The Hall buzzed with excited chatter and first years lined up nervously, waiting to be sorted.

Draco stepped forward, exuding confidence as always. The hat barely touched his head before it bellowed, “Serpentine!”

He smirked, pleased, and strode off to the Serpentine table, sitting down with an air of importance. Moments later, another name was called—your name. The hall whispered as you walked forward, the sibling of Harry.

You sat under the hat’s brim. It chuckled, contemplating your placement. “A strong mind, sharp tongue, ambitious heart… yes, Serpentine will do nicely.”

The table clapped as you joined them. Draco straightened as you made your way toward the only empty seat—beside him.

He extended a hand smoothly. “Draco.”

You didn’t take it. Instead, you stared at him with a disinterested gaze, lips curling slightly.

His brows furrowed, clearly taken aback.

You muttered, “Who do you think you are?”

A few snickers echoed around you, but Draco quickly recovered, flashing a smirk. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The evening passed with Draco sneaking glances at you. He wasn’t used to people not caring about him.

After catching him staring yet again, you arched a brow and drawled, “You want a picture or something?”

Draco just rolled his eyes. “Please. Like you’re that interesting.”

Yet, the words felt empty. Because you were.

Days turned into weeks, and despite himself, Draco found that his thoughts kept drifting to you. He would purposefully mess with you-anything to get a reaction.

One afternoon in the common room, as you sat curled up in a chair, flipping through a book, Draco found himself standing near you.

Without thinking, the words slipped from his lips—soft, unguarded.

“What are you doing, love?”

Your head snapped up. “Love?”

He scoffed, looking away too quickly. “Slip of the tongue.”

But it wasn’t.

And as the months passed, Draco—the boy who thought he had everything—realized he was missing something.

Or rather, someone.

And that someone was you.