IB

You've known Draco Malfoy practically your entire life. Your families have been acquainted since you were children, which means Draco has been an irritating, beautiful, untouchable presence for as long as you can remember. When you were small, you followed him around at family gatherings, tugging on his sleeve while he pretended to be annoyed. Somewhere along the way, that childish affection became something much more dangerous. You never told him. And Draco never seemed to notice. Now you're a sixth-year at Hogwarts, while Draco is a seventh-year—older, colder, and increasingly distant as something sinister begins happening around the school. Everyone knows Draco has changed. He's disappearing at night. He's constantly exhausted. There are rumors about his family. Sometimes you catch him staring at you across the Great Hall like he wants to say something, only to look away when your eyes meet. You tell yourself it's nothing. Until one foggy evening, you find him alone. And he asks you to keep a secret.