Chapter 2
I spent most of that night thinking. Draco Malfoy. It seemed odd to me to even consider calling him Draco. After all that was what I'd call him if he was a friend. And he is definitely not my friend. Still, he'd fascinated me out there in the dark. What was he doing out there? Why did he look so sad? You'd think with all the money he had he could afford to buy some happiness, at least.
I was surprised- shocked, even- that he had managed to control his temper out there. I know he can be quite violent, as well as rude. Even though I've never spoken to him, I feel like I know him from all the things Ron has said. However, I don't believe in judging people on how other people perceive them. It seemed to me that Malfoy had wanted to say something to me outside last night. I wasn't just going to push him away because everyone I know hates him. Surely I should find out for myself whether he deserves to be thought of like that? That's how you learn. I'm willing to learn.
Maybe- just maybe- he's not as bad as people say. Hmmm.
*
At eleven thirty I stood at the Hogwarts gates with my friends, ready to go into Hogsmeade. Waiting for the last few people to arrive, I told them about Malfoy. They were not so supportive of the idea of giving him a chance. They are my friends, and I know I should listen to their advice, but I think they're wrong. They don't know Malfoy any better that I do, so how can they give me a proper reason for hating him? I'm not just going to dislike him without a suitable reason for doing so.
I tried explaining this to them as we walked to Hogsmeade. I noticed him walking a slight distance behind us. He was with a girl from his year. Pansy, I think her name is. Ron doesn't like her much. She seemed to be hanging on Malfoy's every word, touching his arm at every possible occasion. Was she his girlfriend? I put this to my friends. After many subtle glances in his direction, we couldn't work it out. He wasn't exactly treating her like a girlfriend. Quite the opposite in fact. I wonder what's going on between them?
I didn't dwell on it though, I had so much shopping to do in Hogsmeade. I'd been saving for ages to be able to buy everyone Christmas presents, and most importantly, a new dress robe. I couldn't bring myself to ask mum for one, I know she finds it hard paying for all of us.
By the time I'd bought everything, the sky had got dusky and I was ready to collapse. I wandered towards the Three Broomsticks as I'd planned to meet up with my friends there. I turned the corner and was met by someone striding the other way. They crashed right into me, sending me off balance. My bags went everywhere as I fell backwards.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Watch where you're going, why don't you!" an angry voice snarled down upon me. I felt myself blushing with embarrassment. I hurriedly picked up my bags as I looked into the face of this rude person. Malfoy. My thoughts of him being different from what everyone said almost left my mind. There was no look of apology in his face as he stood there watching me.
I straightened up. "Thanks for helping me," I said crossly, brushing myself down. I looked up and his eyes locked onto mine. There was something about his gaze that made me lose my anger, and lessen the embarrassment. What gorgeous eyes.
"Listen, would you like to go and get a drink at the Three Broomsticks?"
I was so shocked, I nearly didn't reply. What was he playing at? Go on, don't contradict everything you've just told your friends, give him a chance, just say yes, a little voice said. As I thought about it, I realised I may have actually not had that much choice- the way he was looking at me implied that if I turned his offer down, he would probably curse me.
"Ok."
I spent most of that night thinking. Draco Malfoy. It seemed odd to me to even consider calling him Draco. After all that was what I'd call him if he was a friend. And he is definitely not my friend. Still, he'd fascinated me out there in the dark. What was he doing out there? Why did he look so sad? You'd think with all the money he had he could afford to buy some happiness, at least.
I was surprised- shocked, even- that he had managed to control his temper out there. I know he can be quite violent, as well as rude. Even though I've never spoken to him, I feel like I know him from all the things Ron has said. However, I don't believe in judging people on how other people perceive them. It seemed to me that Malfoy had wanted to say something to me outside last night. I wasn't just going to push him away because everyone I know hates him. Surely I should find out for myself whether he deserves to be thought of like that? That's how you learn. I'm willing to learn.
Maybe- just maybe- he's not as bad as people say. Hmmm.
*
At eleven thirty I stood at the Hogwarts gates with my friends, ready to go into Hogsmeade. Waiting for the last few people to arrive, I told them about Malfoy. They were not so supportive of the idea of giving him a chance. They are my friends, and I know I should listen to their advice, but I think they're wrong. They don't know Malfoy any better that I do, so how can they give me a proper reason for hating him? I'm not just going to dislike him without a suitable reason for doing so.
I tried explaining this to them as we walked to Hogsmeade. I noticed him walking a slight distance behind us. He was with a girl from his year. Pansy, I think her name is. Ron doesn't like her much. She seemed to be hanging on Malfoy's every word, touching his arm at every possible occasion. Was she his girlfriend? I put this to my friends. After many subtle glances in his direction, we couldn't work it out. He wasn't exactly treating her like a girlfriend. Quite the opposite in fact. I wonder what's going on between them?
I didn't dwell on it though, I had so much shopping to do in Hogsmeade. I'd been saving for ages to be able to buy everyone Christmas presents, and most importantly, a new dress robe. I couldn't bring myself to ask mum for one, I know she finds it hard paying for all of us.
By the time I'd bought everything, the sky had got dusky and I was ready to collapse. I wandered towards the Three Broomsticks as I'd planned to meet up with my friends there. I turned the corner and was met by someone striding the other way. They crashed right into me, sending me off balance. My bags went everywhere as I fell backwards.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Watch where you're going, why don't you!" an angry voice snarled down upon me. I felt myself blushing with embarrassment. I hurriedly picked up my bags as I looked into the face of this rude person. Malfoy. My thoughts of him being different from what everyone said almost left my mind. There was no look of apology in his face as he stood there watching me.
I straightened up. "Thanks for helping me," I said crossly, brushing myself down. I looked up and his eyes locked onto mine. There was something about his gaze that made me lose my anger, and lessen the embarrassment. What gorgeous eyes.
"Listen, would you like to go and get a drink at the Three Broomsticks?"
I was so shocked, I nearly didn't reply. What was he playing at? Go on, don't contradict everything you've just told your friends, give him a chance, just say yes, a little voice said. As I thought about it, I realised I may have actually not had that much choice- the way he was looking at me implied that if I turned his offer down, he would probably curse me.
"Ok."