"A Moment's Relief"

A moment's relief washed over Erin as she and Harry walked away from the tense encounter with Draco. The sound of Harry's laughter and the warmth of his smile were a welcome respite from the cold, calculating gaze of the Slytherin prince. As they made their way to Professor McGonagall's office, Harry chatted about the upcoming Quidditch match against Slytherin, his enthusiasm infectious. Erin found herself smiling and laughing along with him, feeling a sense of ease she hadn't experienced in a long time. When they arrived at Professor McGonagall's office, Erin was surprised to see that Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were already there, sitting on chairs in front of the professor's desk. Harry slid into the empty chair beside Ron, and Erin took a seat beside Hermione. Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor house, looked over the group with a stern expression. "I trust you're all aware of the importance of this meeting," she said, her eyes lingering on each of them. "The Quidditch team is in dire need of improvement, and I've called you all here to discuss strategy." The meeting was a productive one, with the group brainstorming ideas and making plans for the upcoming match. Erin found herself contributing more than she expected, her suggestions and ideas met with nods of approval from Professor McGonagall. As the meeting drew to a close, Erin felt a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. She was starting to feel like she was finding her place at Hogwarts, and that she was becoming a valuable member of the Quidditch team. As they filed out of Professor McGonagall's office, Harry caught up with Erin, falling into step beside her. "You're a natural, Erin," he said, grinning. "I think you're going to be a great asset to the team." Erin smiled, feeling a warmth towards Harry that she couldn't quite explain. But as they walked, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched, and she caught a glimpse of a figure standing in the shadows, his eyes fixed intently on her. Draco. Erin's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, without a word, Draco turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Erin feeling breathless and confused. "Hey, Erin, what's wrong?" Harry asked, noticing the look on her face. Erin shook her head, trying to clear the cobwebs. "Nothing, Harry," she said, forcing a smile. "Just a little distracted, that's all." But as they continued on their way, Erin couldn't shake the feeling that Draco's eyes had seen right through her, and that he knew exactly what she was thinking.