"I'm Draco by the way, although I'm sure you already know that" his face crept into a proud grin, his self-proclamation spurred me the urge to wipe it straight back off. Although I'd never admit it, his attitude made him spark my interests even more than his ethereal appearance did
Draco Malfoy. I was so sure I'd heard that name before, I just couldn't for the life of me figure out where. I made a promise to myself to show this cocky boy that he'd just met his match. He poured his lips and scrunched his nose as he awaited my reply, I made the conscious decision to make him wait a little longer
I decided that as soon as I get to my dorm I shall write a letter to my Father and ask if he knows a Draco Malfoy. I knew if I'd ever heard that name before it would have been from no one other than my Father, my Mother barely ever left the house either, and I would have remembered if Severus had spoken of him
"Sorry, Draco is it?" I interrupted the elongated silence, as if I'd forget the name of such a beautiful boy within a matter of seconds. I just wanted to taint his ego a bit, make it known that I'm a force to be reckoned with. His smirk quickly diminished, I could almost see his ego deflating before my eyes. "Yes actually, I wouldn't mind Belle, it has a nice ring to it. In fact I may prefer that to Isabelle" I assured him, suddenly scared I'd ruined my chances. I was sure he had hundreds of girls that would sell their soul to be given a nickname by Draco
My name held the possibility for numerous nicknames, but the way the word Belle sounded coming from his lips was by far my favourite. My parents called me angel usually, Isabelle when I were in trouble or in a matter of urgency. Whilst Hokey referred to me as Miss Isabelle, no matter how many times I told her she needn't be so formal
He pulled himself together and licked his lips, as he stared intently at mine. "Well, that nickname is for my use only I'm afraid, so don't be spreading it about". I didn't manage to suppress the giggle that forced its way out of my lips, to my own disgust. I felt so comfortable around this boy so quickly I can't quite believe my confidence, I'm almost flirting with him? I hope I'm not making a fool of myself, I'm completely new to this
"It's a deal Draco, I'll have to get thinking of one for you too" I don't think I'll ever give him a nickname, Draco is far too fitting
"Well Belle, that's for you to figure out, I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of me"
His words reduced me to a flustered fan girl in an instant, I scoured my brain desperately trying to hide the fact I'd began to involuntarily undress him with my eyes. I tried to suppress the butterfly's erupting in my stomach, screaming at myself internally that by stating I'd be seeing a lot of him did not mean that I'd be seeing him naked. He meant that I'd be seeing a lot of him because we go to the same bloody school
I miraculously managed to pull my mind from the gutter and compose myself just long enough to produce a snarky reply. "Yes well I imagine so, we're going to be living in the same place, it would be very hard not to" my bluntness caused Hermione, witnessing this whole interaction from beside me, to let out a loud laugh
Draco narrowed his eyes at my comment, an even bigger smile forming on his lips. "Yes Belle, that's exactly what I meant" he left Hermione and I stood in his dust as he sped off down the corridor, I leaned against the wall as I could finally let out the breath I'd been holding in
I looked behind me to watch the tall blonde boy I'd just been speaking to, walk all the way to the other end of the train. The two other boys scuttled behind him, like baby ducks following their Mother. Hermione burst out laughing as my cheeks burned, telling me they'd turned a deep shade of red
"He's mine" I raised my eyebrows, making my claim on him known. "Please, be my guest" she held her hands up, I was glad of her evident green light to fawning over Draco. I hoped he'd return the affection someday. She squeezed my hand as we continued down the carriage once again, looking over at me every few steps. Her expression made me feel almost as if she knew something I didn't
Draco POV
I sighed as I hurried past Belle, after making an absolute fool of myself in front of her. That fucking golden trio had told me their 4th counter part would be returning to Hogwarts this year. I'd had since the beginning of third year to prepare for this moment, and yet here we are in fifth year, and I'm left like a blubbering fool the moment I see her
This is NOT a good look for me. I'd convinced Crabbe and Goyle I no longer cared a shred about her, and the only reason I hadn't been with any of the girls that throw themselves at me in school was simply because the mere thought of touching one of them made me sick. For them to then fall witness to that whole fucking thing, I'll never hear the end of this
I burst into a compartment to find Zabini and Pansy already sat down adjacent to one another. "Zabini, Parkinson" I greeted with a nod, before quickly sitting down and engaging in conversation with Pansy, in the hopes that I'd avoid an influx of Belle questions, I was sure to get from Crabbe and Goyle on their arrival
They burst into the compartment laughing together to my disgust. I sighed to audibly show my annoyance, desperately trying to avoid what I knew they were about to say. "Sorry Malfoy but that was fucking gold, the girl makes you melt like butter" Crabbe exclaimed, I shot the pair a look so they knew to shut their fat mouths right this second
They quickly seised laughing and sat down quietly on the side Zabini was already sat at. I could tell by the look on his face, he was about to pass comment too. "Isabelle is back?" A smile crept up on his lips, it made me want to slap it straight back off. "Yes, who cares?" I spat, pretending to be unfazed by her presence
"Are you not happy? Your precious Isabelle" he clutched his chest to mimic holding his heart "not to forget when you announced to the whole great hall on the first day of school that you wanted to marry her" the 3 boys erupted into laughter
I didn't even bother to bite back, I just sat back in my seat and began day dreaming about what life was like the first time Isabelle was at Hogwarts. Alongside the fact she'd never remember a thing about it, because her Father used obliviate to erase all of her memories about her time in the magic world. Including me
What Zabini just said made my mind whirl and take me back to that very first day of Hogwarts, when I met Isabelle for the first time. I knew exactly what he was referring to when he spoke about me announcing I'd marry her to the entirety of the great hall. An exaggeration of course, it's Zabini, but I still find myself revisiting it all of the time..
When all she was to me was a pretty face. The things I would do to go back to when she was nothing but a pretty face, it'd make my life a hell of a lot easier.. I'd seen her on the train platform, she hadn't just caught my eye because her near-white hair made her stick out amongst the crowd, but because she was 11 and alone
I wondered why her parents had left her to fend for herself. Even my godforsaken Father wouldn't do that to me. I would go and help, but then again I am Draco Malfoy. I don't help people, people help me. Besides, she could of been a filthy little mudblood for all I knew, she probably was, maybe that's why her parents didn't come with her, maybe she didn't have parents..
Why did I even care, I didn't care I don't care about anyone but myself. But I was tempted..
The next time I saw her was when we entered the ugly, depressing, dump that is Hogwarts. We all gathered at the entrance to the Great Hall and Professor McGonagall addressed all of the first years before we went in to be sorted into our houses. I scanned the crowd and my eyes fixated on Isabelle once again
Crabbe and Goyle had already started following me around by this point. I didn't understand why but I walked over to where Isabelle was standing, with that Potter boy and two others who I didn't care to look at. Who I now know to be Ron and Hermione
After Potter had made a fool of me, when I suggested we be friends, I knew I had to say something to her so she didn't think I was anything less than great
"You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen" I whispered to to her "you know my name now, so what's yours?"
"Isabelle" she replied timidly, but nevertheless smiled at my comment. I didn't understand where it came from it just slipped out, but I didn't really mind much as no one else heard
"I've seen a lot of girls" I added making her laugh, before McGonagall shot us a look to make us shut up. I was so desperate for her to be sorted into Slytherin, I'd made my 11 year old self believe there was no other option
Of course I was wrong, she was a Gryffindor as were her three friends. But it was ever so strange, the hat shouted Slytherin before it had even touched my own head, but it faltered when placed on the head of young Isabelle
My mind wandered at it's words "a tough one this one, possibly the toughest to place in a house.. hmmm.. Gryffindor I think" it said, but it didn't sound sure
That was when I said it, as if I just vomited there in front of everyone, I wish I would of vomited instead of what I actually DID. "Oh well Gryffindor or not, I'm still going to marry her one day" my face dropped as the words left my mouth, what the FUCK I thought. Where the hell did that come from
Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle who I stood beside at the time, amongst the other students sorted into Slytherin laughed as though I'd told a hilarious joke. Thank fuck they did, yes it was definitely a joke I was absolutely not one bit serious
I don't even know why I'd said it, I'd never even thought of girls in a romantic way by that point, I never thought I would. I found them absolutely insufferable, and I still do now 4 years later. Apart from Belle of course, but she was special
I prayed she hadn't heard me, but her head shooting to face me as soon as I said it told me otherwise. But to my amazement she smiled? Had she taken somewhat of a liking towards me too?
I didn't know what it was about the girl that made me gravitate towards her, but for the next two years Hogwarts with her was almost nice
Unfortunately those days are long gone now, and she doesn't even remember them, so why would I care? Her Father has effectively pressed reset on our story. It could be for the best.. love makes you weak, my Father always told me that
I've been almost fine without her. I mean things have changed now, I'm older. Maybe I'll just forget the whole thing and pretend she doesn't exist
Maybe I'm just in denial. The amount of time I'd spent over the last 2 years, consumed by my every thought of her leads me to believe I'll be anything but fine
My mind snapped back from thinking about my first moments with Belle and suddenly I was back in the musky train compartment of the Hogwarts express. "Yes Zabini, I do actually remember that event that happened because I was in fact there myself you stupid oaf" I paused to allow Crabbe and Goyle to laugh at my insult
I revelled in my ability to fight back, especially when anyone mentions something about Belle to make me feel like a wuss. No one ever dares to speak about Belle to me, I don't know where Zabini summoned the bravery from. Perhaps his Mother's new suitor of the month gave him a new lease of life, and he thought he could overrule my dominance. Unfortunately for him he was very wrong
"That was first year and this is fifth year, and a lot has changed. I'm not one to dwell on the past, something your Mother and I have in common, although her outlet is the men she can't manage to keep around for more than 6 months" I smirked at him proudly "Besides she doesn't remember anything anyway. The only reason I'll be speaking to Isabelle is to ensure I'm the first one to get in her pants"
"Is that what you've been saving yourself for?" sniggered Zabini, glazing over the fact I'd just called his Mother a whore, rather referring to the fact I hadn't yet slept with anyone
"No of bloody course not you fool, the rest of the girls in Hogwarts are just repulsive" I felt Pansy tense up beside me "apart from you of course Parkinson, but you're the only one I can stand to be around for more than an hour without wanting to gauge my own eyeballs out. And yet I still would rather chop it off and feed my dick to Longbottom's toad than stick it in you. We're not all like you Zabini, some of us have certain standards"
"Isabelle is quite the looker isn't she" Zabini replied, still refusing to acknowledge my insults. "For the record Parkinson, I'd be honoured to give you a ride" he winked at her, to my distaste
"She's gorgeous" Pansy agreed, ignoring Zabini's advances. She was also friendly with Isabelle until she left unexpectedly, so I knew she wouldn't allow Zabini to speak ill of her either. "Perhaps I might want to sleep with her" Zabini continued staring straight at me, taunting me
My hands formed into fists and my jaw clenched, it took every inch of my being to not grab him by his ears and pull him across the table, but "you wouldn't fucking dare" was all I could muster
"If she means nothing to you, why would you care?" He scoffed
"She bloody doesn't, but I wouldn't wish having sex with you on anyone. Who knows what diseases you'll be carrying, you're practically crawling with it" I spat leaning across the table towards him. His stupid smirk tormenting me, daring me to punch him square in the face
"Go near her, and you'll get what's coming to you" I left him with that thought, got up and left the compartment. I didn't know where I was going but subconsciously my mind was taking me to Isabelle, why does this stupid girl have such a hold over me. Snap out of it Draco you blithering fool
