Title: A Fairy's Good Deed
Author: DR asia
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I only do this for fun, don't sue me!
Feedback: Greatly welcomed
Pairing: None (Sorry!)
Categories: Humour/General
Summary: For a fairy who was still short of one good deed, it seemed that resolving Harry and Draco's long-standing rivalry would be a fulfilling project for the year.
A/N: I envy those who could write and write and never have to pause to think about the next sentence which they are going to write….as I'm not one of those people. TT
The first part of this chapter is from Draco's POV so I used the trio's last names to address them. Hope it isn't confusing.
Chapter 3a – (In which the key players of the story meet.)
Draco was minding his own business for once. He had strolled along the lake, enjoying the scenery after the rain. He was just taking a detour back to Hogwarts, not wanting to end the peaceful mood when the hairs at the back of his neck prickled. Sensing something unpleasant, he looked up and immediately saw what was wrong.
The Golden Trio was heading towards him.
He sighed inwardly. Hogwarts was so big, why couldn't he avoid them for a day? He wanted to turn back but it was already too late. He had been seen.
From a distance of a few feet away, he saw Weasley nudged the muggle-born and Potter. They looked up and saw him, Potter visibly narrowing his eyes when their eyes met. He turned his head slightly as Weasley spoke to him, never once breaking their eye contact as he did so. The dark-haired boy then shook his head briefly and Draco wondered about what his sidekick was talking about. The taller boy was getting quite agitated about something. As they walked closer, Draco could hear pieces of their conversation.
"Come on Harry, it's too good to pass up!"
"…..not wise…" Granger cut in.
They continued to argue about it as the distance between them narrowed. Finally, Weasley seemed to have reached a conclusion and glared at Draco. Were they arguing about him, then? He smirked; he could almost guess what they were talking about him. He, too, had been thinking about the 'agreement' Potter and he had arranged days before. That was why he wanted solitary in the first place.
Weasley seemed to glare even harder. "What are you smirking at, Malfoy? Didn't you promise to leave us alone?"
Draco wanted to laugh; some people just never learn to pay attention to the small details. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't promise to stay away from you, Weasley. Just Potter. Moreover, I believe it's my right as a Hogwarts student to be allowed here on the grounds. I was here first anyway," he remarked causally, "so if anyone is at fault here. I'd guess that it's you lot." He gave a pointed look to the three of them.
Weasley was fuming by now, freckles standing out as his face got redder by every word out from Draco's mouth. "Why you arrogant bastard! -" he had barely begun his tirade when Potter grabbed hold of his arm which was itching to throw a punch at him.
"Quiet, Ron." Potter demanded. "That's why I knew that it was a bad idea. You are falling into his trap by being angry. Let me talk to him instead." He glanced up at Draco, the glance in his eyes was hard and wary as he said, "Do you intend to keep your word about not hexing anyone and staying away for the year?"
"I guess Gryffindors don't have a good memory. I said that I'd stay out of your sight, not your sidekicks. On the other hand, I'm not interested in wasting my time scheming about Weasley and his muggle-born girlfriend. I've got better things to do. As for staying away…" he paused, pretending to think it over in his head while he was actually scoffing at their anxious expressions, "if you promise not to stalk after me, trying to find out what I'm doing all the time, I'll stay away. Unless, of course, during the shared lessons and such."
Potter seemed to be considering his words. Draco knew that he would say yes, like any gullible foolish Gryffindor. He'd just have to devise an ingenious way for his revenge such that no one would suspect his hand in it. "Well, is that satisfactory enough for you?"
"Fine." Potter gave a curt nod.
"Glad to know that great hero of our times approves of my words. Now how about we end this conversation and not spend another second in one another's…"
"Meow."
Draco was startled. Where did that come from? He looked down and saw what had made that sound. Rubbing its head against his robe was a small white cat. It was a Persian with a long pure snow-white coat save for a black tip at the end of the tail. Draco shifted his legs, trying to get rid of the cat. Small furry things don't just go up to Malfoys and start rubbing and demanding attention and he intend to keep it that way. He had an image to uphold! However, the cat was persistent. It quickly closed the distance between them and looked up at him with its large blue eyes.
Merlin, please don't tell me that it want to be picked up! It was raining just now and the ground is all muddy and I don't even know to think what it had dragged its paws into. I mean, just eww. Draco inwardly shooed the cat. Go away, cat! Your pathetic act wouldn't fool me, find someone else to pester and coo over you! Draco continued to step back, but the cat was equally determined. It matched his movement step for step.
The trio in front of him was staring at their strange dance with astonishment. Up to that point of time, they had totally forgotten about their little task for Hagrid. The cat had come up from behind them and started nuzzling Malfoy like he was the most approachable person around.
"I say, is that cat Malfoy's?" Granger said when she finally found her voice. "They certainly looked acquainted enough."
"What? No, wait, you certainly can't be thinking that I'm the owner of this cat." Draco quickly corrected their suspicions. "I don't keep pets and my Eagle owl is sufficient for my needs. I don't need a cat!" He rambled on. "Besides, white isn't really my colour and will someone please get the cat away fromme before it attacks me with its filthy paws?"
Potter raised an eyebrow. That was interesting. He bent forward and rescued the cat, holding it in his arms. "Hagrid found it earlier. It was without its owner He asked us to help find the person. Since you have already established that you aren't the owner, do you know someone in Slytherin who has a white cat that looks like this one?"
Draco frowned, now that the cat was safely in Potter's arm and he could think clearly again. This conversation had gone on for far too long. What was he thinking, letting them see him freaking out because of a cat? "No. I don't think I have seen this cat before either. If you'd excuse me, the time is late and I need to get back. Pansy is waiting for me." Without a further word, he turned and made his way back to Hogwarts.
Harry blinked at Malfoy's abrupt departure. "It's about time." Ron scowled. "I can't stand him going on and on for so long. He looked really funny when the cat went near him though. Think he has a phobia of cats?"
"Gatophobia." Hermione stated.
"What?" Both boys turned to look at her.
"Phobia of cats, silly. Where's your general knowledge? Anyway, I don't think he has it. If Malfoy really has a phobia of cats, he would be having a panic attack just now, with the cat so near him. I think he just didn't want the cat to dirty his expensive robes."
"Ah yes, I distinctly recall him saying something about filthy paws." Harry smiled and looked down at the cat which he was holding in his arms. "Hagrid dried you just now, didn't he? But the walk to the lack was rather long, I reckon you have to clean yourself again."
"Pity he don't have it, the phobia I mean." Ron mused as they started again. "It would be good if we know of his weakness. Imagine the possibilities!"
They all laughed and started to think of various situations to dump Malfoy with a cat if he really had a phobia of cats. It resulted in a pleasant and hilarious chat back to Hogwarts. When they reached the castle, the cat jumped down from Harry's arm and walked with them for a distance before heading off in anther direction.
"It must have found its owner." Harry decided when they discovered the cat was missing when they were in the Gryffindor common room. Then, all thoughts of the cat disappeared like vapour as they worked on their homework before dinner.
Sorry to give another short chapter but I got struck on the part where Lisa wandered around the halls of Hogwarts. Any suggestions on what might happen would be greatly appreciated!
Remember to R&R! .