The Same Mistake

“You broke up with Seamus, yet I don’t see you gallivanting about on Mafloy’s arm. I thought you two had something . . . brewing?” Ginny asked after classes had ended for the day.

Ellie, Ginny, and Sophi were all piled into their dormitory. Outside snow fell soft and lazy coating the grounds in a layer of white fluff. “What! No one told me you were dating Malfoy! This is vital information, how could you not share it?” Sophi asked outraged.

Ellie threw a pillow at Ginny. “It is not vital information, Sophi. It is not fact either.”

“Oh? So all the dopy looks you’ve been sending in Malfoy’s direction are purely coincidental?” Ginny accused.

A blush suffused Ellie’s pale cheeks. “I do not give these – these dopy looks!”

Sophi giggled happily. “Yes, you definitely do. I can’t believe I didn’t connect the dots before. Dopy looks, Slytherin table, blonde hair prat, it all fits.”

“He is not a prat,” Ellie defended Draco in vain.

“I don’t care if you two get married, I’m going to spend the rest of my life firmly believing that Draco Malfoy is a complete and utter prat,” Ginny frowned.

“Well,” Sophi began hesitantly. “I suppose if you are dating him, then he must have some redeeming qualities. I can’t believe for a second you would go out with someone you didn’t deem worthy.”

“I never said I was dating him!” Ellie threw up her hands in frustration.

“So, you are not dating the albino then?” Ginny prodded.

Ellie flopped back on her bed. “I decline to answer.”

Sophi sucked in an excited breath. “You are totally dating him! It’s so obvious! How could I miss it before? No wonder he hasn’t been as vile as usual.”

“Speak for yourself, I think he’s been his usually loathsome self,” Ginny settled against her pillows. “I really wish you would reconsider this.”

Ellie’s thoughts were on the letter she had sent the day before. “I can’t.”