The Same Mistake

As soon as Draco sat down, Pansy’s hands snaked around him claiming him. He had to force himself to remember that it was Pansy’s excellent ability to answer all of his demands without questions or expected retribution that kept them together. She had been rather annoying when he came back late from his detention and moody. It was his deepest regret that Pansy believed that acting like a spoiled child would win her the affections of men.

“We have a free period after this,” Pansy whispered seductively in his ear.

Ellie entered the room, her face lit up by a brilliant smile. Draco was moderately curious to know what had been said or done to make her smile like that. Certainly she rarely smiled in his presence let alone out of happiness. Draco had expected that Potter or Weasley would follow Ellie into the room; he was wrong.

“Seamus! Stop,” Ellie laughed girlishly, slapping her fellow Gryffindor’s shoulder playfully.

Poisonous jealousy boiled in Draco’s chest. Seamus Finnigan was a ridiculous boy with no obvious talent beyond blowing his eyebrows off once a year. What he could possibly have that would attract Ellie to him, Draco couldn’t fathom.

“Draco,” Pansy whined unhappily, her lower lip sticking out in a pout. “I’m talking to you.”

“And obviously I’m not listening, Pansy so you may as well save your breath,” Draco replied severely.

With an aggrieved huff, Pansy twisted around in her seat and began to flirt with Goyle; thrusting her breasts forward, twirling her hair around her manicured fingers. It was a lost cause. Draco was far more absorbed in his jealous reaction to seeing Ellie flirt with another male than his own girlfriend flirting with one of his best friends.

Ellie sat down with a flourish, crossing one long leg over the other and leaning forward toward Seamus, her eyes wide with interest, her mouth quirked up in a perpetual smile. She reached across, turning down the corner of Seamus’ collar. He smiled back at her fingering the corner she had touched.

Red sparks shot out the end of Draco’s wand that was clenched tightly in his right hand. Not wanting to create any unintentional damage that might let Ellie know he was paying far too much attention to her, Draco released the wand letting it roll across the desk. Draco scowled at the happy couple in front of him, his expression growing darker every moment that passed.

Professor Snape stalked to the front of the class room, his long robes flapping behind him. “Today’s lesson is on . . .”