.

“Waiting all alone?” a boy asks smoothly, stepping up beside you. He’s from another house. “That’s dedication. If I had someone waiting for me like that, I wouldn’t keep them waiting so long.”

“I’m fine,” you say politely but firmly, hoping he’ll take the hint.

He doesn’t. Instead, he leans casually against the wall, too close for comfort. “You could be having more fun, you know. Maybe with me.”

You sigh, your patience wearing thin. “I’m not interested,” you say plainly.

He laughs softly, clearly mistaking your disinterest as a challenge. “You sure? Come on, just one little walk around the grounds.”

You tilt your head, meeting his gaze with icy clarity. “I’m waiting for my boyfriend, who’s much better company than you’ll ever be.”

His smirk falters, but before he can respond, footsteps echo across the stone path. Draco strides toward you, his sharp grey eyes locking onto the boy with a look that could freeze the lake. His broom rests over one shoulder.

The boy glances nervously between you and Draco, reading the situation quickly. “Uh, right… I’ll be going now,” he mutters, backing off.

Draco watches him retreat with a satisfied smirk before turning to you. “You always attract the persistent ones, don’t you?” he drawls.

“Seems like it,” you reply with a wry smile. “But I handled it.”

His lips curl into a smirk. “That’s my girl,” he murmurs.

You step closer, brushing a bit of dirt from his sleeve. “Rough practice?”

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he says, eyes softening as he looks down at you. “But I’m glad to see you waiting for me.”