Chapter 4- True Self Of Draco Malfoy

Disclaimer: I have not ever owned Harry Potter, I do not own Harry Potter, and I won't ever own it either.

"You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not."
― Jodi Picoult
UPDATED:- 5 September, 2015

4 years later….

It seemed like someone had clicked on the forward button when it came to the lives of the Greengrass'. The little Astoria, who didn't leave the house without holding onto her mother's or father's hand tightly, now ran all around the nearby small town with her best friend, Patrick, and returned just a few minutes before the set curfew time. Orion had already become an official Hogwarts student, merely two years ago, and just like his mother he was also sorted in Gryffindor. Astoria had felt alone, for the first time in nine years, when she looked at her brother waving at her and their parents from the Hogwarts express.

Astoria was highly strung about the sorting; it wouldn't have been like that if only Orion would stop saying that her behavior reminded him of his arrogant Slytherin classmates. She even went to her father to clarify her doubts about Slytherin and he replied by saying that just because one bad wizard belonged to that house does not mean all were, are or will be bad. Astoria knew her father was right, he was himself a Slytherin but he wasn't evil, he was a perfect dad.

After Orion returned from his first year at Hogwarts, he had several stories about his experiences to tell, he told Astoria about the school, the teachers, the subjects, Quidditch and his favourite subject, Transfiguration. He told her about how great Professor Dumbledore was and how Professor Snape just hated all the Gryffindor's. He told her that Hogwarts was the perfect example of heaven on earth. The location where Hogwarts was situated was filled with magic and magical creatures, a place where he understood other people, where he understood how difficult or easy some people can make life, how the world changes when a friend shows his or her support or when you give your support to someone and a bubbly feeling that erupts in the stomach when your crush smiles at you and listening to it, Astoria started to sketch an image of Hogwarts inside her head. She couldn't wait to turn eleven and begin a new phase of her life that she would never forget. She was eager to buy her own wand, to read her first year books, to meet new people, to meet her teachers, to see her common room and feel something, she would cherish for her entire life. She wanted to finally stand on her own in the strange magical world, outside the four walls of her house, filled with bad and good people and show her true capabilities.

From the morning of her eleventh birthday, she wasn't able to take her eyes off the sky, staring at it intently, and waiting for her Hogwarts letter to arrive at any moment. Though her expectations weren't reached and she didn't get her letter that day. Even after two days, she didn't receive it and was getting distressed by the minute. She even thought about the possibility of being a squib, but being a squib didn't break her heart the sad truth that it led to did. She couldn't bear not to step into of Hogwarts and experience things his brother did. But Astoria was always knew how to make herself feel better and so in order to protect herself from such an awful heartbreak, she asked Patrick to tell him about his life and experiences at his muggle school. She still had hope but was ready for the worst as well. She had asked her mother about her being a squib. Margaret was initially shocked by such a question and then simply denied it because she had seen Astoria's magical abilities at home.

A week after her birthday, during dinner time, it finally happened. The whole family was sitting and eating when suddenly they heard the screech of an owl. Cepheus got up and looked out of the window. There, a beautiful barn owl had just arrived and was now sitting comfortably at the window sill. Cepheus opened the window and saw something tied to its leg. He untied it and immediately the owl flew away, before they could give it something to eat or drink. He saw what it was and his eyes widened with surprise. Astoria thought it was a letter from the Ministry of Magic but it wasn't. Cepheus sat on his place at the dining table and smiled at her.

He grinned at Margaret, who had been telling him all about Astoria's mission to fit in the muggle world because she thought she was a squib, and said, "It seems that Astoria finally got her Hogwarts letter." Astoria's mouth dropped open in surprise; she thought that she was dreaming. Seeing her surprised expression Cepheus laughedand gave the letter to her. She looked at the envelope and gasped.

Ms A. Greengrass

She traced her name written on the envelope before tearing it open and making all the pages inside fall on the floor. She jumped down her chair, picked everything up nicely, kept it on the table, pressed it with her hand and then read the letter out loudly:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc.,
Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms Greengrass,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Astoria threw the letter in the air and shouted at the top of her voice. She hugged her mother sitting next to her and then ran towards her father who he immediately enclosed her into a tight hug. Her father looked down at her with tears in his eyes. This was the second time Astoria had seen her father cry. The first time was when Orion was leaving for Hogwarts and the second time was this. She felt her heart break; she moved her right hand towards her father's face and wiped his tears away. She looked at him and smiled, Cepheus leaned down and kissed her on her forehead and whispered in her ear, "Promise me that you'll always remain my little warrior."

Astoria smiled and nodded, "I promise dad, I promise." She captured him in her embrace, this time.

"She's so annoying, this brat is going to follow me around the entire school," Orion whispered in his mother's ear, groaning.

"I will not follow you," Astoria spat, "I will follow, Miss Mei Yamamoto who is at the top right now. She is a hit witch, dad, and she is so cool and strong. I read her interview in which weekly, mummy showed it to me, and… I came to the conclusion that I want to be like her."

"Are you kidding me, Astoria?!" Orion exclaimed, laughing. "You are scared of rats and you dream of becoming as powerful as her… well, then keep doing so. You can't become like her, you are too soft. You cry over little things and school is tough… How do you know you'll be able to handle the pressure of becoming a hit witch?"

"I… am not soft…" she mumbled.

"Orion, don't stop your sister from doing anything and becoming anything she wants before she has even started her journey to reach that point." Cepheus stroked Astoria's hair and said to her, "Don't worry, he is just scaring you. Every older brother does that, even Corvus did the same when I was about to enter Hogwarts but you should never let that get into your head and depress you. Just take it as a challenge to prove him wrong, okay?"

Astoria nodded, smiling sadly. "Okay."

Orion grinned. "I am not trying to frighten you but if you do become like Miss Mei Yamamoto, you will gain my utmost respect."

"Deal!" Astoria said, giving him a thumbs up sign.

"Stop now," Margaret said, sighing. She ruffled Orion's hair and said, "No fighting. I don't want to read tear stained letters from Astoria about how you aren't helping her adjust with the school life. And be more supportive, isn't she so supportive of your dream. Do the same for her, we are a family. We look after each other's well being. Right?"

Everyone nodded. It wasn't the first time they had discussed about how important the team work as a family actually was. They knew a family which didn't even try to communicate with one another and that was none other than Corvus' family. But since the past three years, Corvus had tried his best to keep his distance from all of them, mainly because of the secret that had been discovered and even after trying immensely hard, Cepheus wasn't able to do anything. And that secret had been vanished… made to disappear, precisely. And that had created a huge gap between both brothers.

That is why neither Margaret nor Cepheus wanted their family suffer like them and always kept a well bonded and supportive relationship with Orion and Astoria and while doing that, they also tried their best to find the location of Corvus' disappeared secret.

Four years had passed away since the party at Greengrass manor and Draco had managed grown up into a vile boy, just like his father. He was no more the boy that liked to run around the manor for fun but one who was the mere image of his father. He never became the same innocent little boy he used to be before, not even in the presence of his mother. He loved her but he wanted his father's approval, he wanted to make his father proud. He now had become good friends with the children of other pureblood families like the Nott, Zabini, Crabbe, Goyle, Parkinson and Greengrass family. He was now a big boy and had started to get attracted to girls but more importantly had the courage to talk to them though he knew that that department was not meant to be played with. He remembered his father's speech where he had said that love was only a weakness. The only power is money. His father had already selected two girls- Daphne and Pansy, as eligible enough to later become part of the Malfoy family. Draco on the other hand found Daphne extremely annoying, he accepted the fact that she was very pretty but he preferred Pansy because that girl used to follow him like a dog. It had been a long time since the night when he had met the little brat girl and used her image as a example of how woman weren't supposed to be.

When Draco used to be in his room, all by himself, he had the freedom to become his original self again. At night before going to sleep, he used to revise all the rules he had to follow to get a step closer to becoming the perfect Malfoy heir. He wanted Lucius to look at him with pride and not shame. His tried to change his aim and become a Ministry employ and work in the Department of Mysteries but got disheartened when left alone with the thoughts of the thing he won't ever be able to achieve. That broke his heart more than anything else. His actual dream had been snatch away from his hands and another had been forcefully handed to him to pursue.

A few days after his birthday, he received his Hogwarts letter. His father wanted to send him to Durmstrang institute but his mother, for the first time in his life, raised her voice against the suggestion. She didn't want her only son to go such a distant place; therefore they decided to send Draco to Hogwarts. Draco used to feel alone at home, he didn't have anyone to talk to. Sometimes his mother used to invite children from other respected pureblood families home, mostly Crabbe, Goyle and Parkinson, to their house. He felt good to have people following him everywhere he goes, he felt like he was a leader, he felt powerful and he felt like his father. Although, the reality was harsh and always used to hit him when he was trapped again inside the darkness of his room. The feeling of solitude eating him up, little by little.

Narcissa and Lucius had decided to take Draco to Diagon Alley, when they had finally got time to spare, to buy his school supplies. He was actually quite excited about it… he was scared to show it, though. He felt happy, he had a feeling that that day would be amazing because in the crowded place, they definitely won't notice how un-Malfoy like he wanted to act and feel.

The Greengrass' had decided to keep the following week free for shopping of school supplies and last minute items in need. The whole family was ready to floo to Diagon Alley at exactly at noon. Astoria was extremely excited to purchase her wand, books and to have her favourite ice cream. Her dream was coming true, she was finally going to Hogwarts and she was loving that feeling.

Astoria had gone through her shopping list a number of times and even memorized it. Once they reached the centre point of Diagon Alley, Margaret and Cepheus suggested that they should visit Flourish and Blotts, first, to buy their books but Astoria was against the idea. She wanted to buy herself an owl at Eeylops Owl Emporium before that. They were a bit reluctant to send her to a shop alone but they agreed, after a lot of pleading from her side, and decided that all three of them will meet her, with Orion's and her books, outside Ollivanders in twenty minutes. No sooner had Margaret gave her fifteen Galleons, she ran straight towards Eeylops Owl Emporium.

Upon entering the shop, she saw a middle aged man standing behind the counter, cleaning the three cages kept on it. She walked towards the counter and caught the sight of a beautiful Barn Owl sitting at the back in the storage room on a huge bowl, kept on the uppermost shelf. She ran her eyes around the shop, just to see if some other owl might catch her eye but none of them did. She wanted the one she initially spotted. She looked up towards the man and spoke softly, "Excuse me sir."

The man turned peered at her through the corner of his eye, while continuing cleaning the cages, and smiled kindly. He placed one of the cages down and said politely, "Hello! How may I help you?" He was a very tall man with a pointed nose and thick moustache and was wearing green coloured robes. His skin was of a beautiful caramel colour; he had light brown hair and was indeed, a very handsome man.

"Hello, I wanted to buy the owl kept in that room, on the top row," she said, pointing at the Barn owl kept at the back of the shop.

The man looked back and nodded. He pointed towards the exact same owl and said, "Ah! That one, isn't it?"

"Yes!"

"Ah, it's a Barn owl. It has a lot of strength and can fly long distances easily. Although, he's very troublesome, miss. It has already tried flying away three times since we brought him in this shop. Are you sure you'll be able to handle him?" -Astoria nodded, confidently, "Alright, give me a few minutes. I have to catch it and put it in a cage first. He doesn't like to stay in his cage as well, ever."

"I won't change my mind, no matter what. Please, take your time," she replied, bowing her head in respect. She waited patiently, at the counter, for the man to return. She could see him struggling with the bird in the storage room. Nevertheless, she was extremely content with her day; everything, till then, had been going perfectly and nothing in the whole world could make her angry... Or that's what she thought. She heard the door of the shop open and turned to look at the person who had just entered. Her eyes went wide. Probably, she had judged her day too soon because by looking at the face of that person, she knew she would be leaving the shop fully exasperated and saturated with rage.

Glancing all around the shop, there stood the boy with whom she had an encounter four years ago. She quickly turned her head towards the counter, wishing that he wouldn't recognize her. But since when had things gone the way she had wished for them. The boy came towards the counter and stood next to her while calling out for the shopkeeper, like he was calling a servant. The man came out of the storage but he did not have the cage or owl in his hand. The man, literally, shivered when his eyes fell on the boy and said, "Malfoy sir... how may I help you, Mr Malfoy?"

The boy looked at him with disgust and stated proudly, "I had ordered specially made treats for my family owl, Rhesus. Are they here yet or not...?!"

The shopkeeper shook his head, vigorously, and said, "Of course they are here, sir. I will just bring them out for you." The man turned around to look at the tiny Astoria and said, "Can you please wait for another five minutes, miss?" Astoria nodded and smiled at him and immediately the man rushed back in to look for the package ordered by Malfoy.

She had never hated anyone, in her short eleven year old life, more than she hated the boy next to her, at that very moment. She couldn't bear the fact that he had the audacity to talk to a kind man in such a way but she tried to keep her mouth shut because she didn't want him to notice her. Unfortunately, Malfoy had noticed the man talking to the girl standing next to him. It clicked him, as he peered at her through the corner of his eye. She was the same girl from Daphne's party, four years ago. He noticed that her hair was a tad bit longer, from her ear level it now reached her shoulders, she was much taller, almost his height, but now didn't posses the innocent looks. He, with all his confidence, tapped at the girl's shoulder. She turned to look at him, surprised. If he had been the same person as he was four years ago, he definitely would've asked her name but he wouldn't sink that low because she was a half-blood, he remembered that clearly; therefore he tried to show her his superiority and spat, "Oho! I see you are buying an owl, why is that? Were they out of frogs?"

"Yeah nice to meet you too….again," Astoria said in a bored tone while rolling her eyes.

Draco smirked and held his hand out, "The name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

"Astoria Greengrass," she said, shaking his hand uninterestingly. "I hope you remember that you still owe me an apology."

"Apology," he said, "No I don't think so."

"I don't remember giving you a choice!" Astoria snapped.

"I don't owe you anything and why would I?! A person belonging to the prestigious pureblood society, would never, in his entire life, owe anything to a half-blood like you."

"How dare you! Listen to me you gutless piece of garbage, I am going to smack you right in the face if you don't apologize to me. You might think that the entire world revolves around you because you are so rich but the truth is that that pride of yours comes and goes with your daddy's money."

"You know by raising your ear-drum bursting voice, you aren't changing my decision. Though, I am pretty sure that I would never apologise to a poor little beggar girl who have crossed the limits of being a sorry arse idiot…"

"Sorry arse idiot! These words are too big for you, aren't they? Did you memorize them before leaving your huge mansion? My father has told me about people like you. Ones who think they are the kings though posses none of the qualities of one," Astoria retorted.

"Your father, that coward who left his family fortunes for low-key life?! Trying to make me laugh, eh? I wonder he lives knowing all the riches he gave away. At least, I am not like him and won't ever have to live with the shame of marrying a filthy mudblood," he spat, hotly.

At that moment, Astoria's anger meter burst. She grabbed the collar of Draco's robes and pushed him against the nearest wall. He grabbed hold of her hand but she pushed him anyway easily. "What do you think you are doing, Greengrass?!" Draco shouted.

Astoria looked at him with contempt filled eyes and said, "You can say anything you want about me and my character... insult me all you want, go on. I dare you, punk! Although when that pesky little mouth of yours starts uttering nonsensical things about my parents, especially my mum, I am going to strangle you with my own hands. Besides, her blood is purer than your blood will ever be, in a million years and yes, I am proud to be a half blood. If you've got a problem with that, it's none of my business because let's face it, we won't ever bother with each other. Even at Hogwarts, I will be metres away from your narrow minded self which is just your good luck."

Draco smirked, "Yeah, say whatever you want but I know girls like you. Poor and in need of money. I think in a few years time, you yourself would try to charm me because I belong to a wealthy family and that's what all you half-bloods and mudbloods want. Money."

"Geez... You're so naive, Draco Malfoy. I pity you. You are too much cocky about yourself and that won't get you anywhere. Perhaps, one day I'll see the real you, Draco Malfoy and not the polyjuiced version of your father," Astoria spat.

Draco glared at her. "Nobody's ever threatened me, like this."

"There's always a first time."

"You're annoying!"

"Talk about yourself!"

He had never met someone who had played with his pride that much. He was rather impressed by the girl's will power to take him down but he very well knew that that would never happen. Yes, he wanted to be like his father but not like a polyjuiced version of him. The girl had it all wrong about him. He didn't care, though. Even if she was driving him insane and he wanted to hex her and hurt her, a part of him knew that good behaviour had always been a top Malfoy priority and thus, he could do nothing. The girl was Daphne's cousin yet they were entirely different from one other. Daphne, in a way worshipped him, but her cousin would probably behead him and throw him in a lake. Pansy, on the other hand, was his follower and would support him even when he was wrong. Astoria Greengrass belonged to the opposite side of the world he lived in and held the confidence to challenge him and he appreciated that.

"Back off Greengrass!" Draco spat, pushing her superficially away. Trying his best not to touch.

Astoria realized how close she was standing to Draco, therefore she let go of his robes and moved a few steps back, while continuing to glare at him. The shopkeeper came back from the storage room and placed Astoria's owl and Draco's packed owl treats on the counter. Astoria moved back towards the counter and smiled kindly at the man before she started stroking her owl's head. The owl was curiously eyeing her. Draco marched next to her, pulled out five galleons from his pocket and placed it on the counter. He took the owl treats in his hand and started walking towards the door. He turned to look at Astoria once more. "See you at school!" Draco hissed and went out of the shop.

She continued to stare at the door and tried to comprehend what exactly had happened. Before the beginning of the new school year, she had made an enemy who detested her. Her already worried heart was now racing not only because of Draco animosity but also because she was about the world on her own where her mum and dad won't be there to protect her and that scared her to death. Taking a deep breath she tried to focus on the present and gave the shopkeeper fifteen galleons before taking her owl and exiting the shop.

Draco walked out of the shop, highly amused. That girl was a total freak show who intrigued him. Visiting Diagon Alley had made his suppressed emotions flow out like a fountain. If his father somehow finds out that he had again interacted with the likes of Astoria Greengrass and she had won the argument, he might get disowned. The weird thing was that even though he couldn't stand her, she had a bearable personality as compared to his not-so-lovely brothels, Pansy and Daphne. He wanted to show her who the boss truly was and Hogwarts was the perfect place to do so. His seven year plan to make Astoria worship him was something he had already started working on. And a smirk got plastered on his face as its initial steps became clear to him. Hogwarts will be an amazing journey for him, he knew that. Clenching his fists in triumph, he swaggered towards the apothecary to find his mother.

Astoria ran to Ollivanders, once her work was done, and saw her parents standing outside it, worriedly looking for her. She waved her hand over her head and shouted, "Mum!"

Margaret head immediately snapped in that very direction, a pang of relief spreading over her face as she enclosed Astoria in a bone crushing hug. "Astoria, there you are! We were so worried!" Margaret exclaimed.

"I am sorry mum, I met a boy who is starting Hogwarts this year as well," Astoria said shrugging her shoulders and handing her owl to her father.

"That's lovely!"

"No, I already attacked him... Remember I told you about a boy four years ago," -Margaret nodded- "he that very same person and he turned out to a total git!" Astoria exclaimed. "I wonder if all of them will be the same."

"Astoria you know that isn't true," -Astoria smiled- "Maybe you judged him before knowing him too well and I have told you hundreds of times that doing so is extremely awful. First impressions aren't the last ones. If that would've been true, you wouldn't be here today. Everything will be just right, believe me."

She sighed. "Fine. I do agree with you on that about other's but not him. He's shown his true character already. Now, can we just go and buy my wand?"

"Of course," Cepheus said, smiling and placing his hand on Astoria's head affectionately.

Astoria and Cepheus entered Ollivanders while Margaret and Orion had gone to the apothecary. Mr Ollivander made Astoria try two wands, the first wand wasn't as responsive to her as the second one was and so they chose the latter. Its core was phoenix feather, wood was of Alder tree and its length was twelve and a half inches. Cepheus paid Mr Ollivander seven galleons and they exited the shop. Last thing left to buy was Astoria's robes. Once Margaret and Orion had finished their work, they went to Madam Malkim Robes for All Occasions to buy them.

It had been one hell of a long day and now, all of them could finally return home and sleep because they were exhausted. As she followed her parents towards the direction of the Leaky Cauldron her mind was averted back to the blonde boy whose first name she couldn't remember but his last name had been etched into her memory with a hot chisel. Her only hope was to try and not be in the same house as him because she couldn't even a millimetre of his airy pride. He was a total lunatic. She hated him, he hated her. That was the end of their story and she had no intention to make it anymore longer or complicated.

She kept repeating the scenarios of her unusual day in her head, wishing to forget the annoying ones soon. She was happy and sad; the family dinners, discussions and laughter was something that she cherished and now she won't be able to be a part of them anytime soon once she departs for Hogwarts. Life was a complicated thing, she understood that. Just a few weeks ago she had been crying for her letter and now when it was there and the time to leave come closer and closer, she started to get emotional regarding everything she adored. Though, she knew it was finally the time to prove herself and make her parents proud of their little girl. Along with that she had to show the Malfoy boy his real position. She was going to kick his arse and chase away the ego. That was one of her goals for Hogwarts.

"Mum was a fighter dad," Scorpius stated.

"Oh, yes. That she was, still is," Draco sighed smiling to himself.

"Was she still against you in school, I mean did she hate you? I wouldn't blame her though, you were bad news," Emily stated, shaking her head.

"I was lovely! And yes, she was. She used to talk to the crowd of idiots who despised me. I hated it, I mean I was an amazing company but she didn't even like the idea of sitting next to me, ever. And she became friends with that Longbottom..." -Scorpius laughed- "… Don't look at me like that. I hate that she used to ignore me. If that wasn't the case, you both would've been older. Bloody Greengrass!"

"I don't know whether you are praising mum or conveying your hatred towards her to us. You don't speak like this in front of her. Are you scared of mum?" Emily asked, smirking.

"I am not scared of your mother," Draco stated. "Whatever it is, Neville did help me later... several years later..."

Please review everyone, please. (^_^)

Appreciation and Criticism, both are welcomed.