Draco had never been one to let anything distract him, not even the bustling corridors of Hogwarts or the constant chatter of his fellow students. But today was different. Today, he found his gaze drawn to you again.

You were seated by the windows in the Ravenclaw common room, a thick book in your hands, the sunlight filtering through the glass and casting a soft halo around your figure. Your brow furrowed in concentration as you scribbled something in the margins, and Draco couldn’t help but notice the way your hair caught the light, the way your lips would occasionally press together as you thought.

“Staring again, Malfoy?” Blaise teased from across the room, leaning against the stone wall with a knowing grin.

Draco didn’t look away, his eyes narrowing slightly, though his tone was casual. “I’m not staring.”

“Right. Because it’s totally normal to watch a Ravenclaw girl for hours on end like you’re trying to figure out how to cast a spell.”

Draco’s jaw clenched, but his gaze never left you. He could feel Blaise’s eyes on him, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips, but he didn’t care. Not now.

You shifted, your eyes momentarily meeting his, and Draco’s breath caught in his throat. It was a brief glance—just a second—but it felt like a thunderclap. Your expression was unreadable, but the way your lips quirked up ever so slightly made his chest tighten.

As you returned to your book, Draco couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. Maybe it was the way you’d noticed him. Or maybe it was the way his heart had inexplicably started to beat faster every time he saw you.

“Stop looking like you’re going to fall in love with her,” Blaise muttered under his breath.

Draco didn’t answer, his focus still entirely on you. Maybe it wasn’t love. But for the first time in a long time, Draco wondered what it might feel like to have someone like you look at him—not with disdain, but with curiosity.